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. 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. 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. 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. The Age of Longing Author: Arthur Koestler Publisher: unknown Date: 1950Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC KOE Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Inside the 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, the age of longing, arthur koestler

Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members. The ANF has been campaigning for more funding and qualified nurses to improve the quality of aged care for the past several decades, and continues to do so. The Royal Australian Nursing Federation became the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) in 1989, and then became the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation in 2013, suggesting this badge is from the 1990s or early 2000s.Circular blue, green and white plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'Proud to be an Aged Care nurse' and the ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo.nursing, nurses, unionism, aged care, lobbying, funding, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, staffing, workforce, patient care, australian nursing federation

Pamphlet inside The Age called 'Inside' with a front page article on Virginia Trioli, Walkely Award winner and Age Journalist. Author of 'Generation F'' Formerly a resident of Nunawading as a childPamphlet inside The Age called 'Inside' trioli, virginia, the age

The official opening of the Obost Theatre was held on 20th August, 1931, opened by Hon. T. Paterson M.H.R. Thomas Paterson was Minister for Markets and Migration from June 1926 to January 1928. He was elected as the Country Party Member for Gippsland in 1922 and held the seat until he retired in 1943. In January 1928 his portfolio was changed to Minister for Markets and in December of that year it was again changed to Minister for Markets and Transport. Nance Gilbert was the sister of Mary Gilbert, Orbost teacher and historian. Nance Jenning was a professional golfer, daughter of Jonathon Gilbert and Annie Cameron.This item is reflective of local community events in the first half of the 20th century.A white, rectangular paper program with blak ink. It is for the official opening of the "Orbost Theatre".On front - "Nance Gilbert - Aged 6 years"orbost-theatre-program paterson-thomas

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders on the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. VIOSH had its first intake of students in 1979. At that time the Institution was known as the Ballarat College of Advanced Education. In 1990 it became known as Ballarat University College, then in 1994 as University of Ballarat. It was 2014 that it became Federation University. VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree - on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge. Newspaper article about Eric Wigglesworth - Australian accidentologist - researcher who works full-time analysing the third killer in the country - accidents. Eric is a project officer with the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and gave a paper on occupational accidents at the Australian Medical Congress, 22 August 1974. In his analysis, he found certain times of the day were more prone to accidents and "that the more children a man has, the more chance he has of having an accident at work." "Some of his more humorous collegues have suggested this is because these people are not new to accidents". Eric became one of the initial group to form the Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) at Ballarat.A4 sheet with article stuck on. Photograph of speakerThe Age Date: Friday 23/08/74viosh, victorian institute of occupational safety and health, accidentologist, eric wigglesworth, researcher, royal australian college of surgeons, the age, australian medical congress, work accidents

Photograph of two children at 23 Mayfield Street Greensborough in 1953.Digital copy of black and white photograph.Numbers written on photograph - possibly ages of children.mayfield street

Acquired at an Equal Love (Melbourne) rally in 2015.Finger painted rainbow on white card, with text inscribed in black marker.Verso: "painted by Will (age 3)", signed with an "X"marriage equality, marriage

A Legacy ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance. One of the annual "Anzac Commemoration Ceremony for Students" events, usually held just prior to ANZAC Day. The ceremony provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain an appreciation of the Anzac spirit, the significance of the Shrine and the meaning of Anzac Day. The year is unknown but barricades and flagpole are similar to the 1945 photos. The photos are an aerial view of the crowd and the flagpole, with the Australian flag at half mast, as viewed from the Shrine balcony. Items were in an envelope with other photos and programmes from different School Student ceremonies. Labelled S15 in red pen it was part of an old archive numbering system, that showed there has been efforts in the past to collect, order and save items of Legacy's history.A record of a ceremony for school students at the Shrine.Black and white photo x 2 of an Anzac Commemoration Ceremony for students at the Shrine.Stamped with purple copyright stamp of The Age and The Leader. anzac commemoration for students, wreath laying ceremony

Article on Pauline Toner, Labor member for Greensborough 1977-1989Photocopy of newspaper clipping from "The Age" 2 March 1989pauline toner

Pocket Gospel of St John, issued to 'Men of H.M. Forces' on active service in 1914-1916. Contains a message from Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, VD, PC, FRSGS, at that time retired after his distinguished military career yet still active in public life, and less than three months before he died of pneumonia when visiting troops in France. Includes some hymns and music as well as the passages from the Gospel of St John. Brown coloured booklet of multiple white pages, discoloured by age.Handwritten notes on title page written in red ink that are no longer decipherable.wwi, scripture gift mission, naval and military bible society

For public meeting of Elwood and South St Kilda Progress Association on land and housing reform. The full date is not given. The Association met on Tuesday nights in the Methodist School Room, Elwood in the early - mid 20th century.White paper, discoloured by age,, printed one side in blackelwood and south st kilda progress association, housing reform

