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. Lady Billie Author: Lillian Turner (Mrs F. Lindsay Turner) Publisher: Ward, Lock & Co Date: 1929Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC TUR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Children’s Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, lady billie, lillian turner

Dorothy Berry paints and draws with great energy, using vibrant colours and thick, gestural strokes of paint and pastel. Her work is usually a form of portraiture, often depicting women or birds. In this portrait, Berry has depicted the late American jazz singer Billie Holiday. Berry has been a regular studio artist at Arts Project Australia since 1985. Arts Project Australia supports artists with intellectual disabilities through their studio and gallery, promoting artists’ work and advocating for their inclusion in contemporary art practice.

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Boxed children's construction toy, suitable for children 2-2.5 yearstoys, games and puzzles, hilary page, kiddicraft

Rev. W. F. McKenzie (Billie) spent at least 25 years as a missionary on the Arukum Aboriginal Missionary Station in far North Queensland. He also served as State Moderator of the Presbyterian Church.Matt, sepia, head and shoulders studio portrait of W. F. McKenzie on card folder presentation.Best wishes from Billiemckenzie, w. f., presbyterian, arukum aboriginal missionary station, state moderator

Russet Leather Police Billie. Billie wrapped in copper wire to prevent ware. End is filled with lead shot to a weight of 9 onz.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

This book was given to Bill Rogers for his 8th birthday in 1927. Arthur George (Bill) was the grandson of Joseph Rogers, a Warrnambool plumber, and the son of Arthur and Agnes Rogers. Bill Rogers (d. 1995) worked in the advertising department of the Warrnambool Standard for nearly 50 years. He married Lorna Steller and they lived in MacDonald Street in South Warrnambool. This book is of interest as it belonged to Bill Rogers, a Warrnambool resident in the 20th century. It is also of interest as an example of the type of present given to an 8 year-old boy in the 1920s. This is a black leather covered book of 208 pages. There are two sections – The Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern. The cover is partly detached from the binding and there is gold lettering on the front cover and spine. The pages are gilt-edged. There is a full page black and white illustration at the beginning of the text. The two inscriptions are handwritten in black ink. ‘To Billie on his 8th birthday 1927’ ‘Billie Rogers 32 McDonald St. Sth. Warrnambool’ bill rogers warrnambool, lorna steller warrnmbool, history of warrnambool

Book: 'BILLIE JEAN KING: THE LADY OF THE COURT'. Hardcover. Materials: Ink, Paper, Cardboardtennis

Book: 'BILLIE JEAN KING: THE LADY OF THE COURT'. Hardcover. Materials: Ink, Paper, Cardboardtennis

Coloured photograph of Billie Grigg nee Schwerkolt at the front of Schwerkolt Cottage opened 17/10/1965billie grigg nee schwerkolt, schwerkolt cottage

A Penn '7' tennis ball. Autographed with black marker by Billie Jean King. Materials: Felt, Rubber, Inktennis

A Penn '2' tennis ball. Autographed with black marker by Billie Jean King. Materials: Felt, Rubber, Inktennis

A Penn '6' tennis ball. Autographed with black marker by Billie Jean King. Materials: Felt, Rubber, Inktennis

Pack of 'Sports Deck' plastic coated playing cards. Back of all card features a graphical image of Billie Jean King. Materials: Cardboard, Inktennis

CLUNES C - SPECIAL PREMIER NETBALL C 1971CLUNES C - SPECIAL PREMIER NETBALL C 1971 L - R JAN KINNERLY, ALISON RIDLEY, ANDREA DUNCAN, JAYNE PICKFORD, SALLY DUNCAN, BILLIE ROBINSON, CORALIE COON.SEE ABOVElocal history, photography, photographs, sport, netball

Colour Poster: 'Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs'; featuring graphic-style head-and-shoulder portraits of King and Riggs, and, below this, both players playing tennis. Around top and right edge of poster in yellow bold type is text: 'BILLIE JEAN KING VS. BOBBY RIGGS/ASTRODOME/SEPTEMBER 20, 1973'. Black metal frame with horizontal hanging wire and framer's sticker on backing. Materials: Ink, Paper, Plastic, Metaltennis

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.PATONS & BALDWINS' / SPECIALTY / Knitting Book / No. 112 / 6D.handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

An embroidered postcard which was sent to an Australian family during World War I. The postcard is intricately and colourfully embroidered on silk framed with a cardboard backing. The design is of flowers and foliage with the words "for you alone". The reverse side of the postcard has the following handwritten note: "With Love From Billie Wishing you a Happy New Year xxxxxx"

This book was produced by the Alexandria Spinning Mills, Sydney. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Sun-glo / Knitting / Book / SERIES 85 / 7d. / DESIGN No. 3208 / Instructions on Page 5handicrafts - history knitting, alexandria spinning mills pty ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by the Alexandria Spinning Mills, Sydney. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Sun-glo / KNITTING BOOK / SERIES / 52 / DESIGN No. / 2535 / Instructions Page 2 / Price / 7d.handicrafts - history knitting, alexandria spinning mills pty ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by the Alexandria Spinning Mills, Sydney. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Sun-glo / Knitting / Book / DESIGN NO / 3540 / PAGE 2 / Series 111 / 6d.handicrafts - history knitting, alexandria spinning mills pty ltd f.w. hughes pty ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by the Alexandria Spinning Mills, Sydney. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Sun-glo / Knitting / Book / DESIGN No. 3401 / Instructions on Page 9 / 1'3 / Series 99handicrafts - history knitting, alexandria spinning mills pty ltd f.w. hughes pty ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by the Alexandria Spinning Mills, Sydney. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Sun-glo / Knitting Book / DESIGN No. 3434 / PAGE 3 / SERIES ONE HUNDRED AND TWO / 6d.handicrafts - history knitting, alexandria spinning mills pty ltd f.w. hughes pty ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by the Alexandria Spinning Mills, Sydney. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.SERIES 124 / DESIGN No. / 3901 / PAGE 5 / Sun-glo / Knitting Book / 7 1/2dhandicrafts - history knitting, alexandria spinning mills pty ltd f.w. hughes pty ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by the Lincoln Mills in Coburg, Victoria. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.LINCOLN / Hand Knit / STYLE LEADERS / for / Milady / BOOK No. 145 / 6D. / LINCOLN / Model No. L1008handicrafts - history knitting, lincoln mills (australia) limited, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by the Alexandria Spinning Mills, Sydney. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Knitting book, 28pp. Cover printed in black and white with a photo of a woman wearing a knitted dress. She is posed outdoors, leaning on a tree. Contains photos and patterns for women's dresses.Sun-glo / Frock / Book / DESIGN No. / 2426 / Page 20 / SERIES 50 / containing ... / MODEL FROCKS / and SUITS / 1'3handicrafts - history knitting, alexandria spinning mills pty ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by the publishers of the Australian magazine, New Idea. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.LIGHTWEIGHT WOOLLENS / 6D / A 'NEW IDEA' / PRODUCTION / NO. 27handicrafts - history knitting, the new idea, handicrafts - history, knitting