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. 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 Martyrdom of Man Author: Winwood Reade Publisher: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co Date: 1910Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 909 REA Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, the martyrdom of man, winwood reade

Postcard found by Lynne Allen at her late Aunt's house in 2013. Lynne Allen President of the Shoalhaven Historical Society NSWBlack & White postcard of The Nobbies. Man and boy walking along a dirt pathway. Seal Rocks in the distance.The Rose Series P. 14017. The Nobbies, P. I. the nobbies phillip island, shoalhaven historical society, lynne allen

One of 23 photographs from the Jessie Smith Collection. Donated by Stan McFee.Black & White photograph The Nobbies with sea crashing on to the rocks. A figure of a man standing on rocks to the right of the photograph.On Back: "Nobbies - Seal Rocks in distance.the nobbies, phillip island, seal rocks, jessie smith collection, stan mcfee

Donated by Stan McFee from the Keith McIlwraith Collection.Black & White photograph of a man holding two koalas with a baby koala on his head. Tree in background.koalas, wildlife - koala, phillip island, stan mcfee, keith mcilwraith collection

Photograph part of the Bryant West CollectionBlack & White photograph of Harry West leaning on John Robb's tombstone. Another man to the left of the tombstone.john robb, phillip island cemetery, john robb tombstone, bryant west collection

Black and white poster showing a man who fell through his bunk bed to the bed below. "Reminiscences of the Sobraon/ What happened one day in Cabin no. 33/ Always see that your bunk boards fit properly"

Part of a collection of 'Rose & Valentine' series of Post Cards. Copied by John Jansson 1984View of Forrest Caves on Phillip Island, with man standing inside a cave. Cape Woolamai seen in the distance.Forest Caves, Phillip Island. Valentine Series No.36local history, photography, photographs, postcards, black & white postcard copy, forest caves, cape woolamai, phillip 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 the ship "Victoria" which surveyed Western Post in 1865. The first Victorian Man-o-War.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, boats, steam sailing ship "victoria", black & white photograph, ships, man-o-war, western port, survey, john jenner, bryant west

Black & White cigarettes were produced in England, Virginia Tobacco, or Flue-cured tobacco, is named after the US state where it was first cultivated. It is also called ‘bright tobacco’ because of the yellow to orange colour it achieves during curing. It grows particularly well in subtropical regions with light rainfall, such as Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas in the USA, Southern Brazil and Zimbabwe. In Australia, blends are predominantly Virginia, for example, Dunhill and Winfield. Virginia blends contain only flue-cured Virginia tobacco A tin with a hinged lid for 'Black & White' Cigarettes. a black silhouette of a man in a top hat is the trade mark BLACK & WHITE / 'MARKOVITCH' / VIRGINIA / CORK TIPPEDcigarettes, tobacco, cheltenham, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers

Land owned by William & Matilda Thompson. They purchased some disused shearers' quarters, consisting of six rooms, and in 1917 moved the building onto their land to provide a home. Mrs. Thompson had only recently retired after being the manageress of "Bellfield" for seven years. They named their house "Norval". Norval. Front view of house with a man and woman on verandah (un-named). Chicken wire fence in foreground.buildings, houses, norval

The photo is of an unknown bullock team in the Grampians. Note: The photo may have been taken by Guy E. Neate of "Rosebank" on Neates Road in the Victoria Valley, however Guy Neate did not buy that property until June 1926 (see the book "Water Between the Hills".The photo shows a team of bullocks surrounded by logs in a clearing in the bush. A man is just visible behind the bullocks.timber industries, logging, transport, bullock team

The "Nerve Test" with Bellfield Peak beyond,the Grampians, Victoria. Postcard by Nuclorvue Productions Pty. Ltd.Young man crouched on top of narrow rocky outcrop, mountains in background,steep ravines on either side.Postcard/letter no date except Tuesday,7th.scenery, grampians ranges

Cattle were taken up to the High Pains during Summer for grazing on the farmer's lease.Coloured photo of Cattle being driven along a dirt road. In the foreground are two dogs and a man on a horse. droving cattle, roper family

A small black and white photograph of Sub-Inspector O'Connor. Shown are the head and shoulder of the man, with a dark moustacheLut. O'Connor P66 (in ink under photograph)sub-inspector o'connor, queensland trackers, kelly gang

Arrested man being put into the Daimler Wireless Patrol car. Bill Black on left. Circa 1928police vehicles; transport; motor police branch; daimler car; wireless patrol

The interior of a wireless patrol vehicle displaying the technical set-up. Unidentified man in uniform. Circa 1959police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch

Black and white photograph of church with man standing outside. Sign stating, "Grand Opening" out front.Written on backing sheet, "Feb. 1965. Sal. Army Hall"