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 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent 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 have 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 1850s to the late 1950s 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. WARRNAMBOOL 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 November 1884 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 fundraising 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 courthouse 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 historical 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 Historical 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 artworks 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. Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly 1892-3 Vol 1 Publisher: Robt. S. Brain, Government Printer, Melbourne Date: 1892-3 Further Information:Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library 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, votes and proceedings of the legislative assembly 1892-3 vol 1

Cato Family Photo of Alick, Edwin, Gertrude, Una and Dora. Black & white Cato family group. The photo is of 3 women in long formal dresses with 2 males in formal suits standing behind the 3 seated women. Family group (Alick, Edwin, Gertrude, Una, Dora)stawell

Bought at David Jones for $50. Original price $500.Maroon & cream weave Sports Jacket. 2 pockets. 3 buttons on front closing. 3 buttons on cuff of sleeves. 2 extra buttons on inside of jacket.Clement Exquisite. Made in Germany.costume, female

German manufactured in Magdeburg.2 pc - Lid & Base. Made from shell case. 3 British 303 bullets on lid & 3 British 303 bullets (parts thereof) on base.collectables, ballarat rsl, ballarat

David Miller (Dave) Mair (1879-1938) married Lily Vipond Deakin (1890-1945) in 1910. They had 5 children: Geoffrey David (1913-1970), Beryl (1916-1976), Gwynneth (1917-1997), Isabel Lillian (1921-1997) and Shirley Inez (1928-1968). Personal communication from Laurie Newton, Beryl's daughter: Dave and Lily initially lived in East Melbourne after they married. Dave walked across the gardens to work at the MCG. He never drove or owned a car. Geoffrey, Beryl and Gwynneth were born in East Melbourne. They subsequently moved to Louise Avenue, Mont Albert and Isabel may have been born while they were there. Later they purchased 20 Barton Street, Mont Albert. Electoral roll details: 1919 68 Park Street, Hawthorn 1922 24 Louise Avenue, Mont Albert 1924 20 Barton Street, Mont Albert So, Shirley would have been born while they were at Barton Street. On the basis of these dates, this may have been taken in Hawthorn. Identification of 'Grannie': If this is Lily's mother her name is Janet Deakin (nee Longmore - 1851-1939). If it is Dave's mother her name is Isabel Brown (1855-1944). The other woman is identified as May Little, who helped in the house. Dave Mair was a very keen sportsman. A sepia photo of a well-dressed family in and beside a buggy. The group is comprised of a man, 3 women and 3 children. The chimneys of Victorian or perhaps Edwardian houses are in the background.On rear: "Grannie Dad Mum / Beryl Geoff Isabel" (in hand 1 and blue biro) "on left Isabel on knee" (in a different hand in black biro) "May Little (Helped in / House" (in hand 1 in blue biro). On the basis of inscriptions in family autograph books, the first and third inscriptions look to have been written by Beryl Mair.david miller mair, dave mair, lily vipond mair, lily vipond deakin, geoffrey david mair, beryl mair, gwynneth mair, isabel lillian mair, janet deakin, janet longmore, isabel brown, isabel mair, horse-drawn vehicles, children, may little

The Bocksbeutel ("goat's bag") bottle has been used since 1726 to store Franconian wines from south-east Germany. The Franken wine-growing region is in the north-west of Germany’s historic state of Bavaria. More than 40% of all Franken wines are bottled in the Bocksbeutel, which is often described as flagon-like in appearance. It is said that the bottle is so shaped to prevent it rolling away from its owner. Only Franken and nearby villages in northern Badenare allowed to use the Bocksbeutal, with selected areas in Portugal, Italyand Greece permitted to employ their own variations. (ref www,winesearcher)A bocksbeutel - a a flagon-shaped wine bottle in the form of a flattened ellipsoid. It is a clear green glass bottle which is seamed.Base - 3 8A 313 700 mlsbottle beverage wines bocksbeutel franken-wines

Alaster Cameron (1891-1967) was the son of Hugh Cameron an early Marlo settler and was reputed to be the largest private dairy producer in Australia at one stage. (ref. Mary Gilbert)This diary is a link to the present Marlo Progress Association. A small black leatherette covered Tudor Pocket Diary. It contains calendars and useful hints. On the title page inside is a typed full page description of the aims and objectives of The Marlo Progress Association from Alaster Cameron, the president of the group. The book has not been used as a diary.Diary Marlo Progress association MEMBERSHIP 3/-marlo-progress-association cameron-hugh

