Showing 8914 items
matching 1939-1948
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Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Elsie M Dicker, Ex Stawellites at Fitzroy Gardens c1940's
gathering of Ex Stawellites at Fitzroy Gardens 26th JanuaryFour Panoramic photographs of Ex Stawellites at Fitzroy Gardens. One dated 1943. one 1948 and two dated 1940'sSent by E.M. Dicker 170 Auburn Rd Auburncelebrations -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Jones Flower Farm
Jones Family Collection - NP2565 to NP2606. See also ND3831.Black and white photograph of Cymbidium Orchids growing in the Orchid House on Jones' Flower Farm in Mt Pleasant Road, Nunawading, in 1948.jones, bette, walter, rolf, geoffrey, arthur, keith, lionel, muriel, jones flower farm, mount pleasant road nunawading -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Jones Flower Farm
Jones Family Collection - NP2565 to NP2606. See also ND3831.Black and white photograph of cymbidium orchids growing in the orchid house on Jones' Flower Farm in Mt Pleasant Road, Nunawading, in 1948.jones, bette, walter, rolf, geoffrey, arthur, keith, lionel, muriel, jones flower farm, mount pleasant road nunawading -
Canterbury History Group
Photograph - Canterbury Football Club premiership pennants for 1948 and 1949, Jan Pigot, 1/06/2012 12:00:00 AM
Coloured photographs of the premiership pennants for 1948 and 1949 won by Canterbury Football Club , on permanent loan from the Canterbury History Group.canterbury, canterbury history group, canterbury football club, football, flags -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MCCOLL, RANKIN AND STANISTREET COLLECTION:CENTRAL DEBORAH GOLD MINE, 28/1/1948
'Applications and allotment of 12,000 new shares, containing lists of shareholders for The Central Deborah Gold Mine as at 15th January 1948, contains information regarding applications for shares, transaction details of what was sold, cost and allocated to list of people who they were sold to'. A3 lined paper, hand written with names of each purchaser and balances of each transactions. Blue & white forms printed as contracts of applications to the directors of the company to state who the owners of the shares were and receipt of payments. Forms state the issue of release of 12,000 contributing shares of 1 pound each per share which were submitted by shareholders desiring to exercise their quota rights. Also contains hand written receipts from the Bank of New South Wales Chambers regarding applications to purchase shares from W.J Donovan who was a member of the Melbourne stock exchange which was part of Union Bank of Australia in 1948. All paperwork signed and stamped by McColl,Rankin & Stanistreet Legal Managers & Accountants upon receipt. All wrapped in brown paper with hand written on front 'Application + Allotment of 12,000 shares Thanks Central Deborah Co. Feb 1948'.McColl,Rankin & Stanistreet Legal managers & Accountants.document, gold, central deborah gold mine, central deborah gold mine, gold mine, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, bendigo, business records. -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Sutcliffe Pty Ltd, 1939
Photograph, Black and White, of SW6 850, at South Melbourne depot, side on view. Made by Sutcliffe of 94 Elizabeth St Melbourne. Two copies held. See also Reg Items 674 and 3426 for other photos, probably taken at the same time.In ink on the rear: Copy 1 - M&MTB SA 948, SW6 850, South Melbourne Depot 1939" Copy 2 - M&MTB SW6 850, Note: Roller bearing in lieu of axle boxes brasses, tail lights . ?Hanna St Depot, March 1939" Has Keith Kings stamp "SA 225".trams, tramways, sw6 class, tram 850 -
Ballarat Clarendon College
Book, The second jungle book
Joan (Herbert) Howard entered Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies College as a five-year-old in 1942. A consistently high-achieving student Joan was awarded Dux in 1944, Equal Head of Form 1947 and 1948, Honours 1949 and a Form prize in 1950. In 1952 Joan obtained her Leaving Certificate on five subjects and was awarded the I C Ross memorial prize for French and a first prize from L'Alliance Francaise de Victoria.Book plate inside front cover: Clarendon Presbyterian / Ladies College / Ballarat / Crest and Motto / Awarded to / Joan Herbert/ Prize Equal Head of Form / Form 111b / Helen I Mathieson / Principal / December, 1948 / Gift of Mrs G N Millerjoan-herbert, joan-howard, clarendon-presbyterian-ladies-college -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL, Post 1945
