This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. 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 House of Madame Tellier Author: Guy De Maupassant Translated by Marjorie Laurie Publisher: T Werner Laurie Ltd Date: 1950 The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 843 MAU Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the house of madame tellier, guy de maupassant

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Three pages of typed notes, undated, but in a pile from 1950-51. Speech notes for the investiture of prefects, although no title given.bendigo, council, speech notes, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. investiture of prefects. mayor.

After some delay in receiving funds, work started on the bridge approaches in early September 1959. Traffic was still using the old bridge upstream. On Sunday, 20 September 1959, heavy flooding occurred in the stream and at 3:53 pm the old bridge was washed out. This photo was taken the day after. Here is what did the damage lying between the two bridges.Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham, bridge construction, bridge, diamond creek (creek), eltham, eltham north, glen park bridge, wattletree road bridge, 1959-09-21

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989. The book "The First of its Kind" was published in 2015. Printed in Bendigo by "Bendigo Modern Press". Sixteen pages of memories compiled by Bev Stapleton (nee Todd) of attending NDSN, PTS 41 & 42, commencing in 1959: two pages of memories of NDSN lister House seven pages of photographs of fellow nursing graduates one obituary for Marjorie Scott (4.2.1918 - 5.3.1998) six pages of documents for Bendigo Base Hospital Graduation ceremonyall documents were regarding the compilation of the ndsnga inc. book "the first of its kind"

These School Papers were issued to the children going to school in the state of Victoria by the Education Department for a cost of 1 cent per issue. These were the last edition of the School Paper to be printed. This copy was collected and saved by one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin.Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed J. J. Gourley, Government Printer, MelbourneThe School Paper For Grades 5 and 6 (1968) and For Grades 3 and 4 (1968)EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades III and IV (1950)education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott william, marriott geoff, market gardeners, pioneers, moorabbin shire, henry dendy special survey brighto 1841, east bentleigh state school no. 2083

Personal petrol one burner stove with three swing out feet and three swing out grate arms. petrol tank at baseStove gasoline burner M-1950. US "Rogers" Akron, Ohiostove

From Glen Iris.Dark blue felt triangular pennant with gold screen print text. The pennant has grosgrain ribbon at the edge of its short side."PRES. BOYS ASSN. ZONE PREMIERS HARTWELL BASKETBALL PERMIERS 1950"

Turned wood gavel sound block with engraved sliver plaque."Presented to the High Court of Victoria and Tasmania by N.S.W. Province 1950-1951"methodist order of knights

Monument to mark where Major Mitchell passedMajor Mitchell Passed this spot July 13th 1886 erected 1950monuments, major mitchell

Yields information about the appearance of the Gardens Crossing Loop and tram 19.Black and white photograph of tram 19 leaving Gardens Loop with the destination of Mt Pleasant. Note the tram stop pole behind the tram, fitted with timetable boards, stop sign and section sign. Item donated comprised negative 1144, A4 print and laminated A4 print. Negative scanned at 2400dpi. See Reg Item 3376 for another print - noted that it was from the Ellis Collection. On the top edge of one of the prints "Wendouree Parade 1950 have print"trams, tramways, gardens loop, wendouree parade, tram stops, tram 19

Job 56M431 Contractors Wolf and Wood Yow Yow Creek Bridge Bypass road and bridge finished October 1959Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, shire of eltham, bridge construction, heidelberg-kinglake road, 1959-10, road construction, scan - 120 format 6x6 negative, yow yow creek

These coins are examples of pre-decimal Australian currency.Twelve Australian coins from the 1950's. Set on cardboard with plastic covering. Two of each to show both sides. 2/- 1951; 1/- 1957; 6d 1954; 3d 1952; 1d 1958; 1/2d 1951coins penny currency shilling 1950's

Black and white photograph of Bendigo No. 11 at the eastern end of High St. Eaglehawk, late 1950's or early 1960's. Tram has the destination of Eaglehawk. Taken by John Alfred. Photo printed on half weight paper.On rear written in black ink "Eaglehawk / No. 11" and on bottom edge, stamp "Photo by John Alfred / No." in red ink.tramways, trams, eaglehawk, high st, tram 11

Black and White photograph, of Ballarat No. 13 with the Town Hall in the background. Photo taken either late 1950's or early 1960. Tram has the destination of Lydiard St. Nth. 2nd copy added 6/1/15."TMSV Sales" stamp on rear. On rear of 2nd copy in ink "PM & MM J68 = Geel 30 = Ball 13"tramways, trams, sturt st, town hall, tram 13

