Badge showing pair of clasped hands surmounted by the letter "L". Beneath the hands is a dark blue boomerang shape. Badge made for the Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Old Lintonians Association which was held in 1939 (none being held in 1938).Text: ' BACK TO LINTON / SILVER / JUBILEE / 1939. 'silver jubilee, celebrations, linton, reunions, old lintonians association

Theodore Hendy (architect) established the 1st Surrey Hills Scout Troop on 18 June 1909. His daughter was Mrs Alan Duck of Blackburn. The first edition of the troop's bulletin 'The Boomerang' was printed in January 1937. The Scout Association of Victoria have no records before 1914.Thereafter records are incomplete. The best source of information for the period 1908-1912 is 'Every Saturday' - a magazine supplement of The Age (See SLV).Vertical file of material including: 1. Letter from T.F Hendy to Baden Powell, 1909 (1 page). 2. Notes re foundation of Scouts Association in Melbourne; list of some early scoutmasters (1909-1925); and notes from Mrs A. Duck (about 1982) (1 page). 3. ‘A successful year’ from ‘’Pals annual’’, 6.11.1926 (1 page). 4. “Boomerang’’, Vol. 1, No. 1, January 1937 (1 doubled page). 5. Letter from The Scout Association of Australia, Victorian Branch archivist A.R. Milne to Mrs. J. Hall, 8.10.1981 (1 page); and lists of Masters 1914-1945 (2 pages). 6. Boy scouts: notes from Mrs. June Rimington, c. 1982/3 (4 pages). 7. Boy scouts in Surrey Hills – information from various sources, 1986 (1 page). 8. First Surrey Hills scout troop from ‘’Every Saturday’’, 259.1909 (1 page). 9. Scouting in Camberwell from ‘’The Saga of Melba’s own’’ extracts re 1908-1965 (2 pages); and notes from Scout Association archivist; and Mrs Buchanan (undated), (1 page). 10. Notes on Hendy and Apted from ‘’Edwardian Geelong, an architectural introduction’’ by Richard Aitken, November, 1979 (2 pages). 11. Notes on Hendy and Apted from ‘’The Cyclopedia of Victoria’’, undated (2 pages). 12. Scouts in Surrey Hills as per No 7, (2 pages). 13. Boy scouts in Surrey Hills/Mont Albert by Alan Holt, (undated), (1 page). 14. Boy scouts: notes on T. Hendy and Servan family, undated (1 page). 15. Extracts from Box Hill Reporter 1923, 1925, 1926, 1928, 1929 (2 pages). 16. Troop notes re 1st Surrey Hills from ‘’Victorian scout’’, October, 1926 (1 page). (Source Aline Thompson, Scout Heritage Victoria, February, 2017). 17. Troop notes re 1st Surrey Hills, from ‘’Victorian scout’’, 8.11.1928 (1 page). (Source Aline Thompson, Scout Heritage Victoria, February, 2017). 18. Troop notes re 1st Surrey Hills, from ‘’Victorian scout’’, 7.1.1929 (1 page). (Source Aline Thompson, Scout Heritage Victoria, February, 2017). 19. ‘Christmas good turns’ re 1st Surrey Hills, from ‘’Victorian scout’’, 7.1.1929 (1 page). (Source Aline Thompson, Scout Heritage Victoria, February, 2017). 20. ‘Correspondence: The early days’ re 1st Surrey Hills, from ‘’Victorian scout’’, 8.7.1929 (1 page). (Source Aline Thompson, Scout Heritage Victoria, February, 2017). (mr) theodore hendy, (mr) a h chenu, (mr) harrison w s buchanan, (mr) harold simpson, 1st surrey hills scout troop, 5th camberwell scout troop, (mr) w melville hall, wyclif congregational church, (mr) r m browne, (mr) arthur swan, (mr) cecil servan, surrey gardens rotunda, (mr) william bailey, vines timber yard, (mr) eric jones, surrey hall, (mr) eric astley, all nations fete, (mr) bob clucas, 1st mont albert scout troop, (mr) herman webb

