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Marysville & District Historical Society
Ephemera (Item) - Treasure's Report, Ian R Walsh, Treasurer's Report 21.4.82, 24-02-1982
Marysville Tourist & Progress Association-Treasurer's Report-21.4.82. At the time of this report, Ian R. Walsh was the Treasurer of the Association.Marysville Tourist & Progress Association-Treasurer's Report-21.4.82. The Association was formed in November 1907 to promote tourism within the area. This included the physical creation of signage, parklands, roads and walks to various attractions. marysville, victoria, lake mountain, marysville tourist and progress association, treasurer's report -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Ephemera (Item) - Treasure's Report, Ian R Walsh, Treasurer's Report - Thursday May 27, 1982, 24-02-1982
Marysville Tourist & Progress Association-Treasurer's Report-May 27, 1982. At the time of this report, Ian R. Walsh was the Treasurer of the Association.Marysville Tourist & Progress Association-Treasurer's Report-May 27, 1982. The Association was formed in November 1907 to promote tourism within the area. This included the physical creation of signage, parklands, roads and walks to various attractions. marysville, victoria, lake mountain, marysville tourist and progress association, treasurer's report -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Document, Letter to unknown Serviceman from RSSAILA, Frankston Branch, Victoria
Letter to serviceman (Neil ?) from the President of the Returned Sailor's Soldier's and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia, Frankston Branch. Signed by P Langford as Presidentletter, document -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Medallions, Commemorative (x2), Hafner Mint, 75th Anniversary of ANZAC Medal, 1990
Set of two oxidised bronze 75th Anniversary of Anzac medals in a dark blue coloured presentation case. The medallions feature a scene depicting the Anzac Cove landing on one side with the inscriptions "75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANZAC" "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM". The other side of the medallions has a scene depicting Simpson and his donkey with the inscription "202 J.SIMPSON 3 F.AMB. AAMC". The medal was presented to Gallipoli survivors and the members of the 'Gallipoli 1990 Task Force' at the time of the 75th anniversary of Anzac.The medallions are inscribed with the following, "75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANZAC" "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM" "202 J.SIMPSON 3 F.AMB. AAMC". The presentation case is inscribed "NUMISMATIC SOCIETY OF VICTORIA". medal, medallion, anzac medal, 75th anniversary of anzac medal, 75th anniversary, simpson, anzac cove -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Gift Box, Princess Mary's Gift Box
A brass gift box with an embossed hinging lid which was presented to WW1 sailors and soldiers for Christmas 1914. The gift was at the initiative of HRH The Princess Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary the daughter of the then King George V and Queen Mary. This box is empty however the full story of the box and contents can be found at the following url < http://collections.iwm.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.994/setPaginate/No >The lid is embossed with the bust of HRH Princess Mary in a wreath with the letter "M" to either side and the following words "IMPERIUM BRITANNICUM" and "CHRISTMAS 1914" and has the country names "FRANCE", "BELGIUM", "JAPAN", "RUSSIA", MONTENEGRO" and "SERVIA". box, ww1, brass, wwi, gift box, princess mary s gift box, present, christmas present -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Book, The Educaton Department Record of War Service 1914 - 1919
Book, Education Deptartment, 1914 - 1919The Eucation Deparment record of War Service 1914 -1919book, victoria, of, education, 1914, 1919, deptartment -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Book, New Encyclopedia of Machine Shop Practice
Reference book issued to Corporal C S Woods service number 19633. Cpl Woods served in the RAAF during World War 2. The book is complete with a hard cardboard protective mailer for posting. The book was addressed to Cpl Woods at 11 Fanny Street, Moonie Ponds, Victoria. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Photograph
Photograph of John Williams an Australian Army serviceman, this is one of a set of four (refer to item 00150). Williams is accompanied by five other servicemen of the 32nd Battery, 23rd Field Artillery Brigade. A note on the reverse of the photograph states "the other chaps are from Brims, the last place I was at in Victoria" and is dated 2/8/1916. This photograph was taken at Amesbury, Salisbury Plains, England. Printed from a digitally scanned file copied from the original photograph. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Document, Programme, Installation of Brother Douglas William Nisbet
Small folded printed card with details of the Installation of Brother Douglas William Nisbet to the position of Master of the Lodge of Honour, Frankston, Victoria, Australia for the period 1965-1966. The installation of Br D W Nisbet and Investiture of Officers took place at the Masonic Temple, Frankston on Wednesday, 3rd November, 1965. The card has the List of Officers, the Order of Service and a List of Past Masters. This lodge was formed by ex-servicemen who were members of the Frankston RSL Sub Branch in or around 1951. Membership of this lodge was for ex-servicemen who were also interested in being a member of the Freemasons. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Medallion
