This booklet tells the story of the establishment of the Allansford Presbyterian church. First services were held in a Mr. Irvine’s barn at Wangoom by Rev Andrew Begg. The first church was built shortly afterwards towards the end of 1861. The first minister was Rev Robert Sutherland (1862-1876). The booklet gives a brief outline of history of the ministers who followed. Foreign missionaries are mentioned as are the men of the Kirk session. It also gives a brief history of the congregations at Wangoom, Mepunga and Nirranda.A worthwhile record of the people associated with the Presbyterian Church in the areas of Allansford, Wangoom, Mepunga and Nirranda.Khaki covered soft card cover with dark blue text. 48 pages approximately with collated black and white photographs of ministers and members of the congregation at the time. Red circular logo inside front cover.The foreward is written by W M Chapman.allansford presbyterian church, the kirk at work, wangoom, mepunga, rev andrew begg, rev robert sutherland 1862-1876

This letter, the first air mail letter sent to Warrnambool, was written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir David Valentine Hennessy and carried by the aviator, Basil Watson on the first flight to Warrnambool January 24th 1917. The letter was delivered to the Mayor of Warrnambool, Cr Webb.There were several other letters delivered at the same time but this is the important official one. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. In Warrnambool Watson amazed the crowd with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Basil Watson died when he crashed his plane into the sea near Point Cook, just two months after he landed in Warrnambool. This letter is of the utmost significance being the first air mail letter delivered to Warrnambool. It is an important memento of the first aeroplane flight into Warrnambool by the pioneer aviator Basil Watson. This is a cream-coloured sheet of paper folded in two to make four pages. It has handwriting in black ink on two pages. The writing is a little faded. The first page has the logo of the Melbourne Town Hall. The pages are partly torn at the folds. ‘Town Hall, Melbourne, 21/1/17. Lord Mayor’s Room, Dear Mr Mayor, I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend’s son, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we all in the C’wealth will be able to fly from one state to the other. With best wishes for the New Year, …….. (signature indecipherable), D.V. Hennessy. His Worship the Mayor of Warrnambool.’pioneer aviation in the western district, basil watson, history of warrnambool

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. 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 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. Lasseters Last Ride First published in 1931 Author: Ion Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Label on spine with typed text R.A. 994.03 IDR warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, lasseters last ride, ion idriess, indigenous people

One of a collection from the Jessie Smith Collection. Donated by Stan McFeeLetter addressed to Mrs J. H. Smith from Mary Mac (Lardy) dated 21st July 1959. Stating "This is one of the first letters to be posted in the new Cowes Post Office" etc. Envelope to Mrs J. H. SmithOn back: Mrs M McLardy and self posted a letter addressed to each other - the first letters stamped at new Post Office. Signed JHS.cowes post office, phillip island, mrs j h smith, mrs m mclardy, jessie smith collection, stan mcfee

Shoulder & arm epaulet, cotton, green, sewn on are 3 patches. .1) Australian flag black edging. 2.) Curved INTERFET white on green, black edge. .3) Round in yellow, blue, white & green peace symbol. Epaulet has a valcro patch for fitting around the arm & a piece to fit over a shoulder uniform epaulet.“International Force East Timor - Peace”uniform - army badges, interfet

One of a collection of 15 photographs donated by Lois MullinsBlack & White photograph of the San Remo Pier with large shed. Lots of holiday makers enjoying the beach."Holiday time, San Remo, Vic."san remo pier, san remo jetty, san remo beach, lois mullins

On March 2, 1940, Sir Winston Dugan, Governor of Victoria unveiled the busts of the six first prime ministers of Australia at a ceremony on the long avenue of Horse Chestnuts. The donor, Richard Armstrong Couch, was born in Ballarat in 1868.The Prime Ministers Avenue is a feature of national significance, set in the magnificent Horse Chestnut Avenue of the Gardens. The 28 Prime Ministers of Australia are displayed as bronze portraits mounted on polished granite pedestals. The collection includes a portrait of one of the founding fathers of Federation, Alfred Deakin, who was the first Federal Member for Ballarat and the second Prime Minister.Kodachrome slide depicting the gardens during the installation of the pedestals and busts of the first six prime ministers.Kodachromeballarat botanical gardens, trees, lawns, pathways, sculptures, busts, governors, prime ministers avenue, richard armstrong couch, federation, 1940, chestnut trees, horse chestnuts, bronze, granite, pedestals, alfred deakin, sir winston dugan, wallace anderson

