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Williamstown Botanic Gardens- Hobsons Bay City Council
Oral History_Williamstown Botanic Gardens_Shelley Wood, 25/09/2014
The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Shelley Wood. Shelley was born in Williamstown, as was her mother Margaret McLean. Shelley recalls her mother telling her about spending many hours in the Gardens when she was young with her friend Chic, who was the daughter of the Curator Ernie Anderson. Shelley, who was the first female gardener appointed in the western region, served her apprenticeship at Gardens and is currently the Curator. shelley wood, margaret mclean, tom wood, chic anderson, ernie anderson, 1979, apprentice, fish pond, pinetum, barry heath, golden elm, palms, brian turner, dean splatt, robert anderson, 1988, bicentennial funding, 1987, angela altair, helen page, mary klestadt, mike hirst, john hawker, landscape advisory group, williamstown technical school, gates, buffalo lawn, ian brown, storytime, adam lindsay gordon, statue, archie matthews, aviary, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Skis, boots and stocks
'The collections of winter sports equipment in Australian museums are small and few in number... The pair currently displayed on the Lounge wall has cable binding, a characteristic of skis from the c1930's to 50's and still popular today for cross country and telemark skis.' (Pg 143. Historica) Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection ItemsPair of wooden skis with black leather straps, black leather boots and bamboo stocks."Kandahar Patent Gresvig" -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Barometer
"A number of specific items, which have been useful in the day to day operations of the Chalet, remain in the building with each complementing the other to provide context, meaning and character to their setting. Items such as the hall porter bell, the many signs providing information to the guests, the wall clock, barometer and dinner bell point to the Chalet being a well-run social institution with a pleasant environment for rest, recreation and congenial company." (Pg 81 Historica, MBCC) "The barometer mounted on an ornately carved backing was presented by flour miller John Spencer Brunton (1861-1937), son of Thomas Brunton who founded the Brunton & Co. flourmills. John had responsibility for the New South Wales arm of the company and lived in Sydney.' (Pg 82 Historica MBCC) " Fig 80. It was presented by John Spencer Brunton on 9 December 1930."(Pg83, Historica. MBCC) Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items A.3.. Fixtures and Fittings (Pg 165.Historica, MBCC)Barometer and thermometer with carved decorative leaf pattern wooden surround.On plaque below barometer:"PRESENTED BY / JOHN SPENCER BRUNTON / 9.12.30" (further inscriptions on face) -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Book / guest, "Conquerors of the Cathedral"
Guest sign in book of visitor achievements in climbing the 'cathedral'. Names of people who have climbed it and the dates they climbed it.Ruled paper bound into a hard backed book. Vertical columns have been drawn in red and names of people have been entered in pen. Headings include dates and times, name and addresses, room and car numbers. Yes -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Cabinet, trophy
Appears to be original to Chalet. Used to display trophies won by guests for various winter sporting competitions. Similar cabinet stored in garage. Also in original location. 'The Chalet's lounge area and nearby spaces include various cabinets. The most eye-catching is the tall metal-framed, glazed cabinet standing in the commanding position at the entrance to the Ballroom at the historic core of the Chalet. It once displayed an array of trophies and silver cups relating to various snow sports that the Chalet had fostered since its opening in 1910. A photograph taken in c.1937 shows the same chrome-framed cabinet with squat cabriole legs standing in the same position in the hall, confirming that it has stood there for decades (fig 36). It is still in the same location in 2011... Some of the old trophies that once graced the cabinet disappeared in the 1980's.' Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items. Solid, chrome edged display cabinet with three glass sides. Back section is mirrored. Features two glass shelves. Base of cabinet features four claw feet. Green felt on base of cabinet interior. -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Chairs
"Today the Chalet lounges and hallways are stocked with a number of disparate furnishings of unknown provenance - table and chair settings... many ranging in styles from Edwardian and Art Deco periods. While they may appear to be original to the rooms, the items are not evident in any of the historic photographs surveyed in the course of this report, so their historical association with the Chalet does not appear to be strong and enduring. Some, including the Art Deco dining table and chairs in the Music Room ( MBC0038.2) ... appear to be domestic furnishings rather than those of a 'resort house'. Two blonde wood chairs with brown leather seats. Carved floral design at back, top of chairs. -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Armchairs