Polish Tobruk Medal with ribbon & Tobruk clasp.1939 Polskiie Sily Zbrojne NA Zachodzie 1945.medals, military, polish, passchendaele barracks trust -
Cheese World Museum
Book, laboratory notes
Kraft Walker commenced cheese processing at Allansford in 1935 under a lease arrangement with Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory. This arrangement remained in place until Kraft officially ceased bulk cheese production at Allansford in February 1993. Kraft was responsible for farm collection of milk which was then shared between the two companies -Kraft for bulk cheese manufacture and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory for whole milk, milk powder and butter manufacture. Laboratory technicians tested milk and cheese during the receival and manufacturing processes to ensure a high quality product. Derek Shaw, whose notebook this is, was the first person in charge of the Kraft Allansford laboratory. He kept notes of testing undertaken and recorded results of anything considered unusual. This notebook is one in a series of 33. Les O'Callaghan commenced work in the laboratory as Derek Shaw's assistant and technician in charge following Derek's retirement. He too kept notebooks of test results.Kraft laboratory technician/bio-chemist Les O'Callaghan was responsible for the introduction of a number of quality control measures which are still in use in the dairy industry today. Les was mentored by Derek Shaw. This note book provides an insight into the dairy processing industry at this period.Black exercise book with lined pages; white sticker on front cover showing dates usedLH/ 17/11/1938 / 2/5/1939allansford, dairy industry, dairy processors, cheese making, kraft foods ltd, warrnambool cheese and butter factory company -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Functional object - First Aid Vial
Doctor's sealed glass vial containing catgut thread and surgical needle suspended in a sterile liquid. Thread is wrapped around a card labelled "Sterilised Surgical Ligature Thread No 0"Surgical Catgut Licence No 43 Batch No April 1939medicine, snake bite, kit -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - SERVICE RIBBONS WW2, post 1945
Ribbons were with a group of items that are possibly related to Cat No's 3596 & 3957..1) Ribbon set x 4, brass plate mounted. 1. 1939 - 1945 Star. 2. Africa Star with rosette North Africa 1942-43. 3. Defence Medal. 4. British War Medal 1939 - 1945. .2) As .1) above.award, ribbons, service -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL SET
Daniel Vervon Frank Hufer "ED" No VX52861 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 7.4.41. He was a POW of the Japanese. At discharge from the Army he was a Lieutenant in 2/29th Aust Infantry Batt. Awarded the Efficiency Decoration. He served in the 38th Batt pre and post WW11. Medal set, court mounted, set of (6) Re. D.F.V. HUFER. 1. 1939 - 45 Star 2. Pacific Star 3. War Medal 1939 - 45 4. Australian Service Medal 5. Efficiency Decoration Medal 6. Efficiency Medal "VX 52861 D.F.V. HUFER" medals, military, history, awards, passchendaele barracks trust -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL SET, 1945 -post war
Leslie Raymond Hughes initially enlisted in the Militia No V56193 then joining the AIF on 22.7.1942 No VX88615 age 23 years. On discharge from the AIF on 22.3.1946 he was a Pte in 2/1st Aust Gaurd Regt.Medal Set court mounted, group of (5) Re L.R Hughes (Militia and AIF) 1. 1939 -45 Star, replica, not engraved. 2. Pacific Star. 3. Defence Medal. 4. War Medal 1939 -45. 5. Australian Service Medal."VX88615 L.R Hughes"numismatics - medals, military -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal Set
Recipient not knownSet of 8 court mounted miniature medals, comprising: Order of the British Empire (Civil), 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, Australia Service Medal, Efficiency Medal with "Australia" scroll and barmedals, ww2 -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Relating to Malcom Moore Pty Ltd, 1948 - 1988
