Showing 2914 items matching "christmas"
-
Melbourne Legacy
Slide, Government House Christmas Party, 1950s
Colour slide of people watching a puppet show in the gardens of Government House. Melbourne Legacy held an annual Christmas Party for Junior Legatees and Widows at Government House for many years. The year is unknown but likely to be during the 1950s. A group of slides in glass mounts with green tape are probably from a couple of consecutive years. They will be catalogued separately. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of types of entertainment at a Legacy Christmas party held at Government House.Colour slides x 2 of people watching a puppet show at a Legacy Christmas Party at Government House, in a glass mount with green tape.christmas party, government house party, puppets -
Melbourne Legacy
Slide, Government House Christmas Party, 1950s
Colour slide of people in an open sided tent on the Government House lawn. They are large style canvas tents on loan from the Army for the occasion. The caption implies it is a lunch for the helpers who got ready before the crowds arrived. Melbourne Legacy held an annual Christmas Party for Junior Legatees and Widows at Government House for many years. The year is unknown but likely to be during the 1950s. A group of slides in glass mounts with green tape are probably from a couple of consecutive years. They will be catalogued separately. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of a Legacy Christmas party held at Government House.Colour slide of people under an open tent at Government House for a Legacy Christmas Party, in a glass mount with green tape.Caption in black ink says 'Helpers' Lunch'christmas party, government house party, tents -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Digital image Set of 3, Warren Doubleday, tram 27 decorated for the 2003 Christmas season, 15/12/2003
Set of 3 Digital Images of tram 27 decorated for the 2003 Christmas season in Wendouree Parade. Dated 15/12/2003. .1 - near Gardens Loop .2 - Leaving depot junction. .3 - Interior - don't be too tall.trams, tramways, btm, decorated trams, christmas, wendouree parade, tram 27 -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, J H Roberts, Ballarat, Henry Nicholls, Christmas 1873
Part of Old Lintonian collection ; No. 21Sepia CDV (carte de visite) photograph of a bearded man wearing suit, seated with left harm on lap, right arm at right chest."Christmas 1873"henry nicholls, old lintonian collection -
Charlton RSL Sub Branch
Card - 1915 Christmas card, Souvenir Christmas card sent to wounded servicemen
Small Christmas card Leslie with love. L.H.Jones. No.2282 of 5th Battalion at (HQ?) -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Work on paper - Music, Music Sheet Love Comes Down at Christmas, 1952
The words for this song come from a Christmas song by Christina Rossetti. The poem was first published in 1885. The words have been set to music many times but the composer of this piece is James A. Steele, a well-known Australian music teacher and composer in the mid 20th century. This sheet music is retained as an interesting piece of music from the mid 20th century. As well, the owner of the music appears to have been Shirley Goldstraw, a descendant of the Goldstraw family that settled in the Naringal/Nullawarre area in the mid 19th century. This is a sheet of paper folded in two to make four pages. The pages contain the music for a song called ‘Love Came Down at Christmas’. The pages are torn at the edges with some small sections missing. The front page is stained. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘S. Goldstraw’ christina rossetti, james a. steele, history of warrnambool -
RMIT Design Archives
Posters, Post Christmas Mail Now For Overseas
In the days before television advertising and the WWW, commercial artists such as John Whittenbury designed posters, railway billboards and trade exhibitions advertising products and services to the masses. Whittenbury’s series of quirky Christmas mail posters for the Post Masters General Office, now known as Australia Post, were displayed in post offices across Australia. He had a wealth of experience in the field, having worked as an illustrator, graphic designer, cartoonist, and mechanical draftsman for the RAAF in Laverton and then Victoria Barracks, and also taking out a qualification in Advertising Art from RMIT in 1961, prior to joining the PMG. Ann Carew, 2017 australia post, christmas, rmit design archives -
