An example of late 19th century childrens' book design.Hardback, 80 pages, col. frontispiece and title page. Embossed front cover, with col. illus."To dear Stuart, with all good wishes for a happy Christmas from R. Wedlich S. S. T. 1917"childrens books

The Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mills was located near the Barwon river on Pakington Street, Geelong, where its building still stands. The mill was established in October 1922 with capital acquired from War Gratuity Bonds. The mill produced fine grade woollen products with its speciality being ‘Retsol’ travelling rugs.31 page red book bound with metal pins containing fabric samples glued onto paper, with some printed text.cover: [printed] A FORECAST OF TEXTILE VOGUES / FOR THE COMING SEASON / FROM / R. S. & S. Woollen Mill. / Geelongr. s. & s mill, soldiers, sailors, geelong, war, wool, mill

The Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mills was located near the Barwon river on Pakington Street, Geelong, where its building still stands. The mill was established in October 1922 with capital acquired from War Gratuity Bonds. The mill produced fine grade woollen products with its speciality being ‘Retsol’ travelling rugs.25 page red book bound with metal pins containing fabric samples glued onto paper, with some printed text.cover: [printed] A FORECAST OF TEXTILE VOGUES / FOR THE COMING SEASON / FROM / R. S. & S. Woollen Mill. / Geelongr. s. & s mill, soldiers, sailors, geelong, war, wool, mill

This photograph was found loose in the first of three albums compiled and owned by J W Allen, Secretary of New South Wales Grazier's, and is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of sheep 1928-1929. The album contains photographs of travel, sheep, farms, stations, people and landscapes from around the world. Locations include Naples, Port Said, Suez, Birregurra (Vic), Alexandra (Vic), Ballangeich (Vic), Keith (SA), Mt Gambier (SA), Buckland Park (SA), Tasmania, Winton (QLD), Sydney Harbour, Canberra (ACT), Toowoomba (QLD), Rockhampton (QLD), Tocal (NSW), Deepwater (NSW), Glen Innes (NSW), Longreach (QLD), Moree (NSW), Barraba (NSW) and Mudgee (NSW). Properties depicted include Mooleric, Turkeith, Woolongoon, Minadale, Crower Station, Merrindie, Koomooloo Station, Cappeedee, Koonoona, Rathmore, Ellenthorpe, Camden Park Station, Glenlegh, Strathmore Station, Ilparran Station, Binneguy, Midkin, Terlings, Ashley, Bereen, Plumthorpe, Mayvale and Havilah. The album was found in a clean out at the Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute and donated to the National Wool Museum, along with other related material such as photographs, glass lantern slides and ephemera.Black and white photograph showing two cars parked with people standing around the cars. A fence, water tower and trees are shown in the background, with a road in the foreground. back: [handwritten] Entrance: Minadale Alexandra (R. S. S. Cameron) / [printed] KODAK PRINT / C 806agriculture, sheep, farming, stations, research, breeding, photography, travel

A seven day reminder pill box, a clear rectangular plastic box with the letters in blue "SMTWTFS". Braille is included to indicate the letter of each day. Plastic box with seven compartmentsA single letter on top of each compartment in large font: S M T W T F Sassistive devices, quanterron

Black and White photograph of Gavin Young and Carry Davey in front of No. 28 on No. 2 road at the BTPS depot 1980. Photo used in the 1979 - 1980 Annual Report. Photo by John Phillips. Note the construction of No. 40 road in the background and the remains of No. 3 road extension or the ski jump. On the rear of the photo "BC Bottom", "Gavin Young chats to Driver Gary Davey in front of No. 28, resplendent in its 1950's colour scheme." (G) S/S all in pencil.tramways, trams, btps, depot, track construction, tram 27

