Letter from Martin Middlebrook to F.G. Davey requesting information about the 'Raid on Nuremburg' about which Middlebrook was writing a book. Part of the F.G. Davey Collection. See catalogue no. 3536P for his service record.Opened airmail letter in black type on blue paper over a handwritten signature. Reverse side has sender and recipient's addresses in black type. Front panel has recipient's address in black type. A printed postage stamp in blue, black and white is located in the top right hand corner of the front panel. In the top left hand corner is a blue rectangular panel with the words 'BY AIRMAIL AIR LETTER' in white type. On the reverse, the sender's address section is marked with blue lines and a warning in blue type advising that the letter should not include enclosures.Handwritten signature in blue ink: 'Martin Middlebrook'letter, f.g. davey, raid on nuremburg, martin middlebrook

These paybooks were carried by John Lachlan McIntyre while on active service during the First World War. The books cover the period November 1915 to July 1919. Every soldier carried a paybook, and made an entry each time they were paid. Paybooks enable researchers to track the dates and places that a soldier served. These paybooks are associated with JL McIntyre, a founding member of Lara RSL. The books are highly personal objects carried with him every day, and would have formed a key element of his wartime experience. They are also significant as research materials, allowing researchers to track McIntyre's war experience. 2 Small khaki paybooks. One is landscape with a rising sun badge and text on the front. The other is portrait with a cloth cover and text. Each book has tables inside tracking dates and locations of payments made to JL McIntyre while on service. Book 1: Pay Book No. 170804 Surname McIntyre Christian Names J.L. 3591 Unit 58th Bn Australian Imperial Force Soldier's Pay Book. Book 2: JL McIntyre Soldier's Pay Book, For Use On Active Service 3591paybook, military, army, wwi, world war one, first world war, mcintyre, rsl, lara

Significant items relating to Albert Telfer White who entered Ballarat College April 1912 and left December 1918. Albert was born 29 June 1897 at his home 'Ashford Vale" farm, Cuthbert's Road, Cardigan. Albert, a second generation Australian, was the fourth son and sixth of eleven children born to dairy farmer John White and his wife Elizabeth, nee Douglas. Albert attended Bunker's Hill State School prior to enrolling at Ballarat College. After College he obtained employment with the engineering firm Ronaldson and Tippett in Ballarat. Following his eighteenth birthday Albert enlisted in the AIF in Ballarat with the rank of Private, No 2012. He embarked for the Middle East with 23rd Battalion on 26 August 1915 and was 'taken on strength at the Gallipoli Peninsular 25 October 1915". On 10 January 1916 Albert was posted to Alexandria, Egypt and during this time he was able to meet with his aunt Rose Douglas, an Australian Army Nursing Sister. This was a great comfort to his family. Albert was sent to France 19 March 1916 and transferred to the 22nd Battalion. He was mentioned in dispatches for 'good and gallant conduct' 5 August (1917?). Albert was hospitalised 30 March 1918, rejoined 22nd Battalion 3 June 1918, wounded in action 3 October 1918 but died of wounds at Rouen 10 October 1918. news of his death was received by his family n Australia just prior to the armistice. Albert Telfer White's sacrifice is commemorated at Ballarat College, Avenue of Honour Ballarat (Tree 1214), Ballarat Shire Honour Avenue Learmonth (Tree 163) and the Australian War Memorial Canberra. (These notes provided by family November 2016)Collections of items including: Bayonet, Carl Eickhorn, Solingen, (29.A.159 engraved on handle) Trench shovel The ANZAC book 1916 (flyleaf inscribed: No 2012 / Pte A T White / H Quarters / 22nd Battalion / 6th Inf Brigade / France) Gallipoli medal with documentation First World War Mothers’ and Widows’ Badge Next of Kin Memorial Plaque (Death Penny) and accompanying letter from King George V Imperial War Graves Commission documentation and photograph Australia Graves Services In Memory card and photograph Documentation relating to Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Learmonth Memorial Wall, Ballarat and Learmonth Avenues of Honours Documentation from the Australian Army Records office Documentation relating to Military Medal, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal (whereabouts unknown, November 2016) Portraiture of Albert Telfer White as a child, as a young adult (civilian dress), in full kit (A I E F formal), and at camp 1915 Portraiture of sisters Cis, Addie, Bessie, Evelyn (with personal inscriptions) Four postcards (one with letter from Albert ‘at sea’ to his mother - undated) Death notice (unreferenced newspaper clipping) Biographical and family relationship details Photocopy of The White Family 1906 showing (standing) Adeline, Leslie, Harold (father), Muriel (mother), William; (seated) Albert, John (Grandfather), Elizabeth, Allan, Elizabeth (Grandmother), Evelyn (baby) and Benjamin The ANZAC book 1916 (flyleaf inscribed: No 2012 / Pte A T White / H Quarters / 22nd Battalion / 6th Inf Brigade / France) Gallipoli medal: engraved on reverse: A T WHITE Embossed lettering on death penny: ALBERT TELFER WHITE Handwritten on reverse of portraits: Lovingly yours / Cis / 21/11/17; your / loving sister / Addie; your loving / sister / Evelyn; Yours lovingly / Bessie Handwritten on back of postcard of ship H M A T 'Anchisis' 14.3.16: Dear Mother, I am sending you a card / of the boat we are on. Our deck is right / on the back. I have marked it with an X. / We are not allowed to put the date on or / where we are. I am sitting on the deck now / holding the card in my hand so it is hard / to write. We are together yet haven't been / separated Bill, Matt and myself. Haven't / had anything to do. I will write a couple / of letters now. Albert Handwritten on back of postcard photograph of Albert at camp: 30th September 1915 / Dear Mother / There is a studio at the / camp so Matt and I got our Photos / taken yesterday morning, & got them/ this morning. I am sending / Ciss one of Matt.albert-telfer-white, ballarat college, world-war-one, avenue-of-honour

