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 a 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 a 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. 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 Free Fishers Author: John Buchan Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Date: 1934 The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT FIC BUC Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library, dated 10-34 ( October 1934) Front loose end paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose end paper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service. flagstaff hil, warrnambool, 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 free fishers, john buchan

Series of Photographs of Stawell and District Fly Fishers Club. 1974-1975.stawell

The Fisher family were dairy farmers in the Mongans Bridge area in the early 1900'sThe Fisher family, including Everil, were very keen horse people and received awards for their horsemanship and their horsesSepia photograph of Everil Fisher on her horse. Taken in 1932Handwritten on back - Everil Fisher 1932fisher family, kiewa valley farmers, mongan's bridge

Horse owned by the Fisher family who were dairy farmers in the Mongans Bridge area in the early 1900'sThe Fisher family were very keen horse people and received awards for their horsemanship and their horsesSepia photographic postcard of Everil Fisher with saddled horse. Dog in the foreground. Photo taken 1923Handwritten on back - Everil Fisher 1923fisher family, kiewa valley farmers, mongan's bridge

Horse owned by the Fisher family who were dairy farmers in the Mongans Bridge area in the early 1900'sThe Fisher family were very keen horse people and received awards for their horsemanship and their horsesSepia photograph of Mr Henry Fisher with his prize winning horse (presumed to be Sir William Wallace) Photo is mounted on heavy cardboard frameHand written on back of photograph - MR HENRY FISHER Daddy and horse. Taken at home about 1915fisher family, kiewa valley farmers, mongan's bridge

Stained glass window, south wall, main nave (adjacent to the pulpit). The window is a pictorial representation of St Andrew who live to old age. There is a tradition that on being sentenced to death, he requested that he be crucified on a saltire (diagonal cross, see base of window) as he felt unworthy to be crucified on the vertical cross of Christ. Another symbol of association with St Andrew is the fishing net.The Rev. Andrew Peacock, Archdeacon of the Otways, was the fourth Vicar (1906-1912) of the Parish of Warrnambool. He was highly regarded throughout the community and died following a very short illness. His brother, Sir Alexander Peacock, three times premier of Victoria, officially unveiled a tablet on the north-west corner of the Parish Hall complex on Saturday 25th April and attended the dedication of the memorial window on Sunday 26th April 1913. Rev AE Peacock is buried at Creswick cemetery, Victoria.

businesses

businesses

The Hallford truck was made by J & E Hall, of Dartford, England, whose business commenced in 1785. In 1926 the Fisher family of Mongan's Bridge took delivery of the 1923 Hallford truck which was used on the farm to transport cream to the Kiewa Butter Factory in Tangambalanga. In 1967, the truck was sold to Mr Greg Bedstead and other members of the Kiewa Valley Historical Society for the KVHS who reimbursed them at a later date. The truck was housed at the Butter Factory for many years and was paraded on special occasions. The truck was purchased for $380. It's chassis no. 2439 and the price included a spare chain. (Ref. E. Fisher on 18th Dec. 1969) The KVHS group who paid $50 each towards the Hallford truck were: T Pyle; James Grave; P & E. Barton; K Shoebridge; K Plenderleith and SK Pearce.refunded in 1971 Hallford truck. Fisher family. Kiewa butter factory. J & E Hall Company of England. E FisherBlack and white photograph of Paddy Fisher's cream truck loaded onto a tray truck at the Tawonga Caravan Park. Seven unidentified people on the tray truckSmall typed note attached to back of photo 'Paddy Fisher's cream truck at Tawonga caravan park. 13th December, 1969hallford truck, cream truck, fisher family, kiewa valley farmers, mongan's bridge

The Hallford truck was made by J & E Hall, of Dartford, England, whose business commenced in 1785. In 1926 the Fisher family of Mongan's Bridge took delivery of the 1923 Hallford truck which was used on the farm to transport cream to the Kiewa Butter Factory in Tangambalanga. In 1967, the truck was sold to Mr Greg Bedstead and other members of the Kiewa Valley Historical Society for the KVHS who reimbursed them at a later date. The truck was housed at the Butter Factory for many years and was paraded on special occasions. Photograph shows truck parked outside the original Kiewa Valley Historical Museum which was located at Tawonga Caravan Park and was later relocated to its current location at the Mt Beauty Information Centre. This truck was used to transport cream to the Kiewa Butter Factory from the Fisher family's dairy farm at Mongan's Bridge. At other times a tyre was removed and a belt attached to run a chaff cutter. This truck has historical significance as it is presentative of vehicles which were used by farmers to transport cream to the butter factories by a local family. Furthermore, it has social significance as KVHS members combined their finances to purchase this truck so it would be part of our collection. It is well provenanced and has an excellent interpretive capacity.Black and white photograph of Paddy Fisher's truck on a flat bed truck, outside the original Kiewa Valley Historical MuseumSmall typed tag on back of photo 'Paddy fisher's truck taken at Tawonga Caravan Park 13th December, 1969'hallford truck, fisher family, kiewa valley farmers, mongan's bridge, cream truck

As part of the British Empire,the Australian colonies offered troops for the war in South Africa. Australians served in contingents raised by the six colonies or, from 1900, by the new Australian Commonwealth.Rectangular shaped booklet showing Sergeant Edward Fisher.The war service of 300 Staff Sergeant Edward Fisher - Our Boar War Veteran.booklet, ww1, boer war, lara r.s.l. sergeant edward fisher.

