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 Guide to the Knowledge of Pottery Porcelain and Other Objects of Vertu Author: Henry G Bohn Publisher: HG Bohn Date: 1862Label on spine with typed text PAT 730 BOH warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, book, a guide to the knowledge of pottery porcelain and other objects of vertu

Bowls Victoria: Region & Club guide, 2016-2017 is a guide to bowling clubs throughout Victoria with contact details.53 p., colour illus., black and white textheidelberg golf club bowling club, lawn bowls, bowls victoria

Pamphlet titled, "Guide to Customs" paper work. Blue front cover with black writing. Main information on white background with black writing.customs declaration

A student based language program which includes CD ROM and booklet with coloured layout. Includes dictionary, pronunciation guide and user instructions.Word lists, screen shots, CD-ROMwathaurong, geelong, ballarat, language revival, language maintenance, education, wathaurong aboriginal co-operative, koorie studies, linguistics

A Descriptive Guide to the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Numbered 10864/53. 41 pp. Preface, Contents, Illustrated, Fold-out map, Indexnon-fictionGuide to the Melbourne Botanic Gardensbotanic gardens-- melbourne (vic.), christian-washfold collection

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.A photograph of a Lady dressed in a coat, hat and gloves standing behind a gentleman seated on steps of what appears to be a traditional Maori house. The gentleman is Frank Wright.Written on the back of the photo in pencil is "with Maori guide Rotorua Feb 1940" Stamped on back is Taylors Super Snaps Ballarat.frank wright, rotoura, 1940, maori, new zealand

2 Coloured photos of Guide Hall, West side of Brittania Street, Mitcham. Formerly jointly used with Scouts and therefore known as Scout Hall. Since demolished. Guides are now located in a purpose built facility on Halliday Park and Scouts likewise in Brunswick Road. These moves were necessitated by the redevelopment of Britannia Street and the former Primary School site.mitcham guide hall, mitcham scout hall

Newspaper cutting from The Courier, Ballarat, Saturday 7/6/1997 in the Book Review section of the "Guide to Heritage Railways and Museums" published by the ARHS (NSW), RRP $16.95. Includes a photo of the horse tram and tram No. 14 at the crossing loop, which is featured in the guide. Gives details of the coverage of the district rail based museums, publication details and general details of the book.On left hand edge of the cutting, "Sat. 7/6/1997" in blue ink. Also a blue ink cross in the bottom right hand corner.trams, tramways, btm, horse trams, tour guide, rail museum guide

Poster - full colour printed on gloss paper, titled "Grab the Latest Fares and Travel Guide for a smoother ride", advertising The Met publication. Features a bus, Comeng Train and a B class tram travelling on the side of a vertical coin. Advises where the publication could be obtained from. Possibly early to mid 1990's. See Reg Item 2507 for the actual guide.trams, tramways, the met, fares, melbourne

The Purpose of this manual is to describe the documentary archives of the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (Lands Department) and Explain, how they can be used for historical researchYellow card Cover Black Print and B/W Photo of two wooden buildings The Lands Manual A Finding guide to Victorian Lands Records 1836-1983 Written by Peter Cabena, Heather McRae & Elizabeth Baldinstawell

Emerald Infant Welfare Centre. Green rectangular book, with gold embossed writing on cover.A Guide to the Health of the Young Child, Department of Health Victoria, 6th edition. Vera Scantlebury Brown, Kate Campbell, A. Elizabeth Wilmotemerald-infant-welfare-centre; department of health victoria; vera-scantlebury-brown, kate-campbell, a. -elizabeth-wilmot.

Coloured photo of House on site of Blackburn Girl Guide Hall (demolished Nov. 1991). House built December 1992 at 1A Clarke Street, Blackburn.girl guides, blackburn district girl guides