This is a typical school magazine which documents the activities and people who were associated as either studens of staff during 1959. It records through photographs sporting teams such as football, basketball, softball, hockey and baseball. There are also staff photographs and lists of staff and their duties. The articles have been written by staff and students around topics such as sporting successes and events and excursions and notes written about the different students. The technical school taught trade orientated subjects such as dressmaking, plumbing, woodwork, turning and fitting, motor mechanics, commercial and cookery as well as some academic subjects such as English and mathematics.This magazine provides a photographic record of students and staff at one of Warrnambool's largest schools in 1959. It also reflects the types of subjects taught at that time and the many articles written by the students reflect the standard of education and topics which were relevant around the school at that time. It provides a worthwhile historical and social snapshot of 1959.Pale green cover in soft card with brown text and diagram in shape of a boomerang on front cover. Approximately 40 pages which contain a number of black and white photographs and lists of student groups and sports teams as well as staff and the positions held.Annual magazine Warrnambool Technical School.1959. Among the acknowledgements are Mr K Shepherd, Mr P Clarke, Mrs Laidler, Mr Reid and Mr Conry, Warrnambool Standard and Modern Print. C Crawford , business manager and G Brown, editor. J & L Bristol written inside front cover.warrnambool, warrnambool technical school, warrnambool tech school, tech school timor street, warrnambool technical school 1959,, enterprise magazine warrnambool

A red wall shield with Land Warefare Centre written on top. A gold dragon emblem in the centre with Australia written on a silver boomerang. There is a plaque at the bottom of the shield that reads Presented to Wo2 I McPhail From LWC Sgts Mess Dec 81shield, mcphail collection

This needle was owned and used by Dr William Geoffrey Wicks and was referred to as a "boomerang needle". [source: Curator Sue Barnett, 2000] The needle is similar to Ralph Worralll's broad ligament needle, page a/210, Felton, Grimwade & Duerdins catalogue 1948.Broad ligament needle with slot eye. Distal end of metal shaft tapers at an angle to a needle point. Proximal end of needle shaft forks to create a handle shape with a rounded bulb at the end. Underside on needle is stamped "J.AUSTIN" and "STAINLESS". "J. AUSTIN" "STAINLESS"surgery

Wooden shield with plastic fittings.Motto "Floreat Ambo". Emblem with Navy Crown with Lions head in the centre. Shropshire embossed over the navy Crown. Also with upturned boomerang with crossed aboriginal "tools".

Side view of a double-storey, sandstone builidng with lawn, most likely the original building designed by Edmund Blacket for the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution in Boomerang Street. The artist has signed and dated the right-hand corner and has written 'Deaf and Dumb'.Watercolour and goucache over pencil in gold frameM Jonesm jones, sydney industrial blind institution

Belonged to Henry Thomas Ridge V57996, VX148845, CMF & AIF. Refer 275.10, 473P.Cuff links 8th BATT AMF .1) Case, small, black with white material lining .2) cufflink, scroll top and bottom, boomerang either side eagle in centre, green around. Small chain attached with cigar shaped pendant. .3) As above8th Battalion - Celer Et Audaxcuff links, 8th bn amf, clothing

This was a souvenir postcard made specifically for the "Back To Orbost" celebrations in 1937. The week-long celebrations were held from February 27 to March 6 in 1937 and included dances, picnics,concerts, sports, the Orbost Show and Ball. President of the organising committee was Councillor J. Perry and thesecretary was Mr M.W. Cowell.The Back To Orbost celebration in 1937 was a significant event in Orbost's history.A black / white photograph / postcard. On the left side is a collection of Australian native flowers. Net to it, inside a white circle, are two ears of corn and some pumpkins beneath a photograph of a bridge across a river (the Snowy River) with a boomerang above and "BACK TO ORBOST 1937" inside. orbost-back-to-1937 celebration postcard

Art pigments Boomerangs Woomera Natural resins and gums Separation of poisons from edible plants Aboriginal bush foods Stone tool technology Aboriginal inventors Aboriginal bush medicine Specific uses of technology by a community Seasonal calendars Games and toys Firestickscolour photographs, b&w illustrations, diagramsart, seasonal calendars, aboriginal social life and customs, stone tool technology, games and toys