Anzac Day school children's medallion, issued in 1916. The medallion was struck by the Education Department of Victoria for distribution to school children to commemorate the first anniversary of ANZAC day on 25th April, 1916. This example is struck from bronze, the medallions were available in a variety of materials and finishes. The medallions were sold through schools on behalf of the War Relief Fund. Obverse has the head of George V. Reverse has 'ANZAC' within wreath.Obverse Description: Head of George V facing left, mint initials on truncation, S&S; around above, FOR KING AND COUNTRY below, * 1916 * Reverse Description: Within wreath, ANZAC; around above, DEPT. OF EDUCATION . VICTORIA around below, . LEST WE FORGET . 25.APR.15 . -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Map Case
Standard Australian Army webbing map case with shoulder strap. This map case is complete with a folded Australian Survey map of Puckapunyal, Victoria produced in 1988. Inscription BHG Ltd 1945 -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Photograph
Photograph taken in Frankston, Victoria, on the occasion of a visit by French Soldiers, October 1917. The French Soldiers were hosted by the community of Frankston. A. C. Hill can be seen standing to the right in Australian Army uniform. refer item 00325 -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Photograph
Photograph form the collection of A. C. Hill. This photograph is believed to be of a World War 1 Australian Army unit encamped in the Langwarrin Military camp near Frankston, Victoria. refer item 00325 -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Photograph
Copy of framed photograph of World War 2 Australian Army serviceman Lieutenant Edgar Burton Chapman, service number VX43645, who served in the 2/10th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. The 2/10th FC was attached to the 8th Division. Chapman later transferred to the 2/12 FC which was in Singapore when the Japanese invaded. Chapman was captured and spent 3 1/2 years as a Prisoner of War in Changi Prison. Chapman was born in Dromana, Victoria, on 21st March, 1914 and lived in Frankston and attended Frankston High School. He trained as a Civil Engineer and commenced work with the British Phosphate Commission in Nauru. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Membership
Framed collection of items relating to the life membership of General Sir Dallas Brooks awarded by the Frankston Returned Sailors, Soldiers & Airmen's Club dated 18th April, 1964. The frame contains the following items: a Life Membership card, a 'gold' key to the Frankston club, a RSS&A members badge of the day and an engraved label with a description of the presentation items. Sir Dallas Brooks was Governor of Victoria from the 18th October 1949 to the 7th May 1963. He and his wife retired to Frankston to live, he died in Frankston on the 22nd of March 1966 (aged 69). -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Case, 1945
Brown leather case with leather handle and side leather loops. It has two leather straps attached to a top cover which can be fastened in the closed position by buckles attached to the front. There are three leather loops inside the container for storing the contents. This case carried oil cans for the Vickers .303 inch calibre machine gun.On top cover CANS.303MG M.H.& Co 1945 L D/|\D On the front HARRY DOWN FRANKSTON VICTORIA AUSTRALIA case, leather, harry down, brass fittings, 1945 -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Medallion
A medallion presented to Private A. C. Wilson by the residents of Broadford, Victoria. These medallions were presented to local men who had enlisted for service as they returned from World War 1 in December 1919. The medallion is made of gold (9 carat) and has an olive wreath around the circumference. A small loop is provided to attach the medallion to a chain or similar. In this case the medallion is attached to a fob watch chain commonly worn by men when dressed formally. The chain is also made of gold. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Certificate, Young Workers' Patriotic Guild
Printed certificate awarded by the Education Department, Victoria to schoolchildren who raised the amount of one pound (the currency of that time) for the War Relief effort during World War 2. This example bears the name of Eva Littlechild, a pupil at Cheltenham School number 84 and is dated 22nd December, 1942. The certificate is signed by A E Lind, Minister of Education, J A Seitz, Director of the Education Department and H G Bretherton, Headmaster of the school. This ornate certificate is printed in colour on a medium quality card with handwritten awardee details.refer image -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Identification Tag
WW2 identification tag made of aluminium. This identification tag belonged to Driver Dorothy Margaret Fullerton, service number VF515848, of the Australian Womens Army Service. Fullerton enlisted in Melbourne, Victoria on the 3rd May, 1944 and was discharged on 26th February, 1946. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Document, Air Raid Precautions
Printed notice issued during the World War 2 period by the Shire of Frankston and Hastings Council with the approval of the State Emergency Council for Civil Defence (Victoria). This notice provides citizens with instructions to be followed in the event of enemy air raids. Details including addresses and contact information are included. The notice is printed on a heavy weight paper material.Printed notice, refer to scanned image attached to this record. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Handbook, Training, Air Raid Precautions
