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 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 International Scientific Series Vol 69 Introduction to Fresh-Water Algae with an Enumeration of all the British Species Author: M C Cooke Publisher: Keegan Paul Trench & Co Date: 1890Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 589 COO Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, 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, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, the international scientific series vol 69, m c cooke

Article from a collection of newspaper clippings from October 1968 to July 1971Newspaper article about no move made to provide for a toll to cross the San Remo bridge when completed in 1969.phillip island, san remo bridge, bridge toll

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 1960 - 1969. Stored in black foolscap document album with slip cover.

Copy of black and white photograph of Williamstown High School form 1A of 1969. Form teacher: Mrs Churchwilliamstown hgh school, mrs church, 1969, class photographs, form 1a

Book: 'INSIDE TENNIS: TECHNIQUES OF WINNING'. Hardcover. Copyrighted 1969. Second printing. Materials: Ink, Paper, Cardboardtennis

Book: 'TENNIS STYLES AND STYLISTS'. Hardcover. First American edition (copyrighted 1969). Materials: Ink, Paper, Cardboardtennis

Hand coloured photo: image shows Gold Jubilee Statue Bendigo, man in suit and hat standing alongside. Buildings behind School of Mines, Bendigo and corner of Mundy Street and Pall Mall. Possibly late 1890's ? Possibly late 1890's ? On rear of card: Post Card, Inland 1/2d stamp, foreign 1d (printed in Britain).bendigo, parks and gardens, gold jubilee statue, bendigo

Document. Various legal papers. 1 -1894 - Feeham Jas. List of work and costs. 2 - 1893 - Delves H. List of work and costs. 3 - 1889 - Barber Alf. List of work and costs. 4 - 1893 - Mendell & Henderson. List of work and costs. 5 - 1892 - Holland Michael. List of work and costs. 6 - 1890 - Hay Adam. List of work and costs. 7 - 1889 - Hasker J. Costs. 8 - 1888 - New Spencer Street Syndicate. List of costs. 9 - 1894 - Schroder Mrs P with Hawkins Mr C H. Agreement of Tenancy. 10 - 1902 - Flannery Mr D & Flannery Mrs A of Campbell's Forest. Costs incurred. 11 - 189? Rathjen Mr H to Bockholt Mr W H. Draft copy lease. 12 - 1890 - Middleton J (T/1?) Costs.cottage, miners, connelly, tatchell & dunlop, feeham jas, delves h, barber alf, mendell & henderson, holland michael, hay adam, hasker j, new spencer street syndicate, schroder mrs p, hawkins mr c h, flannery d, flannery mrs a, rathjen h, bockholt w h, middleton j

Gold nugget was found by the father of Lynch, Ray (Mr.) who was Mat Lynch. Nugget was found at McKenzie River in 1890.Matthew Lynch (1861-1939) was a snagger. Selected land at Brodribb. Gold prospector.This item, as well as having an aesthetic significance, is representative of the gold mining activities in East Gippsland.Handmade metallic tie pin with small gold nugget on top.tiepin costume accessories gold-nugget lynch-matthew

1969 issue of the Mercury magazine of Eltham High School. In the 1970 issue, the Headmaster, Mr. H. Moran, noted that the editor of the 1969 issue, David Nottle, was killed whilst on his way to collect his copy and consequently did not even see the results of his work. He stated "The 1969 Mercury will remain his most permanent memorial at Eltham High School."Two autographs on inside covereltham high school, class lists, 1969, mercury, david nottle

The Ballarat School of Mines was the first technical school in Australia. It was established in 1870.21 page soft covered, brown printed booklet with white card glued along the spine. It includes a certificate of Incorporation under the 1890 Incorporations Act.ballarat school of mines, constitution, establishment, h. hosken, andrew anderson, richard tayler vale, james millhinch bickett, richard maddern, horation arthur nevett, john nankivalle dunn, george buchanan, samuel ernest figgis, frank herman, james thomas mitchell, william morrison, robert scott, james dyer woolcott, james lonie, robert ernest williams, walter henry cornell, william henry middleton, henry robert salmon, joseph stanley vickery, george henry fitches, william henry sewell, vale, anderson, bickett, figgis, vickery, technical education

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2000. Fine ale: Breheny Brothers, Brewers, circa 1890. There is no information supplied with the photograph. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Newspaper clipping, Bendigo Advertiser, Saturday April 15, 1912. Photos and short history of Trams in Bendigo. 1890 - 1903 - 1972. Two(2) copies.person, individual, basil miller

Photograph attached to cardboard. Owen Walter Williams standing at the front of his shop in Mitchell Street Bendigo. Late 1890's-Early 1900's.bendigo, business, owen williams

Believed to be an Aircraft Handler or Aircraft Director’s Hi-visibility vest. Possibly Royal Australian Navy or Air Force issue.Sleeveless vest made of yellow plastic with large numeral ‘14’ on rear. Snap fasteners (x2) on each side made by Carr Fast Australia. Label on inside rear bottom reads: A Stitch In Time VIC. 1969 8415-66-032-5935 Name ....... Army Number ........hi-visibility vest, aircraft

Document, Cox Brothers ( Australia ) Limited, (Incorporated in Victoria), Annual Report and Accounts Year ended 31st July,1969.Subsidiaries: include Foy & Gibson Limited (Victoria); 75 Flinders Lane (Bendigo)Pty, Ltd.( Victoria)----In Liquidation (Formerly Myers (Bendigo) Pty. Ltd.Wilke and Company Limited, 37-49 Browns Road, Clayton, Victoria.document

Benola Singers Collection, EPNS serving tray, circular with two handles, heavily decorated around edge with grapes and leaves, tray engraved with pattern and wording, Royal South Street Competitions 1969 Grand Champion Choral Contest Walter Davis Trophy won by Benola Choristers.Saracen reproduction Old Sheffieldtrophies & awards, public events, music

Black and white photograph of W3 662 at the Thornbury tram depot during a special tram tour, 9/2/1969. Photo by Chris Phillips. Showing Destination of Special. Eldon Hogan walking alongside tram. ARE Tour ex South Melbourne depot. Printed on Kodak Paper.On rear in red ink "W3 662 Preston Workshops Depot 9/2/69"trams, tramways, mmtb, special trams, thornbury depot, tram 662