This organ in the Flagstaff Hill collection has a card under the hinged lid titled “The ‘Connoisseur’ Organ” and lists improvements, materials used in the components and directions for taking it apart; it is dated July 1883. Below this card is a printed label listing various Patents, dated; July 9th 1878 / Reissued December 10 1878 - plus September 10 1878 / April 15 1879 / October 28 1879. “The Smith American Organ Company was originally established by S.D. Smith and H.W. Smith as early as 1852. First known as the Smith American Organ Company, the firm was located in Boston and built high end parlour organs and melodeons. In the early 1880s the firm began building pianos and the name of the firm was changed to "The Smith American Organ & Piano Company". In 1889, the firm acquired The Regal Piano Company from the New England Piano Company, and the firm was known as "The Smith American Piano Company" by the 1890s. The Smith American Piano Company built and controlled the Regal Piano Company line until 1903. Many of the instruments by Smith American were also labelled as 'The Palace Of Music'. It appears that the Smith American firm went out of business in the first part of the 20th Century.” A significant item of musical memorabilia and regarded as a collectors item today. Reed organ (sometimes called a pump organ or melodeum). “Connoisseur “model, made by The Smith American Organ Company. Wooden piano-shaped musical instrument with carving and gold leaf decoration. Organ has keyboard, stops (16), shutters (10) above stop board, large foot pedals and a roll back keyboard cover. There is evidence of something being attached either side of the shutters (candle bracket?). Attached inside hinged lid are Directions and Patent information of The Smith American Organ Company, Boston MASS. USA. Label is dated July 1883. Lettering in gold across front of organ “CONNOISSEUR”, “SMITH AMERICAN - - -“ and “ORGAN - - M - - ANY”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, harmonium, organ, piano, musical instrument, music, entertainment, connoisseur organ, reed organ, parlour organ, smith american organ company

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 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. 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 Rambler and The Idler Author: Samuel Johnson Publisher: William P Nimmo Date: 1876 Further Information: The flyleaf reads The Rambler and the Idler. By Samuel Johnson. The Adventurer. By John Hawkesworth. The Connoisseur. By Mr. TownThe label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 823 JOH Pastedown frontend paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free 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, the rambler and the idler, john hawkesworth., mr. town, samuel johnson

Life’s a Dish was a tourism campaign created by the City of Greater Bendigo in conjunction with Bendigo Pottery to encourage food tourism within the City. Seven restaurants and cafes whose menus featured local ingredients were chosen to participate with their businesses promoted on ceramic dinner plates. Customers were encouraged to purchase all seven plates and were then eligible for the eighth ‘Connoisseur Master Plate’ free. The limited edition plates were made by Bendigo Pottery and artist Sue James was employed to work with each resturant on a design, hand painting each plate. Plates were priced at $25.00 each and were also available at the Visitor Centre. This is the second Life's a Dish series and artist Faye Brady was the painter of the first series, of which we currently have no examples. The first Life's a Dish series launched in 2006 featured Balgownie Estate, Bazzani Italiano, The Bridge, Gallery Cafe, Georgie's Cellar Restaurant, GPO, Goldmines Restaurant and Bar, Let's Get Saucy, The Puddler, Quills, Raffaelles and Whirrakee. Established by George Guthrie in 1857 (about 5km north of its current site) and then again seven years later in 1864 after it initially closed, Bendigo Pottery remains one of the most influential and longest running potteries in Australia. Over the years the Pottery has contributed to the growth and development of the district through both its products including building products, table ware and decorative and commemorative war as well as artistically, being responsible for training and supporting many potters locally. It has partnered with the City on various tourism promotions and the Civic Collection holds a number of important items within its collection.Set of eight dinner plates each featuring a hand drawn design which encompass the restaurants defining features. Restaurants include Domaine Asmara (0407.2), Gallery Cafe (0407.7), Hotel Shamrock (0407.5), La Piazza (0407.3), Malayan Orchid (0407.6), Quills (0407.1)and Twenty 2 (0407.4). The eighth plate features the words 'Life's a Dish - Connoisseur' / 'Bendigo & Region' (0407.8)bendigo pottery, city of greater bendigo tourism, sue james

Digitised video (2.33GB) Duration: 50 minutes. Recorded July, 2025 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Thomas Guest is a walking encyclopaedia on musical knowledge, an avid collector of lists and tunes, and a connoisseur of fine audible utterances. In this talk, Thomas takes us through some interesting renditions with some Ringwood connections.