Manual for training of Air Raid Precaution (A.R.P.) Wardens during World War 2. Issued by the State Emergency Council for Civil Defence, Victoria in August 1941. This manual contains basic principles of personal protection against air attacks. This printed handbook has 72 pages bound in a soft cover of heavy weight buff coloured paper.The Victorian Coat of Arms is printed at the top of the front cover with the following inscription: "AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS", "Manual of General Training (FOURTH EDITION)" "AUGUST 1941" "ISSUED BY THE STATE EMERGENCY COUNCIL FOR CIVIL DEFENCE, VICTORIA" -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Belt, Leather Money
Frederick Henry Laurence Rankin (Laurie) VX 139086 was an Australian Army cook who served from May 1943 to June 1945 within Australia (including Darwin). he was born 24/7/1914 at Jumburra, Victoria and enlisted on 27/5/1943 at Clifton Hill, Victoria. His "Next of Kin" was Eunice Rankin. He was discharged on 4 June, 1945 and he was then posted to 2 Australian Field Artillery Regiment. He died on 27 July 1983 and buried at Fawkner Memorial Park.Leather money belt worn during World War 2 military service by Frederick Henry Laurence Rankin, service number VX139086. This belt has three zippered pockets for carrying money or other valuables. One pocket contains a ration coupon for one packet of smokes (cigarettes). world war 2, ww2, -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Collection, R. K. Churches
Collection of photographs which were the property of Ronald Keith Churches, service number VX34599, who was a Sergeant in the Australian Army 2/9th Field Ambulance Unit during World War 2. Churches enlisted on the 12th July, 1940 and was discharged on the 4th December, 1945. The 2/9th FA was formed on the 1st July, 1940 at Dandenong, Victoria and was initially based at Seymour (Puckapunyal). The 2/9th FA relocated to Bonegilla in September 1940 and embarked for Singapore in February, 1941. The men of the unit were taken prisoner by the Japanese in February, 1942. Churches spent the remainder of World War 2 as a POW in Changi Prison. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Photographs
Photographs (18 off) from the collection of Sergeant R. K. Churches, service number VX34599, of the Australian Army 2/9th Field Ambulance Unit. These monochrome photographs were possibly taken by Churches at Bonegilla, Victoria prior to his unit embarking for Singapore in February 1941 (during World War 2). (refer item 00320) -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Collection, A.C. Hill
Collection of items, including documents and photographs, relating to the World War 1 Australian Army service of Private Alfred Charles Hill. A.C. Hill enlisted on 14th April, 1916 at the age of 44 years and 6 months. He lived in Frankston, Victoria and was married to Charlotte Eliza. He served with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion and embarked from Melbourne on the 28th July, 1916 on the HMAT Thermistocles (ship A32). He was in England and France briefly, returning to Australia on 22nd July, 1917 and discharged on the 5th November, 1917 as medically unfit. Hill was involved with the formation of the Frankston RSL Sub Branch in 1918/1919 and was Sub Branch Treasurer from 1919 'til 1923. see following items 00325.1 to 00325.8 -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Medallion
A medallion presented to Private A. C. Hill by the citizens of Frankston, Victoria. These medallions were presented to local men who enlisted for service as they departed to World War 1 by the "Citizens and Patriotic Committee". The medallion has a gold finish and has an olive wreath around the circumference. A small loop is provided to attach the medallion to a chain or similar. In this case the medallion is attached to a fob watch chain commonly worn by men when dressed in a jacket. (refer item 00325).One side of the medallion is inscribed: "A. Hill" "From the citizens of Frankston" and the other is inscribed "A. I. F." -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Document, Certificate, Certificate of Life Membership
Printed Certificate of Life Membership presented to J. L. Pratt on the occasion of him being awarded Life Membership of the R.S.S. and A.I.L. of A. Pratt was awarded Life Membership of the Frankston Sub-branch, Victoria. The certificate is dated 17th June, 1954 and is signed by the RSS and AIL of A Federal President and the General Secretary. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Smoke
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. 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. Smoke Author: Ivan Turgenev Translated from the Russian by Constance Garnett Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd Date: 1951Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 891.73 TUR 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 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, smoke, ivan turgenev, constance garnett -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Lyrics and Mystic Sketches
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 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. Lyrics and Mystic Sketches Author: Agnes Littlejohn. Illustrations and Design by J Muir Auld Publisher: Edwards Dunlop and Co LTD A label on spine cover with typed text R.A.821.04008 LIT Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Front loose endpaper has handwriting that reads " with the Author's compliments" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, 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, lyrics and mystic sketches, agnes littlejohn, j muir auld -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, In A Convex Mirror
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. In A Convex Mirror Author: Rosemary Dobson Publisher: Dymocks Book Arcade Ltd Date: 1944 The Label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 821.91 DOB Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Libraryflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, 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