Toothing plane, blade is missing, J. Heath stamped on the end, adjustable depth gauge on one end, 165mm long, 65mm high, 70mm wideflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

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 1942 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. Primitive Civilizations Vol 1 or Outlines of the History of Ownership In Archaic Communities Author: E J Simcox Publisher: Swan Sonnenschein & Co Date: 1894 Label on spine with typed text PAT 901 SIM 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, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, primitive civilizations vol 1, e j simcox

The Weeds Poison Plants and Naturalized Aliens of Victoria Author: Alfred J Ewart, Assistant J.R. Tovey Herbarium Publisher: Government Printer Date: 1909 Label on spine with typed text RA 632.5 EWA warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, the weeds poison plants and naturalized aliens of victotia

Bendigo Advertiser '' The way we were'' from 2002. Leaders: Lieutenant W. J. Symons with the then mayor of Eaglehawk Cr. D. Oswald. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Note from J Badham's daughter requesting time off for her father - dated October 1933. Fine notepaper faded, notes written in pencil.document, memo, railway, note from j badham's daughter requesting time off for her father - dated october 1933

Pearce Collection; Account to Eldridge & Burnet 1912, from The Bendigo District Medical, Dental & Traders' Agency, View Point, J T Cox Manager.business, retail, plumber, the bendigo district, medical, dental & traders agency.

Memo dated 17.4.1934, from W.E. Elliott general secretary to J Badham informing him of his passing the 1933 Examinations. Memo on fine paper.document, memo, railway, w.e. elliott general secretary

Memo dated 18.4.1936 from chief mechanical engineer to J Badham informing him of his passing the examination for locomotive driver. Memo on fine paper.document, memo, railway, memo on fine paper / examination for locomotive driver

Contract of sale of land (Cash) dated 1st April, 1955 between Mr. H. N. Davenport (vendor) and Mr. H. A. J. Smith (purchaser)organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Letter to Miss Bush (M. Bush re thanks for help at recent Senate election - signed by J. G. Gorton; Guy Wedgwood; (+indecipherable name).person, individual, bush collection - personal

Black and white photograph of Pall Mall, View Point, View Street from the Camp Reserve. Post Office on L.H. side ( J. Lerk 11.02.2000 )A. Foxplace, streetscape, view point/pall mall

Victorian Farmers' Union - 23 page Constitution and Rule Book; adopted by Third Annual Conference, September 1918. Printer: J. F. Bracken, Melbourne.organization, business, farming

V.R. Gradients & Curves. Publisher H J Green, Government Printer, Melbourne. 203 pages. Diagrams of gradients across Victorian rail lines. Maps.Victorian Railwayscottage, miners

Thirty centimetres wooden ruler, on the back: try our own make rdwear school boots J. H. Abbott and Co. Bendigo, Eaglehawk and Echucabusiness, retail, h. abbott

Printed Cohn Bros memorandum dated 24th 6 1895 with handwritten note to The Secretary re: G J Williams estate signed Cohn Managerbendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

J Tillmans & Co , London, Paris, Berlin letterhead on handwritten note to the Secretary Cohns Victoria Brewery dated 12/12/1895. Illegible signature.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

Account paper with red and blue cash lines. Has printed letterhead Bot. of J. H. Abbott & Co. Tanners, Boot & Shoe Manufacturers and Importers.business, printers, cambridge press, cambridge press collection, j h abbott & co

Account for Income Tax Return for Mrs. J. Weymes, Farmer, Laanecoorie from Tatchell, Dunlop, Smalley & Balmer, Solicitors, Bendigo. Dated Feby. 1910.business, legal, connelly & tatchell, connelly & tatchell collection - document, mrs j weymes, tatchell dunlop smalley & balmer

Cohns letterhead document dated July 6th 1893 to co secretary re calling next meeting. Initialled J M C [Magnus Cohn]bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

From a box of photographs in Nancy U'REN's papers used during research for her thesis, The Early Growth and Development of Sandridge (1976) and/or her book with Noel TURNBULL, A History of Port Melbourne (1983). Black and white photograph showing the view over Holy Trinity towards the starch factory from a rooftop near J E Earl's in Bay Street.bay street, religion - anglican (holy trinity), harpers starch factory, j e earl pty ltd, nancy u'ren nee morris

Invoice dated 01/07/1937 from J. W. Woods - Monumental & General Mason - Issued to Miss Prout for 18 pounds, 11 shillings.

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. Family business: J. Melrose and Son, registered dentists and jewellers situated in Pall Mall, Sandhurst.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Copy of a B & W photograph of Alexander J Hamilton (1878 - 1964). Head and shoulders of subject dressed in a suit, vest, collar and tie and wearing glasses.photograph, person, alexander j hamilton

Copy of a B & W photograph of Alexander J Hamilton (1878 - 1964). Head and shoulders of subject dressed in a suit, vest, collar and tie and wearing glasses.photograph, person, alexander j hamilton

Golden & Corinthian Lodge No 7 Notice of Meeting 8.11.1920 Alex j Hamilton Secretary. On the Reverse in purple ink Typed programme listing of 36 items

Handwritten IOU on a piece of note paper. 'Allsop & Co. May 2/08. I owe you Five Pounds' signed W. J. Coughlin.business, stockbroker, kelly & allsop, kelly and allsop collection - iou w j coughlin

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 139225 Lt. Col. Lawrence Parker. Thomas J. Byrne 1202827 seated with wounded Vietname childthere was no easing into the job at 1AFH, you had to slot into the system and take the pklace of the soldier you had replaced.ektachrome slide, 1st australian field hospital, photograph