This is the last of the series of books chronicling the achievements of the ships and personnel of the Royal Australian Navy in WWII. For the whole of the war the Navy was on the job all over the place all of the time. From the first to the last days of WWII RAN was represented, by ships and personnel in the battle for supremacy in t he battle for supremacy at sea. They took part in every rear-guard action in the days when the tide was against. They participated in the invasions of enemy territory that came with the resurgence of Allied strength right through to the final assaults on the Japanese home islands The last book of the series of which HMAS MK IV, servIng personnel of the RAN have recorded the achievements of their service in WWII HMAS Mk IV - The RAN's Fourth Book. Green front, back and spine hardcover.. Inside front and back cover is a green sepia aerials view illustration of Japanese islands with boats and aeroplane. Illustrations, poems, stories, photographs, prints, cartoons.Dedicated to all those past and present, who 'Fear God, Honour the Kingwwii, royal australian navy, triumph of sea power, amphibian, flying seaman, invasion of borneo, whaler's crew, converted ocean liners, wrans go to sea, balikpapan, frigates, new guinea, indonesia, south east oceania, bougainville, surrender of dutch borneo, world war 2

Book contains notes for physical training. Property belonged to Howard Maxwell DAY VX31282, 2nd AIF. Refer Reg No 92.2 for service details also 87, 88, 90, 91.2.Light brown cardboard cover; name & illustration of knight in armour on horseback on front. Inside, lined pages with margins & handwritten notes. Australian Comforts Fund loose sheet inside.Handwritten top right: VX31282 L/Cpl H.M Day 3 Corps Section 1st Aust Ord Fld Park Front centre: Domrémy Bottom left: No 4760documents - notebooks, records, training instructions

.1) Hard cardboard cover, red buckram with gold print on front & spine. .2) Dust cover paper, off white background, black print on front & spine. Gold monochrome photo of 3 medals with ribbons on front, black & white photo on back. Inscription on title page. 154 pages, cut, plain, off white, illustrated black / white photos.Handwritten in black in on title page: “175 (Copy No 175 of 1000)” Dust cover spine: “Awards for Vietnam 1962 -73” Title page: “Australian Gallant and Distinguished Service Vietnam 1962 - 73. Being a record of British and Foreign decorations Awarded to Australian Servicemen. Limited Edition” book, awards, gallantry, vietnam

Herbert Trangmar Allan, refer to Cat No 2755.4 for his extensive service records and awards.Hard, dark green buckram covered book. Subjects are group portraits of 19th Reinforcements, through the voyage, English scenes, ship scenes, return journey & rural Australia scenes. Contains 1 or 2 panoramas. Most of the photos have a small caption. There are 25 cardboard pages with 4 black & white photos on each side.Front right corner has gold embossed sun rays with words: Photographsalbum, photographs

From Forword: Contained in this book are the records of the work done by the schools of the Education Department of Victoria.Hard cardboard cover, orange buckram with gold print on front & spine. 304 pages, cut, faint speckled edge, white. Illustrated black / white photos & illustrations. End papers are dark brown. Handwritten in black ink on page before title page: “Sapper Henry J Collins”book, service, education department, victoria

