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Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet - NOTEBOOK FOR THE MEMBERS PEACE MONITORING GROUP BOUGANVILLE, Australian Theatre Joint Intelligence Centre, BOUGANVILLE HANDBOOK, 1999
Conflict Period 1990-1999. PNG Bougainville (TMG) 1997-1998 PNG 1998-2003.Spiral bound pages. Clear plastic covering, white cardboard cover with map of Australia in green, blue background with a yellow round border with black printed words. Booklet has 79 pages. 1-50 black printed wording. 51-79 Photographs of equipment, books, people. Back of booklet has 3 folder maps in various colours.Front cover "AUSTRALIAN THEATRE JOINT INTELLIGENCE CENTRE" BOUGAINVILLE HANDBOOK Back cover - Printed November 1999maps, peace monitoring, manual, books -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - CHILDRENS BOOK COLLECTION
Children's Books Collections. The Child's Own Scrap Book. Scrapbook with dark brown cover with "The Child's own Scrap Book" in gold lettering. Picture of a young girl in centre of cover, (9cms x 12cms), surrounded by gold coloured patterns. Pages filled with scrap book cuttings pasted in. Written inside the front cover 'Elizabeth Jane Hall . A birthday present from her grandmamma Jane Arkle, 12 may.books, children's, the child's own scrap book -
Mont De Lancey
Book, D Matheson, Matheson's Australian Saw-Millers' Complete Log and Timber Ready Reckoner
Log Books and Ready Reckoners were used and still are these days to record information for many different work needs. This small one would have been very practical for ease of use kept on-hand in a pocket. It was invaluable to carriers and all persons engaged in the timber trade.A damaged small brown cardboard Saw Millers' Complete Log and Timber Ready Reckoner book. It has a Preface, Tables No. 1, 2 and 3. which give full details of round timber, circumference of logs, contents of timber in general building sizes and full details of circumference of circles and more. There are handwritten notes inside the back cover. Opposite the title page is an advertisement for high grade circular saws and knives. Pp.120non-fictionLog Books and Ready Reckoners were used and still are these days to record information for many different work needs. This small one would have been very practical for ease of use kept on-hand in a pocket. It was invaluable to carriers and all persons engaged in the timber trade.books, documents, notebooks, log books, ready reckoners -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, City of Nunawading Archives Register, 1986
List of City of Nunawading rate books, construction registers , cash books an reports held at the Laverton Public Record Office. All were produced by preceding authoritiesList of City of Nunawading rate books, construction registers , cash books an reports held at the Laverton Public Record Office. All were produced by preceding authoritiesList of City of Nunawading rate books, construction registers , cash books an reports held at the Laverton Public Record Office. All were produced by preceding authoritiescity of nunawading, shire of nunawading, shire of blackburn and mitcham -
Orbost & District Historical Society
textbooks, 1948 - 1982
These reference books were used in the Orbost pharmacy by various chemists. . Chemists who worked in Orbost included Henry Cottman; James Alfred Dubois Williams; Harry Arthur Murray; Miss P.E .Mason (Phyllis Estelle?); Miss Sybil Monica Buzza; Thomas James Frayer; Australia Shaw; James David Torley; John William Zimmer; Dalkeith William Steele; William Thomas Hollingsworth; E.E. Cohen; R.S. Anderson; Frances John Perry Faith Everard Pardew and Charles Anthony Wurf. "n Britain, the Medical Act of 1858 charged the General Medical Council with the "production of a book containing the list of medicines and compounds, and the manner of preparing them together with the true weights and measures by which they are to be mixed and prepared". The British Pharmacopoeia thus became the official reference book and superseded other previous manuals" (from .South Australian Medical Heritage Society Inc" These reference books have an association with Orbost. Historical works in pharmacy show the evolution of therapeutics and the development of diverse treatment and are therefore a useful research tool. Five heavy reference books. They contain detailed information on drugs and other pharmaceutical materials with standards for substances. Details of each book are in the catalogue folder.pharmacies-orbost reference-books-pharmacy medicine drugs -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - CASTLEMAINE GAS COMPANY COLLECTION: ADVANCED BOOK-KEEPING
