In the early years of the 20th century adequate technical education was lacking and became a focus in the Victorian Parliament. After much debate and discussion among politicians and educationalists, the 1910 Education Act No 2301 was passed, making possible the establishment of new technical schools to address the dearth of skilled trades people. In July 1912 Collingwood Technical School opened in the modified bluestone buildings at 35 Johnston St, originally built in 1853 as the Collingwood Town Hall and Court House. Within three weeks, there were 57 boys enrolled - studying preliminary carpentry and pattern-making, plumbing, engineering, sheet iron work and bricklaying. They attended two hours a night on three evenings a week. In 1913, the school opened its doors to juniors and took residence in new permanent buildings erected on the site. It was classified as a trades school by the State Education Department. Two years later courses in electrical wiring and electrical and mechanical engineering were introduced. In 1988 Preston College of TAFE and Collingwood College of TAFE merged to become Northern Metropolitan Institute of TAFE (NMIT). (http://victoriancollections.net.au/organisations/northern-melbourne-institute-of-tafe)Red soft covered book of 60 pages. Contents include: List of President, Council and staff, constitution, aim of the school, scholarships, evening classes, advice to parents, Railway fares, tram fares, free travel, general rules for students. syllabus of work, evening work. Images include carpentry class, Bricklaying, plastering and Turning & Fitting classcollingwood technical school, collingwood, tafe, nmit, northern metropolitan institute of tafe, carpentry, bricklaying, plastering, turning and fitting

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 a 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 a 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. 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. Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson Author: Ralph Waldo Emerson Publisher: George Routledge & Sons. Date: Further Information: Routledge's Popular Library of Standard Authors. These include Essays, First and Second Series Representative Men. Society and Solitude English Traits. The conduct of Life Letters and Social Aims, Poems, Miscellanies embracing Nature, Addresses and Lectures. The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 814 EME Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose end paper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service. flagstaff hil, warrnambool, 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, works of ralph waldo emerson, ralph waldo emerson

00020.1 Navy Blue Jacket with Australia cloth titles and B bomb aimer half wing. Medal ribbons 1939 - 45 Star, France Germany Star,Defence Medal and War Medal. With waste belt. 00020.2 Navy Blue RAF Trousers 00020.3 RAF Forage Cap with metal badge 00020.4 RAF issue money belt.

Book - 16 off white stapled sheets plus card cover, centre stapled, pocket sized titled "Constitution of the Preston Tramway Workshops Canteen and Welfare Club" Has a forward by the President G Hammond outlining the aims and benefits of the Welfare Club, commenced Octy. 1959, notes performance to May 1964. Gives the rules and basis of membership of the Club.trams, tramways, welfare, preston workshops, employees

Mining Matters '82 was a series of seminars aimed at secondary school leavers. in an attempt to populate mining and engineering courses. Four men in conversation during the opening of the 1082 conference "Mining Matters" Left to right: Ian Pratt, E.J. (Jack) Barker, Brian Coles, Sit Frank Espie.mining matters, conference, jack barker, e.j. barker, ian pratt, brian coles, frank espie, course advice

Part of NMIT's marketing strategy, these postcards are aimed at prospective Visual Arts students. Each is illustrated with student work.Set of 10 different postcards advertising courses within the Visual Arts Department at NMIT. Colour illustrations on front produced by students, text on back.postcards, visual arts, photography, graphics, nmit,

Newspaper clipping from "The Mail", 2-7-96, P 7Maroondah Council and Ringwood Rotary Club have combined to support a state-wide campaign to raise community awareness about litter. The campaign, initiated by Melbourne Water is called Drains to the Bay and aims to teach people that rubbish finds its way to Port Phillip Bay via drains and creeks.

Newspaper clipping from "The Post", 24-2-93, P 3. Community supports blitz A recent report in The Post on a health blitz aimed at local food retailers has caused a shift in community attitudes towards food quality standards. Last week the City of Ringwood's Environmental Health Department was flooded with concerned consumers who had dozens of examples of food purchased which was in an unsatisfactory state.

Newspaper article titled 'Bendigo digs for hidden treasure'. 'Bendigo Mining NL will start the surface work on its $35 million gold exploration project under the streets of Bendigo next week after the Victorian Government granted approval for it to proceed'. Bendigo Mining aimed to reach the targeted mineralisation by the end of 2000; first gold production is scheduled for the end of 2001.environment, kangaroo flat, goldmining, , environmental impact, exploration, mining, bendigo mining

Ambulance and safety awareness item aimed at school children . Label could be peeled off and used to identify a student’s school books.Adhesive name, subject, grade and school label featuring a twin engine air ambulance aircraftSTOP, THINK AND STAY SAFEpublic relations, marketing

Ambulance and safety awareness item aimed at school children. Label could be peeled off and used to identify a student’s school books.Adhesive name, subject, grade and school label featuring a Bell 205 helicopter ambulance aircraftSTOP, THINK AND STAY SAFEmarketing, public relations

Aimed at schools, this publication gives hints for collecting and preserving Australia's war memories. These skills can also be used for collecting oral history.47 p., illus. Paperback.oral history, australia department of veterans affairs, war stories, anzacs

Item re Allan Frederick Goodall DFC, RAAF, refer Cat No 543.2 for his service details. These items were in a wallet, refer Cat No 5772 for the story and connection. This would be a multi Commonwealth Aircrew. Crew members were L to R, Bill Jones, Tony White, Nobby Norris, Doug Eden, Peter Ellis, Alan Goodall..1) B & W photo of a Wellington Bomber in the rear with six Aircrew in Flying gear standing in front. Inscription on rear in faint black pen. .2) Handkerchief with hand painted scene of Mt Etna in Sicily.On Rear , "left to right, F/Sgt Bill Jones (Gunner), F/Sgt Tony White (Bomb aimer), F/Sgt Nobby Norris ? (W/Op 2nd), F/Lt Doug Egan (Pilot), F/O Peter Ellis (Navigator), F/O Allan Goodall (1st W/Op)"photographs, souvenirs, memorabilia, dfc