This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to a lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the 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 areas 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 from 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 NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. 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. Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918 Vol 1 Author: C.E.W. Bean Publisher: Angus & Robertson Ltd Date: 1941 Further Information: From the Outbreak of war to the end of the first phase of the Gallipoli campaign May 4 1915The label on the spine cover with typed text H 940.40994 OFF Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. flagstaff hil, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, official history of australia in the war of 1914-1918 vol 1, c.e.w. bean

Lieut. Charles James Callan, (bushman) a former member of the Caledonia Rifle Club, Queenstown, enlisted 2 August 1915 and was killed in action 29 September 1918 near Bony during an attack on the Hindenburg Line. He is buried in Ste Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers-Faucon, France. First World War letters and postcards from various (unknown) servicemen written to Lily Thompson (Lew Howard's aunty). She would write to the servicemen.Digital file only - scanned by EDHS from item on loan aif, charles james callan, first world war, honour roll, kia, letters, lew howard collection, no. 1 command depot, panton hill, ww1

Information as supplied by donor: Names written on original photo: Left to right: Whittingham (Aust), Slee (Aust), Vickerary (Eng) coach, Neylan (Canada), Knight (Eng). 6 Officer Cadet Battalion Athletic Team, relay team D company. From our research the Whittingham is Leslie Ernest. Slee is actually my father, his name is Frederick Samuel, also a lieutenant. The photo was taken in Oxford 1918, we believe around June or July. Digital team photograph, black and white.leslie ernest whittingham, world war, world war i, whittingham family

Charlton Motors Pty Ltd Service Station, corner of High & Armstrong Streets. Motor engineers, motor supplies of all kinds. Agents for Goodyear and Dunlop tyres, Buick cars, Indian motorcycles. Massey Harris Farm Implements c. 1918. Former Malcolm's steam operated Flour Mill 1876 - 1911. Group of six men, five standing, one on a motor bike. Car across footpath. Wischers written on building next door.Black & white photograph, mounted, unframed. Group of six men, five standing, one on a motor bike. Car across footpath. Sign on building reads "Charlton Motors Pty Ltd Service Station". Advertising for Dunlop & Goodyear Tyres, Buick and Indian Motorcycles. The words Massey and Wischers are written on the building next door.charlton motors, service station, malcolm's flour mill, wischers, massey harris, high street, charlton, business, industry

Group photo of Briar Hill State School 1994 Grade 5-6 MDigital copy of colour school photobriar hill primary school, briar hill state school

Advertisement in the local paper for Frank M. Kindler, Optometrist, Grimshaw Street, Greensborough 1967Part of a collection of historic advertisements from local newspapers, showing local businesses from the mid 20th century.Digital copy of newspaper advertisement.frank m kindler, optometrist, grimshaw street greensborough

Group photo of Briar Hill State School 1992 Grade 5-6 MDigital copy of colour school photobriar hill primary school, briar hill state school

Portrait M. Walsh. Photographer 1980’s plus Family Photos & Business Cardstawell

School - Stawell No. 502 - Pupils 1918stawell education

Group of People (Peace 1918) WW1stawell war

Portrait - Walter Pearce 1832-1918stawell

During the nineteenth century, the land abutting the south side of the Yarra in Kew was devoted to dairy farming. In the twentieth century, before and after the construction of the Eastern Freeway, much of this low-lying area was used as golf courses and public parks.View of the farmland in the Yarra Valley at what is believed to be East Kew in 1918. Verso: "Willsmere / East Kew? / 1918"yarra river, yarra valley

Grave of Lillian M. Stafford (died 29/11/1943) in Plot#R3 Greensborough Cemetery. Greensborough Cemetery was created when land was given for the cemetery by Mr William Poulter, a local settler, about 1864. The cemetery holds the graves of many early settlers in the district. Digital copy of colour photograph of grave/headstone.lillian stafford, greensborough cemetery

Grave of Lillian M. Stafford (died 29/11/1943) in Plot#R3 Greensborough Cemetery.Greensborough Cemetery was created when land was given for the cemetery by Mr William Poulter, a local settler, about 1864. The cemetery holds the graves of many of the early settlers in the district. The cemetery holds approximately 250 grave sites with 350 people buried there. Digital copy of colour photograph of grave/headstone.lillian stafford, greensborough cemetery

Grave of Lillian M. Stafford (died 29/11/1943) in Plot#R3 Greensborough Cemetery. Greensborough Cemetery was created when land was given for the cemetery by Mr William Poulter, a local settler, about 1864. The cemetery holds the graves of many early settlers in the district. Digital copy of colour photograph of grave/headstone.lillian stafford, greensborough cemetery

Dorothy, David and Elwyn Kinnane travelled from Brisbane to Port Moresby on the M. V. Bulolo.Blue card with blue printingM.V. Bulolo Menu Breakfast Tuesday 10th February 1959bulolo; voyage; new guinea

Probably of US origin Can , Meat (Mess Kit), M-1910, M-1918 The older style mess kits had the flat lid that could also be used as a plate. The M-1932 (not unit in our collection) unit had the plate divided into two sections so food could be separated. The folding handle, when closed, fits into the groove formed by the divider. The ring on the plate was moved to the end of the groove so the lip of the handle fits right into it. The M-1932 Meat Can was made of "corrosion resistant" galvanized steel, not aluminium. It used the same WW I style narrow profile steel handle attached by a cast hinge.Oval aluminium mess kit with steel handle which acts as a lid lock when folded. Cover has a mounted bracket for a ring fitting for attachment to belt.Nilmess kit, m-1918, m-1910

School - Stawell No. 502 - Pupils 1918-20stawell education

Phillips – Pte Ernest Vawdrey K.I.A. 1918stawell

Primary School 502 Grade Photograph 1918stawell education students