Item re Frederick Gardner DAVEY DFC No 410533 RAAF. Refer Reg No 3536P for his service details.Commonwealth Bank of Australia cheque book from the Strand Branch, Australia House, London. Cover is grey card. Each cheque is printed in red ink on cream paper. 5 cheque stubs detail used cheques. Printed in black on cover: 648105 to 648128 In blue ink on cover: CBA Coat of Arms Handwritten in black ink: Details of recipients details issued & amountsbanks, cheques, books

Reproduced records, diary and photography of Vincent Edward Thomas 18602 RAAF, Born Sea Lake 22/6/1919”Clear Plastic covered with cardboard backing with printed paper contentFront cover, “V.E.THOMAS Service number 18602 RAAF”raaf, diaries, records

The All Australian Memorial (Victorian Edition) A Historical Record of National Effort During The Great War. Australians Roll of Honour 1914 - 1916, Heroes and Helpers.Hard cardboard cover, dark red buckram, gold print on front & spine. Australian Commonwealth Military Forces badge on front. 158 cut, gold page edges, beige pages. Black / white / sepia photos, drawings, maps & portraits. Many photos mounted on cardboard mounts. Fold out photos & maps. Flyleaf & end papers are dark brown. Dedication page.Dedication page contains a card & printed portrait photo & information on Allan SCHWENNESEN “SCHWENNESEN A W, L-Cpl D Coy; 5th Batt; s. of Henry and Harriet Schwennesen 13 Arthur-St; Bendigo b. at Petersburg, S.Aust Sept 30 1897; educ. Talbot SS; clerk; enl. Bendigo, April 25, 1915 War Service; Gallipoli (Landing Evacuation); France”book, memorial, all australian

Cabinet was mounted at Mandurang School PS 1952 - now closed..1) Book, red buckram with gold embossed lettering. .2) Cabinet, hard wood, varnished. Door is hard wood with a glass window. Brass mounting ring on rear of both sides. .1) Underneath title: Crest with word Victoria showing a shield, Southern Cross & a crown on top. Written inside front: “Mandurang School”book, education department, record of service

Item relates to Reginald Charles ALLARDICE No 418577 RAAF. Refer Cat No 3627.5 for his service history.Flight log book re R.C.Allardice. Book contains details re training, courses, aeroplane types flown, Training bases, flight hours. Entries are all in ink. A list at the rear shows postings that amounted to some 20 Stations.flight records, units

WWII Flight Log of Flying Officer Frederick Gardner DAVEY. Item re Frederick Gardner DAVEY DFC No 410533 RAAF. Refer Reg No 3536P for his service details.Hard blue buckram cover. Cream cut edge pages. Each page is a pro forma printed in black ink. Some pages have flying mission details written in both black / red ink. Personal details & a photo of F G DAVEY appear on the first page.Handwritten on front cover: AUST 410533 DAVEY F G Handwritten inside: Flying missions & training. Handwritten on edge at bottom of pages: DAVEYlog books, raaf, records

Taken from foreword: Resource & guide for students & for anyone wishing to research Australian soldiers of the Great War 1914 - 1918.Eight copies of 'Digging for Diggers - A guide to researching an Australian soldier of Great War 1914 - 1918'. Soft cardboard cover, adhesive plastic cover applied. Gold / white / purple print on front, spine & back. Purple background, illustrated in colour, 2 portraits, Roll of Honour & service medals. 69 cut, plain, white, pages. Illustrated black / white photos. Black ink stamp on title page & inside back cover C.C.B. LA VALLA LIBRARY RESOURCE CENTRE Red ink stamp over black ink stamp: CANCELLEDbooks, service records, world war one

A record of British and Foreign decorations awarded to Australian Servicemen in Vietnam for 1962 to 1973.Soft card cover. Title in black print on a red background. Cover illustrated front & back with photos. 154 pages with cut edges. Illustrated with black & white photos.books-military-history, photography, vietnam, distinguished

Boxed set of 6 books. The Unit Guide, The Australian Army 1939 - 1945. .1) Box, open, cardboard, dark green buckram, white paper lining, gold print on sides. .2) - .7) Hard cover book, cardboard, dark green buckram with gold print on front cover & spine. Pages plain cut, black print, black & white illustrations. .2) 483 pages. .3) 605 pages. .4) 626 pages. .5) 654 pages. .6) 706 pages. .7) 568 pages..2) Volume 1 of 6. Unit & Location Indexes, Bibliography, Orders of Battle .3) Volume 2 of 6. Headquarters, Infantry, Cavalry, Armoured & Intelligence Units. .4) Volume 3 of 6. Artillery, Air Defence & Engineer Units. .5) Volume 4 of 6. Medical & Signals Units. .6) Volume 5 of 6. Aust Army Service Corp, Aust Army Ordnance Corp & Aust Electrical & Mechanical Engineer Units. .7) Volume 6 of 6. Women's Services, Volunteer Defence Corps, War Graves Survey, Labour Salvage, Military Policing, Recruiting & Training, Dental, Bath & Laundry, Veterinary & Animal, Movements & Transit, Pay, Records & Printing & Postal, Amenities & Canteens Units.books-military-history, units, 1939 - 45

