A lead weight, with an iron suspension hook attached to the top end. Associated with the "Beehive Sock Knitter"A lead weight, with an iron suspension hook attached to the top end. Associated with the "Beehive Sock Knitter".knitting textile machinery machine knitting, hosiery, knitting, textile machinery, machine knitting

Leather belt with rounded end and hooked clasp on the other. Two world war one buckles are attached. One in German and the other Turkish. the German buckle features a crown and the words "Gott Mit Uns" and is made from steel. The Turkish buckle features a crescent and star with writing Arabic and in made from brass. Makers name (indecipherable) “Mannhein/1915/96” stamped on end of belt. uniform, german, turkish, belts, buckles

Hard Cover book. Hard cover - cardboard, green buckram with gold print on front and spine. Gold decorative edge on front and spine. 371 pages, cut, plain, off white paper. Illustrated in colour - photographs of National and State Symbols, The Order of Australia, Australian Bravery Decorations, Personal Arms. Handwritten inscription, reverse side of front end paper. Front and back end papers in green and gold coloured designs. Illustrated in colour - photographs of National and State Symbols, The Order of Australia, Australian Bravery Decorations, Personal Arms. Handwritten inscription, reverse side of front end paper. books, australia, symbols, decorations

Black and white photograph, showing eastern end of Rigby Island, Snake Island, at Lakes Entrance, VictoriaColour photograph, showing eastern end of Rigby Island, Snake Island, at Lakes Entrance, Victoriaislands, waterways, topography, room display

Belt issued to Japanese Naval Officers up until the end of WW2Black leather belt with a two piece brass buckle. The centre of the buckle has an embossed anchor and lotus flower and the two parts of the buckle appear to have been gilded. It comes with a black leather sword hanger which has brass clips at each end. One end is missing the brass securing rivet whilst the rivet at the other end has a hook attached to it. Attached to this hook is a brass S shaped snake with a brass ring around the body. The inside of the belt has four eyelets and a hook on each end to allow for adjustment. It's missing one sword hanger, a belt loop on the LH side and two loops on the inside that the hangers attach to.world war 2, japanese navy

A hammer is a tool with a heavy head and a handle, often made of shock absorbent wood or fibreglass, that is used to strike an object. The most common use for hammers are to drive nails, fit parts, forge metal and break apart objects. Hammers vary in size, shape and structure, depending on their uses. Hammers are basic tools in many trades. A hammer is composed of a head, most often made of steel and handle also called a helve or haft. Most hammers are hand tools. A traditional hand-held hammer consists of a separate head and handle, fastened together by means of a special wedge made for the purpose, or by glue, or by both . This 2 piece design is often used to combine a dense metallic striking head with a non-metallic mechanical shock absorbing handle - to reduce user fatigue from repeated strikes. If wood is used for the handle, it is often ash or hickory, which are tough and long lasting materials that can dissipate shock waves from the hammer head. This upholsterer’s hammer has one end of the steel head rounded for knocking nails into wood furniture. The other end is divided to form a 2 pronged claw for withdrawing nails. . An upholsterer's hammer with a steel head and wooden handle, The steel head has one rounded end and a clawed endpioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, brighton, tools, craftsman, carpenters, cabinet makers, blacksmiths, builders, woodwork

A billhook or bill hook is a versatile cutting tool used widely in agriculture and forestry for cutting woody material such as shrubs, small trees and branches. A billhook consists of a handle and a blade with a bevelled cutting edge. The blade is curved at the top end to form a hook shape. The handle is virtually always wooden.Rough pine handle with many borer holes. Commercially made (no ID) cast in socket one end, strap iron riveted other end. Cast blade.tools, hook, bill hook, churchill island, farm, iron

Black coloured cloth covered bound book, 48 pages "MMTB Electric Tramways and Motor Omnibuses Sections and Fares", dated June 1946. Book consists of one section, sewn into and bound with cloth binding on the outside with glued white paper end covers. June 1946 Details the various section stages and fares for each tram and bus route, General instructions, concession fares.Inside pencil on front end paper - "1440 Cond. Wearne".trams, tramways, tickets, fares, sections, passes

A penknife, or pen knife, is a small folding knife. It was originally used to describe a knife used for cutting or sharpening a quill to make a dip pen nib. Originally, penknives were used for thinning and pointing quills to prepare them for use as writing instruments and, later, for repairing or re-pointing the quills. They did not necessarily have folding blades, but resembled a scalpel or wood knife by having a short, fixed blade at the end of a long handle. Today a penknife can have single or multiple blades, and with additional tools incorporated into the design. The most famous example of a multi-function penknife is the Swiss Army knife A folding pen-knife with 2 stainless steel bladeson long blade end; STAINLESS / MADE IN / SHEFFIELDpen-knife, scouts, cheltenham, moorabbin, bentleigh, tools, early settlers