Aluminium. Part of a Japanese Zero Fighter Plane shaped in form of Boomerang. Has Royal Aust Navy badge attached in middle. Blue brass and red with anchor in middle crown on top. Incription Darwin Feb 1942. Refer also to item 0136-02.Stamped on souvenir Part of Jap Fighter Zero on left hand side and Darwin Feb 1942. Badge Royal Aust Navy. with anchor.trench art

1st Battalion RAR is a Motorised Battalion of the Australian Army, based out of Townsville. Banner donated by Shane Reynolds of 1 RAR A Coy. PT321635.Large banner, predominately dark blue, large gold and black emblem in centre. Emblem has standing Kangaroo in centre over two crossed rifles. A crown above the Kangaroo who is standing on a base with motto on the base. Below the base is a boomerang with Royal Australian Regiment inscribed. From the end of the boomerang, leaves and fruit of a plant curling up to the crown giving a rough circular configuration. In top left corner numeric of "1" in white. Top right corner a flag emblem in colours of green, blue and green. Left edge of banner has white reinforcement and small plastic hole at top and bottom.Inscribed on base " Duty First" as motto and " Royal Australian Regiment". 1 rar, banner

This is the original manuscript for the song ‘Back to Warrnambool’, composed for the ‘Back To’ celebrations in Warrnambool in 1930 and reprinted for the ‘Back To’ celebrations in 1934. The song, described as a ‘souvenir foxtrot’ was written by Reginald Stoneham, a professional musician who was engaged to write the song. Reginald Stoneham (1879-1942) was a composer who was Australia’s leading exponent of jazz and ragtime piano styles in the first decades of the 20th century. He composed many tunes for anniversaries and celebrations in country towns and cities in Victoria. The original ‘Back to Warrnambool’ music was given to Henri Worland, the Town Clerk of Warrnambool in 1930 and handed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society by Keith Arnel, the Town Clerk in 1973. Note that the original song was ‘Respectfully dedicated to the Pioneers of Warrnambool’. This dedication, for some reason, was not printed on the music issued in the ‘Back To’ programs of either 1930 or 1934. This is a significant item as the song ‘Back to Warrnambool’ has great historical significance as it was popular in Warrnambool in the 1930s and 40s and is still played and sung occasionally today. It is one of the two local songs about Warrnambool composed by Reginald Stoneham. The other is the Warrnambool Waltz Song. It is of interest to historians and researchers to have the original music.This is the original handwritten manuscript of the song, ‘Back to Warrnambool’. There are two pages of pre-ruled music score papers, filled in on both sides of the paper. The paper is marked ‘Boomerang Brand No2’. The musical notes and the words of the song are in black ink. The name of the song is outlined in red ink. The first page has the heading ‘Souvenir Foxtrot Song, Back to Warrnambool, Words and Music composed by Reginald Stoneham, 1930, Respectfully dedicated to the Pioneers of Warrnambool’. The last page has the signature of Reginald Stoneham. The first page has the signature of Henri Worland. warrnambool, reginald stoneham, back to warrnambool

Items in collection re Brig E.M. Williams DSO, refer Cat No 2580 for service details..1) Badge, metal, RSL Membership, 2 figures central with membership year clasp at top. .2) Badge, metal Australian Legion of Ex Servicemen & Women. Blue scroll with Army, Navy Air Force over Boomerang. Red, blue & white enamel work.numismatics-badges-societies-service clubs, metalcraft - enamel ware

Belonged to Arthur Georga Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart, refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147.Plaque, polished wood base with centre relief, crown incorporating flags at top with "Hobart" under, centre circle with a red lion with pick and shovel, under is a boomerang with 2 crossed items, at bottom is a scroll with "Sig Fortis, Hobartia Crevit", on rear is stamped makers details.plaques, mementos

Shield shaped presentation plaque varnished red with a gold seven headed dragon affixed to its centre. Above it is a black filled silver banner with "Land Warfare Centre" and below it a boomerang with "Australia" A separate silver rectangular plaque has been affixed to the bottom of the wooden plaque.Donated By E Rogerson A Trubiani P. Chard R.F. Scherr MAR '80land warfare centre

