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. 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 Graphic Illustrated Newspaper Vol 26 Publisher: Edward Joseph Mansfield Date: 1882 Further Information: July to December 1882Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the graphic illustrated newspaper vol 26, edward joseph mansfield

Bendigo tram at Alexandra Fountain, Charring Cross, Bendigo. Fountain Plaza in background. Quarry Hill No.26 and Eaglehawk tram No.2.slide, bendigo, bendigo trams., bendigo trams charring cross tram no 2 and no 26

Book, Bendigo Horticultural Society Auxiliary Bendigo, Minutes of meetings. Dated from 30 April 1957 to 26 June 1962.book, bendigo, bendigo horticultural society

Collected at a Heritage Week Workshop at Blackburn Library on 5th October 2009.Black & white photograph Turner home at 26 Salisbury Ave Blackburn showing a series of views of the making of the road in June 1957salisbury avenue blackburn no 27, 1950's house, road making

Collected at a Heritage Week Workshop at Blackburn Library on 5th October 2009.Black & white photograph Turner home 26 Salisbury Ave Blackburn showing view of back garden looking to the retarding basin.salisbury avenue blackburn no 27, 1950's house, retarding basin

Water polo competition at Australia Day 1953 Bendigo Municipal Baths8551 Water polo at Bendigo Municipal Baths taken Australia Day 1953 (26/01/1953), Barnard Street, Bendigowaterpolo sports competition, australai day 1953

SKI TICKETS Before tows and lifts were introduced at Falls Creek, it could take skiers 20 minutes to climb to the Summit … but only TWO minutes to go back to the bottom. The arrival of tows, then chairlifts and T-bars changed the face of skiing forever. The first rope tow was constructed by Toni St. Elmo for the 1951 winter season. Bob Hymans installed a smaller tow for his guests at Skyline Lodge. Tows were still quite slow, so in 1956 Bob Hymans created his single chairlift. In 1958 the Village rope tow, designed by Albury engineer Jock Wilson, opened. It was financed by shareholders including Bill Griffith (Bowna Ski Club) and the Bridgford family (St. Trinian’s Ski Club). Several other tows followed including the Summit T-bar in 1961, built by Ron McCallum and operated by Alpine Developments Pty. Ltd. which was a company formed by C. H. (Bill) Bridgford. By 1982 Falls Creek was served by 16 different lifts or T-bars, all owned and operated by Alpine Developments (Holdings) Pty. Ltd. During the development of Falls Creek, different methods have been used to pay for the use of tows, lifts and T-bars … including metal tokens, single tickets, strips of tickets and season passes. The Falls Creek Historical Society Collection includes many examples of these items.These tickets are significant because they represent a stage in the management at Falls Creek Tourist Village.A laminated Identification Card and a strip of Lift tickets valid for the Nursery Pomas and Link Lift. The card expired on 26-8-75.chairlift falls creek, falls creek passes, falls creek id cards

Article in "The Leader," May 26 1928 describing the course for women at Burnley and the careers for them. The author's by-line is Viola (Caroline Isaacson.)the leader, female students, gardening, students working outside, courses, part-time courses, viola

Four men rescued from McEvoy Mine, 1895.mcevoy mine, mining accident, men, miners, eldorado, el dorado

Furphy water carts were first made in 1895Furphy Water Cart, Three wheel tractor drawn tank on a wooden frame. Original wheels and body made by J. Furphy Foundry. Holds 180 gallons. Red ends has signature Furphy markings with indented writing. Refer to photos

Newspaper clippings titled: “More trains, trams to cut crowding” by Timna Jacks Newspaper clipping from the Age 10/07/2020 Extra tram services to run to reduce crowding on peak services and slow the spread of COVID-19. E-Class trams will run from Collins St to St Georges Rd in Preston and second shuttle from Victoria Harbour in Docklands to St Vincent's Plaza in East Melbourne. Route 30 from East Melbourne and Docklands via La Trobe St replaced with route 30.trams, tramways, route 30, e class, covid-19