Box relates to Capt Henry SOUTHBY, 39th Batt. KIA 12.10.1917. Refer Cat No 1906 for his full service history also 1905P, 1903.2.Wooden trunk with hinged top lid, both box & lid metal lined. Carry handles each end & two strap hooks front & back. Key lock in front. Lid has a lock down clip on each side. Lid has metal strip screwed on front & sides. Painted in white on each end of box: “Lt H SOUTHBY 39TH BATT”.personal effects - travel goods, military equipment - containers, trunk, officers

Black and white photograph, showing eastern end of Rigby Island, Snake Island, at Lakes Entrance, VictoriaBlack and white photograph, showing eastern end of Rigby Island, Snake Island, at Lakes Entrance, Victoriaislands, waterways, topography, room display

This hand tool was used to reduce tussock grass by burning. It comprised of a long wooden handle with a wick and fuel container at one end. This kind of implement was used in the early 20th Century up until around the 1940s.The tussock burner is of local historical significance as an example of the kind of hand tools used during the period of early farming in the Koroit district. The significance is increased by its possible connection to Joseph Patrick Lee, farmer of Wangoom.The tussock burner is a long handled tool with a fuel burner at one end. farming implements, tussock, burner, tools, wangoom, st mary's farm

John Richardson, proprietor and editor of the Charlton Tribune, at the entrance to the Charlton Tribune Office. Formerly the Wylie Building then the Charlton Tribune Office c. 1940 - 1950.Black and white photo of John Richardson standing outside the Charlton Tribune office. Typed notice stuck to bottom of photo reads 'John Richardson Editor of the Charlton Tribune outside the office at the west end of High St in the late 1940's"John Richardson Editor of the Charlton Tribune outside the office at the west end of High St in 1947john richardson, charlton tribune, newspaper, editor, wylie building

"Presented in 2005 by Australian Government on behalf of Australian people, to those who served this nation and her allies during the war from 1939 to 1945" AWM.gov.auCoin commemorating 60th Anniversay of the end of WW2 1939-1945 in commemorative presentation box. Obverse - Commonwealth Coat of Arms - Reverse Symbolises service in Navy, Army and Air Force through its depiction of sea, land and air. inscription: 60th Anniversay of the end of World War II - For Service to Australia

Book - short stories - battle biographies of 15 men.Hard cover book. Cover - cardboard with mid blue colour buckram cover. Dark blue print on spine. 125 pages - cut, plain, off white paper. No illustrations. Owners stamp on front end paper. Book sellers label on front end paper.Front end paper - owner's stamp - "T. MITCHELL/ 91 ROSLYN ST./ BURWOOD 3125 VIC" Book seller's label - "THE MYER EMPORIUM (S.A.) LTD/ BOOK DEPARTMENTR/ ADELAIDE"books, military history, ww2, biographies

"FLY FOR YOUR LIFE" - The story of/ R.R. STANFORD TUCK, D.S.O., D.F.C. AND TWO BARS.Hard cover book Cover - cardboard, mid blue colour buckram with red print on spine. 319 pages - cut, plain, off white paper. Illustrated black and white photographs. front end papers - handwritten price notation and donation name.Front end papers - handwritten - black ink "1.00". - blue ink "Donated by / Peter Morrison"books, military history, ww2, biography, raf

Charles Gabriel Pravaz (1791-1853) was a French orthopedic surgeon and inventor of the hypodermic syringe. In 1844, Irish physician Francis Rynd (1811-1861) invented the hollow needle. In 1853, French physician Charles Pravaz developed the first practical metal syringe. Pravaz added a fine, hollow needle to the end of his syringe instead of the tube. This was an important innovation. Yet in the pre-antiseptic era it was a mixed blessing. The use of injections rather than oral drug administration can more readily promote the spread of disease as well as facilitating its cure. An understanding of the germ theory of disease - and the cardinal importance of using sterile needles - awaited the discoveries of Lister, Pasteur and Koch. But intravenous injection allows extremely rapid pain-relief - and the induction of general anaesthesia when suitable agents were developed.Small ornate metal syringe with raised ridge at either end and in the middle. Tapers to a point at the distal end with pencil like extrusion. Finger ring at the proximal end.pravaz, intravenous, hyperdermic, subcutaneous, syringe, needle

Roll of surveyors metal tape with brass handle stamped '100 ft'. Tape marked in 1 inch, 1 foot and 10 foot intervals. Held in roll with leather tie. End broken off (approx 5 feet missing).Brass handle one end only, stamped 100 ft. Tape stamped 'Chesterman Sheffield England'.surveying tape, scientific instrument

