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'S 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 November1884 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 fund raising 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 court house 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 historic 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 Historic 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 art works 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. 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. Le Chevalier De Maison Rouge Author: Alexandre Dumas Illustrated by Harold Piffard Publisher: Collins Clear Type PressLabel on spine cover with typed text PAT 843 DUM Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Inside front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute warrnambool, 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, le chevalier de maison rouge, alexandre dumas, harold piffard

Colour photograph of painting, 'Steeple Chase at Eltham, March 27 1862'. Painting owned by Dr Ken Le Versha, Castlemainehorses, horse racing, art, paintings, eltham

Peter Le Get's Great Great Grandparents to his Grandchildren 2008 - Typical Lives in Melbourne's First 100 years and beyond.

According to the donor these image copies were used in an exhibition, and distributed at the conclusion. The originals are thought to be in the collection of Snake Valley HIstorical Society.Framed black and white photograph showing Eddie Nunn and Les Burt going off to mow hay on Nunn's property, Chepstowe. agriculture, chepstowe, eddie nunn, les burt, harvest, horses, farming

Book, Les Gillies Collection, A small red soft covered book titled '' The Kingdom Of God''. A plan of Study in 3 parts.

Colour slide in a mount. Image from a magazine, La Tourette Convent, near Lyon, France (1961). (Architect: Le Corbusier.)3 (Handwritten)france, slide, robin boyd

Les Smith died late 2018 after 50 years of dedication to conservation for which he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.Les Smith died late 2018 after 50 years of dedication to conservation.smith, les, environment, city of whitehorse, trees

Utas textile exhibition was showing in the Art Space at the Information CentreColour photograph of Uta Wohl with local MP Craig Ingram outside LE Visitors Information Centre Lakes Entrance Victoriaarts, businesses

Postcards purchased by WW1 troopsPostcards purchaseed by WW1 troops sent back to Australia12 Cairo Postcard Trust cardsThe Cairo Postcard Trust Corio Le Caire - Various views of Cairo

This postcard was most probably sent to Australia by an Australian soldier during World War One. Black and white postcard showing Versailles, France. Parc du Palais De Versailles - Les Alles de l'Orangerieworld war one, versailles, france, chatham-holmes collection

The school year book for the 1926 academic year. It contains 1926 prefects, sports results, scholarship winners, student workA booklet of 16 p. The cover is in forest green card printed in dark brown. Some black and white illustrations and photographs are included.On the front cover in pen: Les Hill, 46 Elphin St, Newport.williamstown high school, yearbooks, high tide

Corselet was worn on wedding day in 1958 by Dorothy WilliamsWhite embossed nylon Merry Widow Corselet. Hooks & eyes down the back. Four detachable suspenders. Small blue rosebud at centre of bra.Merry Widow a Warner original. Merry Widow by Warner's Le Gantcostume, female underwear

Hardcover book, 319 pages. Book has a dark red cover with gold embossed text.fictionSpy novel.william le queux, spy, fiction

Order of Service document from Funeral, St Paul's Anglican Church Ringwood; Le Pine Funerals. Created by Baileys Computer ServicesSee pdf attached

Stradbroke Park is a sporting facility in the City of Kew. The Premier of Victoria (Rupert Hamer), the Mayor of Kew (Cr Jack Gervasoni), Cr Alan Hutchinson, and Kew Town Clerk Les Fell. city of kew, stranbroke park, alan hutchinson, john hogan gervasoni, jack gervasoni, rupert hamer

Three Men working in the Maldon Shoe Factory Circa 1959-1959 L-R: Brian Shott, Les White, Ollie Tattmaldon shoe factory

Kodachrome white cardboard mount 35mm slides - dated August 1967 taken by Les Fordham of the Old Curiosity Shop side and wall.tramways, trams, curiosity shop, tourism

Black and white photograph. Student and member of Staff each holding a calf in a paddock, probably Les Provan and perhaps George Hudson, the Stockman. students, staff, calf, j.l. provan, george hudson, feriesan, stockman, paddock

Large Framed photo of Gough Whitlam visiting Bendigo with Left to Right Les Shilton, Gough Whitlam, Stewart Anderson and Dave Boyle suits, formalities, smiles, politics, signage

Music in punched tape format to be played on a "Player piano"An early form of recorded musicPaper piano roll in boxBroadway word roll 2807; Foxtrot (Friend-Olson). Played by Les Luscombepiano rolls, music rolls, player pianos

Khaki card covered WHS yearbook. 28 pages, some black and white illustrations and photographs.On cover, written in blue pen: Les Hill, 46 Elphin St, Newport.williamstown high school, 1929, high tide, school yearbook

Brass wall plaque mounted on varnished wood."This Building Is The Gift Of Edward Le Lievre in memeory of his son Victor Clarence"methodist babies' home

A Geional History of the Wimmer region including StawellHard Cover with two yellow strips one top, one bottom. Three b/w photographs.Stamped: Wimmera A Regional History Inside: Happy Days ... Les Blake 1973stawell

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of Miss Elaine Jones (daughter of farmer Les Jones), standing in the library and holding three boomerangs. Books and other museum exhibits in the background.local history, photographs, miss elaine jones in the library, black & white photograph, miss elaine jones, library, boomerangs, john jenner, bryant west