Hemingway and Robertson's Correspondence Schools - Accountancy Course - Advanced Bookkeeping Series 2. The topics are: Partnerships Articles or Agreement - Quasi Partners - Commencement of Partnership - Continuance of Partnership - Admission of a new Partner - Death or Retirement of a Partner - Where Books are kept by Single Entry - Special Partnership Problems - Home work exercise. The book is 75 pages in total. On the back a quote from Disraeli ''The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for opportunity when it comes''books, technical, accounting -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Display case and 4 books, Lillian Horner memorial Prize presented to Miss J.D.Paddock in 1956 for distinguished work as an infant teacher in Ringwood, 1956
The Lillian Horner Memorial Prize was awarded to Miss Daisy Paddock for distinguished work as an infant teacher. Lillian Horner was a pioneer in infant teaching. She was born in May 1873 and died in February 1938. She encouraged mothers to interest themselves directly in the work of her infant grades so laid the foundations for the first Mother's Club. An annual prize of books was given to the infant teacher adjudged most worthy in a school under the Education Department, Victoria. to perpetuate her memory. In 1956 Daisy Paddock from Ringwood S.S.2997 won the prize. The books were The First Year in School by E.R. Boyce, The Merry-go-round by James Jeeves, One Little Boy by Julian Press, The Fairy Green by Rose Fyleman and Lavenders Blue,A Book of Nursery Rhymes by Kathleen Lines. The presentation case was made by former pupils who were then attending Ringwood Technical College.Wooden display case with metal plaque. Box with glass and wooden lid fastened by a brass clasp fixed by 4 wooden struts to a wooden tray base enclosing 5 books +Additional Keywords: Paddock, J.D. / Lillian Hornerpresented to Miss J.D. Paddock ,the Lillian Horner Memorial Prize 1956 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Ghost Camp
This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. Rolf Boldrewood (1826-1915) ‘Rolf Boldrewood’ is the pen-name used by Thomas Alexander Browne as a writer. Browne was the eldest child of Captain Sylvester John Brown and Elizabeth Angell nee Alexander. He was born in London on 6th August 1826 and arrived in Australia with his parents and siblings when he was 5 years old and grew up in Sydney. In the 1860s Browne added the ‘e’ to his surname. As a 17-year-old Browne took up land in the Western District of Victoria between Portland and Port Fairy on a property named “Squattlesea Mere”. He remained there until 1858, enjoying the squatters’ life on his 32,000-acre property, growing potatoes and running cattle and horses. He sold in 1858 and purchased a sheep station on the Murray River near Swan Hill. He later sold this and bought another sheep station near Narrandera until bad seasons and severe droughts eventually caused him to change his career after 25 years as a squatter. Over the next 25 years Browne held the position of Police Magistrate and as a gold commissioner in various locations. His third career as an author lasted approximately 40 years. In 1865 he wrote two articles on pastoral life while he was recovering from a riding accident. In the 1870’s his writing was bringing in the income to support his family, changing his focus to the writing of novels. A series of these was written for the Australian market and published in The Sydney Mail and the Centennial Magazine. His later novels were aimed at the overseas markets. His best known novel “Robbery Under Arms” was written from 1882 to 1883 and has been serialised on radio in Australia and Britain. The novel was filmed in 1907, 1920 and 1957, and in 1985 it was made into a television series. It is now an Australian Classic. He also wrote short stories, several nonfiction graziers’ guides, and an autobiography named “Old Melbourne Memories” in 1884. [This information has been taken from Wikipedia; Australian Authors-Perry Meddlemiss; Australian Dictionary of Biography, Browne, Thomas Alexander (1826-1915)] The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Ghost Camp Author: Rolf Boldrewood Publisher: MacMillan & Co Ltd Date: 1902 Further Information: The Ghost Camp Or The AvengersThe spine is handwritten in black ink giving the books name, authors name, and R.S. 899.3 BOL Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library that notes that this book was reconditioned in 1955 flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the ghost camp, rolf boldrewood, the ghost camp or the avengers -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Survival Kit, c. 1943