Negative No. N380 and black and white print made by a laser printer (stored in folder) of Ballarat No. 25 at the City Terminus, Sturt St, south side. Tram has destination of "Sebastopol" with a Bourne? Liquid Plastic (varnish) ad on the front panel of the tram. Has the Commonwealth bank in the background. Adjacent to a pole is a ESCo / SEC electrical connection / switch box on the left hand side of the tram, which is part of the power supply or distribution system. Date of photo on folder - 5/9/1959. Original negative rescanned 24/5/2020 and image file updated. Paper folder that contained the negative had "NR7A" in red ink, "BA7" in pencil, date stamp of "5 Sep 1959" on front, and on rear date stamps "26 Sep 1962" and "26 Sep 1962".trams, tramways, city terminus, sturt st, commonwealth bank, power supply, tram 25

Negative No. N381 and black and white print made by a laser printer (stored in folder) of Ballarat No. 25 - side on view - on No. 4 road at the SEC depot Wendouree Parade. Has parts of the depot building in the background. Date of photo on folder - 29/11/1959. Original negative rescanned 24/5/2020 and image file updated.Paper folder that contained the negative had "NR9A" in red ink, "BA8" in pencil, date stamp of "29 Nov 1959" on front, and on rear date stamps "26 Sep 1962" and "26 Sep 1962".trams, tramways, sec depot, depot, tram 25

Negative No. N382 and black and white print made by a laser printer (stored in folder) of Ballarat No. 35 about to cross Grenville St, about to enter Bridge St. from Sturt St. Photo is at the tram stop with a passenger boarding. Photo taken after tram has past photographer and from the central median strip looking towards Bridge St. with a seat and a monument in the foreground. In the background is the tram stop shelter, Morshead's building with an advertisement for Greys cigarettes, Mobilgas and Dickins Self Service Grocery. Tram has destination of Victoria St. Date of photo on folder - 29/12/1958. Original negative rescanned 24/5/2020 and image file updated.Paper folder that contained the negative had "NR3A" in red ink, "BA10" in pencil, date stamp of "29 Dec 1958" on front, and on rear date stamps "26 Sep 1962" and "26 Sep 1962".trams, tramways, sturt st, grenville st, bridge st, morseheads, tram 35

Negative No. N391 and black and white print made by a laser printer (stored in folder) of Ballarat tram No. 34 about to cross Grenville St from Sturt St into Bridge St. Photo has the driver setting the route to control the tram signals for Mt. Pleasant. Photo has the buildings along the north side of Sturt St in the photograph. Date of photo on folder - 5/9/1959, but this is incorrect, as the tram has been fitted with dash canopy lights and tiger stripes, post 1961. Folder and negative could have been mixed up. Original negative rescanned 24/5/2020 and image file updated. Paper folder that contained the negative had "NR8A" in red ink, "BA19" in pencil, date stamp of "5/9/1959" on front, and on rear date stamps "26 Sep 1962" and "26 Sep 1962".trams, tramways, sturt st, grenville st, signals, safeworking, tram 34

Negative No. N392 and black and white print made by a laser printer (stored in folder) of Ballarat tram No. 40 at the City terminus in Sturt St. on the south side. Tram has the destination of Sebastopol. Has the National Mutual Life Association building in the background, the Commonwealth Bank building and Prouds Jewellers. Date of photo on folder - 5/9/1959. Original negative rescanned 24/5/2020 and image file updated.Paper folder that contained the negative had "NR6A" in red ink, "BA20" in pencil, date stamp of "5/9/1959" on front, and on rear date stamps "26 Sep 1962" and "26 Sep 1962".trams, tramways, sturt st, grenville st, signals, safeworking, tram 40

Negative No. N386 and black and white print made by a laser printer (stored in folder) of Ballarat No. 38 at Sebastopol terminus, 1959, prior to fitting lights etc. Large triangles over marker lights and car number to side of headlight. Tram showing Lydiard St. North destination. Terminus pole in photograph. By side of tram are two cars, make??, registration of closest one is HK 760. Date of photo on folder 29/12/1958 Large print of this photo made for display 1995c. Item updated when negative added to collection - 1/6/2003. Original negative rescanned 24/5/2020 and image file updated. Paper print of original photo in folder 73.Paper folder that contained the negative had "NR11A" in red ink, "BA15" in pencil, date stamp of "29 Dec 1958" on front, and on rear date stamps "26 Sep 1962" and "26 Sep 1962".trams, tramways, albert st, sebastopol, tram 38

