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 Geography of South Australia including The Northern Territory Historical, Physical, Political and Commercial Author: Walter Howchin Publisher: Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd Date: 1911Label on spine cover with typed text RA 911.942 HOW Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library

Colour Photograph Taken c 2011 Sister Rocks Stawell This photo is of a well known land mark along the Western Highway. They take their name from 3 sisters named Levy, who camped there with their parents during the early days of Stawell.Colour Photograph of Sister Rocks looking South c 2011South Taken c 2011stawell tourism

The photo album includes photographs of several disabled sports events and functions, including: - Dinner for Foundation Members Wheelchair Sports Victoria, April 1994 - Athletes Together Meet VIP Function, January 1995 - The Great Aussie BBQ in the Park, February 1995 - Opening Day of Wheelchair Sports Victoria's South Melbourne office in July 1995Photo album containing 100 pages and 122 photographs of several disabled sports events, as well as some negatives. Photo album is a blue binder format.The photo album cover includes the following labels. - Foundation Members Dinner, April 1994 - Athletes Together Meet, January 1995 - The Great Aussie BBQ in the Park, February 1995 - South Melbourne Opening Day, 7th July 1995wheelchair sports victoria, disabled sports, max kelleher

A South Australian Department of Mines report on salt and gylpsum resources in the state. geological survey, south australia, gypsum, salt, resources, department of mines

index, ill, maps, p.208.non-fictionA history of converting tender steam locomotives to tank locos on the New South Wales Government Railways, focusing on the 12, 13, 14, 19 and 20 class locos.locomotives -- australia -- new south wales -- history, railroads -- history -- new south wales

index, ill, maps, p.56.non-fictionA history of early steam locomotives of the New South Wales Government Railways, also including the D58 class 3-cylinder 4-8-2.locomotives -- australia -- new south wales -- history, railroads -- history -- new south wales

ill, maps, p.20.non-fictionA brief history of the industrial branch lines around Sydney N.S.W. serving quarries for blue stone and river sand. industrial railroads - australia - history, railroad operations - new south wales - history

ill, p.56.non-fictionPictures of steam locomotives in New South Wales.steam locomotives - australia - history, railroad steam locomotives - new south wales - history

ill, p.56.non-fictionPictures of steam locomotives in New South Wales.steam locomotives - australia - history, railroad steam locomotives - new south wales - history

ill, p.56.non-fictionPictures of steam locomotives in New South Wales.steam locomotives - australia - history, railroad steam locomotives - new south wales - history

ill, maps, p.75.non-fictionA tribute to steam locomotive operation on The Sydney - Newcastle Express on the New South Wales Railways.railroad steam locomotives - new south wales - history, railroads - passenger trains - australia

ill, p.54.non-fictionA pictorial history of steam locomotive operations on the New South Wales Railways especially around the Newcastle area.railroad steam locomotives - new south wales - history, railroad operations - new south wales - history

ill, p.40.non-fictionA photographic survey of steam locomotive at work on the New South Wales Railways.railroad steam locomotives - new south wales - history, railroad operations - new south wales - history

ill, p.64.non-fictionA photographic survey of steam locomotive at work on the New South Wales Railways.railroad steam locomotives - new south wales - history, railroad operations - new south wales - history

ill, p.168.non-fictionA service history of the C36 class 4-6-0 passenger locomotive on the New South Wales Railways.railroad steam locomotives - new south wales - history, railroad operations - new south wales - history

ill, p.64.non-fictionA pictorial history of steam operations on the Illawarra railway from Sydney to Port Kembla in New South Wales.steam locomotives - nsw – pictorial, illawarra district - railways - history

ill, p.128.non-fiction A pictorial history of steam and diesel locomotives in New South Wales.locomotives - new south wales - history, railroad operations - new south wales - history

ill, p.68.non-fictionA pictorial album of photos of steam, diesel and electric locomotives in the transition period of the New South Wales Railways in the 1960s to the 1980s.locomotives - new south wales - history, railroad operations - new south wales - history

ill, p.40.non-fictionA pictorial of steam, diesel and electric locomotives in New South Wales.locomotives -- new south wales -- history, railroad operations - new south wales - history

index, ill, p.224.non-fictionA history of the later diesel and electric locomotives operating on the New South Wales goverment railways.diesel locomotives - new south wales - history, electric locomotives - new south wales - history

index, ill, p.224.non-fictionA history of the early diesel and electric locomotives operating on the New South Wales goverment railways.diesel locomotives - new south wales - history, electric locomotives - new south wales - history

maps, p.52.non-fictionA tour program detailing the route and travel information for the special train from Sydney to Melbourne with 3801 and 3820 run by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum over the Easter holidays in 1973.railroad preservation - victoria - history, tourist trains - victoria - history

ill, p.62.non-fictionUpdated details of the locomotives in the Thirlmere Railway Museum near Sydney NSWthirlmere railway museum - nsw, tourist railways and museums - australia

ill, p.52.non-fictionDetails of the locomotives in the Enfield Railway Museum in Sydney NSWenfield railway museum - sydney nsw, tourist railways and museums - australia

index, ill, p.192.non-fictionAn illustrated history of the 30 class 4-6-4 steam tank locomotive on the New South Wales Railways.locomotives -- new south wales -- history, 30 class locomotive - new south wales - history

Colour photographic postcard South Beach Port Fairy, Looking WestSouth Beach Port Fairysouvenir, port-fairy, post card, south beach, pea soup

Stories from the Aboriginal people of South-East Australia. Includes Creation Stories, Myths and legends. Written in two sections, The myths and The Land Beyond the Sky. Includes location lists.Maps, b&w photographs, illustrationswotjobaluk, mara, kulin, kurnai, murray river, myths, legends, creation stories

On 31 July 1948 a football match was played at the South Melbourne Cricket Ground between sides from Victoria and South Australia. The event was organized by the RSL Victorian Branch. The RSL Victorian Branch Football Association was originally formed in 1947 and was affiliated with the Victorian Football Union. The purpose of the Football Association was to provide organized football for Returned Servicemen. The were 14 teams and 650 players registered in the inaugural competition which was won by Williamstown Sub-Branch.The Program, Order of Weekend Events and Admit Ticket are originals from the weekend 30 July 1948 to 01 August 1948, the game was played on 31 July 1948.1 x Souvenir Program RSL Interstate Football - Victoria vs South Australia, 1 x Order of Weekend Events, 1 x Admit Bearer Entry Tag.Souvenir Program - RSL Interstate Football Victoria vs South Australia at South Melbourne Cricket Ground, 31 July 1948. Order of Program - Victorian Branch RSL 1948 South Australian Footballers' Visit to Victoria, forward by G W Holland, President 1948. Admit Bearer Entry Tag - RSS&AILA Victorian Branch, Victoria v Sth Aust, Football, Admit Bearer South Meld Ground 31 July 1948. Printed by Renwick Pride. rsl victorian branch, football, 1947, 1948, interstate football, victoria, south australia

Department of Fisheries of New South Wales - The Future of Commercial Marine Fishing in New South Wales One of 9 booklets in a homemade brown cardboard folder that has a cotton tape ties and a typed sticker with RAS 597.09944 STE Author: David G Stead, Naturalist to the Board of fisheries of New South Wales Publisher: Government Printer Sydney Date: June 1911Front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institutewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, department of fisheries of new south wales - the future of commercial marine fishing in new south wales, department of fisheries of new south wales, the future of commercial marine fishing in new south wales, david g stead