Item relates to George William Alfred MARRIOTT RAAF. Refer Cat No 3117 for his service history.Royal Australian Air Force. Blue buckram hard covered book, black printing, not illustrated, approx 150 pages.Hand written on bottom centre cover: "G Marriott" Inside cover: "ACI Marriott 1750 W/T Operator Mechanic" Rear: "Units served in - No 1 FTS, Signal School Lav. No 2 Sqn, No 1 A/C Depot" Aircraft flown - "Avro Trainer, Demon, Anson, Wapiti"military history - records / air force, log book

Collection of memorabilia relating to W J BOWMAN mounted in narrow black wooden frame with gold inner edge & glass. Letter from DON BOWMAN re ROD PINDER; flat piece of metal etched with W J BOWMAN's army number, name & regiment, temporary Duplicate Pay Book with W J BOWMAN's details written in ink.Pay Book: "2308 BOWMAN W J 1st Field SQDN Engineers"military history - memorabilia, service records, passchendaele barracks trust

Ballarat School of Mines Students' Magazine was a Students' Association magazine. The president was G.N. Hart and the 1964 editors were Kelvin Whitford and Armand Krastins. The cover was designed by Colin Jellet. Advertising was obtained by Jon McDonald and Peter Smith. Active collaborators were John Costa, Ken Delany, Roger Lonsdale, John Byrne and Bobby Ong Gim Sen. Harry Arblaster retired in 1964 as the Principal of the Ballarat School of Mines, and E.J. Barker was appointed in his place. The Vice-Principal was H.J. TrudingerYellow/orange soft covered book of 96 pages. Articles include: Initiation, The creative Personality, Folk Singing by the Miners, SMB Silent Movies Inc., Red Roar and the Commie Threat, Paleopyrology, Conventional Wisdom, B-Day, The Malaysian Student in Australia, Moral Heresy, Sport, The Past and the Future?, The Possibility of Fusion Power, School Council, Members of Staff, list of full time diploma students. Those who had diplomas conferred were listed, as were the prize winners. Snippets: D.M. Pollard won the R.W. Richards Medal; John Costa was SRC Secretary, Jon McDonald was SRC President Images are named and include student activities Advertisement include: Ronaldson Brothers and Tippett; Electrolytic Zinc Company, Myers, Mount Isa Mines, Austaluco Aluminium, Owen's of Ballarat, Alexandria Tea Rooms, Roy Brack's Men's Wear, Lamanz, A.J. William Electrical Instruments, H.B. Selby, M.G. Taylor, T.J. Coutts, Ballaarat Gas Company, H.A. Davis Motor Service, Henderson-Palmer, Coca-Cola, Philps Electrical Industries, the Wattle, Eclipse Motors, BHP, M.B. John & Hattersley, Sheffield's Record Bar, Andrew Gault, Tait Book Company, Broken Hill Associated Smelters, Ballarat Colour Centre, Morsheads, Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, J.J. Mortimer, Ewins, Gallery 321, J.a. Hoskinballarat school of mines, students' association, ray windmill, kelvin whitford, jennifer boyd, malcolm park, jutta bacsak, noel brady, gloria medlyn, ken felstead, jan butterworth, wayne collins, diana berry, lora richter, arblaster, stephen drew, judi woodward, michael moissinac, marilyn barclay, jon mcdonald, gloria roberts, ratnam nachiappan, jeni milbourne, daila berzins, bernard livingston, trudinger, barker, ballarat asian students' association, margaret leong, yew har ong, william cheng, elen leong, joan wright, poh teck shen, kristine goodier, kok fong ho, robert grub, tan joo lim, craig's royal hotel, tim joo lim

Orange buckram hard cover with gold print. Black & white photo & illustration, pages 247.Card on inside cover: Peter Suanosio Nephew of J T Magee 0427 435 267 5443 5267 216 McIvor Road Bendigobooks, military history

Brown pouch possibly used to protect pay book. Items relate to Clifford Alfred Cairncross RAAF. Refer 2108.7 for his service record..1) Brown oil cloth pouch with fold down flap .2) Calico cloth roll up pouch with material ties.1) “-1942 ***AC”stamped in black ink on inner section personal effects - containers, military equipment

The Service Record of the 3rd and 4th Victorian Bushmen Contingents in the Boer War, with a brief biographical sketch of each man who served. Book, dark blue hard cover with light blue dust jacket. 705 pages. Photo on front cover of group of soldiers posing in front of a row of tents. Back cover has photos of a Boer War memorial and medals. Attached inside front cover is a list of Men from Bendigo in the Bushmen (37).Written on 1st page: 29.4.2010 Written on title page: With Compliments Robin Drougleever 23.4.1910books, military, army

A WW2 servicemans pocket size record book which has been recovered with a plain, buff coloured cardboard. The book contains detailed records relating to Private Edwin Walter Gillbee, service number VX135249 of the Second AIF.

