Alfred G Johnston was a former Ballarat School of Mines student who was killed in action at Rhenosterkop, Middleburg district, Transvaal, South Africa, on 7 May 1901, aged 29 years. A letter of condolence was sent to his parents (see S.M.B. Council Meeting 31-5-1901).An image from the original black and white photograph showing the torso of a man in military uniform - Alfred G Johnston who served in the 5th Regiment of the Victorian Mounted Rifles. The uniform (the forerunner of the uniform of the Australian Light Horse) includes a slouch hat. Also see: Photograph of Alfred G. Johnston as S.M.B. student, 1899. Catalogue number 00414. A photograph of the memorial that Ballarat School of Mines put up in his honour is Catalogue number 00531.Verso: AUTHENTICATION REQUESTED Photographic portrait of LIEUTENANT ALFRED GRESHAM JOHNSTON (with handwritten note - or Gersham) 5th Regiment V.M.R. (late student of S.M.B.) Killed in action at Rhenoster Kop. South Africa, May 7, 1901 S.M.B. Council Meeting (31-5-1901) - - - letter of condolence to parents. Please return to W.T. Ryan, c/- School of Mines, Ballarat. 3350boer, boer war, south african war, south africa, volunteer regiments, alfred johnston, a g johnston, johnston, ballarat school of mines, victorian mounted rifles

This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W. RIVER MURRAY WATERS SCHEME. HUME RESERVOIR. 30. View from Top of Tail Tower Pillar - South Wing Wall Foundations. This photograph was taken at right angles to the preceding one, (WHS 00723) ooking downstream along the cut for the South Wing Wall foundation. The granite is at a greater depth here than elsewhere and the cut will be twice as deep before the foundations are cleared. New South Wales. August 1927.hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme, hume reservoir construction

This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. To ensure preservation of the album and its contents, the images and information pages have all been digitised. It is assumed that over the past 70 to 80 years there has been some loss of contrast due to fading, and probably detail. Thus, each photo was enhanced in several steps. Digitalisation of the album was completed by Eric Eulenstein in Wodonga in April 2002. The position of Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs was a British cabinet-level position created in 1925 and responsible for British relations with the Dominions — Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Newfoundland, and the Irish Free State — and the self-governing Crown colony of Southern Rhodesia.This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction. Hume Reservoir Australia Album - Dedication page recording the presentation of the album to 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M.P" and his visit to Albury in 1927. “DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W./ PRESENTED TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE L.C.M.S. AMERY, F.C., M.P.,/ SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS/ on the/ OCCASION OF HIS VISIT/ to the /HUME RESERVOIR/ on/ 2ND NOVEMBER 1927, /WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES CONSTRUCTING AUTHORITY./(SIGNED) T.R. BAVIN, Premier & Colonial Treasurer./ E.A. BATTENSHAW, Minister for Public Works & Railways and Constructing Authority for New South Wales/ C. TYLE, Under Secretary for Public Works”hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme

A number of colour photographs showing concrete kerb and channeling at Armstrong Street South, Ballarat, taken from South Street. Although in an heritage overlay, the kerb and channeling changed the heritage feel of the block. Some photos show original bluestone gutters that were not destroyed during the process.armstrong street south, south street, ballarat, kerb and channelling, roadworks, bluestone gutters

A black and white photograph of Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam, July 1966, Diggers at 103 Battery, load a 105mm Italian Pack Howitzer during a fire mission from the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam103 battery, artillery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, phuoc tuy province, fire support

Robert Summerton Games served in the Boer War with the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles No 1614. He enlisted again in WW1 and served with the 5th Australian Light Horse and also the 4th Camel Regiment. Ribbon bar for Queen South Africa and King South Africa Medals, Rosette made of cloth in the colours of the QSA. Also cardboard Qld railway pass dated 6th May 1919. Also part of the box that was sent to Pte. Games containing his Boer War QSA. Trooper R S Games

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, July 1966. Diggers at 103 Battery load a 105mm Italian Pack Howitzer during a fire mission from the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.photograph, artillery, phuoc tuy province, nui dat, 103 battery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers

Set of papers, handwritten concerning the development and timing of the "South Melbourne" - three sheets. Prepared largely by H. S. McComb, with notes dates, track layout, lengths, the Act and dates. Item contained within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "South Melbourne" in red pencil.trams, tramways, south melbourne, mmtb, st kilda, albert park, opening

Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph, taken at the intersection of Warrigal Road and High Street South, Ashwood looks north along High Street Road. The intent of the photograph was to provide the Council with models of electricity supply poles. In the photo, wooden and steel poles can be seen in the median strip. The photograph also includes the shops bordering High Street Road during this period. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.]. Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.4 Warrigal Road - Ashwood. South of High Street Road looking north. Wooden and steel poles with different brackets in median strip." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."electric light poles, public works -- 1960s, civic infrastructure -- 1960s

Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph, taken at the intersection of Warrigal Road and High Street South, Ashwood looks north along High Street Road. The intent of the photograph was to provide the Council with models of electricity supply poles. In the photo, wooden and steel poles can be seen in the median strip. The photograph also includes the shops bordering High Street Road during this period. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.]. Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.4 Warrigal Road - Ashwood. South of High Street Road looking north. Wooden and steel poles with different brackets in median strip." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."electric light poles, civic infrastructure - 1960s, public works -- 1960s

Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph, taken at the intersection of Warrigal Road and High Street South, Ashwood looks north along High Street Road. The intent of the photograph was to provide the Council with models of electricity supply poles. In the photo, wooden and steel poles can be seen in the median strip. The photograph also includes the shops bordering High Street Road during this period. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.]. Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.4 Warrigal Road - Ashwood. South of High Street Road looking north. Wooden and steel poles with different brackets in median strip." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."electric light poles, public infrastructure -- 1960s, civic works -- 1960s

Set of 7 Kodachrome transparencies taken on 23/10/1965 in Melbourne. 1179.1 - W2 488 (route 42, Mont Albert) at the corner of High St. and Cotham Road Kew. Taken from Kew Post Office, has Bank of New South Wales in the background, CBC bank and the Greyhound Hotel. Tram has ads for Kolotex stockings and Ryco oil filters. 1179.2 - SW2 436, in bound (route 45, City) leaving Cotham Road, about to join High St, Kew. Buildings on the south side of Cotham Road in photo. Tram has an ad along with others for Vincent's powders. 1179.3 - W2 545 (route 48, North Balwyn) in High St. Kew. Has Commercial bank in background along with other shops. 1179.4 - W2 648 (route 42, Mont Albert) turning from High St. South into High St at Kew Junction, with Clifton Hotel in background. Tram has an ad for Kenric clothes. Note an MFBB street fire alarm by the tram stop. 1179.5 - W2 566 (inbound route 42, City) at same location as 1179.5. Tram has a Jex and a Remy Martin Brandy ads. on front dash panel. 1179.6 - W2 572 entering Victoria Parade from Brunswick St. Fitzroy. Tram has a Jex and a Remy Martin Brandy ads. on front dash panel. Eastern Hill Fire Station and ICI building in background. 1179.7 - W2 378 (inbound, route 45, City) and W2 572, inbound, in Victoria Parade between Brunswick St and Gismo St. East Melbourne. Otherwise as for 1179.6.All have date stamp of "23 Oct 1965" in purple ink. All black ink unless otherwise noted. 1179.1 - "W2 488 Entering Cotham Rd. from High St. Kew" 1179.2 - "SW2 436 in Cotham Rd., Kew, about to enter High St." 1179.3 - "W2 545 in High Street Kew, nearly opposite Cotham Road" 1179.4 - "W2 648 entering High Street from High Street South, Kew". 1179.5 - "W2 566 entering High St. South from High St. Kew" 1179.6 - "W2 572 entering Victoria Pde from Brunswick St. East Melbourne" 1179.7 - "W2 378 and 572 in Victoria Pde between Brunswick and Gisborne Sts. East Melbourne."tramways, trams, kew, high st kew, cotham road, victoria parade, melbourne, tram 545, tram 488, tram 436, tram 648, tram 566, tram 572, tram 378

HMAS Sydney built by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend on Tyne, United Kingdom Launched 22 September 1934 Engaged and sunk Bartolmeo Colleom 19 July 1940. On 19 November 1941 South West of Carnarvon Western Australia she was lost at sea with all hands after engaging the German raider Kormoran. On 19 November 1941, HMAS Sydney, a light cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy with an impressive record of war service, was lost following a battle with the German raider HSK Kormoran in the Indian Ocean off the Western Australian coast. The loss of the Sydney with its full war complement of 645 remains Australia’s worst naval disaster. The Kormoran was also sunk, but 317 of its crew of 397 were rescued. The fate of the Sydney remains one of Australia’s greatest wartime mysteries; even the location of the wrecks was not established until 2008.Black plastic frame with moulded pattern with grey mount containing photograph of ship and Sydney Harbour BridgeBanner - HMAS Sydney HMAS Sydney built by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend on Tyne, United Kingdom Launched 22 September 1934 Engaged and sunk Bartolmeo Colleom 19 July 1940 Lost at sea with all hands 19 November 1941 South West of Carnarvon Western Australia after engaging the German raider Kormoran. hmas sydney, ww2