Full date of event not given. It may refer to the St Kilda Carnival of 6-13 December 1919 which raised funds for the Returned Nurses Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Hall and Seaside Club Fund. White paper discoloured with age, printed on one side in blue.luna park, st kilda carnivals

Program of a reception for the Duchess of York by the National Council of Women of Victoria on 26 April 1927 at the St Kilda Town Hall. Music by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 1927, the Duke and Duchess of York, (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother) came to Australia to officiate the opening of the new Parliament House in Canberra on 9 May. They arrived in Sydney on 26 March and departed from Fremantle on 23 May. They were in Victoria on 21 - 29 April. Folded sheet of white paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue.royal visits, national council of women of victoria, duchess of york, melbourne symphony orchestra, mso

Advertising an Anzac Day service at the St Kilda War Memorial on 25 April 1925 and a memorial service at St Kilda Town Hall the next dayWhite paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one sideanzac day, st kilda mayoral function, st kilda war memorial

Advertisement for a dance, organised by the Mayor of St Kilda in aid of hospitals and charities, at the Maison de Luxe, Elwood on 12 April 1930. The Maison de Luxe Dance Palais was on the north corner of Glenhuntly Road and Broadway in Elwood and operated as a venue for dances and private parties from the late 1920s until the mid 1950s (except when occupied by the Army in 1942-1945).White paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one side.On reverse side, written in pencil: '500 - 8/4/30'hospital fundraising, maison de luxe, all nations fair, elwood

Poster advertising a skating carnival at St Kilda Roller Rink, on the corner of Acland and Barkly Streets, on 1 October 1932. The program included a Kiddies Carnival, Adults Carnival and Road Race from Princes Bridge to the rink.White paper, discoloured with age, printed on one side in blackst kilda roller rink

Ticket to attend a Grand Aquatic Carnival to raise funds for the St Kilda Unemployed Christmas Dinner Fund. Held at the St Kilda Ladies Baths on 19 December 1931 under the auspices of the St Kilda City Council.White card, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one side.Stamped number on back of ticket: 3355st kilda ladies baths, st kilda unemployed, st kilda council, royal life saving society, victorian amateur swimming association

Invitation to a 'Meet a Pal and bring a Pal' Social Evening at the St Kilda Army & Navy Club at the Memorial Hall buildings, Acland Street, St Kilda on 22 June 1931.White card, discoloured with age, printed in purple on one side.st kilda memorial hall, st kilda army & navy club

Notice of the unveiling of the Catani Memorial Clock Tower on the Esplanade, St Kilda, on 22 August 1932. The clock tower commemorates Carlo Catani (1852 - 1918), who designed the landscaping of the gardens at the beach end of Fitzroy Street, now the Catani Gardens, and was responsible for works along the foreshore.White paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one sidecarlo catani, catani memorial clock tower

Notice of the unveiling of the Edward O'Donnell Memorial Fountain on 18 August 1935 at Edward O'Donnell Gardens. Invitation to the unveiling of Edward O'Donnell fountain in the O'Donnell Gardens, St Kilda, at 3pm on 18 August 1935. Edward O'Donnell was a St Kilda Councillor and businessman who was elected to the St Kilda Council in 1888 and served continuously for 44 years. During that time he was mayor on six separate occasions, including the war years. Following his death in 1933, a fountain was commissioned to perpetuate his memory in the centre of the gardens that had, by then, already started to be known by his name. The fountain was designed and built at a cost of £750 by Modern Art Co. Pty. Ltd. Of the art deco style, it is 4.5 metres high and 5 metres in diameter. The fountain’s plaque says his ‘record of municipal and community service will always be an example of true manhood and ideal citizenship’White paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one side.edward o'donnell, edward o'donnell fountain, edward o'donnell gardens, o'donnell gardens

Notice of performance by the St Kilda City Band at Alma Park, St Kilda East on a Sunday afternoon. The date is not given.White paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one sidest kilda city band, alma park

The poster sets out information and instructions for households in the event of an air raid during World War II. It was issued in 1940 by the Air Raid Precautions Organisation, which was established by the St Kilda City Council under the auspices of the State Emergency Council (Victoria) for Civil Defence.White card, discoloured with age, printed in black on one sideworld war ii, air raid precautions, city of st kilda, wwii

Flyer for a Great Carnival held at St Kilda Town Hall during World War I to aid the State War Council's Appeal. The dates are not given in full but they correlate with dates in 1918.White paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one side.wwi fund-raising, st kilda carnivals

Program for an Anzac Day service at the Cenotaph, St Kilda, on 25 April 1953. Logo of City of St Kilda.White paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one sideanzac day, st kilda war memorial, city of st kilda

Program for an Anzac Day service at the Cenotaph, St Kilda, on 25 April 1954. Logo of City of St Kilda.White paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one sideanzac day, st kilda war memorial, city of st kilda

Invitation to the annual meeting of the St Kilda and Balaclava Free Kindergarten at 23 Nelson Street, St Kilda on 26 September 1950White paper (discoloured with age) printed in black on one sidest kilda and balaclava kindergarten