Newspaper cuttings from The Courier, Ballarat, "Down the Tracks" column with notes Mr. Maurie Calnin JP. Mr Calnin was the President of the BTPS in the early 1970's. The item records Mr. Calnin's days as a Victorian Railway's North Ballarat Railway Workshop employee, a JP and a Magistrate on the Children's Court. 1735.1 - Ballarat Courier, p30, 24/1/1997 - 118H x 79W 1735.2 - Ballarat Courier, p26. 31/1/1997 - 190H x 96W1735.1 - in black ink 4 "*"'s on the top edge, "Courier p30 24/1/1997" and "former BTPS President" 1735.2 - in black ink "p26 Courier 31/1/1997"btps, magistrate, north ballarat workshops

Donated by N. M. & J. D. Archibald. April 1973Black & White Photograph. Chicory Kiln. Cowes, Main Road - Mr. G. Stoppa. Cement blocks with Iron, Wood & Fibro. Built late 1940's or 50's. Chicory Kiln Album.local history, photography, photographs, agriculture buildings, historic, chicory kiln, cowes, phillip island, g stoppa, n & j archibald

Bush Collection (presumed only) 'Apex Dance details - Kerang June 1934'. Programme of dances for the ''Apex - Steamship Company - Log of the S S Apex'' titled dance gathering for June 18th, 1934.clubs, social, kerang apex club

Brydon Stewart Melrose (1895-1989) was a dentist. He married Florence Emily Reville in 1921. Their home in Myrtle Street was called Morayfield. In the mid to late 1930's they moved to Boundary Street.Black and white photograph mounted on rectangular grey board. House, weatherboard, cement sheet and timber under eaves. Double door entrance. Rough cast cement verandah with timber posts. Two palms in front. Timber top rail to closely slatted wooden fence, chimney pots visible. On back of photo:" Bryden Melrose, £850, Date stamp 9 December 1927. refer S & U, D.T. Coy first'Frank A. Jeffree Bendigoplace, building, residential, stamped on back in rectangle ''t.c. watts and son/auctioneer/estate agents/253 mitchell street/bendigo'' stamped on back in circle ''royal historical society of victoria, bendigo branch''

[a] 1940's B&Wstreet view folder of Bendigo.Published by the Valentine Publishing Co P/L Melbourne & Sydney [b] 1940's B&W street photographic views of Bendigo Published by the Valentine Publishing Co P/L Melbourne & Sydney. [c] 1940's coloured souvenir photographic views of Bendigo.Published by the Nucolourview Productions , Mentone , Victoriabendigo, streetscape, various views

Black and white photograph showing P S Tanjil left and S S Burrabogie right at Mossiface Wharf on the Tambo river. Larger open sided white shed at wharf, smaller shed further back, pipes on wharf small row boat beside stern of Burrabogie. Hillside partly cleared trees ring barked. East Gippsland Victoriaships and shipping, bridges, waterways

This large 10 gallon boiler would have been used over an open fire or placed on top of coals to boil clothes clean. They were first made in England during the 1700's and onwards.They were shipped to Australia and other British Empire countries to be purchased by early settlers. A large antique black oval cast iron Boiler Pot with small curved lifting handles for holding it on both sides. There is a large cast moveable carrying iron handle with a bend at the top for hooking onto an 'S' shaped hook or rod to hang over an open fire. This handle is attached on each side to thick iron loops. The Makers name is embossed on one side.Embossed on one side is 'Clarke and Co 10.GS' inside an oval shape (for gallons) There is a diamond shape too of a blacksmith at work. cast iron, cooking, boiling utensils

