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. 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 Victorian Centenary Book 1834-35 to 1934-35 A series of records of people and firms at the time of the centenary Edited by John Allan Publisher: Government Printer Label on spine cover with typed text RA 994.5 VIC Inscription on front flyleaf, signature in pencil 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 victorian centenary book 1834-35 to 1934-35, the victorian centenary book, robert urie, george henry anderson, henry anderson

48 page illustrated booklet.Published in 1934, this illustrated history of Brunswick Presbyterian Church (now Brunswick Uniting Church, Sydney Road, Brunswick) features the following images (in the order they appear) – First Church, Second Church, Old Manse, Present Church, Rev C Hay Hunter MA, Present Manse, WW1 Honour Roll boards, Rev Allan McVean, memorial tablet to Rev a McVean, Rev W Hewitson BA, Rev Thos Tait MA BD, Rev John A Crockett, Kirk Session members (1904), Rev John Alexander, Rev E H McLean Shugg BA, D Tough, Mr M L Hutchinson, Evander McIver, interior view showing McIver memorial window and pipe organ, memorial table to McIver, Kirk Session members (1934), Board of Management (1934), Sunday School Teachers’ Association and Bible Class Leaders (1934).churches, brunswick uniting church, brunswick presbyterian church

Made to commemorate the centenary of Victoria 1834 - 1934.White cotton, hexagonal, commemorative doily with pulled thread and embroidery pattern and inscription."Centenary of Victoria 1834 - 1934"table ware., commemorative objects, doilies

Cotton or linen doily or tray cloth with cotton hand embroidery. Stitched to celebrate the centenary of the foundation of Melbourne 1834-1934. Possibly embroidered by Jean Stirling.White cotton doily or tray cloth with hand embroidery and crochet edging.Embroidered text: "Centenary. Melbourne Vic. 1834-1934"doilies, tray cloths, melbourne

Heidelberg - The City of Streams (Heidelberg 1834-1934)

The Victorian Centenary Book 1834-35 1934-35. The Story of the Marong Shire from its inception, contains black and white photographs. Torn coverbook, rural, marong shire

Book. Harry Biggs Collection. The Story of the Marong Shire from its Inception 1834 - 35 -- 1934 - 35. A blue cover with gold writing. Includes photos & lists of staff and students at the schools in the shire - Marong, Bridgewater, Kangaroo Flat, Raywood.cottage, miners, harry biggs collection, the victorian centenary book 1834-35 -- 1934-35, marong, bridgewater, kangaroo flat, raywood

Purchased by Valda Arrowsmith on behalf of the Society.Crochet sandwich tray doyley in white cotton. Centenary of Victoria 1834 - 1934 crochet in pattern, fillet type crochet with picot edge.handcrafts, crocheting or crochet work, manchester, table linen

1) The Australasian Centenary Number 1834-1934. October 18, 1934, 2) Bendigo's Centenary 1851-1951 (2 copies in poor condition one missing cover). Folder 116 now in Box 417. AV 03/11/2022 Bendigo Advertiser Centenary 1851-1951 index of advertisers.bendigo advertiser, centenary of bendigo

Shire of Marong Voters' Roll 1834 - 1934, South Riding, at the time of the Centenary of the State. Four typed pages, single sided, with cover sheet showing the Shire Hall and Soldier's Memorial, Marongshire of marong south riding, voters' roll

Made to commemorate Melbourne's Centenary 1834 - 1934. Donated to the Museum by Mrs Thelma Scollary.A long ivory coloured crocheted doily with Melbourne Centenary in the centre and 1934 at each end.

Shire of Marong Voters' Roll 1834 - 1934, North-West Riding, at the time of the Centenary of the State. Four typed pages, single sided, with cover sheet showing the Shire Hall and Soldier's Memorial, Marong.shire of marong north-west riding

Reverse on knife no. 3 James McEwan & Co. Pty. Ltd. Melbourne 1852-1934Three pocket knives. 1. Bakelite handled knife with engraving plate. 2. Metal handled knife with engraving plate. 3. Steel pocket knife. Centenary 1834-1934. Made for Victorian Melbourne Centenary.pocket-knives

This tin matchbox was manufactured as a souvenir to commemorate the centenary of European settlement of Melbourne and Victoria in 1934-35. This celebration was important as a sign of better times after the 1930 Depression.This is an every-day souvenir item which can be linked to a significant celebration in Victoria. A souvenir matchbox holder made of tin with paper labels. It is U-shaped with transfer images whcih have a cellulose acetate coating. The background is dark blue with white panels on which are the images. The front of the holder has a picture of H.R.H.Prince Henry. On the back is a picture of a man with a gun looking towards a city (Melbourne) rising with the sun and 1834-1934 Souvenir of the Melbourne and Victorian Centenary celebrations.souvenir matchbox-holder victorian-centenary melbourne

The tin was made for Griffiths Bros who were Australian merchants of tea, coffee and cocoa. They had branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. The tins when emptied became useful storage containers.A large rectangular Griffiths Bros Choice Tea Net 7lbs. 1834 - 1934, metal storage tin with a hinged lid. Victoria's Centenary 1934 -5 is printed on the top left corner of the label. The Griffiths Bros label is in yellow script on the front with other text related to the contents, as well as a Trade Mark "SIGNAL" illustration and text at the bottom right. The label is outlined in green and yellow edging with country landscape at the top and city views at the bottom. The tin has much information as noted above, as well as - 'Packed by Griffiths Bros Ltd 30 Flinders St. Melbourne.'food containers, tea, tea caddies, tins, containers