Horse owned by the Fisher family who were dairy farmers in the Mongans Bridge area as early as the 1900'sThe Fisher family were very keen horse people and received awards for their horsemanship and their horsesSepia photograph of horse (unnamed) owned by Fisher familyfisher family, kiewa valley farmers, mongan's bridge

Photographs from Pollards (Lauriston), Warrandyte Road, Fishers (Greenhill) Mullum Mullum Road, Edna Lunt (nee Fisher).5-page printout and photocopied images compiled by Arthur Lunt, RDHS Archivist, Ringwood, Victoria, including Fisher and Pollard Family Trees. Photograph of house - Lauriston, with Joseph Pollard, wife - Emma Eliza Luscombe Pollard, and daughter - Ethel May Pollard. Photograph of picnic party with Alice Maud Mary Fisher "Mum" and Hugh Arthur Fisher "Dad". Title "Picnic in Victoria" (probably Warrandyte). NOTE: "Dad" and "Mum" were grandparents of Arthur Lunt (member of Ringwood Historical Society). +Additional Keywords: Pollard, Joseph / Pollard, Emma / Fisher / Luscombe / Gaskell.

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. It depicts Dick Stericker & Hans Fisher constructing a wooden bridge. They both arrived in Falls Creek in the early 1960s. Hans worked on the slopes in summer and in winter, including building access bridges over the race-line as shown in this photograph. In 1965 Hans started as the chef Koki Alpine Lodge owned by George Shirling. He later worked as cook at various Falls Creek eating houses, as well as working for the lift company and slope maintenance People like Hans made Falls Creek. He passed away at Noosa, Queensland on 18th January 2022. George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962. He engaged Phil Nowell to build the original Koki Alpine Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds. George operated the lodge with Michael “Baldy” Blackwell as manager. He also graduated in sport psychology in 1981 and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team which went to Albertville, France, in 1992. He later owned the Red Onion Chalet. George credited the success of Koki to “Baldy” Blackwell. “Baldy” and Phil Nowell started the Trackers Mountain Lodge in partnership during the 1980s. In 1971 George sold Koki Lodge to Sigi Doerr. In 2024 the renamed Koki Alpine resort remains a highly popular destination in Falls Creek. George Shirling passed away on 27th February 2023. He had remained actively involved in Falls Creek and was generous with his time and knowledge, always an amazing supporter of The Falls Creek Museum and Falls Creek Village.This item is significant because it features two prominent members of the Falls Creek community.A black and white photograph of Dick Stericker & Hans Fisher taking a break whilst building a bridge. A typed George Shirling Collection number and description is attached. On label: ITEM NO. 148 Dick Stericker & Hans Fisher - smoko - while building bridge over raceline - Village T-bar, 1961george shirling, red onion, hans fisher

Deaconess Hilda Fisher was Warden of the Methodist Deaconess Order of Victoria and Tasmania. She was also Chaplain of Fairfield Sanitorium and then later was appointed to Fairlea Prison for Women.Gloss black and white portrait of Deaconess Hilda Fisher.deaconess hilda fisher

Fisher Price Family Barn which was originally donated by a local grandparent was used by Nunawading Toy Library.Barn with cream roof and red walls. Two doors open with tractor inside. Also with a cow, dog, pig and chicken. Also feed trough and horse and cart. Silo had cream roof with red sides and has 4 white fencing inside lid.Fisher Price Family Play Farmnunawading toy library, fisher price, toy, education

Horse owned by the Fisher family who were dairy farmers in the Mongans Bridge area in the early 1900'sThe Fisher family were keen horse people and received awards for their horsemanship and their horsesSepia photograph of Paddy Fisher with unnamed horse. Photo is mounted on heavy card frameHandwritten on back of photograph - "Paddy" 1915paddy fisher, kiewa valley farmers, mongan's bridge

Deaconess Hilda Fisher was Warden of the Methodist Deaconess Order of Victoria and Tasmania. She was also Chaplain of Fairfield Sanitorium and then later was appointed at Fairlea Prison for Women.Semi-gloss, back and white, 3/4 photograph of Deaconess Hilda Fisher.methodist deaconess, deaconess hilda fisher