These coasters and placemats are souvenirs of the 75th anniversary of the Warrnambool Technical School. The scenes depicted are Original Timor Street School built 1926, Timor Street with second storey 1967, New School built 1972. Dunkeld Annexe commenced 1975, Library new School built 1972, Annexe on Hill 1962 to 1978. They depict the ongoing development of the school which now operates as Brauer College in Caramut Road Warrnambool. Historical and social. A common item in the 20th century and as one of Warrnambool’s largest and longest running school would have some interest for a large number of local people. The artist John Moir was a local artist.Six White drink coasters with different black and white sketches. Rounded corners edged in black. In olive green box. Set two consists of two gilt metal coasters with engravings. Both are incorrectly labelled. Blue felt on the reverse. The scenes depicted are 000828.1.1 Original Timor Street School built 1926, 000828.1.2 Timor Street with second storey 1967, 000828.1.3 New School built 1972. 000828.1.4 Dunkeld Annexe commenced 1975, 000828.1.5 Library new School built 1972, 000828.1.6 Annexe on Hill 1962 to 1978. They depict the ongoing development of the school which now operates as Brauer College in Caramut Road Warrnambool. The two gilt metal coasters 000828.2.1 Library new School Built 1972 000828.2.2 Annexe on Hill 1962 to 1973 Placemats 000828.3.1 Original Timor Street School built 1926, 000828.3.2 Timor Street with second storey 1967, 000828.3.3 New School built 1972. 000828.3.4 Dunkeld Annexe commenced 1975, 000828.3.5 Library new School built 1972, 000828.3.6 Annexe on Hill 1962 to 1978.All have artist’s signature, John Moir, Warrnambool Technical School 1913-1988. warrnambool, warrnambool technical school, warrnambool annexe, timor street technical school, john moir, warrnambool souvenirs

This First Field Bandage is dated 1942 and is thought to have been carried by a member of the Military Forces during WW2.This First Field Dressing is Original it appears to have been carried by a member of the Military during WW2.An oblong shaped gauze bandage in a cotton cover (First Field Dressing), the outer cover is well worn buff colour.The Dressing was made by Johnson and Johnson Pty Ltd Sydney November 1942.first field dressing, ww2, 1942

The Nunawading Council produced commemorative First Day Covers on Australia Day showing First Day of Issue stamp during the years 1981 -1992First Day cover bearing two 45 cent stamps; picture of sailing ship on each. Postmarked, 'First Day of Issue 15 Jan 1992 Nunawading Vic 3132'. At left of envelope, cartoon depiction of celebrations below name and address of city of Nunawading Municipal Offices. Below picture, 'Australia Day Family Festival, Sunday 26th January, 1992'. Envelope numbered 068Municipal Offices Nunawading Vic 3131philately, date stamps, civic mementoes, souvenirs

First published in 1932 and designed to fit into an average sized pocket for easy reference, this booklet was published in response to an upswing in the popularity of old time dances and reels. The fourth edition was published in 1937 and the 7th Edition was published in 1944. Robertson and Mullens , publishing company was formed in 1922 by the merger of George Robertson and Company and Melville and Mullen. Mullen and Robertson were friends who had immigrated from Scotland together and had initially set up separate bookselling and publishing businesses. The business operated out of 107-113 Elizabeth St., Melbourne and was delisted as a public company in 1960.A photocopy of Mullens Old Time Dance Guide on white paper with black text featuring an illustration of a man and a woman dancing in formal attire. The reverse side features a description of how the dances were to be performed. The publishers of the guide were Robertson and Mullens of Melbourne.emu creek bush band, australian colonial dance, old time dance guide