Richmond Douglas Ball VX71333, enlisted on 8.1.1942 age 37 years, discharged from the AIF with the rank of Cpl on 22.12.1944 in 5th Docks Operating Company. Refer Cat No 5592 re his sister "Peggy"Framed hand drawn fabric souvenir re the 5th Docks Operating Company RAE AIF. Centre piece is a Boomerang with the unit details over, around that is hand drawn details re men in the unit, around the outside are details where the unit served, at the top is the name of the recipient given to."CPL R.D BALL. VX71333"memorabilia, framed, 5th docks, ball

Refers to the Service of :- NORMAN CHARLES STEVENS V59636 - VX123648. Initially in CMF NR V59636. Enlisted in AIF VX 123648 9 March 1943 aged 35. Discharged 28 June 1946. Unit - Catering Corps - Rank Private. This is a copper badge - Tri-Service, Australia. It's motif has an anchor, part of a Rising Sun Badge and spread bird wings. At the top centre is a Royal Crown. At the bottom in a stylised boomerang shaped banner are the words "Returned from Active Service". On the rear are two loops for mounting of badge.On the rear is stamped 309475. "Issued by the Commonwealth Govt". ww2, active service, badge

The program shows training places such as Georges Heights, Holdsworthy, Broken Ridge, RAAF Williamstown. Activities such as Home Trg, Basic Infantry, Parachute Trg, Amphibious Raids, Climbing, Driving, Coxswains.This is a single sheet of cardboard when folded make a pocket size 'Booklet'. The printing is in green ink. the front has the Boomerang & Dagger symbol of Commando's. The C.O. was Major P. T. Johnston. The address of Unit was Georges Heights, Mosman, NSW. The rear page is a basic summary of joining the CMF.cmf, commando trg

Shield shaped varnished wooden plaque with large pewter Royal Australian Armoured Cops badge screwed in to its centre. The badge has a Mark IV tank above a boomerang marked with" Australia". The tank is forward of crossed Guidons and is surrounded by a wattle wreath. The badge is capped with a queens crown.royal australian armoured corps, wark vc club, plaque

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. A Dictionary of Chemistry and Mineralogy Vol 1 Authors: A & C R Aikin Publisher: W Phillips Date: 1807 The label on spine cover with typed text RA 540.3 AIK Fly paper has a boomerang shaped stamp that reads Royal Mint Library, Cat. No. 540 A 1, Acc No. (no number)flagstaff 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, a dictionary of chemistry and mineralogy vol 1, a & c r aikin

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. A Dictionary of Chemistry and Mineralogy Vol 2 Author: A & C R Aikin Publisher: W Phillips Date: 1807 The label on spine cover with typed text RA 540.3 AIK The fly paper has a boomerang shaped stamp that reads Royal Mint Library, Cat. No. 540 A 1. Acc No. (no number)flagstaff 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, a dictionary of chemistry and mineralogy vol 2, a & c r aikin

One cloth badge depicting Australian Flag blue on green with velcro backing. One cloth badge depicting red 104, two blue flags on gold crown, green tank, yellow boomerang with Australia written in black on it. Blue border around silver banner with red signal SquadronAction badges on sticker attached to back of Squadron badgecloth badges

Item re S W Ross, VX78589, 5th Australian Docks Operating Coy. - RAE. Given to Ross by his unit. Refer Cat No 3147 for his service details.Hemmed, cream cotton cloth with names of company members in black. Rising Sun emblem in centre dated Darwin 1943. AIF Souvenir 5th Australian Docks Op. Coy. - RAE, boomerang at bottom. Cloth has a drawing of a kangaroo at centre bottom & listings of where the unit served around the edges.souvenir, cloth

Wall plaque of timber with reddish brown stain & glass finish on front. Metal emblem on front has gold & red crown on top of the Rising Sun badge covered in centre with white over red colour patch. A black & gold boomerang is underneath with 2/8 AUST INF BN within.Makers label: “Made to approved specifications by LEGA 13 Hinkler Road Mordialloc, Victoria, 3195 Australia Phone: (03) 98871433” Fax: (03) 9580 9301military history - souvenirs, plaques, 2/8th, passchendaele barracks trust