"Today the Chalet lounges and hallways are stocked with a number of disparate furnishings of unknown provenance - table and chair settings... many ranging in styles from Edwardian and Art Deco periods. While they may appear to be original to the rooms, the items are not evident in any of the historic photographs surveyed in the course of this report, so their historical association with the Chalet does not appear to be strong and enduring. Some... appear to be domestic furnishings rather than those of a 'resort house'.Six lounge / club chairs, covered in brown vinyl. They are solid and bulky and have square, short block-like feet of dark wood. -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Desks
This small writing desk currently in the 'Smoker's ' lounge or Drawing Room can be seen in Victorian Railways photographs dated between 1925 and 1930's. This writing table has a raised back containing compartments for stationery printed with the Chalet letterhead provided for Guests to write letters and post cards. "Photographs of the main lounge taken between 1925 and the 30's confirm that the room was equipped with at least 2 small writing desks... Made of light coloured wood, they have raised backs containing compartments for stationery printed with the chalet letterhead. Two of the same historic desks remain at the Chalet today." Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items. Two small blonde wood writing desks. Has backboard with upright document slots. Varnish is irregular. -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Billiard table
The Billiard Room and South wing were completed in 1914, built by recommendation of the Lesee John Newton and the Government Tourist Officer and Supervising officer of the Government Chalet, James Boyce... "Boyce was present at the Chalet on 14 March to witness the completion of the new wing's foundations ...when he returned in June he found the wing approaching completion and that '... the billiard table was expected to reach the Chalet during the week'. The table possibly came second-hand from the Oriental Hotel, Bright. When visiting in March, Boyce had heard from a Mr Tewksbury 'that he is disposing of those at the Oriental Hotel so that if the Public Works Department is going to provide the table for the Chalet it might be possible to pick one up cheap from the Hotel'. It's reasonable that the Chalet did acquire one of the second-hand tables in 1914 and, and changed over to a new model in the 1930s. Three billiard tables remain in the Chalet Billiard Room today; one full sized table and two smaller tables, one perhaps a pool table. The full-sized table was made by the well-known billiard table manufacturers Alcock, Thomson & Taylor, who adopted this name when they merged their billiard businesses in January 1930. Henry Upton Alcock had initially established the business in Fitzroy in the mid-1850's and the table at the Chalet resembles the 'Squatter's Favourite' model that Alcock first produced in the nineteenth century from Australian timbers. this style of table was installed in Melbourne's Parliament buildings, several prestigious clubs as well as hotels and houses."(Pg 13-14. Historica)Listed in Appendix A.1 Furnishings. - Billiard Room. Draft Inventory of significant Collection Items. (Pg 162 Historica, 2011)1. Full size billiard table made of dark wood with eight turned legs. Green blaize covered table surface. 2.Wooden triangle to enclose balls. 3.balls(16) .4 Wooden backed bristle brush with VR stamp. 5. Billiard scorer with Alcock & Taylor, Pty, Ltd. 6. framed billiard rules. 7. Pool balls & cue rest. .8Plus 1x revised rules of pool framed behind glass.(stored in area 23) 1 x original cue rest.Alcock, Thomson & Taylor. -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Map, "Railway Map of Victoria"
Large framed map of Victoria, showing Victorias extensive rail network. Printed by Victorian Railways and is one of a number of 'framed pictures, particularly photographs of scenery, which have always been a feature of the Chalet.' (Pg 83. Historica, 2011) This map has been a permanent fixture situated in the hallway alongside the ballroom leading to the ski hire area since the 1950's and most likely earlier. Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection ItemsLarge railway map of Victoria, Melbourne & Ballarat framed in white painted wood. Scale eight miles to one inch. Areas of the map have been whited out.Yes -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Vase