A WW2 servicemans pocket size Demobilization Procedure Book issued by the Australian Military Forces. The book has a buff coloured cardboard cover and bears the reference AAB 87. The book contains demobilization records relating to Private Edwin Walter Gillbee, service number VX135249 of the Second AIF.

Small printed pocket book size record of soldier's service details. Issued by the UK Army to Colin Proctor who served in the Royal Sussex Regiment during WW2.

This plaque recognises the Wycheproof servicemen from State School No1757 who served in the 1914-1919 War. The actual large Honour Roll hangs in the old historic Wycheproof State School building.This Honour Roll contributes to and is part of the nation's collection of War Records; it is unique,believed to be the only one of its kind.PHOTO of large Wycheproof School Honour Roll WW1, on wall at the former Wycheproof S.S. No.1757 building - now the Mount Wycheproof Museum. The plaque of solid wood has cylindrical wooden pillars each side of the 55 gold inscribed names - 12 FALLEN servicemen and marked with a +. Raised wooden carved grapes and leaves adorn the top edge. In the centre, on the scroll are dedication words in Honour of the Brave Men From Wycheproof State School. A small wooden cupboard is attached underneath for War Service Records. This photo is in a display Book registered number 02089 at the Court House. Anderson, E. , Anderson, N. , Boyce W. , Bruce R. , Brotherson, H. , + Brotherson, L. , Barker, D. , Beardon, G., Currie N. , Currie, G. , Cutts, R. , Cutts, A. , Chisholm, A. , Cooper, C. , Duckmanton, S. , Dooley, N. , Dooley, J. , Donnelly, T. , Gibb, J.R. +Gregson A. , Hurcules, W. , Hurcules, C. , Hurcules, N. , + Hayes, L. , Hayes, G. , +Hotham, J. , Hindson, E. , Heap, A. , Holloway, V. , Headley, J. , + Kearney, P. , Matheson, H., Matheson, J. , Miles, H. , McDonald, G., McDonald, W., +W., McElphinney, D. , McElphinney, D. , Pratt, A. , + Orrock, P. , + Orrock, A. , + Robinson, S. , Redgen, J. , + Ryan, J.F. , + Slocombe, R. , Stewart, C. , Stewart, R. , Stavely, W. ,+ Sayers, W. , Secombe, W. , Taylor, R. , Tucker, C. , Thomas, R. , Wilson, S. , Ward, P. + Supreme Sacrifice Anderson, E. , Anderson, N. , Boyce W. , Bruce R. , Brotherson, H. , + Brotherson, L. , Barker, D. , Beardon, G., Currie N. , Currie, G. , Cutts, R. , Cutts, A. , Chisholm, A. , Cooper, C. , Duckmanton, S. , Dooley, N. , Dooley, J. , Donnelly, T. , Gibb, J.R. +Gregson A. , Hurcules, W. , Hurcules, C. , Hurcules, N. , + Hayes, L. , Hayes, G. , +Hotham, J. , Hindson, E. , Heap, A. , Holloway, V. , Headley, J. , + Kearney, P. , Matheson, H., Matheson, J. , Miles, H. , McDonald, G., McDonald, W., +W., McElphinney, D. , McElphinney, D. , Pratt, A. , + Orrock, P. , + Orrock, A. , + Robinson, S. , Redgen, J. , + Ryan, J.F. , + Slocombe, R. , Stewart, C. , Stewart, R. , Stavely, W. ,+ Sayers, W. , Secombe, W. , Taylor, R. , Tucker, C. , Thomas, R. , Wilson, S. , Ward, P. + Supreme Sacrifice wycheproof - school, honour roll, world- war-one, wycheproof- servicemen

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. WARRNAMBOOL'S MECHANICS' INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. 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. Miscellaneous Contributions to Punch 1843-1854 Author: W M Thackeray Edited by George Saintsbury Publisher: Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Date: 1864Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC THA 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, miscellaneous contributions to punch, punch, w m thackeray, george saintsbury