Emergency survival kit made safe and watertightThe kit represents equipment used around the time of World War II to aid the safety and survival of seafarers.Survival kit, 1973. Rectangular metal box with round screw top lid that has wing handles with a red cross on both ends of box (one end is heavily rusted). Contents of box includes booklet 1943 "Advice to Those in Lifeboats and Rafts of Merchant Ships" and one rectangular piece of water resistant paper with "Advice-books" written on it (separated from booklet), cylindrical stainless steel container with wire handle, cotton bandage. Also inside, one Sun-flash Distress Signal Mirror (instructions adhered to back) with padded pouch, labelled "MIRROR" in white paint, and a card inside pouch, adhering to insides. Metal is corroding.White painted label on pouch 'MIRROR". Paper instructions on back of mirror headed "_ _ FSON SUN-FLASH DISTRESS, SIGNAL DEVICE". Printed on waterproof cover "ADVICE BOOKS". warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, survival kit, commonwealth of australia, sun-flash distress signal mirror, survival advice book, military supplies, emergency kit, survival kit. -
Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre
Memorabilia - Collection of four exercise books containing study notes for aircraft fitter and rigger
Study notes handwritten by by R.W.Harris while doing a Fitter's Course 159, Wing No 1 at IES Ascot Vale, Melbourne 1939-1945 Notes refer to Kitty Hawk , Bristol Beaufort , Wirraway, Avro Anson, metal rigging, systems etc Various exercise books, ruled with handwritten notes and diagramsR.W.Harris 52618 IES No 1 Wingr.w harris, fitters training notes, ies ascot vale, world war 2 -
Ballarat Clarendon College
Book, The life of Vice-Admiral William Bligh Vol I-II
Presented to the school by the Misses Peebles, identity unknown. Example of ongoing community support of the school. The Weatherly Library was opened in 1936 and its collection significantly established by donation or bequest of old collegians and members of the college community and associates.Medium cloth bound books with gold lettering on spineBook plate inside front cover: Crest / Ballarat College / Library / Presented by / Misses Peebles 1936...peebles, ballarat-college, weatherly-library -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Papers - Geological Survey, Reports of Fossil Specimens, Maps
Research undertaken in the local areaStudy done by resident of the Kiewa ValleyPapers photocopied from books pertaining to the local areageology, fossils -
NMIT (Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE)
Folder - Sponsorship kit - NMIT, Northern Metropolitan College of TAFE. Advanced Certificate in Management Project Group, Sponsorship kit for the return of the Kingfisher Festival 1995, 1995
This kit is the result of a collaboration between the NMCOT Advanced Certificate in Management students and the organising committee of the CERES Return of the Kingfisher Festival. Students developed the sponsorship proposal and literature as a project for the course.A professional proposal giving students the opportunity to participate in real life situations.White folder containing 3 books of varying pages.ceres, return of the kingfisher festival, sponsorship proposals, merri creek, advanced certificate in management, nmit -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Document, Field Book Inspections 1957, 1957
Various notes on student work, including Field Booksfield books, students -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Financial record - Documents, Nungurner Hall Committee, 1986
Receipt book 514 used 10th July 1980 to 24th October 1986 yellow cover, red bound spine, 26 receipts issuedOne receipt book and two bank deposit booksminute books -