Silver plated vase which was part of the Dining room silver service settings . 'When the Victorian railways took over managemen of the Chalet from 1 october 1924, they ran their dining room and cafe in similar fashion to the dining cars on their trains and refreshment rooms on their stations, using the same ceramic hotel-ware and electro plated nickel silverware (EPNS), all made to order items that are clearly idenitified by the distinctive 'VR' monogram. The Chalet retains a good selection of of the diverse range of EPNS item formerly used in the dining room..- which in all their variety and function help to interpret the dining room protocols of the 'tourist house' and the service provied by the Victorian Railways refreshment and Services Branch. Many of the items were manufactured by by Stoke & Sons of Melbourne (est. 1856.' (Pg 103. Historica) Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Tableware. (Pg 166 Historica).Two fluted electroplated silver vases with Victorian Railways insignia and a number at base."VR" and more... -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Container
Straw container, original to the Cafe, which supplied afternoon teas and suppers to casual visitors and Chalet guests. Spiders and milkshakes were popular with yung guests after evening tournaments, films and concerts. 'When the Victorian railways took over managemen of the Chalet from 1 october 1924, they ran their dining room and cafe in similar fashion to the dining cars on their trains and refreshment rooms on their stations, using the same ceramic hotel-ware and electro plated nickel silverware (EPNS), all made to order items that are clearly idenitified by the distinctive 'VR' monogram. The Chalet retains a good selection of of the diverse range of EPNS item formerly used in the dining room..- which in all theoir variety and function help to interpret the dining room protocols of the 'tourist house' and the service provied by the Victorian Railways refreshment and Services Branch. Many of the items were manufactured by by Stoke & Sons of Melbourne (est. 1856.' (Pg 103. Historica) Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Tableware. (Pg 166 Historica).Electroplated silver drinking straw container. Tube shape. Moulded circular base with matching lid with central post which can be pulled up to reveal drinking straws resting on it.On front, "VR / Straws" Also silver stamp on base and inscription;"Parmount / plate / best / EP A1 NS / quality / warranted / hardsoldered / K. G. LUKE / MELB / 6889" -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Cases, first aid
Used at the Chalet or by the Victorian Railways for administering first aid. 'A range of first aid supplies, including older types of stretchers and syringes emphasise the importance given over the years to emergency equipment and to the need for remedial items such as bedpans and invalid cups.' (Pg 110. Historica) For many years whilst under Railways Management the First Aid Room was opposite the stairs leading down to the Café, on the left hand side leading up to the Dining Room. Here skiing and recreational injuries were attended to.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Staff Equipment. (Pg 167 Historica).Seven green painted tin first aid cases with hinged lids. Two cases have "Victorian Railways"stamped on them. All have a blue circle with a redcross marked on them.Yes -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Signs
Original directional signs from Chalet interior. Dated to pre 1960's. "A number of specific items, which have been useful in the day to day operations of the Chalet, remain in the building with each complementing the other to provide context, meaning and character to their setting. Items such as the hall porter bell, the many signs providing information to the guests, the wall clock, barometer and dinner bell point to the Chalet being a well-run social institution with a pleasant environment for rest, recreation and congenial company." (Pg 81 Historica, MBCC) Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items. Appendix A.3 Fixtures and Fittings. (Pg 165 Historica MBCC) Varnished wooden directional signs with painted gold lettering to direct guests through the chalet to the cafe and the guests drying room. Signs have rounded edges and are attached to a vertical post.1. "Cafe, fruit, drinks, souvenirs, confectionary, tabacco, photographs, suppers etc." 2. "GUESTS DRYING ROOM" -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Camera
The Vest Pocket Kodak cameras were a best-selling folding camera series made by Eastman Kodak (Rochester), from 1912 to 1926. They were the first cameras to use the smaller 127 film reels.(http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Vest_Pocket_Kodak) One of the items collected by Roger Jones.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3, Snow sports equipment and other recreational items. (Pg 166 Historica)..1 Camera, small black metal with extendable leather sleeve with lens. Is covered in leatherette. .2 Camera case - brown leather with press stud closure."V.P AUTOGRAPHIC KODAK SPECIAL" -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Bell
