viii, 198 p.; 29 cmnon-fictionWhat were Mechanics Institutes? Every country town seems to have one and they are often impressive 19th century buildings. Free Library is usually emblazoned across the facade, but nowadays there is probably a gallery, museum, or public hall in there. But where are the books? – and more intriguing, where are the mechanics? The answers are here. This book tells the story of one Mechanics Institute that is still operating as a library 136-odd years after being established. Along the way we learn much about how many of the other 1,300 Institutes established in Victoria operated.berwick mechanics institute, free library

Kristin McFARLANE An Australian artist who combines graphic design, glass, botanical specimens, photography, encaustic painting, print and typography to explore fragility, nature and beauty. Kristin studied graphic design followed by a Graduate Diploma and Master of Fine Arts in glass at Monash University, Melbourne. Since graduating in 2004 she has undertaken public and private commissions and exhibitions including works for the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Monash University and Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan. Kristin designed and created the trophies for the Australian of The Year Awards from 2005-2014. These glass panels celebrate the history of the Monash University site; its early days as Berwick showgrounds and Casey Arifield to its current use as a state of the art educational centre. Images sourced from: Berwick Nostalgia, Early days o Berwick and its surrounding ditricts, Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Harkaway, Narre Warren North, Berwick Mechanics Institute and Free Library and Monassh University archives. Federation University Australia took on the Berwick campus after Monash departed from the campusmonash university, casey airfield, berwick showgrounds, federation university berwick campus, berwick, fused glass