Collected by donor's father Norm Robinson during his 40 year employment with Malcolm Moore between 1948 and 1988.Photos of worksites, machinery, manufactured equipment for Malcolm Moore's. Selection taken from photo album now returned to donor. Moore's premises were in Williamstown Road (approximately where Bunnings is now)industry, built environment - industrial, norm robinson, malcolm moore pty ltd -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - Baby pilchers (with embroidery), C 1948
Handknitted by Isobel McNamara. Layette reportedly from Home Journal 'Princess Elizabeth Layette for Prince Charles'. (C 1948).Cream baby pilchers, handknitted with hand embroidery on front leg with button crutch fastening and ribbon waist fastening. Refer to Supplementary File.Nilknitting, baby clothes, hand knitting, layette, embroidery -
Bendigo Military Museum
Card - CLOTHING RATION CARD, Commonwealth of Australia, 1948
Part of the Food, clothing and other rationing post WW2 Australia..1) .2) .3) Clothing ration cards 1948, card, light fawn colour, all print in red, each folds in half, top left has details from the director of rationing Melbourne, space for name and address of recipient, each card has a differant number, all cards are numbered 1 - 56..1) “A859581”, “Guiney Kathleen M, 126 Sternberg St Bgo”. .2) “A859582”, “Guiney Genevieve , 126 Sternberg St Bgo”. .3) “A859583”, “Guiney Margarette, 126 Sternberg St Bgo”ration cards, clothing, -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Ephemera - Ticket, Australian Electric Traction Association (AETA), AETA Geelong Tram Tour, Mar. 1948
Ticket for an Australian Electric Traction Association tram tour - Geelong Tram Tour, 29 March 1948. C. L. Busch Secretary, L. Marshal Wood - President. On the rear is an advert for "Coles & Garrard Pty Ltd", sight testing, opticians, giving both the Melbourne and Geelong address. Printed in black on grey card.trams, tramways, aeta, tours, ticket, geelong -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Ephemera - Ticket, Australian Electric Traction Association (AETA), Ticket for an Australian Electric Traction Association tram tour - Geelong Tram Tour, Mar. 1948
Ticket for an Australian Electric Traction Association tram tour - Geelong Tram Tour, 29 March 1948. C. L. Busch Secretary, L. Marshal Wood - President. On the rear is an advert for "Coles & Garrard Pty Ltd", sight testing, opticians, giving both the Melbourne and Geelong address. Printed in black on grey card.trams, tramways, aeta, tours, ticket, geelong -
Bendigo Military Museum
Medal - MEDAL, ITALIAN/ETHIOPIA CAMPAIGN, 1939 - 1945
Medal issued by Italian Government to those who served in Ethiopia 1939-45.Round medal - a dark brown heavy medal, black and blue ribbon with bar.Front: D'ITALIA.IMP.DI.ETHIOPIA.VITT.EM.111.RE, Head Profile. Back: AFRICA ORIENTALE. MOLTI NEMICI MOLTO ONORE. Bar on Ribbon - Dagger with laurel.ww2, medal, ethiopia campaign -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Photograph, 1939
St. John's Presbyterian Church Essendon: members of the 1939 Cricket Premiership team.B & W photograhst. john's essdndon, cricket, presbyterian -
Box Hill Historical Society
Photograph - Box Hill Primary School Grade 4A 1939, 1939
B&W photo of Grade 4A, 1939, Box Hill State S. Black & white photograph; 3 sizesschools, "those were the days", graham> jack, thomas> john, stewart> eric, slessor> peter, jamieson> john, sparks> howard, aumann> ted, mcleod> janet, whitechurch> beth, toogood> connie, carter> naomi, nealy> valerie, king> norma, underwood> valerie, smale> thelma, mcdonald> margaret, graham> mena, barnett> phyllis, nesbitt> doreen, grapham> audrey, butterworth> dorothy, sawyer> margot, mclass> beverley, seide> kathleen, wilson> beth, brownfield> margaret, wright> dorothy, harris> ruth, butler> peggy, lean> dorothy, boreham> stanley, blakeley> barry, nicholson> len, whitehead> geoff, bowers> charlie, garrett> geoff, robinson> keith, sonnenberg> alan, peacock> owen, rodgerson> margaret, box hill primary school, box hill state school, baird> bill -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - MINING & GEOLOGICAL JOURNAL. VOL 1, NO.4, 1939
Mining & Gelogical Journal Vol.1, No.4. January 1939 published by the Department of Mines Government of Victoria, 72 pages with photographs, illustrations, maps & advertisements. Articles on mining including some Bendigo & district mines.Name on cover A.Richardson 29 Harrison St Bendigo.Department of Mines Victoria.magazine, organization, mining, mining - mines - mining equipment, bendigo mines.central nell gwynne. -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Document - Glen Huntly Road, 849, Glen Huntly