Peterborough History Group
Document - Establishment of Peterborough
Details progress of establishment of the district and the town Information about the town being Gazetted; Massacre Bay informationCopies of maps, pages of books and hand drawn mapbaradh clan, peterborough, peterborough history, buckley creek run, massacre bay -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Document Pay Books, C WW2
Two pay books. One blue, one brown.Brown book - Cooper, William VX 08106. Pay book No. 341349. Royal Australian Army. Blue book - Bingley, Robin A314715, Pay book No. 78002, Royal Australian Air Force. -
Numurkah & District Historical Society
Book - School Exercise Books x 5
school workbooks owned by local students: Esther Young (Baulkamaugh East SS) and others not identifiedCardboard covered exercise books with students' work inside Dates: 18951899,1902, education, school, writing, exercise books -
Numurkah & District Historical Society
Book - English Literature books x 2, Ballads Old & New (1922) / The Empire (1891)
The Empire owned by local, Minnie Gordon (Drumanure State School) - 18912 x hardcovered books, blue & green coverssee photoseducation, school, english, reading, literature -
Numurkah & District Historical Society
Book - Readers x 3, The bad red bus (1955) / Seaside Story (year unknown) / Let's Read a Story Bk 3 (1961)
Soft-covered books x 3 (see photo)see photoeducation, school, reading, readers, english -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Booklet WW1, Sites of the First World War, c2010
Guide books for the sites of the first would war, the Somme -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Pay Books
2 Pay books - VF397611 - Honor Alice HUMBLEdocuments, ww2, army -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - PETER ELLIS COLLECTION: LIBRARY
Colour photograph. Library. Tour group. Books on stands.photo, group, mixed group -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Archive, Stawell Drama Group, Stawell Dramatic Club, 1952 - 1962
Mrs Kathy McDonald, Hall's Gap. Passed them on to our society 2008. Meeting 25-2-1952 to Reform the group 4151: Book 1: 25-2-1952 - 8 - 6 - 1954 Book 2: 12-7-1954 - 10-2-1960 Book 3: 23- 3- 1954 - 10 - 2- 1960Books 1 2 & 3 Drama/Dramatic GroupBook 1 -The Oric Series ACCOUNT BOOK (In Rectangle) MINUTE BOOK SUITABLE FOR BUSINESS. SCHOOLS & GENERAL USES Book 2 -Pink Patterned Cover. Minute Book Drama Group. (Written in pencil) Book 3 - Minute Book ( Written in ink) The Pencraft FAINT ACCOUNT BOOK A Pencraft Production ( Written in Green Print on label. Stawell Drama Group. (Written in Drama Groupstawell, clubs -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Memorabilia - Realia
Funeral Order of Service Sheets in Blue Covered Booksstawell -
Federation University Art Collection
Artwork - bookplate, Ex Libris Katherine Littlewood, not dated
Bookplate featuring a cat sitting atop a stack of books"Ex Libris KATHERINE LITTLEWOOD"katherine littlewood, bookplate, cat -
Federation University Art Collection
Work on paper - Bookplate, Geoffrey Ricardo Ex Libris, 2015
Etching showing Kangaroo reading with pouch containing booksSigned and dated 2015 lower right geoffrey ricardo, bookplate, australian bookplate design awards, winner 2015 -
University of Melbourne, School of Chemistry
Leaflets
Leaflets, Instruction Books, etc. for some of the material in the collection. -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Book - World War 2, 30 Seconds over Tokyo, 1944
Hard cover books containing 218 printed pages.Printed by Halstead Press Pty Ltd -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Childrens Encyclopedia Vol 1
Presented to Warrnambool Children’s Library by Fletcher Jones Esq. in 1950 This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Children's Encyclopedia Vol 1, pages 1 - 764. Originated and edited by Arthur Mee. Hardcover, red colour with gold lettering. Published by The Educational Book Company, Limited. Part of the Pattison Collection of books (PAT 032 CHI). Label on spine with typed text PAT 032 CHIwarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, the children's encyclopedia vol 1, pattison collection, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool library, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library