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. Red Dust An Australian Trooper in Palestine Author: J L Gray Publisher: Jonathan Cape Date: 1931Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 940.416 GRA Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute 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, red dust, j l gray, an australian trooper in palestine

Front cover has a picture depicting Joseph and Mary, who is astride a donkey, talking to a group of men in the doorway of a building. The front cover is black with the title and series name in white. The back cover has information about a series of Bible Picture Story Books that this book is one of.fictionA book for children based on the Bible.bible story, new testament, bethlehem

Ill, p.128.A photographic essay of the first gulf wargulf war 1991, operation desert storm

Ill, p.64.non-fictionPictorial and textual descriptions of the tanks of the Axis powersarmoured warfare - axis powers, tanks - history

Ill, p.176.non-fictionFlying allied carrier aircraft of World War Two illustrated with cutaway and cockpit interior drawingsworld war 1939-1945 - aerial operations, carrier based aircraft

Index, ill, maps, p.475.non-fictionA panoramic survey of the fighting man and his weapons in the twentieth centurymilitary weapons - history, air warfare - history

Softcoverart philosophy, aesthetics, walsh st library

Ill, p.256.non-fiction The Wooden Horse is a superbly told story of the most ingenious and daring escape of the Second World War. The book became a modern classic. This revised and expanded edition tells the tale. The escape itself was conceived on classical lines. The Greeks built a wooden horse and by means of it got into the city of Troy In 1943 two British officers built a wooden horse and by means of it got out of a German prison camp. Together with a third companion, they were the only British prisoners ever to escape. world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war, world war 1939 1945 - escapes

non-fictionA history of the British army up to the end of World War IIgreat britain - history - army, great britain - history - military

p.65.fictionFictional conversations in the context of the Second World warworld war 1939-1945 - fiction, imaginary conversations

index, ill, maps. p.243.non-fictionA history of the shale railway in the Wolgin Valley near Lithgow New South Wales.industrial railroads - australia - history, railroad operations - new south wales - history

A copy of an Anzac Day Address at the Anzac Commemoration Ceremony for Students in 1939, given by the Eric Russell, President of Legacy. It was stored with documents about the building of the Shrine and another speech from a students' service. Legatee Russell had served in World War 1 so was very close to the events he was talking about. 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 ceremony is usually attended by representatives from schools throughout the state and the Governor of Victoria. The text says: 'Over twenty years have passed since the events that we are commemorating today took place. As time goes on, our memory of incidents grows dimmer, but our understanding of the whole war and of the tremendous efforts that were made at Gallipoli grows clearer. Particularly do we realise, when we look back, that Australia grew to be a nation during those years of anxiety and endeavour, of which Gallipoli was for us the beginning. . . . "A record of a ceremony at the Shrine for school students. The text of the speech is significant in that it was written by a man who had served in World War 1 and knew first hand what it meant to be part of the first Anzacs. Text of a speech at the Annual Anzac Commemoration Service for Students in 1939, typed on foolscap size paper in black ink as well as the original palm cards that were typed on smaller squares of buff colour card. Plus two notes from Legatee Frank Doolan who gave the speech to the Archives committee.anzac commemoration for students, wreath laying ceremony, speech, gallipoli

Purchased, 1985Forest Red Gumgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Purchased, 1986Forest Red Gumgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Donated by the artist, 2017Forest Red Gumgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Donated by the artist, 2017Forest Red Gumgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Donated by the artist, 2017Forest Red Gumgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Donated by the artist, 2017Forest Red Gumgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Donated by the artist, 2017Forest Red Gumgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Purchased with the assistance of the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1983Red Gum burlgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Infantry Red Sash

Australian Red Ensign

Worn by Colour Sgt Cordwell, grandfather of John Cordwell past President of the Sub-Branch. Part of the Cordwell collection from the family of past President of the Sub-Branch.Red cotton sashNilclothing