This bottle was used in the pharmacy of R.F.Kennedy & Co. of Warrnambool. Richard Frank Kennedy (1826-1903) was born in England and came to Warrnambool in the early 1880s, where he established a pharmacy business in Timor Street. This was a retail, wholesale and manufacturing business. In 1891 Kennedy erected a new building which was described as one of the most elegant and best-stocked chemist’s shops in Victoria. Kennedy was active in Warrnambool community affairs and was a foundation member of the Warrnambool Bowls Club, being its first Vice-President and an early President. The pharmacy business continued after Kennedy’s death, trading as R.F.Kennedy and Co. Richard Frank Kennedy was one of the most significant businessmen in Warrnambool in the late 19th century. The products of his chemist shop and factory were distributed all over Victoria and beyond. This bottle is retained as an example of the smaller-sized bottles used in the Kennedy pharmacy. This is a clear glass bottle with a rectangular-shaped body with rounded edges, a circular-shaped neck and a moulded top and opening. The top is slightly chipped. There is no stopper. The bottle has the chemist’s name on the side. The inside of the bottle is discoloured from the original contents. ‘3 iv’ ‘R.F.Kennedy & Co. Chemists Warrnambool’ r.f.kennedy, warrnambool chemist, chemists in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These little balls are a mystery to us. They may have been used in raffles or draws of some sort at work or an entertainment functionThese items are of minor interest as objects used in the past and provide a talking point for the curious.These are 5 round wooden balls with a circular opening at the top and the letters 1 to 5 printed in black at the base of the recess created by the opening.numbers 1, 2 ,3, 4, and 5warrnambool history

One of a collection of 7 photographs of Amygdales polished by Dr G Baker CSRO 1950. A fully coloured plate of the originals was to have appeared in the book "Phillip Island in Picture & Story". Black & White photograph of an Amygdale Stone."Brown chiefly. Magnified about 3 diam"phillip island, amygdale stone, dr g baker, joshua w gliddon

Triangular pennant, laminated. Red felt with yellow printing. Inscription in black.LADIES SECTION 3 / 1988 - 89 / YENDONbuninyong tennis association, yendon tennis club, premiers

This cast iron kitchen appliance was made in England in the early 1900's and shipped to the "colony" Australia. This was before World War II and the "growing up" of a colony to an independent member of "the British Commonwealth". It was a period when most appliances (be they household) where manufactured in England and shipped to Australian ports. It was not until the late 1960's that the Asian manufacturing giant woke up and started to dominate the market palce.This domestic kitchen appliance is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it highlights the "made at home" period when food processing was made "in house" due to inability to source food from specialised shops e.g. the butcher or slaughter houses. It was a period before mass food processing factories were established and roads constructed up to the standard for distribution to semi remote regions such as Kiewa Valley was in the beginning of the 1900's.This cast iron (malleable iron) mincer for meat products has a large "funnel" to direct "chunks" of meat to the grinding "wheels". These "star" shaped wheels with "teeth" of three different cutting surfaces (fine, medium and coarse) provide for texture types of the final meat product. The meat is placed into the "loading" funnel and push downwards(gravity feed) through the mincing chamber and out through the front side. There is a long "screw worm" which is rotated by turning the handle. The appliance is table mounted by a vice "G" screw on clamp (hand operated). "BEATRICE No. 3" and "MADE IN ENGLAND", "P 3181"household cast iron appliances, food processors

Acquired at an Equal Love (Melbourne) rally in 2015.Finger painted rainbow on white card, with text inscribed in black marker.Verso: "painted by Will (age 3)", signed with an "X"marriage equality, marriage

Kettle sat on open fire or hob - probably used on wood stove before 1940's.This item is an example of a commonly used domestic item used in the early 20th century.Black iron kettle with long handle and spout. Bottom - underneath -No 3, Kenrick 6 PINTSkettle ironware domestic kitchen

Editor's chair. Used by Mr Billy Ross, proprietor of "Snowy River Mail". Donated by Mr George Hollins, later proprietor of "Snowy River Mail". William Ross (1868-1957) was editor of S.R.M. for many years. He was also a talented musician, Presbyterian church organist. Married Jessie Gray. Brought up Jean,Les, Dave, Keith Gray.Since 1890 the Snowy River Mail has been the local newspaper of the Orbost district.This local paper has been the means by which readers in Orbost were able to learn about newsworthy events and issues in their local community for over a centuryLarge round carved wood and leather arm chair on metal swivel. Wooden leg supports. Padded seat - probably horsehair. Spring suspension.On back of head rest - cut out 3.chair chair-wooden billy-ross snowy-river-mail