Owned by William Albert HARRISON (Service Number VX41478; above Link ["WW2 Record"] indicates that Rank on Discharge was Cpl, but other AIF documents, from National Archives Australia [including Proceedings of Discharge - see pdf Media File above], indicate that he was Sergeant, which is consistent with the rank on this jacket). Name not written on item but known to be part of set which includes slouch hat, which does contain the name, and other related items which include Service Number, verifying identity. See further service details in "Links" above. Soldier's name known. Items donated (date unknown) by brother-in-law who was living in Montmorency and was a committee member of MERSL when item donated.Blue coloured rectangle box with orange, red & white labels on one side and ends of boxSide label: Sterilized neat Edge RED CHAIN BANDAGE 4 Inches 6 Yards Johnson & Johnson Pty Ltd Sydney End labels: Red Chain Bandage 4 Inches 6 Yards

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 1942 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. A History of New York From the Beginning of the world to the End of the Dutch Dynasty Author: Diedrich Knickerbocker Publisher: Bell and Daldy Date: 1872Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 974.7 KNI Pastedown front end page has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker 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, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, a history of new york, diedrich knickerbocker

Items in a collection relating to Edward Judd, refer Cat No 7410 for his service details.1. Water bottle. This is a blue enamel 2 pint water bottle British pattern. It is covered in a drab olive felt cloth. It has a narrow raised neck with a cork stopper. 2. Carrier water bottle. This is a narrow leather strip of about 1/2" (12.5mm) width. At the end is a canvas webbing broad strap. Width 2" (or 50mm). The length of the leather piece is adjustable.On the metal end of the cork stopper, stamped, are “D^D” and the letters “OP”.ww2, equipment, bottle, water

This milking equipment was used in the early days of milking using machines. The dairy industry is and has been one of the major industries of the Kiewa Valley. This equipment was used on local farmers, P & R. Creamer's dairy farm.Set of early mechanical milking cups. 4 cups - 2 each side of 2 hollow metal (steel) rods which are attached to hollow rubber tubes that lead towards the main milking machine. The metal cups have black ends at the opening where they are attached to the cow. The outlet from the cups is via 2 metal tubes that lead into the rods that in turn lead to the tubes.At opening at end of cups: "Utility" possibly more but too difficult to read. milking machinery; dairy; kiewa valley; creamer family;

WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. 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. 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 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. An Exposition of The Old and New Testament Vol 2 Author: Matthew Henry Publisher: Bell and Bradfute, Dickson and M'Cleish Date: 1790 Further Information: Has number 583 on front loose end paperThe label on spine cover with typed text RH 220.7 HEN Has number 583 on front loose end paperflagstaff 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, an exposition of the old and new testament vol 2, matthew henry, bell and bradfute, dickson and m'cleish

An instrument designed to remove swallowed foreign objects. The end containing horsehair is pushed past a foreign body in the oesophagus then expanded and withdrawn, bringing the foreign body with it. This probang is constructed from metal and horsehair. The metal is coiled to enable flexibility and the proximal end has a metal finger grip for support. The distal end comprises a smooth metal tip and the strands of horsehair are designed to scoop strands of foreign material from the patient's pharynx.anaesthesia, probang, oral, horsehair, lidcome state hospital, dr sharkey, obstruction, airway

Owner and donor details - see Cat No. 5836.3.Soft cover book. Cover - cardboard, red, black and green print on front, spine and back. Illustrated front - red, black and green colour cartoon of two men with tools. Back - cartoon portrait of author. 88 pages, cut, plain, white paper. Biographical stories and black and white cartoon illustrations. Front end paper - handwritten notes.Front end paper - handwritten notes, grey lead pencil "$6.95/ NID"books, military history, ww2, cartoons

This megaphone's conical shape amplifies the sound from the narrow end and would have been used to signal a warning or give instructions. Its design is similar to an earlier brass fog horn used on a marine vessel, as it has a wide brim that allows it to be free-standing, and a shoulder rope makes it portable and frees up the user's hands. The narrow end is shaped into a mouthpiece. The megaphone may have been used at sea foghorn on a vessel, although it has no reeds for the sound, or used by a leader of a band or a fireman or other similar uses. This megaphone's conical shape is based on the centuries-old ram's horn or horn from other animals, used to amplify sound to make it travel a long distance or be heard above other sounds. It represents a similar instrument made in the 19th century and used as a signal or to give instructions, such as on a vessel at sea, to a lifesaving team, or in a marching band. Megaphone; brass conical shape with an opening at both ends and a join near the wide end. The wide opening has a broad brim and is painted red inside. A brass ring is attached near each opening and a narrow rope is attached to each ring. warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, fog horn, marine equipment, navigation, warning signal, maritime, nautical, fireman, captain, shoulder rope, signal, safety equipment