Colour photograph of two women serving food

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 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 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. 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. 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. Two Great Englishwomen Mrs Browning and Charlotte Bronte Author: Peter Bayne Publisher: James Clarke & Co Date: 18841 Edition:The label on spine cover with typed text PAT 824 BAY Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, 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, two great englishwomen, peter bayne, mrs. browning, charlottle bronte

EDHS Members Gren Orford and Irene Gerrard discussing menu options at the 2007 Christmas break up 4 colour photographseltham, main road, eltham district historical society, christmas breakup, gwen orford, activiities, irene gerrard

Deep Lead Bunyip Bank Rail Crossing being up-graded 1933- Buggy in front of bridge.stawell transport railways

Stawell Cemetery Gates & Sexton’s House. Taken from Barnes Street looking up Cypress Street.stawell

Heidelberg Golf Club: 75th anniversary - the Eaglemont Room set up for dinner. 16 August 2003.Colour photograph of Eaglemont Room75th anniversary celebrations, 75th year, heidelberg golf club - history, eaglemont room

Written on back of photograph, "Ringwood High School. Mr. Bloomfield, MLA. Minister Education. Mr. Bennet, Principal and two school prefects". There is no indication as to the occasion that this photograph was taken on or the date.

Newspaper clipping or cutting from The Courier Wednesday 6-4-2016 with the title "RSL and tram museum team up", about the joint venture proposal to combine the RSL and the BTM in a new building in the Gardens areas. Quotes Paul Mong and refers to the designs available on The Courier's website. See Reg Item 8396 for another cutting. rsl, btm, museum

"The wool and the knitting from ancient time up to now in Greece" - Molokotou. Stories of wool in ancient and modern GreeceThis is a production of the Firm/ "Knitting Wool Yarns MOLOKOTOU"knitting yarn production, knitting, yarn production

B/W photo of winding gear used to raise and lower the trucks up and down the Wonga open cut.View of machinery inside winding shedstawell mining

Heidelberg Golf Club Bowling Club: NEDNPA Night Pennant. Division 2, Runners up, 2015/2016Green felt flag with yellow lettering, mounted on cardboard in black timber frame under glass. heidelberg golf club, heidelberg golf club bowling club, bowls victoria, pennant (bowls)

B/W photo. Close up of Northern Verandah of Oban Scallan Street Stawell showing posts and garden.stawell houses

The portable lock up at Eltham is not original to the site. The date of construction is unknown. It is a pre-fabricated design and each of the timber panels are individually numbered on the inside surfaces. It is amongst a large group of portable locks up,categorised as 'Portable Lock Up - Timber - Later' and also known as the "Casterton style", based on the only known plan for portable lock ups, built for the Casterton Police Station, in 1907. The later portables have been in use since the 1880s. It is not known how many lock ups of this type have been constructed in Victoria. At least 50 examples have been documented around the state. Of these, 42 are known to be extant.This lockup used to be located at the Police Station in Pryor Street and was then stored in Youth Road before being acquired for the Local History Centre 9 colour photographseltham, main road, police residence, local history centre, eltham district historical society, courthouse, youth road

The portable lock up at Eltham is not original to the site. The date of construction is unknown. It is a pre-fabricated design and each of the timber panels are individually numbered on the inside surfaces. It is amongst a large group of portable locks up,categorised as 'Portable Lock Up - Timber - Later' and also known as the "Casterton style", based on the only known plan for portable lock ups, built for the Casterton Police Station, in 1907. The later portables have been in use since the 1880s. It is not known how many lock ups of this type have been constructed in Victoria. At least 50 examples have been documented around the state. Of these, 42 are known to be extant.This lockup used to be located at the Police Station in Pryor Street and was then stored in Youth Road before being acquired for the Local History Centre 2 colour photographseltham, main road, police residence, local history centre, eltham district historical society, courthouse, youth road

