The paddle steamer 'Alfred" pulls the barge 'Uranus' loaded with bales of wool at Wilcannia on the River Darling. The Wilcannia Bridge can be seen behind the barge, and a horse drawn vehicle is on the bridge.wilcannia, paddle ship, paddle steamer, wilcannia bridge, barge uranus, paddle steamer alfred, wool bales, darling river

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 1942 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. "The International Scientific Series Vol 1 The Forms of Water in Clouds & Rivers, Ice & Glaciers" Author: John Tyndall Publisher: Keegan Paul Trench Trubner & Co Date: 1892Label on spine with typed text PAT 551 TYN Inside front cover has a sticker that reads 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, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, john tyndall, the international scientific series vol 1

Postcard, WW1, Sepia photo of bombed building beside a river. Other buildings in far distance. Defoliated trees on the right. Location unknown. Handwritten in pencil on the back - G43 and GSpostcard, postcard, ww1, france, ruins

Heart shaped wood and velveteen souvenir. May have hung from a ribbon. Printed with a scenic view of river and high cliffs either side and a suspension bridge with figures in foreground.View from suspension bridgedomestic items, ornaments / decorative

Bush Collection (presumed only) ''The Science of Kissing''. Short article on the 'instructions' in the Science of Kissing. On reverse of the page is a note to an (un-named Mademoiselle). Signed by ''osculant'' with an address of ''River Bank''.ephemera, mementoes, the science of kissing

The man from Snowy River and other verses by A.B. Paterson. Red cover with a drawing of a man riding a horse. The book has 173 pages. Aileen and john Ellison Collection."Jacka Jacka Tooan" stamped twice on inside front cover, again on first page.banjo paterson, man from snowy river

An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.Small black and white photograph of the elderly Orlando Henry Beater Christian holding an oar while standing in a canoe, presumably on the Yarra River. He is wearing a suit and has a hat on.orlando henry beater christian, christian-washfold collection, row boats -- yarra river -- kew (vic.)

Also one other photograph enlargement 16 x 21.5Black and white photograph showing the SS JCD on the Mitchell River with crowd of excursionists onboard, buildings on bank in background, three people sitting on lifeboat on top deck. Bairnsdale Victoriaships and shipping, waterways

Captain ..Limschow, crew member A J legg and two others were rescuedBlack and white photograph showing schooner Ethel BT in Tambo River near Bennetts Brook. Sheds and buildings and post and rail fences on farm in background. Swan Reach Victoria boats and boating, waterways

Slide. Lake Eppalock(The Play Area). 23 Slides of the activities and areas at Lake Eppalock which included: Rivers, Pump Shed, Viewing Areas, Boating, Swimming, Picnicing, Fishing.slide, bendigo, lake eppalock(the play area)

Colour photograph showing view of the Tambo River at Swan Reach looking upstream. Boats at jetty on left, vegetation on each bank, poplar trees on right. Swan Reach Victoriabridges, waterways

Colour photograph of Robin Minter Mitchell River Supervisor and Simon Robertson East Gippsland Catchment Authority Engineer beside a waterway during a training course East Gippsland Victoriawater resources

Tells the story of early Irish Pioneering Women who settled the Maribyrnong River Valley (formerly Salt Water River) and founded the first hotels, punts (river crossing barges) and farms in the region; and focuses on six particular women and their stories.Book now out of print. Funds from the sales of this book were used to build the monument "The Pioneer Womens Shelter" in Pipemakers Park.Book, soft card cover, 178 pagesISBN 0958808406 Book dedication "This book is dedicated to all women who made the voyage under sail"book, womens history, irish women, pioneers, maribyrnong river, salt water river

Commercially-operated boat tours on the Maribyrnong and Yarra Rivers in Melbourne were a major tourist attraction, especially in the first half of the twentieth century. A number of companies ran ferries and motor-launches to locations such as the Riverview Tea Gardens (1909-1947) at Ascot Vale, and the Hawthorn Tea Gardens on the corner of Power Street and Riversdale Road. One of the families which ran these services was Hicks Bros, which from circa 1921 operated a ferry service from Princess Walk (Melbourne) to Studley Park. This is one of a series of 17 black and white undated photographic proofs donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2013 by the Queenscliffe Historical Museum. The series includes images of individuals, tea rooms, ferries, motor launches, ocean liners and tugs. In 1953, the owner of Hicks Bros was involved in an inquest into the drowning of a Ukrainian tourist on a ferry operated by Melbourne Ferries, a rival firm. In published reports of the inquest, reference is made to a number of photographs taken by Robert Irvine Atchison, part-owner of Hicks Bros. As the reverse of the photographs indicates copyright is held by the State of Victoria, the collection may have derived from that year.Historically significant and rare image of one of the major tour boat services which operated on the Yarra River.Faded black and white photographic proof of a ferry owned by Hicks Bros on the River Yarra at Princess Walk. The ferry has signage confirming the company (Hicks Bros Launches) and the destinations (Studley Park, Hawthorn Tea Rooms). A man, probably Robert Atchison, co-owner of the ferry service, in a captain's hat is selling tickets. Above the roof line of the ferry can be seen the boat houses on the opposite bank. ferries, motor launches, yarra river, maribyrnong river, studley park, princess walk, riverview tea gardens, hawthorn tea gardens, tourism - melbourne (vic.), hicks bros, hicks bros launches