A photocopied print from SLA.sa.gov.au of Frederick Slee standing in front of his radio retail store at 849 Glenhuntly Road, Carnegie c. 1939. A photocopy of Sands and McDougall’s Directory 1948 p.252 with entry for 849 Glenhuntly Road. Handwritten research note by Claire Barton dated 11/06/2013 concerning the proprietor of the shop.slee frederick, b.r. radio, retail trade, electric repair shops, glen huntly road, glen huntly, wright l.j. and co., nunn j.b. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - LONG GULLY HISTORY GROUP COLLECTION: LONG GULLY ROVERS FOOTBALL TEAM 1939
Copy of a black and white photo of the Long Gully Rovers Football Team 1939. Photo very dark. Names written under the photo, most are unreadable. Some are Trenbath, Speechley, Taylor L and Taylor W? 1939. Written beside the photo is - Long Gully Rovers Football Team 1939. Talked to Norm Scott. Colour of Guernsey Maroon with White Vee Sash. Football Long Gully S. School Blue Brown & Gold.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - long gully rovers football team 1939, norm scott, trenbath, speechley, taylor l, taylor w? -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Medal - Memorial board Dunn
20th Light Horse Regiment serving in a infantry role was posted to Merauke on the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea (now the Indoneasian province of Papua) in 1943. It was the only Australian Light Horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII. Sergeant Adrian Dunne, a native of Tocumwal NSW, was killed in action 12 November 1944. He was aged 25.Rare evidence of the service of the only Australian Light Horse regiment to serve overseas in World War II (1939-45). Timber framed display panel containing Australian Commonwealth Military Forces hat badge (Rising Sun), 'Australia' metal shoulder title, 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-45 British War Medal and 1939-45 Australian Service Medal; and Colour patch of 20th Light Horse Regiment, black over gold. Objects are protected by a Perspex front cover sheet. Sgt Dunne's name is spelled incorrectly on the panel.20th Light Horse / Sgt Adrian Dunn / VX81616 Tocumwal / Killed Dutch New Guinea 1943.military, world war two, wwii, dunn, merauke, new guinea -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book - Bible, Royal Australian air Force Pocket Bible, fourth edition 1976
Good News Testament English VersionRAAF Ground Defence - Australia - New Guinea - South West Pacific Areas 1939- 1940 -1945Royal Australian Air Force Biblereligion, bible -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDALS WW2, Post 1945
The medals are two off four entitled to Stanley Ernest Scoles. Enlisted in the RAAF as No 11717 on 5.8.1940 age 31 years, promoted to Cpl 1.10.1941, Sgt 1.8.1942. His overseas service shows he was in Port Moresby from 15.3.1943 then Goodenough, Kiriwina then Goodenough until arriving in Nadzab on 4.12.1943, Nadzab from then until arriving back in Townsville on 25.6.1944. Discharged from the RAAF on 11.12.1944 with the rank of Sgt in Airforce HQ..1) Pacific Star and ribbon unmounted. .2) British War medal and ribbon 1939 - 45 unmounted..1) on rear, “11717 S.E.Scoles. .2) around edge, “11717 S.E.Scoles”medals, militory, history -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Candida
This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. 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 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. 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. Candida A Mystery by Bernard Shaw Author: Bernard Shaw Publisher: Constable & Co Ltd Date: 1939Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 822 SHA Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Fangs of The Sea
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 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 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. Fangs of The Sea Author: Norman Caldwell in collaboration with Norman Ellison Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1939 The label on the spine cover with typed text R.A. 823.912 CAL Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library 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, fangs of the sea, norman caldwell, norman ellison