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. The Complete Works of Robert Burns Peoms Songs and Letters Edited from the best printed manuscript authorities by Alexander Smith Author: Robert Burns Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1884Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 821 BUR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, peoms songs and letters, robert burns

A studio portrait of Prudence Partington of Greensborough. the family lived at Willis Vale from the 1870s.One of many studio portraits of the Partington familySepia studio portrait of woman in dark dress and bonnet, seated and holding a book. flowers to her left. Mounted on white card with studio name: M.Allan 278 Smith Street Collingwood..On back: Prudence Partington. Born 1858-1930.willis vale, partington family, prudence partington

Cabinet wooden varnished office bureau. Open fronted shelves and centred writing space. 7 pigeonholes across top, 4 down. Made by E P Smith and Son, Warrnamboolflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Short typed notes on the Wesley College Dramatic Society performances. Mentioned is The Monkey's Paw, Captain X and The New Boy. Mentioned are Stuart Hall and Winks Smith who played the xylophone.document, wesley college dramatic society, the monkey's paw, captain x, the new boy, shakespeare, stuart hall, winks smith, ?erry

Victoria Brewery notepaper dated 7th May 1891 addressed to E P Hastings handwritten re calling meeting with balance sheet to show Mr Smith. Initialled M Cbendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

Individual Income Tax Return for Departing Aliens for Taxable Year 1936 in the name of Richard H. Smith Abbott. Purple U.S. Int. Rev. stamp dated Jun 27 1936.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, individual incomne tax return 1936, richard h smith abbott, guy t helvering, william welch

Printed Cohn Bros Memorandum dated 20th May 1895 with handwritten addressed to the Chairman & Directors of Victoria Brewery Bendigo re: examination of company books signed B. W. Smith.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

White piece of paper. Recd from W. B. Evans the sum of Twelve shillings for attending Funeral (with ?) of Late Bro. Goehler. March 15th /72. Signed by George C. Smith.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - receipt, a b evans, bro goehler, george c smith

This group used to meet after school or work for a swim at Princes PierB&W photo of men, women and two little girls, most in swimming costumes, on the beach and Princes Pier in the 1940s. Margaret Smith is the taller of the two little girls centre front.piers and wharves - princes pier, sport, swimming, margaret smith

Black and white photograph. Students are examining daffodil flowers and another plant, some using microscopes in a Biology class. Same group as B91.172-B91.173 including Margot George, Peter Smith.margot george, peter smith, daffodil flowers, plants, microscopes, students in class, biology class

Photograph appeared in Lakes Post Newspaper page 6, 4 December 1996.Black and white photograph of members of A O G Community Church, during community activities. Lakes Entrance Victoria, Norma Smith, Pasha McDougal, Carol Key, Glenn and Caroline Simpsonchurch, buildings

Typed carbon copy of a letter to the Honourable Commissioner General of Immigration from Richard Hartley Smith Abbott asking for an extension of his re-entry permit. Dated 21 February, 1939.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, richard hartley smith abbott, mariposa, abbott supply company bendigo

Originally stored at Ringwood Council offices, then taken to PROV.Only source of ratepayers in the Borough of RingwoodDigital imagesBedford Road, Ringwood. For Leslie Coyle, Leslie Smith, Valerie & Peter Stratton, Brendon Conlon and Theresa Nott.

Originally stored at Ringwood Council offices, then taken to PROV.Only source of ratepayers in the Borough of RingwoodDigital imagesBedford Road, Ringwood. For Church of Christ, Graham Gibson, Anna Jones, Stella Smith, & William & Eva Bell.

Methods of researching family history. Case studies of Eltham families.x, 197 p., [16] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 28 cm. Includes index. Bibliography p.182-185.ISBN 073445634 Eltham District Historical Society from Peter + Diana Basset-Smith 1/4/07family history research, sweeney family eltham, smale family, cuffley family eltham, eltham families

Hardback with dust cover Edited by S.L. Mayer First published by Ure Smith, Sydney: 1976 ISBN: 0 7254 0332 2

SEPIA PHOTOGRAPH POSTCARD (STAMPED) OF CLUNES LYRIC ORCHESTRA AT THE HOSPITAL CARNIVAL C1907CARD SENT 1907 TO MISS B. SMITH CARRON HOTEL 298 SPENCER ST, MELBOURNE FROM CORRIElocal history, documents, postcard, bands, dance

This piece of petrified wood was found at the sand quarry between Sunbury and Bulla.A petrified piece of wood showing various shades of brown.smith, kevin, john, wood, george evans collection

Contents: • Next meeting – The Smiths and other pioneer families of Smiths Gully • Eltham Community Festival • Park name assigned • Yarra Glen Historical Society • Diamond Valley News • The Shire of Eltham – a perspective The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

This cap potentially belonged to Ronald Edward Smith, Service number 419886. Date of birth - 30 Jun 1916 : Place of birth - MELBOURNE VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - SMITH ETHELThis hat holds representative significance as a generic RAAF officers forage cap. Further research into the potential owner could uncover other significance.Dark blue cap with medal ribbon attached to the side. RAAF eagle badge attached to peak of cap left hand side. Two buttons at peak of cap. The cap is lined with brown polished cotton twill and has a light brown cotton velveteen sweatband.Tag inside cap: 330 1944/Made in Australia / Size 1/8 Service number written in pen: 419886 (or 419856)raaf, australia, air force, cap, hat, beret, wwii, world war two

Comments by Mr. Jeff Walker, Sunday Sept %th 1983. Mr. E.E. Walker JP Managing Director, ATT Co Ltd on Right corner of photo. Mr. A.M. Donald Walker left hand side. Mr. J.S. Stan Walker with cap, 4th to left of EE his father. Mr. E.F. Walker - front row at the right with flag. Mr. Mark Smith to right of E.F. Billie White to right of E.E. (white hat) Mick McDonald top left of E.E (boxer hat). Abe Kay the boxer to left of EEW and Billie White. Jack Crew to left in front (hand on knee). (FG) Fred Allen, Captain with ball in hand (1903). Bob Halliday to left of my father, Lionel Walker (face not showing) far left. Bill Kennedy, brother-in-law of Pat McDonald (of hotel) at the back of my father and Bob Halliday. I think the young chap between Mr. ee amd Mick McDonald is my eldest brother Bill, he and JS were pals. Bill Bewley and the Makim Brothers are there I'm not sure of the others.Black and white photo of Mitcham Football Club 1903 (see history).makin, bewley, kennedy, walker, smith, white, mcdonnell, kay, crew, allen, halliday, mitcham football club

Donated by Jessie Smith (nee Small)Black & White Photograph of Lord Stradbroke on right talking to Mr W McFee with crowd of people in background. A light and flag in background. The occassion was for the unveiling of The Monument at Rhyll 20/2/1923.On Back: Lord Stradbroke and Mr McFee.lord stradbroke, mr w mcfee, rhyll phillip island, unveiling of monument, jessie smith

Donated by Jessie Smith (nee Small)Black & White photograph of the new Bridge on left with settlement of houses at San Remo at the top of the photograph and settlement of houses at Newhaven at the bottom of the photograph.two bridges phillip island, new bridge at phillip island, phillip island, san remo, jessie smith

Donated by Jessie Smith (nee Small)Sepia photograph mounted on cardboard. Gateway to Shetland Heights property at San Remoshetland heights san remo, san remo, jessie smith