The Melbourne artist Alma Agnes Marion Figuerola, was the daughter of Juan Pedro Narciso Figuerola (1869-1919) and Alice Lucinda Walker Hanson (1889-1969). Each of their three daughters grew up to be involved in the arts: Alma as a painter; Carmen Irene (1906-1993) as a short story writer, poet and teacher of dancing; and Sylvia (also Silvia) Lyla Alice (1911-1992) as a composer and cellist. The first art lessons Alma Figuerola received were with Oscar Binder. Later she attended the art school established by the Melbourne 'tonalist' [Duncan] Max Meldrum (1875-1955). She graduated from his school in 1920, participating in her first group exhibition in the same year. Solo exhibitions of her work were to be held in 1933 at the Meldrum Gallery in Elizabeth Street, in 1937 and 1945 at the Athenaeum Gallery at 188 Collins Street, and in 1951 at Georges Gallery in Collins Street. Throughout her extensive career she participated in group exhibitions, usually with artists of the Meldrum School, and as a member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters, of which she was invited to become an associate in 1935. In 1953, her portrait of Professor ES Hills was entered in the Archibald Prize Competition of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. A resident of Kew from the 1930s - 51 Studley Park Road, often with her mother, her sister Carmen, or both - from c.1942 until her death she lived at 'D’Estaville', 7 Barry Street. From the late 1930s she is recorded as actively contributing to the arts at a local level. In 1939 and 1940 she participated in art exhibitions at the Hawthorn Municipal Library organised by Jessie Carbines. From 1944 to 1951 she co-organised successive Kew Arts Festivals, initially in the Presbyterian Church Hall in Highbury Grove and later at the Recreation Hall in Wellington Street. A foundation member of the Kew Historical Society in 1958, Alma Figuerola remained an active member of the Society until her death on 8 December 1970. She predeceased her two sisters who both died in the 1990s and who are buried at Andersons' Creek Cemetery in Warrandyte.View of the entrance to D'Estaville on the south side of the house. D'Estaville, built for Sir William Stawell, was the home of the Figuerola sisters from the 1940s to the 1990s. The photograph is from the Alma Figuerola photograph album. alma figuerola album, arists - kew (vic), artists - meldrum school, occupants - 7 barry street - kew (vic)

Original owner of photo was Eric Harry FINCH, Reg No VX38567.Black & white photo of unknown Military Unit. Photo taken at Mittagong, New South Wales, Australia in 1940.Handwritten in white bottom right: “WALKER photo”photographs, military, unit

The Ballarat Technical Art School was a division of the Ballarat School of Mines. Colour photograph of Bluestone gutter in Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Central. The gutter it outside the former Ballarat Gaol.ballarat school of mines, bluestone, bluestone gutter, lydiard street south

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 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 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 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent 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 has 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 1950’s 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. 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 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, and to 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. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. Percy Pomo or the Autobiography of a South Sea Islander. Author: Percy Pomo Publisher: Griffith & Farran Date: 1881Label on spine cover with typed text RH 920 POM Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp 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, 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, great ocean road, percy pomo, south sea islander

4 coloured photos of Forrest Caves beach and view from dunes looking south west across Island.photographs, forrest caves phillip island

Article from a collection of newspaper cuttings from October 1968 to July 1971Article about the proposed expansion programmes around Westernport Bay is to benefit South Gippsland and Mornington Peninsula municipalities.phillip island, westernport bay, south gippsland, mornington peninsula, the country town and planning board, mr frawer, hastings, french island

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of a Map of Phillip Island. The first to show Fort Dumaresq, track to beach and beginning of road to South coast. local history, photography, photographs, exploration, maritime, documents, maps, phillip island, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph looking south of Thompson Avenue, Cowes - depicting first Chicory Kiln and West's Store about 1900.local history, photography, photographs, chicory kiln, west's store, black & white photograph, phillip island, cowes, chicory kilns, thompson avenue cowes, john jenner, bryant west

A history text published for Australia's bi-centenary in 1988. Looks at the social history of Australia.Shows the development of the Australian culture over 200 years.Soft cover. 256 pages, black and white illus., maps.Cover illustration of Charles Hill's "The Proclamation of South Australia"australia history, australia social conditions, libby tudball

Displayed at History HouseBlack and white photograph of Julia Street, showing shops on the south side. Horse and buggy with 3 occupants in foreground.Front: Julia Street - Portland Southern Streetscape C.1920.