"METHODIST CHURCH. In 1881, during the ministry of Rev. W. H. Fitchett, B.A., at Hawthorn, a number of members of the denomination living at Kew considered that the time was opportune for founding a local Church. The Superintendent of the Circuit, the Rev. W. A. Quick of Richmond, met the members and formed them into a society class under the leadership of Mr. A. Brown and a Church was formally instituted at the house of Mr. T. J. Eaton, of Eglinton Street, in December, 1881. Services were regularly held for some time at the same place, and funds for purchasing a block of land were gradually collected, resulting in the present site in Highbury Grove being purchased for £350. Messrs. W. Cleverdon, A. Money, T. E. Serpell, and T. Vasey, of Hawthorn, and Messrs. A. Brown, R. Eyre, and T. J. Eaton of Kew, were appointed trustees. A public meeting was held a the Town Hall, when over £100 was raised. The Rev. John Harcourt, who had just been placed on the supernumerary list, was persuaded to undertake the charge, and commenced services in the Town Hall on 29th April, 1882, which were continued for eighteen months. A Sunday School was started, and altogether the effort progressed so satisfactorily that in October, 1882, the foundation and memorial stones of the present Church were laid by Mr James Huddart. At the tea meeting held in connection with this event nearly £200 was raised and a few months later £250 more was obtained by means of a bazaar. The contract for building Church was let for £1,200. The Sunday School celebrated its first anniversary in June, and the Church was opened on 7th October 1883, the preachers on the occasion being Revs. E. J. Watkin, S. Chapman, and John Harcourt, the collections amounting to £230. Towards raising these sums of money the ladies of the congregation helped very materially. In 1886 the foundation stone of a Sunday school, to cost about £900, was laid by Mrs. H Berry, the building being opened in April 1887. During the same year the Church was enlarged. In 1889 parsonage was erected, and again arrangements had to be made for a further enlargement of the Church, at a cost of nearly £2,000. The foundation stones of the tower were laid by Rev J. Harcourt, and of the transepts by Mrs. Job Smith and Mrs. John Watson. These additions were made during the ministry of Rev. P. R. C. Ussher, the first minister appointed to Kew by conference. He has been succeeded by Revs. Henry Howard, J. de Q. Robin, J. J. Brown, J. G. Wheen, A. E. Albiston, M.A., and F. J. Nance, M.A., who is at present ably filling the pulpit. For the musical portion of the services, the Church has been greatly indebted to the enthusiasm of Mr. C. Gardner, the leader of the choir, and Mr. C. E. Gardner, the organist. The Sunday School has had a number of excellent workers, among whom may be mentioned Messrs. Burchett, Allum, Hillard, Tonkin, Dent, Avery, McDonald, Green, and B. Hoadley, who have acted as Superintendents, and Messrs. Arnall and McCaghern as Secretaries. The present trustees are Messrs. H. Berry, Job Smith, A. Hoadley, F. Vial, C. Powers, H. L. Carnegie, C. H. Green, W. R. Rylah, E. M. Tonkin, S. Gaylard, J. Gregory, J. R. McDonald, T. J. Eaton, F. S. Fitchett, and S. Lamble; Society Stewards, T. J. Eaton and B. Hoadley; Poor Stewards, G. Hinchliffe and G. Fraser; Church Stewards, C. H. Green and G. Hinchliffe; Treasurer, F. S. Fitchett; Secretary, S. Lamble." Source: FGA Barnard, Jubilee History of Kew, Victoria, 1910Commemorative tributes were regularly produced in the 19th and early 20th Century to honour community service. Most were adapted from traditional lithographed models. This example, while created within a formal lithographed border has been transmuted into the equivalent of an illuminated document, hand-painted, and therefore rare. The use of flowers in the design emphasises the sentimental and spiritual aspects of the certificate. The document is a rare unique record of the Kew Methodist Church's history.A hand written testimonial for John Watson Esq from the Trustees of the Kew Methodist Church. The customised colour lithograph includes, at lower left, a turn of the century photograph of the Kew Methodist Church in Highbury Grove. The entire certificate is surrounded by floral art and scroll work. The central text uses neo-gothic lettering.‘Dear Sir … in view of your compulsory retirement on health grounds, from the position of Church Steward, [the Trustees] desire to express their great appreciation of your long service of over 22 years, in that and other offices in the Church. They trust that you will yet be spared many years in fellowship with our Church, and that God’s richest blessing be on you, and your family. We remain, Yours sincerely A. E. Albiston (Minister), S. Lamble (Secretary), F. S. Fitchett (Treasurer), T. J. Eaton (Trustee), C. H. Green and Hubert S. Howell (Church Stewards); March 28th 1907’. john watson esq, kew methodist church, highbury grove, certificates, tesimonials

