Special edition of ADF Journal reporting the proceedings of joint Australian Defence College - Royal United Services Institute seminar conducted in May 2007ISSN 1320-2545defence planning, conferences, rusi, australian defence college, defence planning, conferences, rusi, australian defence college

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 Far East Vol 1 & 2 An Illustrated fortnightly Newspaper. Publisher: William A Miller Date: May 30 1870-Dec 16 1871 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT F 079.52 FAR Front loose endpaper has a sticker 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, warrnambool children’s library, the far east vol 1 & 2

The Victorian Naturalist Vol 13 April 1896 to april 1897 Editor: F G A Barnard Publisher: Walker May & Co Date: 1897 Label on spine with typed text RA 574.9945 VIC Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, f g a barnard, the victorian naturalist vol 13

Digitised video (2.50GB). Duration: 46 minutes. Recorded May, 2024. (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Guest Speaker, Alli Parker, accomplished scriptwriter, talks about her Ringwood family and her book based on the incredible true story of her Grandparents, Gordon and Cherry - Australia's first Japanese war bride - spanning seven years and two countries reeling from the aftermath of WWII.

Digitised video (3.20GB) Duration: 63 minutes. Recorded May, 2021 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Presenter: Dr Jeff Kildea is an Honorary Professor in Irish Studies at the University of New South Wales. In 2014 he held the Keith Cameron Chair of Australian History at University College Dublin. He is the author of numerous books and articles on the Irish in Australia including Hugh Mahon: Patriot, Pressman, Politician, Anchor Books Australia, Melbourne, 2017 (Vol 1) and 2020 (Vol 2). This talk examines the background to Mahon’s expulsion from parliament and how it led to his being ostracised by his fellow Australians including his neighbours at Ringwood.

Digitised video (1.41GB) Duration: 40 minutes. Recorded May, 2022 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Author and Historian Carole Woods OAM presents this talk on her biography of Australian humanitarian Vera Deakin, known for her involvement with the beginnings of Australian Red Cross and her incredible work in tracking down details of First World War Australian wounded and missing soldiers.

Digitised video (680MB). Duration: 9 minutes. Recorded May, 2022 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)In this presentation, Ringwood and District Historical Society President Russ Haines talks about the former Racecourse, located between New Street and Heatherdale Road behind Ringwood's original Coach and Horses Hotel in the late 1880s.

Digitised video (3.07GB) Duration: 50 minutes. Recorded May, 2022 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Prof. Charles Sowerwine, Emeritus Professor at University of Melbourne, Fellow at La Trobe University and Chair of RHSV Heritage Committee, presents this talk on the subject of Heritage, both from an academic point of view and the practical appreciation of this integral part of our culture and local identification.

Digitised video (3.19GB) Duration: 75 minutes. Recorded May, 2023 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Presenter: Past-President of RDHS, Richard Carter, is the guru when it comes to researching properties. South Side Story examines the often forgotten - but important - part of Ringwood from Wantirna Road to Olive Grove on the southern side of Maroondah Highway, Ringwood, Victoria.

Digitised video (5.14GB). Duration: 61 minutes. Recorded May, 2018. (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Presenter: Peter Le Get, together with his wife, Mary, have been one of the few families to purchase, and live in, four homes in the suburb of Heathmont. The Le Get’s came to Heathmont when pioneer orchardists were beginning to sell their properties, which led to the sub-division of land into housing blocks. It was the time of a new community coming together, with sporting clubs starting up, churches and schools built, roads being defined or asphalted, and the proliferation of new shops and businesses.

Digitised video (339MB). Duration: 6 minutes. Recorded May, 2019 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)In this talk, Ringwood and District Historical Society President Russ Haines takes us through a brief history of George and Annis Bills horse troughs, manufactured in Australia and installed to provide relief for working horses in the first half of the 20th century. Around 700 troughs were originally distributed throughout Australia and overseas, some still existing locally today.

Digitised video (3.86GB). Duration: 75 minutes. Recorded May, 2019. (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Presenter: Bronwyn Koll grew up on her family’s orchard in Wonga Park. In this historical perspective on the first industry of Ringwood, Bron talks about her orchardist roots and highlights the seriousness of looking after crops with the ongoing threat of insect pests in the district, including backyard gardens.

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from Monday, May 21, 2001. T. Rowbridge's store, Marong. Date unknown. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Document, Princess Theatre Program, Princess Theatre. Matinee revue, Princess Theatre, May 22nd,1912, in aid of The Mayoress, Mrs.J.H.Curnow's Blanket Fund.document, music, princess theatre programmes

Newspaper 2 cuttings about how Bendigo was named, by The Rev.C.Irving Benson D.D. The longer strip has been dated as May 28th 1952.newspaper, bendigo, the bendigo advertiser, bendigo, rev. c. irving benson, individual, male, person, 'the bendigo advertiser, ' 'bendigo advertiser'

Victoria Brewery notepaper dated 5th May 1891 with handwritten note addressed to E P Hastings re not calling directors meeting. Initialledbendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

Bendigo Citizens & Boys Band receipt dated may 25th, 1954. Received from J Bovaird the sum of 10 shillings deposit on instrument.clubs and associations, sport

Note from A. L. Atkinson mentioning the named members have been on the funds of the Court and have recd Medical ? Dated May 7/73.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, james gardner, oswald ?, richd coath, ?, h l atkinson

Leaflet laying out the tariff for use and occupation of the Town Hall in the City of Port Melbourne. Charges and regulations adopted by the Council on 17 May 1921local government - city of port melbourne, port melbourne town hall, sydney sims anderson

Photos taken prior to moving offices from 1920s building to renovated factory around the cornerColour photo Unichema offices 164 Ingles Street (formerly J Kitchen & Sons) taken May 1996: Details of Chief Executive's officebuilt environment - commercial, business and traders - soaps/candles, david thompson