Belonged to Mary Gilbert who was a passionate local historian. She was awarded a British Empire medal in recognition of her work for education and the community. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert, and had seven sisters and one brother. Four siblings died at a young age. .She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community.This item is an example of late 19th century English porcelain.Hand-painted Conway plate with illustrations of birds, sunsets, butterflies and sailing ships. Cream background.Back - British coat of arms. 3 logos.plate domestic crockery porcelain conway gilbert-mary

For three years during the 1970's, 'MP' was the best surfer in the world, winning every surfing contest he entered. MP was an enigmatic competitor and master surfboard shaper during this significant period of growth and opportunity in Australian surfing.This biography tells the story of one of the most dynamic surfer/shapers in Australia during the 1970's. His contribution to world surfing is significant in both the contest arena and the shaping bay. Soft cover book featuring a photograph by Marty Tullemans of Michael Peterson with one of his surfboards under his arm. Quote from Kelly Slater. 342 pages.ISBN - 978 0 7322 8588 3michael peterson, bells beach, peter drouyn, mark richards, sean doherty, rabbit bartholomew, coolangatta, kirra point

The first building completed at the Mt Helen Campus was "G" Building, and is depicted in this photograph. An overview of the development of the Ballarat Institute of advanced Education (BIAE) is given on the program of the official opening of Mt Helen campus (Cat. No. 1086)Black and white photographs showing the opening ceremony for the University of Ballarat Mount Helen Campus. .1) The audience at the opening of the University of Ballarat Mount Helen campus. The pile of bluestone in the background is most probably bluestone from the Yendon Railway Station. .4) Nigel Bowen, at the microphone stands in front of a new building, with a seated audience in front of him. The bluestone retaining wall was erected from bluestone retrieved from the newly demolished Yendon Railway Station. The Ballarat Brass Band is seated undercover in the background. .6) A number of people seated watching a man give a speech in front of a new building. The man is The Hon. Nigel Bowen, Q.C., M.P., Commonwealth Minister for Education and Science. The building is the first building at the Mt Helen Campus of the University of Ballarat. the bluestone retaining wall used bluestone retrieved after the demolition of the Yendon Railway Station. 26.0 x 26.0 cm.1-3) verso "Tippett" Photographers stampuniversity of ballarat, ballarat college of advanced education, yendon, yendon railway station, mb john, jack barker, nigel bowen, rolly perfenovics, mount helen campus, ballarat brass band, bluestone, garden

The Falls of Halladale was an iron-hulled, four-masted barque, used as a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 bound for Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold was general cargo consisting of roofing tiles, barb wire, stoves, oil, and benzene as well as many other manufactured items. After three months at sea and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland on the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members survived, but her cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. The Court of Marine Inquiry in Melbourne ruled that the foundering of the ship was entirely due to Captain David Wood Thomson's navigational error, not too technical failure of the Clyde-built ship. The Falls of Halladale was built in1886 by Russell & Co., at Greenock shipyards on the River Clyde, Scotland for Wright, Breckenridge & Co of Glasgow. She was one of several designs of Falls Line of ships named after waterfalls in Scotland. The company had been founded between 1870- 1873 as a partnership between Joseph Russell, Anderson Rodger, and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92 Russell & Co. standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships during that time. The Falls of Halladale had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and able to maintain full sail in heavy gales, one of the last of the 'windjammers' that sailed the Trade Route. She and her sister ship, the Falls of Garry, were the first ships in the world to include fore and aft lifting bridges. Previous to this, heavily loaded vessels could have heavy seas break along the full length of the deck, causing serious injury or even death to those on deck. The new, raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck in stormy conditions. The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes from Europe and the Americas. Also of significance is that the vessel was one of the first ships to have fore and aft lifting bridges as a significant safety feature still in use on modern vessels today. The subject model is an example of an International Cargo Ship used during the 19th and early 20th centuries to transport goods around the world and representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. Small drinking glass, rebated around lip with encrustation and a small chip out of the lip. Inscriptions on attached sticker. The handmade glass has been blown into a mould.""F/15" "SS 3/2-74"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, falls of halladale, glass, russell & co., wreck, artifact, shot glass, handmade, blown glass, shipwreck artefact

Blueprint copy of Survey Map W27 detailing original Selectors' names and property locations between Yarra Yarra River (Warrandyte) and Mullum Mullum Creek (Ringwood). List of Parish map references including property bearings, distances in Links, and markings on trees. Pound Bend area of Warrandyte marked as Reserve For Aborigines. Descriptive remarks include areas marked "scrubby, flat, sandy soil". Several other references faded and illegible.(Map) by T.H. Nutt Feb 3 1841.