Federation University Australia’s Student Commons Area at the Mt Helen Campus was the first FedUni building to be officially given an Aboriginal name, Gnarrwirring Karung. Meaning Learning Place in the local Wadawurrung language, the re-named centre (pronounced Narrowing Ker Ung) will provide recognition of the area’s cultural heritage and increase the vibrancy, diversity and rich culture throughout the campus. The re-naming ceremony was held at the Gnarrwirring Karung Student Commons Area, S Building, Mt Helen Campus. “The choice of name follows an extensive process of seeking suggestions from the student body, the University’s Aboriginal Education Centre and local Aboriginal custodians,” Geoff Lord, Chairman of the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee, said. “The official naming meets many elements recognised within the FedUni RAP such as enhancing community, embedding culture, providing opportunity and, most importantly, respect. “The ceremony is a fine example of putting Aboriginal culture at the centre of our daily lives.” Jasmine Graham, Manager of the Aboriginal Education Centre, said the re-naming was a milestone for the local Aboriginal community. “The University is committed to greater recognition of Aboriginal heritage and culture throughout all of its campuses,” Ms Graham said. “Gnarrwirring Karung will be an impressive landmark throughout the Mt Helen Campus and a welcoming learning place.” A number of photographs taken at the naming of a Federation University space in the Mt Helen Campus 'S' Building. The space has been named Gnarrwirring Karung, Waddawurrung for Learning Place. waddawurrung, gnarrwirring karung, aboriginal, mt helen campus, jasmine graham, helen bartlett, reconciliation action plan, university women

Federation University Australia’s Student Commons Area at the Mt Helen Campus was the first FedUni building to be officially given an Aboriginal name, Gnarrwirring Karung. Meaning Learning Place in the local Wadawurrung language, the re-named centre (pronounced Narrowing Ker Ung) will provide recognition of the area’s cultural heritage and increase the vibrancy, diversity and rich culture throughout the campus. The re-naming ceremony was held at the Gnarrwirring Karung Student Commons Area, S Building, Mt Helen Campus. “The choice of name follows an extensive process of seeking suggestions from the student body, the University’s Aboriginal Education Centre and local Aboriginal custodians,” Geoff Lord, Chairman of the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee, said. “The official naming meets many elements recognised within the FedUni RAP such as enhancing community, embedding culture, providing opportunity and, most importantly, respect. “The ceremony is a fine example of putting Aboriginal culture at the centre of our daily lives.” Jasmine Graham, Manager of the Aboriginal Education Centre, said the re-naming was a milestone for the local Aboriginal community. “The University is committed to greater recognition of Aboriginal heritage and culture throughout all of its campuses,” Ms Graham said. “Gnarrwirring Karung will be an impressive landmark throughout the Mt Helen Campus and a welcoming learning place.” A number of photographs taken at the naming of a Federation University space in the Mt Helen Campus 'S' Building. The space has been named Gnarrwirring Karung, Waddawurrung for Learning Place. waddawurrung, gnarrwirring karung, aboriginal, mt helen campus, reconciliation action plan, s building, waddawurrung language, place names

.1 Coloured photograph showing a vista of the Geelong foreshore with the baths in the distance c 1970's .2 Coloured photograph showing vista of garden beds, lawn and trees in the Geelong Botanical Gardens c1970'sVerso - Geelonggeelong, geelong baths, geelong botanical gardens

Geological sketch map of a portion of Dead Horse Creek. WGS 84 Centroid Lat: 36 degrees 50 inches S Long: 148 degrees 00 inches S NS: 4.3km EW 4.8kmdead horse creek, james stirling, gold, geology, mount cobberas

Names included on cloth: Colliver, Whelpdale, E. Williams, Ms Lynch, Slender, Dowell, Corrigan, McDonald, Hutchinson, Loveden, Young, Hogan, Maher, Reilly, Fraser and Fahey.Square cotton tablecloth embroidered in blue silk, crocheted around edges. Fancy worked blue birds holding cards with local family names from reserve, south of Tatura,1920's - 1930's.local craftwork, cotton tablecloth, colliver, whelpdale, e williams, lynch, slender, dowell, corrigan, mcdonald, hutchinson, loveden, young, hogan, maher, reilly, fraser, fahey

Part of The Tim Shambrook Collection for 'This is Vermont'.Coloured photo of Old House in Boronia Road, which can now be accessed in Hayward Court. Fomerly Home of Dr. Owen who came to District C. 1920's, died C. 1950's.shambrook, tim, owen, dr.