Arthur Henry Dear was an employee of the City of Kew, acting as Hall Keeper of the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, and later the new Kew City Hall in Cotham Road. The Arthur Dear Collection contains memorabilia - tickets, programmes, invitations - as well as his identification badge. Items in the collection dates from the 1940s to the 1970s.Programme issued by The World Council of Churches - Kew Branch, for a United Service during Kew Home and Family Week on Sunday 26 April 1953. The programme has a photo of the Royal Family on the cover. Kew Home and Family Week took place from Monday 20 April until Sunday 26 April 1953. arthur dear collection, kew home and family week, kew recreation hall

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2000. Life on the land: the Stewart's house at Fosterville about 1895. Four-roomed mud brick house is pictured along with the dairy to its right. A blacksmith shop and chicken run are right of the dairy. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Large Scroll Print 'The Equity' Smaller scroll Trustees, Executors & Agency Company Limited, 52 Queens Street Melbourne dated 17th December 1895. To the Manager Cohn's Brewery Ltd Bendigo re: Madame Bouteau shares signed Joel Fox Manager.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

Cohn Brothers Victoria Brewery share transfer of James John Neuham Pinnock to Alfred Nicholson dated 21st Oct 1895. One penny stamp duty paid. Fred Thonemann, Stock & Share broker of 58 Queen St Melbourne handled transfer.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery, neuham pinnock. alfred nicholson.

Cohn Brothers Victoria Brewery 200 shares held by Richard Harding Butler transferred to George Harold Watson dated 16th Dec 1895. One penny duty stamp. Oval red Clarke & Company Melbourne 300 Collins street hand stamped.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery, richard harding butler. george harold watson.

After training as a Cartographic Draftsman within the mining industry, I worked as a property illustrator for real estate firms in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for 22 years from 1983. I initially photographed houses with a Polaroid camera and made a 'thumbnail' sketch while there. The photos were used to scale off a sketch in pencil and then that sketch was overlaid with drafting film and the 'pen and ink' completed. The pens I used were the Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens. The ink was also made by Rotring (German).The film was ‘Rapidraw’, polyester drafting film, double matte. It takes a very fine line and doesn’t bleed. As well as house sketches, there were often floor plans and site plans ordered. Aerial sketches were ordered when the property needed an overall view. (Margaret Picken, 2020)This drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for a number of real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Two-storey, red brick Victorian house; built c.1895. Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film made by Margaret Picken in 2000. Subsequent to the illustration being made, a new porch and a second storey balcony has been added or reinstated. 16 UNION ST, KEW / MARGARET PICKEN (c) 2000 / FLETCHERS REAL ESTATEartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 16 union street -- kew (vic.)

A recording of 'Elijah', an oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn, first performed in 1846, depicting events in the life of the Prophet Elijah as told in the Old Testament book of Kings. The work is scored for eight vocal soloists (two each of bass, tenor, alto and soprano). This performance by the Diamond Valley Choral Society and combined choirs was recorded at St John's Church of England, Heidelberg 25/07/1982 to support renovations at St John's. Conductor: Val Lennie.2 audio cassettes in clear plastic case and 35copies of a printed programHandwritten on case: "DVCS. St Johns. Elijah (3) 25.7.82"diamond valley choral society, st john's church of england heidelberg, elijah (oratorio)

Letter to the Editor of the Courier, Ballarat, Monday, 26/2/1996 written by Frank Puls (a BTM member) of Humffray St. Ballarat about the tram debate and that people should wait for the outcome of the Ballarat Tramway feasibility study before getting "hysterical", "but until then, the protesters appear to be jumping the gun." Has paper and details glued to right hand top edge of cutting. Collected by Frank Puls on behalf of the Museum.trams, tramways, feasibility study, letter to the editor, ballarat city tramway, ballarat revival