Was attached to a wall near reception but was removed to storage in approx.. 2000 - 2002. The bell has strong associations with the Victorian Railways Era reflecting the service and ethos of Railways with its uniformed Porters welcoming and on duty as Night Porter and day for all guests needs. (Especially lost keys) assistance with luggage, room service and co-ordinating transit and transport with Railways buses and services. A personal recollection is of Joseph the Night Porter welcoming and assisting when as a family with four sleeping children we would arrive after midnight to the Chalet where rooms would be ready, beds turned down and all unpacking of the car supervised by Joseph. (J. Skeggs) "A number of specific items, which have been useful in the day to day operations of the Chalet, remain in the building with each complementing the other to provide context ,meaning and character to their setting. Items such as the hall porter bell, the many signs providing information to the guests, the wall clock, barometer and dinner bell point to the Chalet being a well-run social institution with a pleasant environment for rest, recreation and congenial company." (Pg 81 Historica, MBCC) Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items A.3 Fixtures and Fitttings. (Pg 165. Historica MBCC)Circular brass disc with inner (separate ) maroon button mounted in raised circular disc. Hall Porter is embossed with black colouring around half of outer, larger disc."HALL PORTER" -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Bucket, ice
Part of the Victorian Railways silver service. When the Victorian railways took over management of the Chalet from 1 October 1924, they ran their dining room and cafe in similar fashion to the dining cars on their trains and refreshment rooms on their stations, using the same ceramic hotel-ware and electro plated nickel silverware (EPNS), all made to order items that are clearly idenitified by the distinctive 'VR' monogram. The Chalet retains a good selection of of the diverse range of EPNS items formerly used in the dining room..- which in all their variety and function help to interpret the dining room protocols of the 'tourist house' and the service provided by the Victorian Railways refreshment and Services Branch. Many of the items were manufactured by Stoke & Sons of Melbourne (est. 1856.)' (Pg 103. Historica) Possibly once graced the chrome display cabinet.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Tableware. (Pg 166 Historica).Small ice bucket. Electroplated silver on nickel. Has a handle to carry and wide pedestal base."VR" insiginia engraved on front of bucket.Crown with scroll underneath with "Victorian Railways" Under that,"WHITE - THROUGH / E.P \ A1\ N.S" -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Cup
Part of Victorian Railways crockery. 'When the Victorian railways took over management of the Chalet from 1 october 1924, they ran their dining room and cafe in similar fashion to the dining cars on their trains and refreshment rooms on their stations, using the same ceramic hotel-ware and electro plated nickel silverware (EPNS), all made to order items that are clearly idenitified by the distinctive 'VR' monogram. . ..The Chalet Collecton also incudes items of ceramic stoneware... and these too interpret the function and role of the dining room. The ceramic items items were generally manufactured by 'Grindley' or 'Grafton'... Ceramic ware used at the Chalet from the 1920's to the 1950's had a black VR monogram or badge and was the same crockery used in th VR dining and buffet cars. Crockery used in the VR refreshment rooms had a red monogram." (Pg 104. Historica)' Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Tableware. (Pg 166 Historica).Small coffee cup with Victorian Railways in scroll design with a crown motif above scroll. White china with black transfer design. Mark and inscription on base. Handle is broken, cup cracked. Cup possibly broken during removal to Bright in 2005. also two teacups of the same design and inscription. Both have handles but both are cracked.-On base,"DURALINE / SUPER /VITRIFIED / GRINDLEY / HOTEL WARE Co / ENGLAND / 3-41 " On front of cup,"VICTORIAN RAILWAYS" -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Photograph, "Staff Race at the Guests Sports Meeting"
Photograph of the "Staff Race at the Guests Sports Meeting" at Lake Catani on the 30-12-36. The photo shows 9 women getting ready to run. They are named on the back, Hilda Gawkins, Melva Weston, Mavis Douge, Ella Colelef, Lelia Willis, Jess Sloane, Alice Bell, May Ross."Staff Race at the Guests Sports Meeting" at Lake Catani on the 30-12-36. Hilda Gawkins, Melva Weston, Mavis Douge, Ella Colelef, Lelia Willis, Jess Sloane, Alice Bell, May Ross. -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Photograph
Black and white photograph, 5 waitresses and a man standing in the snow on the top of the roof.8619 written on the reverse of the photo -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Syringes
'A range of first aid supplies, including older types of stretchers and syringes emphasise the importance given over the years to emergency equipment and to the need for remedial items such as bedpans and invalid cups.' (Pg. 110. Historica) For many years whilst under Railways Management the First Aid Room was opposite the stairs leading down to the Café, on the left hand side leading up to the Dining Room. Here skiing and recreational injuries were attended to.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Staff Equipment. (Pg 167 Historica).Syringes: from .01 till ..04 they have a scale ,they are made with Glass, .01 5ml .02 1ml, .03 20ml, .04 22ml, .05 are made with metal..01 British made 200`C, Everett .02 Gima .03 JJEFF, record british make original .04 original record .05 W.G.LTD Sydney -