Arithmetic for Grade IV, First Edition 1944. Education Department of Victoria. Hardcover book with light grey cloth cover with black title. Subjects covered are: Numeration and Notation; Whole Numbers; Fractions; Money; Money in Daily Life; Weight, Capacity; Length, Time; and Project and Tables.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square laurel street p.s. collection - arithmetic for grade iv, education department for grade iv, a c brooks

First show of oil plus gas and water 25th July 1924.Sepia toned photograph of the crowd of people gathered at the Lake Bunga No. 1 oil Bore to observe the spudding-in ceremony. Lakes Entrance VictoriaThe First Oil Well Lake Bunga 1924 - State Library of Victoria, LaTrobe Collectionhistoric site, oil and gas industry

The Nunawading Council produced commemorative First Day Covers showing First Day of issue stamp during the years 1981-1992Three First Day Covers, each bearing 33 cent stamp, reproduction of painting of 'Australia Day 1986: An Aboriginal Perspective'. Postmarked 'First Day of Issue 24 Jan 1986 Nunawading Vic 3131' At left of envelope, logo and depiction of shearer shearing sheep; also 'Australia Day Family Festival' and '26th January 1986, Civic Centre, Nunawading'. Envelopes numbered 119, 120, 268Municipal Offices Nunawading Vic 3131philately, date stamps, civic mementoes, souvenirs

This book was a prize given by Warrnambool Technical School in 1934. Warrnambool Technical School was established in Timor Street in 1913. John King, whose name appears on the book plate of this book, was the first head teacher and remained in this position for 29 years. In 1972 the Technical School was moved to Caramut Road, Warrnambool and in 1989 the school was renamed Brauer College. The old Technical School site in Timor Street now houses the South West Institute of TAFE. The book was donated by William Reed who had a bookstore and newsagency in Timor Street at the time. The book was given to Winnie Ferrier. Members of the Ferrier family have been in the South Warrnambool area since the 1850s and the 19th century Ferrier families were associated with Warrnambool port activities. This book is retained as a memento of the Warrnambool Technical School in the 1930s with its references to John King, the foundation Principal, the donor of the book, William Reed, a Warrnambool businessman and the recipient of the book, Winnie Ferrier, with the name Ferrier well-known in South Warrnambool in both the 19th and the 20th centuries. This is a hard cover book of 204 pages. The front cover has a beige background with a blue and brown patterning and brown printing. The spine has similar patterning with gold printing and the back cover is beige. The book has 15 chapters, an index, some pages of advertisements for other books and several colour plates. The first page has a book plate pasted in. Warrnambool Technical School Labor to Efficiency 19th December 1934 for Lettering, Dressmaking A3 Donated by William Reed Esq. Awarded to Winnie Ferrier John King Principal warrnambool technical school, reed’s newsagency,, history of warrnambool

This photo is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. It is an image of the first Chair Lift built in Australia by Bob Hymans. This was a single chair lift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962. He engaged Phil Nowell to build the original Koki Alpine Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds. George operated the lodge with Michael “Baldy” Blackwell as manager. He also graduated in sport psychology in 1981 and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team which went to Albertville, France, in 1992. He later owned the Red Onion Chalet. George credited the success of Koki to “Baldy” Blackwell. “Baldy” and Phil Nowell started the Trackers Mountain Lodge in partnership during the 1980s. In 1971 George sold Koki Lodge to Sigi Doerr. In 2024 the renamed Koki Alpine resort remains a highly popular destination in Falls Creek. George Shirling passed away on 27th February 2023. He had remained actively involved in Falls Creek and was generous with his time and knowledge, always an amazing supporter of The Falls Creek Museum and Falls Creek Village.This photo is significant because it features the first chair lift built at Falls Creek, Victoria.A black and white image of a skier riding on Bob Hymans' first chair lift at Falls CreekOn Label: BOB HYMANS' CHAIR LIFT Mid 1950sgeorge shirling, bob hymans' chair lift, bob hymans

One of a collection of photographs purchased from Photo First, Thompson Avenue, Cowes, when it closed in June, 2014. The bridge was built in 1939 and opened in November 1940. Large Black & White photograph of Phillip Island Suspension Bridge, the first bridge from San Remo to Newhaven.phillip island suspention bridge, suspension bridge, photo first phillip island