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 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. 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. The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Comprising a series of his correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons; and various orginal pieces of his composition; with a chronological account of his studies and numerous works Author: James Boswell Publisher: George Routledge and Sons Date: 1867Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 JOH Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, the life of samuel johnson, ll.d., james boswell

Letters of Sympathy in relation to " Mervyn Clive Townsend" who was killed in action on HMAS Sydney on 15/11/41. Refer Cat No. 2313P for Townsends service.Various handwritten notes of Sympathy from various people/ Groups from Bairnsdale of various sizes. 1. Dated 1/12/41 from Grace Suding. 2. Not dated from E. Bruckwell. 3. Dated 2/12/41 from Charlotte Laird. 4. Dated 3/12/41 from Tech School, W.B. Langdom. 5. Dated 14/12/41 from R.E. Fraser. 6. Dated 16/12/41 from W.G. Goibi (?). 7. Dated 10/12/41 from Mr. Beattie. 8. Dated 2/12/41 from E.B. Seatt. 9. Dated 22/12/41 from Mary & Jim Porves. hmas sydney, kia, mervyn clive townsend

Grey cardboard with light grey cloth end binding covered book, 124 pages "MMTB Electric Tramways and Motor Omnibuses Sections and Fares", dated July 1976. Details the various section stages and fares for each tram and bus route, General instructions, concession fares and has photos or drawings of the various special tickets, eg passes or prepaid tickets. Book consists of eight sections, bound with cloth binding on the outside covering internal staples.trams, tramways, tickets, fares, sections, passes

Set of papers, handwritten concerning the development and timing of the "PMTT", Prahran and Malvern - about 13 sheets. Prepared by H. S. McComb - gives layout of the PMTT system, sketches of track layout, opening dates, sketches of various junctions, bridges, track miles, junctions, reconciliations of track lengths from various sources, Camberwell Junction and cross overs. Items 2041 to 2052 within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "PMTT" in red pencil.trams, tramways, pmtt, malvern, routes, track, malvern depot, camberwell junction, surveys

Newspaper - The Age Weekender - Fri 8/5/1981, titled "Tram ways to see Melbourne" looking at various ways and routes to see Melbourne by various Age writers, including Andrew Bolt. Principle item written by Phillippa Hawker. Looks at routes 3, 10, 12, 48, 57, 59, 67, 69, 70, 75 and 88. Has a map of the routes taken in the middle page spread and a cartoon of people on a W and Z class trams.trams, tramways, cartoons, melbourne, tramways, route 3, route 10, route 12, route 48, route 57, route 59, route 67, route 69, route 70, route 75, route 88

Red cloth covered book, 40 pages + covers and end pages, "MMTB Cable and Electric Tramways Sections and Fares" dated 1/9/1934 and authorised by A. D. Murdoch. Details the various section stages and fares for each cable and electric tram route, General instructions, concession fares and has photos or drawings of the various special tickets, eg passes or prepaid tickets. Book consists of one section, sewn with end papers part of the covers.trams, tramways, tickets, fares, sections, passes, cable trams

In February 1913 the Ballarat Junior Technical School opened its doors to its 86 pupils. The old bluestone building in the grounds of the Dana Street Primary School became their temporary home for eight years. In its early years the school offered only a two-year course. The first year was of a general nature giving a thorough grounding in Mathematics and Instrumental Drawing, and introducing students to the various branches of trade work. The second-year students studied for the Junior Technical Certificate and specialized in a course of their choice - either a trade (Woodwork or Fitting and Turning) or a course leading to higher studies at the School of Mines. Increased enrolment - 86 to 110 in the second year. Some applicants were turned away due to lack of space. An abandoned single room school was brought in and this helped for a time. Plans were developed and a two-storied red brick building in the vacinity of the School of Mines was build. An acre of land was reclaimed from the north-east corner of the Ballarat Gaol. The school backed onto the wall of the gaol. The task of landscaping and terracing of the area was to cost a great deal and time. The boys did much of the heavy work. This kept them occupied as the official playground areas were still full of rubble.View from the south-east of the Junior Technical School with the slope from the gaol wall down to the area known as the Battery Paddock. The new school building was a two-storied red brick building along the Education Department style of the 1920s. On 9 September 1921, the Junior Technical School building was officially opened. Much work was needed to terrace and landscape the area. Students shown in various areas of the grounds.junior technical school, dana street primary school, bluestone, mathematics, instrumental drawing, junior technical certificate, woodwork, fitting and turning, school of mines, ballarat gaol, landscaping, terracing, gaol wall, cricket

Items in the collection re Clarence Shearing, refer Cat No 7089.16P for his service details.Photographs B&W various sizes of bomb damage over Hiroshima from the Atomic bomb. One has a "before & after" on one photo with text. Two are postcard photos with text at the bottom.On one in white, "Hiroshima before Atomic Bomb". "Hiroshima after Atomic Bomb". Two have at bottom in black print, "Recent picture of Hiroshima after Atomic Bomb"photographs, bcof, hiroshima

Initially collated by Harry Gilham as part of a file on Eltham Cemeteryeltham cemetery, caroline shillinglaw, jean shillinglaw (nee blemmer), mary shillinglaw, phillip shillinglaw, sarah ann shillinglaw, william shillinglaw