Charlton RSL Sub Branch
Functional object - Christmas menu, 1943 Christmas Dinner Menu
Paper Christmas menu (copy) -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Booklet - Cookbook / Recipe Book, State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV), "Cooking for Christmas", 1960s
Provides a series of recipe for Christmas dinners. Prepared by the home advisory service of the SECV. The SEC promoted electric cooking on Ballarat tramcars using large roof advertisements.16 page booklet, centre stapled printed in green and black ink. On the rear cover has images of Mary Dunne, SEC Home Service Supervisor and Jean Forster, SEC Senior Cooking Demonstrator. Have the SEC logo of the "boy with a blanket", carrying turkey and wearing a Christmas hat.non-fictionProvides a series of recipe for Christmas dinners. Prepared by the home advisory service of the SECV. The SEC promoted electric cooking on Ballarat tramcars using large roof advertisements. secv, cookbooks, recipe books, home advisory -
RMIT Design Archives
Cards, David Lancashire, designer, Hallelujah Christmas Promotion for KW Doggett Fine Paper
David Lancashire's Christmas promotion 'Hallelujah', designed for KW Doggett Fine Paper in 2009, is an example of one of the many innovations that Lancashire has contributed to the Australian paper industry. Considering the celestial aspects of Christmas and a favourite song - Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' - Lancashire recalled a Wayang Kulit shadow puppet collected in Bali because of the way it interacted with light. Made from hide, the puppet was peppered with hand-punched holes to add intricate decorations to projected shadows. He adapted this concept to laser-etched paper and translated the fringed skirt of the puppet to die cut angel feathers. Jenny Grigg, 2017Greeting card and envelopechristmas, paper industry, design, graphic design, bali, puppets -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Christmas Hills, 2004
Christmas Hills Past and present brochure produced by Yara Glen & District Historical Society, 2004 Photocopy: Christmas Hills Centenary, 1965, 8p Photocopy: Christmas Hills Centenary 1865-1965 Index by P.B.Sharry gilham collection, christmas hills -
Heidelberg Golf Club
Photograph, Faye Lamb, Christmas picnics at Heidelberg Golf Club - Christmas party crowds, 1990
Christmas picnics at Heidelberg Golf Club - Christmas party crowds.5 Colour photographs and captionheidelberg golf club, christmas picnics -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Container - Box, The Missions to Seamen Christmas Greetings 1943, 1943
The box was presumably made in Australia to be used as a gift container for Christmas gifts or greetings by people associated with the Mission or their acquaintances or family members. The box is dated and has the Mission to Seamen logo and description as a promotional way to describe and inform people of the Mission's purpose. The gift was sent by Mariner Merrylees to sister Marjorie in Manitoulin Island, CanadaThis everyday practical object represents in its function an acknowledgement by the Mission to Seamen organisation of the need for sailors and seafarers to stay in touch with friends and family at Christmas time and this sample box of a wartime Christmas marks a particularly difficult time in history for seafarers to stay in touch and connected with loved ones.Cardboard beige rectangular box in a small size, with blue stamped inscriptions on it detailing promotional information about The Missions To Seamen. The object also has a blue hand written inscription on it on the top side and also another hand written inscription at the back side detailing the recipient’s name "Marjorie". This object was sent to recipient with a coin bracelet inside (Reference: 600.2). Top side of the box, Christmas Greetings/1943/FROM/MELBOURNE/PORT MELBOURNE/WILLIAMSTOWN/THREE OF OVER TWO HUNDRED/CLUBS SCATTERED ALL OVER/THE WORLD TO SERVE/THE MERCHANT NAVY. Top right side of the box a flag crown and attached cord logo image, THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN/MN Hand written inscription top side of the box, Jivaros Hand written underlined inscription back side of the box, for Marjoriecardboard box, christmas gift, mission to seamen, bracelet, canada, manatoulin island, seamen's mission, mission to seafarers, 1943, ww2, christmas, siblings, melbourne, port melbourne, williamstown, coins, robert leighton, marjorie merrylees, mn, merchant navy -