Raphael Tuck & Sons 'Oilettte' Connoisseur postcard 2747. Tuck's Post Card. Carte Postale. Postkarte. The 'Crayon' series. Four ladies are enjoying tea in a formal room. There are pictures on the walls and a lamp and clock on a mantelpiece. On a stand or auto tray are teapots and cups and saucers. Art Publishers to the King and Queen. The post card is addressed to Miss L. Pethard, Fir St. Golden Square. The one penny (1d.) Victorian stamp dated 3/11/?.postcard, lydia chancellor collection, collection, female, entertaining, entertainment, costume, fashion, clothing, recreation, tucks post card

An image of 'Juliet' after the original painting by A. Asti (Paris Salon.)Tuck's Post Card. Carte Postale. Postkarte. Raphael Tuck & Sons 'Connoisseur' series No. 2731. ' Juliet' is in a red gown with a white garment underneath. She has long flowing hair and has a hat or band around her hair. Art Publishers to their Majesties the King and Queen. Post card addressed to Miss L. Pethard, Fir St., Golden Square. Victorian stamp dated 26/ 5/ 06.postcard, photograph, female portrait, lydia chancellor collection, collection, female, individual, portrait, painting, costume, fashion, clothing, tuck's post card

Lisa Widdop (16/07/1971-18/01/2024) was an "artist, painter, creator of many things, connoisseur of small and precious things" Quote from her memorial card. Lisa was an alumni of Federation University. Lisa was also a passionate member of OZACT - a touring theatre company dedicated to making Shakespeare accessible to con temporary Australian audiences with performances in Southern Australia's outdoor landscapes. Lisa was involved in management, designing of props, costumes and production of these performances.Coloured prints on black backgrounds.1 Pussy-cat, pussy-cat where have you been? I've been to London to see the Queen. Pussy-cat, pussy-cat what did you there? I ate a chili right under her chair.

A special stool made to enable a disabled surgeon to operate while sitting was donated to the College by Mr John Farlow FRACS in September 2003.The stool was made for Gilbert Phillips FRACS (1904-52), the legendary Sydney neurosurgeon and wine connoisseur. Phillips was a gifted young graduate, a protégé of (Sir) Harold Dew (PRACS 1953-55). He went to England, where he became surgical assistant to (Sir) Hugh Cairns, amongst others. He was a consultant to the RAAF during WWII, and at the end of the War returned to England at Cairns’ request. Back in Sydney, he returned to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he spent most of his professional career. In 1951, after a long battle with skin cancer, he had his right leg amputated below the knee. Only a few weeks later he was back working at the operating table, and it was at this time the stool was constructed for him. By now however, he was suffering from secondary melanoma, and he died in September 1952.This object is an interesting example of pioneering apparatus from the days before stools became a familiar piece of theatre equipment.The design of the stool is simple and robust. A substantial padded saddle forms the seat, which is adjustable for height. The saddle is upholstered in red leather. The frame is made from tubular steel, painted cream. The whole device runs on three swivelling casters, two at the front and one at the rear, which enable it to be taken in any direction. noneracs, gilbert phillips, harold dew, surgery, 2003

A tea strainer is a type of strainer that is placed over or in a teacup to catch tea leaves. When tea is brewed in the traditional manner in a teapot, the tea leaves are not contained in teabags, but rather are freely suspended in the water. As the leaves themselves may be distasteful, it is usual to filter them out with a tea strainer. Strainers usually fit into the top of the cup to catch the leaves as the tea is poured. Some deeper tea strainers can also be used to brew single cups of tea, much as teabags or brewing baskets are used - the strainer full of leaves is set in a cup to brew the tea, and then removed, along with the spent tea leaves, when the tea is ready to drink. By using a tea strainer in this way, the same leaves can be used to brew multiple cups. Tea strainer use declined in the 20th century with mass production of the tea bag, but is still preferred among connoisseurs who claim that keeping the leaves packed in a bag, rather than freely circulating, inhibits diffusion. Many assert that inferior ingredients, namely dust quality tea, are often used in tea bags. Tea strainers are usually either sterling silver, stainless steel, or china. Strainers often come in a set, with the strainer part and a small saucer for it to sit in between cups. Tea strainers in themselves have often been turned into artistic masterpieces of the silver- and goldsmith's craft, as well as rarer specimens of fine porcelain. Brewing baskets (or infusing baskets) resemble tea strainers, but are more typically put in the top of a teapot to contain the tea leaves during brewing. There is no definitive boundary between a brewing basket and a tea strainer, and the same tool might be used for both purposes. Tea strainers are also used by patients trying to pass a kidney stone. The patient urinates through the strainer, thereby ensuring that, if a stone is passed, it will be caught for evaluation and diagnosis. Source: www.wikipedia.net This item has historical significance in the evolution of Tea drinking.The Strainer being needed if a cup of tea was to be poured without tea leaves being present in the tea liquid.As Tea bags have been introduced into everyday life tea strainers are an item of the past. This particular tea strainer was an item for everyday useage.White enamel tea strainer, round in shape with flange edges, 7 small circle areas of perforations in the concave area of the utensil, a small perforated handle (same material) at one outer area of the item.domestic, kitchen, food, preparation, white, enamel, tea, strainer, beverage, perforated, utensil, round, flanges, leaves

1536 p. : ill., facsim., plans, ports.non-fictionComplete period guides to the houses, decoration, furnishing and chattels of the classic periodshouses, decoration, furnishing, chattles

Clipping of an article placed inside, Weekend Australian March 07.08.1987 about 'The Australian Ugliness', architects Philip Cox & Philip Drew.collectors, walsh st library

120 pages, illustrated.