Card printed by Shire of Tambo for the Centenary 14 June 1989, original photo taken 1910cSepia photograph on card advertising 100 years celebration 1889 - 1989 of opening of the Entrance. Photo shows S S Wyralla going out to Bass Strait and the original wooden piers, at Lakes Entrance, Victoria.The Entrance to the Gippsland Lakes at Lakes Entranceboardwalk, schools, township, topography

Colour photo of a streetscape in Bendigo. Image shows spire of Cathedral in background, timber house on RH side, with large Norfolk pine beside. Appears to be approx late 1970's - through to mid 1980's.bendigo, streetscape, general street views

Two foolscap sheets - carbon copy listing W2's, W3, W4, L and W5's that were disposed of - stored, sold or scrapped and the location and disposal date - last typed date mid 1973.trams, tramways, tramcars, mmtb, lists, sale of trams, disposal

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 area 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 during 1942 to 1942 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 Cambridge Natural History Vol 2 Edited by S F Harmer Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1896Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 595.1 HAR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, the cambridge natural history vol 2, s f harmer

This is one of four bottles in our Collection that were recovered by a local diver from the quarantine area just inside the Port Phillip Heads. Ships were required to pull into this area to check for diseases etc before they could head up to Melbourne. Quite often they would drink and throw the bottles overboard. Handmade glass bottle, manufactured in 1850's - 1900's. Glass bottles and glass jars are in many households around the world. The first glass bottles were produced in south-east Asia around 100 B.C. and the Roman Empire around 1 AD. America's glass bottle and glass jar industry were born in the early 1600s when settlers in Jamestown built the first glass-melting furnace. The invention of the automatic glass bottle blowing machine in 1880 industrialized the process of making bottles. In 2019, plans were made to re-introduce milk glass bottle deliveries to Auckland in early 2020. The earliest bottles or vessels were made by ancient man. Ingredients were melted to make glass and then clay forms were dipped into the molten liquid. When the glass cooled off, the clay was chipped out of the inside leaving just the hollow glass vessel. This glass was very thin as the fire was not as hot as modern-day furnaces. The blowpipe was invented around 1 B.C. This allowed molten glass to be gathered at the end of the blowpipe and blown into the other end to create a hollow vessel. Eventually, the use of moulding was introduced, followed by the invention of the semi-automatic machine called the Press and Blow. In 1904 Michael Owens invented the automatic bottle machine. Before this time most glass bottles in England were hand blown. This is one of four bottles in our Collection that were recovered by a local diver from the quarantine area just inside the Port Phillip Heads. Ships were required to pull into this area to check for diseases etc before they could head up to Melbourne. Quite often they would drink and throw the bottles overboard. Handmade glass bottle, manufactured in the 1850s-1900s. The bottle gives a snapshot into history and a social life that occurred during the early days of Melbourne's development and the sea trade that visited the port in those days. Bottle, solid colour brown glass,concave base, tapering slightly wider towards shoulder then inwards towards neck; ring of glass just below opening. Base is blown glass; pontil mark on base. Label "c.1850's STUBBY ALE", "ENGLISH HAND MADE, CORK & WIRE SEAL", "PONTIL MARK ON BASE $6" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, brown glass bottle, handmade glass bottle, handmade beer bottle, handmade late 19th century bottle

Pattison Collection 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. 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 it's 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 1850’s 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. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. 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 Life of David Livingstone Author: J S Robertson Publisher: J G Murdoch & Co Date: 1882 The label on the spine with typed text PAT 920 LIV Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, the life of david livingstone, j s robertson