Grampians Cricket Team 1939stawell sport

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. Australia in the War of 1939-1945 Middle East and Far East This book describes the work of the Australian Medical Service in the Middle East and in Malaya Author: Allan S Walker Publisher: Australian War Memorial Date: 1953Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 994.04 AUS Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library 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, 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, australia in the war of 1939-1945 middle east and far east, australia in the war of 1939-1945, allan s walker, australian war memorial

Pomonal Store after 1939 bushfire. Black and white photograph of wreckage of a building after fire.stawell

Evelyn Roberts on the porch at Scotland Avenue 1939.Digital copy of black and white photograph.evelyn roberts, roberts family, scotland avenue greensborough

Deep Lead Scene Shearing at Farrer’s 1939stawell deep lead

Presentation to W.B. Stewart (Entree Dish) 1939stawell

Bushfire Damage at Pomonal 1939. Mount Cassell.Black and white photograph of a scene depicting mountains and orchard after a bush fire.stawell

Deep Lead Scene Shearing at Farrer’s 1939stawell deep lead

Sporting trophy cup, G.I.C.A.. W.T. Wiggs Discipline Cup won by Collins Bros. 1939-40.Sporting trophy cup, G.I.C.A.. W.T. Wiggs Discipline Cup won by Collins Bros. 1939-40.G.I.C.A.. W.T. Wiggs Discipline Cup won by Collins Bros. 1939-40sporting teams textile mills - sporting teams, collins bros mill pty ltd, sport, sporting teams, textile mills - sporting teams

Portrait of A. Waterfield Mayor 1939-40 & 1948-49stawell government

Apple tree orchard after 1939 Fires at PomonalBlack and white photo of what looks to be an orchard as fruit on the ground.stawell

502 Primary School Students 1939 Grade 1astawell education students

The photograph was taken during Linton's centenary celebrations in 1939.Small black and white photograph which shows two women standing in a garden. The woman on the left side has long plaits, is dressed in light coloured clothing and is carrying a bag. The woman on the right is also wearing light coloured clothing but she has short, curly hair. She is holding a book under her right arm (on left side in photograph).grace bennett, grace wishart, mrs neil wishart, amelia (millie) bennett, amelia (millie) allen

1939 Ballarat Demonstration Drill Contest.First in "C" Category. Back Row: T. Hogan, T Hunter, M Cussen, L Mitchell. Front Row. E Lockwood, W Day, M Pritchard, M Hogan and E Mitchell.photography, photograph, slides, film

The Royal Australian Navy 1939 - 1945 /Australians in the “Pacific War”Cardboard soft cover, white and gold print on the front and spine. Black glossy background with B & W print of “HMAS Australia” , rear has a print of a crew member “HMAS Arunta”, 112 pages, B & W photos and illustrations and one coloured map, back and front fly leaf with illustrations, B & W and sepia tone photos.royal australian navy, pacific war, book