Merbein District Historical Society
Journal - Quarterly, Merbein Historian - Quarterly Journal of MDHS -No. 5 (2 copies), Sep.2001
lew taylor, merbein higher elementary school - 1954, harold bennett, nanette griffin, nanette bennett, mr & mrs g. griffin, janice shillington, stan bennett, yelta railway, a.v. lyon, commonwealth research station, cemetery - merbein, street names - merbein, cowanna bend, george stewart, charlie dewilson, common, walter oakes, jock hogg, pop adams, dicky thomas, goodie family, noel goodie, old robbie - fisherman, tony fleetwood, bob cannon (presbyterian minister), keith ring, cliff ring, bob ring, mrs williams, lang children, william joseph caffrey, alex bruce, mollie smythe, barney o'connor, kate o'connor, charlie james, miss mahy, herbert chaffey, mrs delahoy, bill bennett, harry symons, harry bruce, hall buffalo, ern smythe, nancy swain, mrs mousdale, merbein bowling club, evelyn midgley, dr spargo, royal hall, clarrie martin, methodist church, rechabite lidge, mr beverly, mrs sheridan, merbein football club team 1965, sport, leisure, businesses, clive doering (trainer), ian gervasoni, kevin rule, brian williams (captain/coach), neil hurley, robert walder, kevin avery, ron bannister, noel barnes, neville mitchell, peter mitchell, frank fitzpatrick, jim stevens, kevin finteln, neville ward, kevin chapman, barry wagstaff (mascot), kevin sedgmen, barry walder, bill zonnenbergs, roxy café, merbein swimming pool, eva camin, railway - merbein, railway - yelta, railway - merbein west -
Merbein District Historical Society
Certificate, Order of Buffaloes Grand Lodge of Eng. (Framed), 11 Jun.1945
bernard j. parkinson -
Merbein District Historical Society
Certificate, Order of Buffaloes Grand Lodge of Eng, 1 Feb.1974
roy john parkinson -
Merbein District Historical Society
Certificate, Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes - Merbein Lodge No.31, 17 Apr.1944
frederick j.j. holcombe, merbein lodge -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Book - The Campaign Fires - North-East/East Gippsland Fires 2003, Lyndel Hunter, 2003
A description of efforts to fight the bushfires in Gippsland in 2003, including maps and illustrations This volume was published as a tribute to the work of staff and volunteers who put themselves at risk to protect local communities. It shows the impact on those communities in Victoria and the support they gave to those involved in fighting largest bushfires in Victoria for 60 years. The Alpine bushfires started on 8 January 2003, a day of Total Fire Ban. Lightning ignited 87 fires in the North-East and East Gippsland regions. Eight of these fires were unable to be contained; they joined together to form the largest fire in Victoria since the Black Friday fires in 1939. The majority of the area burnt in Victoria was public land, 1.19 million hectares of parks and forests, including 60 per cent of the Alpine National Park and 81 per cent of the Mt Buffalo National Park. Firefighting efforts were made difficult in hard to access, remote forest terrain. Approximately 90,000 hectares of private land was burnt.This publication of 119 pages features text, colour images, maps and detailed information related to the 2003 bushfires in Victoria.non-fictionA description of efforts to fight the bushfires in Gippsland in 2003, including maps and illustrations This volume was published as a tribute to the work of staff and volunteers who put themselves at risk to protect local communities. It shows the impact on those communities in Victoria and the support they gave to those involved in fighting largest bushfires in Victoria for 60 years. The Alpine bushfires started on 8 January 2003, a day of Total Fire Ban. Lightning ignited 87 fires in the North-East and East Gippsland regions. Eight of these fires were unable to be contained; they joined together to form the largest fire in Victoria since the Black Friday fires in 1939. The majority of the area burnt in Victoria was public land, 1.19 million hectares of parks and forests, including 60 per cent of the Alpine National Park and 81 per cent of the Mt Buffalo National Park. Firefighting efforts were made difficult in hard to access, remote forest terrain. Approximately 90,000 hectares of private land was burnt.forest fires -- victoria, bushfires, fires prevention and control -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Historical, Australia, The Great Boomerang
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. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. The Great Boomerang Author: Ion L Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1948Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 919 IDR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker 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 great boomerang, ion l idriess