Heidelberg Golf Club
Photograph, Faye Lamb, Christmas picnics at Heidelberg Golf Club - Helicopter arrives at Christmas picnic, 1990
Christmas picnics at Heidelberg Golf Club - Helicopter arrives at Christmas picnic, 1990s.Colour photograph and captionchristmas picnics, heidelberg golf club -
Clunes Museum
Memorabilia - CD, STAR PRODUCTIONS CLUNES (VIC), MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CLUNES - CELEBRATING 150 YEARS, UNKNOWN
RECORDING OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND WESLEY COLLEGE STUDENT MUSICIANS; VOCALS; TOM HOWARTH, JODIE WHITTON, NORM WHITTON, LES PATTEN, SATCH NIEMIEC, JUDE NIEMIEC, SIMON NIEMIEC, KIT ANDERSON, FENJA SHAW, WESLEY COLLEGE & ST ANDREWS CHOIR; RICK MORRIS, PENNY ROGERS, LIZ FLETCHER, MICHELLE MUNRO, CANDICE COLLINS, PAT COOK, JENNIFER HULL, MAUREEN HARRIS, DOLLY TORNEY, GLENICE MCLENNAN, FRANK HARRIS, REG KINNERSLY, KEN HALL, TOM WICKHAM, JUDITH FAWCETT (CONDUCTRELL) ORGANIST MARGARET MCCALLUM MUSICIANS GUITARS: SATCH NIEMIEC, LES PATTEN, JODIE WHITTON BASS: SATCH NIEMIEC KEYBOARDS: MICHELLE LEISHMAN, GEOFF GAIR, SATCH MIEMIEC ACCORDION: KATHLEEN CRANAGE DRUMS: PERCUSSION - NORM WHITTON HARMONIES: MODIE WHITTON VIBRAPHONE, SAX & CLARINET: GEOFF BAIR WESLEY COLLEGE; VIOLINS: NAYAN PURI, KATE MORGAN, JOSH CASAN VIOLA: DAVID BAIN CELLO: NOCHOLE SANDS, KATHERIN SCHORNKOW TRUMPET: LEIGH CONSENTINO, BRANDON CHEONG FLUTE: TASHI COOPER, DOMINIQUE SLOMAN CLARINET: EMILY SIM, ZAC GROSSCOMPACT DISC WITH RECORDINGS OF CHRISTMAS CAROLSclunes christmas, clunes 150yrs -
Melton City Libraries
Card, Melton Uniting Church 'One Solitary Life' Christmas Card, Unknown
Services at the church during the Christmas periodchurches -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital Image, Marilyn Smith, Were Street Christmas celebrations 2018. Father Christmas, 2018_12
The 2018 Christmas celebration in Were Street Montmorency included a visit from Father Christmas.Digital copy of colour photograph.were street montmorency, were street montmorency christmas 2018 -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
Badge "Back to Chiltern Christmas1922", 1922
Reflects a Reunion at Christmas 1922 of Chiltern Past and Present Residents. Circa 1922Small round sepia coloured badge with attachment pin, wording Back to Chiltern Christmas 1922. Back to Chiltern Christmas 1922 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital Image, Marilyn Smith, Were Street Christmas celebrations 2018. Father Christmas, 2018_12
The 2018 Christmas celebration in Were Street Montmorency. In this photo Father Christmas is ready to go to Were Street.Digital copy of colour photograph.were street montmorency, were street montmorency christmas 2018 -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, 1996 QBIC Christmas function, 1996
Images taken at the 1996 Christmas social function at Vision QLD/QBIC Industries5 colour photographs of people at event1 - Henry Chichowski, QBIC Manager 1996 2 - Anne Milbus and Terry Boyle, Board Directors, 1996 3 - Christmas Social 1996, QBIC employee Ley Bond (?), second from right, next to his mother and father 4 - Val Millican and Kevin O'Mahoney, 1996 5 - Parents at social function 1996vision qld, anne milbus, terry boyle, henry chichowski, val millican, kevin o'mahoney -
Kensington Neighbourhood House
Photograph, KNH Item 5/7/005 Eleven women at Christmas party
Colour photograph of eleven women at Christmas party -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Film - Compact Diskette with video, Yarra Trams, "Yarra Trams Christmas 2004 Family Day", Dec. 2004