This photograph captures the Greensborough Football Club team who were runners up in the Australian Rules Football season 1949Shows the players and support team associated with the Greensborough Football Club in 1949Black and White photograph of the Greensborough Football Team 1949. Includes name of players and support team. Mounted on brown card.Names of team: F. Smith R.Tooth W Butterworth A.Ely R.Bennett [Junior] N.Tooth J.Lawrence S.Thomson L.Hall R.Bennett [Senior] E.McDowell P.Abbott F.LeGassick D.McDowell N. Maud W.Cecil H.Richmond R. Evans A.Tozer N.Brooks J.Richards W.Ryan K.Mountford H.Wasley A Montfort A.K.Lines [President] A.Franklin [Captain] J.MacPherson [Vice Captain] J.Stubley D.Franklin J.Ely T.Bennettgreensborough football club, runners up 1949

Blue stone bridge looking up Main Street Greensborough. Bridge lower right and Marble Hall upper left.From the John Mackey collection. this item was displayed at the offices of Ryan, Mackey and Kelly, solicitors, Main Street Greensborough.Timber-framed photograph of view of Greensborough, black and white.greensborough, john mackey, blue stone bridge, marble hall

Photograph of two RAAF Caribou Aircraft over Vietnamcaribou, photograph

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Two jollied plates framed together for display purposes. art, artwork, dianne kirk, plates, ceramics, available

Two ladies dressed for a special occasion in a Merbein vineyard.celebration, merbein, fashion, vineyard

Yields information about a tramway power supply defect in Ballarat and the delays to services.Newspaper clipping describing a cable failure at corner of Lydiard and Sturt St on Sunday Oct. 25,1953, delaying start of services about an hour - explains reason for delay and probable cause of failure. From The Courier, Ballarat, 26-10-1953, titled "Trams delayed with cable head blows up" Record updated and images added 20/8/2013.trams, tramways, sec, delays, electric failure, ballarat trams

In 1995, Banyule City Council set up 3 community advisory committees on sport, recreation and leisure, the environment, and culture and heritage.Newspaper clipping, black and white text.banyule city council

A young Christopher Foster was sick of finding rubbish along the banks of the Plenty River. He wrote to Council and a clean up was started.Digital copy of newspaper clipping, black and white text and image.plenty river, chris foster

Sloane's & Scotchman Mining Co Looking East up upper Main Street The back view of the Ore Bin can be seen. Street view looking uphill towards mine site. Cows grazing at right.stawell mining

Main Street looking East from Wimmera Street up Gold Reef Mall Shows children's playground and Rotunda. C1984stawell businesses, streetscape

This portable lock up is not original to the site. The date of construction is unknown. It is a pre-fabricated design and each of the timber panels are individually numbered on the inside surfaces. It is amongst a large group of portable locks up, categorised as 'Portable Lock Up - Timber - Later' and also known as the "Casterton style", based on the only known plan for portable lock ups, built for the Casterton Police Station, in 1907. The later portables have been in use since the 1880s. It is not known how many lock ups of this type have been constructed in Victoria. At least 50 examples have been documented around the state. Of these, 42 are known to be extant. This lockup used to be located at the Police Station in Pryor Street and was then stored in Youth Road before being acquired for the Local History Centre in 2001. Lock-up No. 17 taken on the ocassion of the opening of the newly refurbished Eltham Local History Centre Open Day, 4 March 2017, Celebrating 50 years of the Society 1967-2017.Born Digitalactivities, eltham district historical society, local history centre, main road, eltham, 50th anniversary, open day, lock up, lock-up, gaol, jail

Probably a Shire of Eltham investigation into traffic and parking at school pick-up times At the junction of Grove and Beard Streets viewed from Wycliffe CrescentRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak GA 100 5095shire of eltham, eltham east primary school, roads, grove street, beard street, wycliffe crescent

Probably a Shire of Eltham investigation into traffic and parking at school pick-up times At the junction of Grove and Beard Streets viewed from Wycliffe CrescentRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak GA 100 5095shire of eltham, eltham east primary school, roads, grove street, beard street, wycliffe crescent

Heidelberg Golf Club: Members packing up the old locker room 1997. Robin Bienias, Barb Hancock, Frances Tosh, Jan Balgowan.Colour photograph and captionladies' golf, hgc women's golf, ladies' locker room