The item was bought in south Vietnam by Wesley BERTUCH during hi service there. Refer Cat No 1664.2 for details.Large Transistor Radio Black with chrome coloured face handle on top four dials on the front Rear has World timetable adjustable five sockets for various points Band 9 Transister“HI FI Sound Deluxe National Panasonic”personal effects, communications, radio, bertuch

Part of a collection of different photographs relating to Phillip Island. Donated by Bernie De La Haye.Black & White photographs of koalas in trees. 350-01 and 02 have joeys. Other photos are just the one in various positions in a tree. 350-01a Koala with 2 young joeys in tree.koalas, wildlife - koalas, bernie de la haye

Necktie of MTS member, used for more formal or representational occasions. Worn by Captain Keith Dann, MtS Hastings.From the personal Collection of Mrs Pat Dann a former member of the Central MtSV and later with her husband Captain Keith Dann supported and founded the Hastings branch of the Mission to Seamen in the late 20th C. Men's polyester fabric necktie, in dark blue, covered with subtle black flying angel insignia patterns, in various sizes, and two more prominent white smaller flying angel insignia patternsnecktie, flying angel, tie, pat dann, captain keith dann, hastings mission, mission to seafarers

This local newspaper was produced by the Watsonia Shopping Centre Traders. It contains local interest stories and advertising for local businesses. Title may vary between editions: Watsonia's Whisper or Watsonia Whisper.This significance of these newspapers is the local Watsonia stories and a record of businesses in the area at the time. These are originals of the paper.Various editions of local newspaper. 1991 editions are black and white approx 42 x 29cm. 2003-2005 editions are colour and measure 29 x 21 cm. Include text and illustrations.watsonia, watsonia traders, watsonia shopping centre, rosalie bray

The store built by Jack Hemley. First Hemley's, then McIntosh's, then Taylor's and now (2010) Ralphy's. Record No. 502 shows the store with the blinds rolled up - the old posts in front and the size of the tree to the left suggest that the two photos were taken in the same era.A photo of the front of a building with a "Store & Cafe" sign on the roof. Blinds advertising various items available in the store cover the entire front of the building. two old posts stand in the foreground at the edge of the road.buildings, shops

Copies of newspaper articles copied from "The Evelyn Observer" with dates. Includes some news reports but mostly letters from soldiers. Names include W. J. Beard of Research E. Andrew of Eltham Private S. Harris (Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown and Kinglake) E. Payne (Whittlesea) W Reid of (Hazelglen) W. J. Capewell (Eltham)Various un-numbered pages held in place housed in yellow folder. Photo of soldier on a horse on the cover. No caption but probably Private/Trooper Shelley Harris of Kinglake, Bushmen's Corp. Boer Warevelyn observer, boer war, letters, world war 1

These cotton reels are an example of an item not as commonly manufactured today. Cotton reels are now generally made of plastic.Thirty-four wooden cotton reels strung together. They are assorted sizes and coloured ; black, natural and brown. There are various labels: COATES, ANCHOR, SYLKO (DEWHURST), BONDS,MILLER CHAIN, PEARSALL, CARLSON.

Holy Bible leather bound gold embossed German bible . On front cover various persons praying .Printed 1860's BOOSEY & CO.'S Fair condition . Old and New Testament holy bible, leather bound, gold embossed, 1860 s printed, german bible, janetzke family bible, janetzke, 1881 1974, bilingual, printed u s a

1950. The St Matthew's Church of England, Cheltenham, Cinderella Dance in aid of the Church Tennis Club. The Dance was held in the Cheltenham Mechanics Institute and Temperance Hall. This building was demolished in 1960 to be replaced in the same year by the Cheltenham Hall and Library. Photograph is black and white. There are rows of men and women, either holding hands, or just standing. All the women are in gowns and the men are in suits. Also have flags of various countries hanging from the walls.Top of Mount : The hall is the 'Cheltenham Mechanics Institute and Temperance / Hall" demolished in 1960 to be replaced by the Cheltenham Hall / and Library / in 1960 Base of Mount : St. Matthews Church of England Cheltenham / Cinderella Dance in aid of the Church Tennis Club 1950cinderella dance, st. matthew's church of england, cheltenham, hall, 1950, methodist church, dancing, ball gowns, fashion, market gardeners, early settlers, city of moorabbin, temperance halls, mechanis institutes,

Photo holder with 2 photos inside. Taken at the Homes Exhibition 1962 by Oliver's Photographic Specialists, 288 Hargreaves Street Bendigo. The 2 photos show various cook tops, stoves an fridgeevent, exhibition, homes exhibition 1962

Newspaper insert from Bendigo Advertiser, April 25, 2015. On front : 1915 - 2015 Gallipoli Centenary Souvenir, 100 years of Anzac. Black and white drawing on front of various aspects of War

Small booklet with 17 baby photos with shopping list. With compliments of W. Grenfell 343 Bond Street Long Gully, Bendigo. Phone 1831. Inside photos of babies and various meat recipes.business, retail, w. greenfell

The Significance if Ayers Rock for Aboriginies A5 Booklet, black and white, gloss paper 20 pages Extensive information on the local Aboriginal history in Ayers Rock Various images of Ayers Rock and maps

Colour photograph of Brian Johns yard, showing a red truck, an house, stones and various materials all around. Brian Johns monumental mason Carpenter Street, photo taken July 1993bendigo, business, brian johns