Article about E[dith] L[ydia] Shaw being appointed Principal Matron of the Commonwealth Military Forces, Southern Command.Single column print article with photograph captioned "MATRON SHAW" in second column. Article is glued to a lined piece of paper with crossed out small clippings glued to other side. Article date is Tuesday, February 28, 1950.edith lydia shaw, principal matron, commonwealth military forces, southern command

Between 1959 and 1962, the Melbourne YCW (Boys) participated in local campaigns to allow sports to be played on municipal ovals on a Sunday. A key battleground was in the suburb of Camberwell in 1959. This collection of material relates to the campaign and includes newspaper clippings, leaflets and internal reports and memos. It is a sample of the materials held in collection (Contact the Archive to access MO_4_24). It features materials produced by the YCW and other parties involved in the campaign. The debate around Sunday sport campaign revealed Victoria's growing suburban sporting culture, the developing concept of youth, and the YCW position on leisure as a break from work rather than 'dour' Sabbatarianism. Discoloured newspaper clippings and documents. Some with sharp cut edges and others attached to non-related articles.

Singer was first established as I. M. Singer & Co. in 1851 by Isaac Merritt Singer with New York lawyer Edward C. Clark. Best known for its sewing machines, it was renamed Singer Manufacturing Company in 1865, then the Singer Company in 1963. The Singer company began to market its machines internationally in 1855 and won first prize at the Paris world's fair that year. They had offices established in both Sydney and Melbourne by the mid-1960s. The company demonstrated the first workable electric sewing machine in 1910. Singer was also a marketing innovator and a pioneer in promoting the use of instalment payment plans, making their machines more affordable for many people. According to its serial number, this machine was manufactured in 1950 and was one of the new models designed to be more portable as it only weighed about 10 KG.This sewing machine is of local, national and international significance as it represents developments in technology and the impact this had upon the work of women.The Singer 99 was a sturdy and reliable machine that was easy to use. Lighter than other machines of its time, this machine weighed only 10 Kgs. It is mounted on a wooden base with a small compartment under the balance wheel to store accessories and bobbins. It has a 'Bentwood' (polished plywood) cover which also provided some room for storage. The machine is driven by a small electric motor and a light to illuminate the work area. It is decorated with gold decals and a filigree pattern. It includes a knee control which is inserted in a hole at the front of the machine. The serial number EG045782 indicates it was manufactured in 1950.Across the top in gold script: "The Singer Manufacturing Co. / Made in Great Britain" On light cover: "SINGER" Plate with specifications also attached. On front of machine in oval badge: A CENTURY OF SEWING SERVICE/ THE SINGER MANFG. CO. 1851 - 1951singer sewing macnine, domestic appliances, women's work, technology

Black and white "Murray Views" postcard - Eastward view from Railway Station Entrance along Maroondah Highway, Ringwood. Clocktower on Warrandyte Road corner. Circa early 1960s.1959 handwritten on front and back is incorrect - Early 1960s model cars in view.

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society."The land on which Swinton was later built was first purchased by John Bakewell in 1851 and later sold to Edmund Laskey Splatt in 1858. Splatt was a member of the first provisional committee of the National Bank of Australia in Melbourne and built the first house on the land naming it Laskey Villa. By 1863 the house was occupied by Herbert Henty. The Johnson family connection with the property began with the marriage in 1858 of Annabella Johnson to David Sym - owner of The Age newspaper and owner of the adjacent property Blytheswood. Annabella's brother, Francis Johnson, bought the villa in 1876 and renamed it Swinton after his birthplace in Yorkshire. The property was later owned by the artistic Colquhoun family. The house is one of the earliest examples of the Italianate style in Victoria - the outstanding element being the tower with its cantilevered walkway and heavily bracketed pyramidal tower. (Source: Victorian Heritage Database)"Swinton. Built about 1959-60. Chap.20 Swinton. Johnson - Col"swinton, swinton avenue (kew)

Red Book

This book was compiled by Margaret Smith a long time member of Orbost Historical Society and Slab Hut manager/volunteer.This book documents the education history of the Orbost district and is a useful research tool.The School Book - a display book containing the history and photographs of schools in the Orbost district from 1890 to 1959. The texts and photographs are in plastic sleeves.slab-hut orbost-education education schools