Kew Tapestry The eight panels depict the history of Kew. This was a 1988 Australian Bi-Centennial Project carried out under the auspices of City of Kew Council and the Kew Historical Society Incorporated. Nearly 600 citizens including many children participated in the production by adding a few or more stitches. A book records their names and the panels upon which they worked. Artist: Joy Stewart Co-ordinator: Dorothy BenyeiSydney Joy (Joy) Stewart was born in Melbourne 1925. She studied at Swinburne Technical College Art School from 1941-1945, then the National Gallery Art School 1946-1948. Her career included employment positions as a display artist, designer/painter, gallery assistant, and art teacher. Joy relocated to Cairns in 1981. Solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Cairns, including 'Done By Me' at Cairns Regional Gallery in 1999. Group exhibitions at Cairns Regional Gallery, 'The Fish John West Regrets, 1993' and 'Facets of Life' 1994. Joy Stewart died in Cairns in 2018.2. Turinville. A Handcoloured cartoon created by the artist Joy Stewart as a template for the second of a series of embroidered panels depicting the history of Kew. Wool colour codes at left. Inscription: "TURINVILLE. Early country residence overlooking the Yarra River. Recreational activities of the period included picnics." Signed by the artist "(c) JStewart, 1988"bicentennial project (kew), turinville, joy stewart

Nicholas Caire was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1837. He arrived in Adelaide with his parents in about 1860. In 1867, following photographic journeys in Gippsland, he opened a studio in Adelaide. From 1870 to 1876 he lived and worked in Talbot in Central Victoria. In 1876 he purchased T. F. Chuck's studios in the Royal Arcade Melbourne. In 1885, following the introduction of dry plate photography, he began a series of landscape series, which were commercially successful. As a photographer, he travelled extensively through Victoria, photographing places few of his contemporaries had previously seen. He died in 1918. Reference: Jack Cato, 'Caire, Nicholas John (1837–1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography.An original, rare photograph from the series 'Views of Victoria: General Series' by the photographer, Nicholas Caire (1837-1918). The series of 60 photographs that comprise the series was issued c. 1876 and reinforced a neo-Romantic view of the Australian landscape to which a growing nationalist movement would respond. Nicholas Caire was active as a photographer in Australia from 1858 until his death in 1918. His vision of the Australian bush and pioneer life had a counterpart in the works of Henry Lawson and other nationalist poets, authors and painters.Albumen silver photograph mounted on boardInscription on reverse: ‘In the distance among the foliage can be seen the New Bridge across the River Watt. Previous to its erection, the only means of crossing over to the township was across the fallen trees, which are of prodigious dimensions. The River, as may be seen, is very rapid, and, though shallow, it contains a great quantity of fish of a somewhat moderate size.’nicholas caire (1837-1918), landscape photography

The Eltham-Yarra Glen Road as designated originated at the Shire of Eltham boundary at the Plenty River. West of the river the road was known as the Heidelberg-Eltham Road. The section from the Plenty River is now known as Lower Plenty Road which becomes Main Road. The footbridge no longer exists but was originally sited to the south, adjacent to the old Lower Plenty Bridge, now part of the Plenty River Trail. Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.1955-09, eltham-yarra glen road, lower plenty footbridge, lower plenty, lower plenty bridge, lower plenty road, main road, plenty river trail, bridge construction, infrastructure, shire of eltham

Dark brown hard cover with dark brown dust jacket. Picture on front of dust jacket of group of soldiers crossing a fast flowing river. 432 pages. Lex McAuley, Author.Written on title page: Donated by Len Bucher family.books, miltary, history

One of a collection of over 400 sketches & photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandSketch map of Westernport Bay region showing probable drainage directions of the ancient river system. Drawn by Dr G Baker from original maps by E S Hills D.Sc.local history, illustrations, pen & ink, westernport bay region, black & white sketch, physiography, dr g baker, e s hill d.sc, john jenner, bryant west

These photographs were taken just after the McKillop's Bridge was completed after the flood damage. The current McKillop’s Bridge was built by the Country Roads Board in two stages between 1931-36, during which its height was raised after the original bridge superstructure was washed away in record floods of January 1934, prior to its original official opening. In its reconstructed form the original concrete abutments were turned into additional piers and the welded-steel trusses were cantilevered back over them to meet the new higher road approaches. It is sited at McKillops Crossing, named after pioneer overlanding squatter George McKillop who crossed here in 1835. This was a stock crossing place for almost a century before the bridge was constructed. (info. from Victoria Heritage Register)This is a pictorial record of the history of McKillop's Bridge, in itself of historical significance for its association with Victoria's long and important pastoral history, its technicl significance and aesthetic significance.Three black / white photographs. 3133.1 shows the approach to a washed away bridge. 3133.2 is of a bridge over a river with men clearing debris. 3133.3 is a close-up showing the wreckage of the bridge.mckillop's-bridge snowy-river flood-damage-1934

These photographs were taken from Warren's property at Newmerella. They were taken looking to the north-west.These photographs form an interesting panoramic landscape of the Snowy River flats in Orbost. The method of photographing two scenes and placing them side-by-side was used if a specialist panoramic camera was unavailable.Two black / white photographs which are designed to fir together to make a panorama. They are of river flats with maize crops and houses in the background. The photographs have been taken from a high point.on back - "From Warrens to N.W."newmerella snowy-river-flats maize-crops photography