Compact Diskette with video (DVD), titled ""Yarra Trams Christmas 2004 Family Day", printed on disc, contained within a clear front, black plastic base CD case. Event held Sunday Dec. 5, 2004 - at Royal Exhibition Buildings, Carlton. Has scenes of people arriving, games, the tramways band, the inside of the building, food, the CEO of the time, Hubert Guyot, welcoming people. Length - 3mins.trams, tramways, yarra trams, exhibition buildings, christmas, employees -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Christmas Meeting of Nunawading Historical Society, 01/11/1989
Coloured photo of Christmas Meeting of Nunawading Historical Society.nunawading historical society -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Christmas Meeting of Nunawading Historical Society, 01/11/1989
Coloured photo of Christmas Meeting of Nunawading Historical Society.nunawading historical society -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Card/Photograph, Christmas greeting card : A View at Linton, 1941, 1941
Sent as a Christmas card by T. & G. Thornton in 1941.A very small photograph which has been made into a plain, beige-coloured card with cut decorative edge and printed borders around edge of card and edge of photograph. The photograph shows Linton Post Office and Bank of New South Wales. A car (1940s or 1950s Holden?) is parked in Sussex Street outside the bank building. The words "A View at Linton" are printed on the front of the card underneath the photograph. A paper insert in the card has printed on one half: "May all the joys of an old-time Christmas be yours, and may the New Year be a happy one". Part of the other half of the paper insert has been cut away, but on the part that remains is the inscription: "from Tom & G. Thornton / Xmas 1941".On paper insert: "From Tom and G Thornton-Xmas 1941".tom thornton, g. thornton, linton post office, bank of new south wales linton, greeting cards, christmas cards -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Myer (Ballarat) Christmas Window Display, 12/2016
Colour photograph of a miniature tram in a Myer Christmas window display.christmas windows, tram, conductor -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph - Junior legatee outing, Christmas Party 1999, 1999
Legacy have many programs to send young junior legatees on activities, camps and outings. This photo shows children standing under a Legacy logo with Santa and two photos of children from that group with Santa. The logo imprinted on the back implies it was December 1999. It was stored with other photos of Junior Legatees from the 1980s and 1990s. A record of a Legacy providing experiences for the junior legatees.Colour photo x 3 of junior legatees at a Christmas party.Printed on Kodak paper with Olympic rings 'Official sponsor of the Olympic Games'.junior legatee outing, christmas party -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph - Junior legatee outing, Christmas Party, 199
Legacy have many programs to send young junior legatees on activities, camps and outings. One photo shows Santa arriving by motorbike The other shows a young girl eating. The venue was the Stapley Pavilion in the Kings Domain/Royal Botanic Garden which was used for many years. They appear to be from the sale film. Exact date unknown, thought to be early 1990s. It was stored with other photos of Junior Legatees from the 1980s and 1990s. A record of a Legacy providing experiences for the junior legatees.Colour photo x 2 of a Junior Legatee Christmas party.Printed on 'Kodak paper'.junior legatee outing, christmas party -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Christmas Books
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. 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. Christmas Books Author: Charles Dickens Publisher: Thomas Nelson And SonsLabel on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC DIC Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Children’s 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, christmas books, charles dickens -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Christmas Books
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. 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. Christmas Books Author: Charles Dickens Publisher: Chapman & Hall Ltd The label on spine cover with typed text PAT 823 DIC Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose end paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Instituteflagstaff 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, christmas books, charles dickens