This book documents the lives of William and Agnes Brebner and family. William’s father, Isaac had come to Warrnambool in the 1860s and had a tailoring business in the town. By the beginning of the 20th century he was the caretaker at the Sea Baths in Gilles Street, Warrnambool and the family lived in the caretaker’s cottage (Les O’Callaghan History House today). William Brebner established a paint shop in Timor Street in 1916 and this prominent business remained in the Brebner family until 1977. It continued in other hands until the early years of the 21st century. This book is of significance as it documents the life and times of William Brebner and his family. The Brebners have been important, particularly in the 20th century, in the business and community world of Warrnambool.This is a soft cover book of 132 pages. It has a blue cover with a black and white photograph of William Brebner and black printing on the front cover. It has four sections – one on the life of William Brebner and his wife and family, one on his ancestors and two on his descendants. The book contains many black and white and colour photographs.brebner family,, history of warrnambool

Grace Brebner graduated in 1942 and was the first police woman to attend Detective Training School. She began at the Criminal Investigation Branch in 1951 often taking on undercover shifts at a factory to investigate illegal gambling. Brebner was later employed as Sub-Officer-in-Charge at the Women Police Division.Record of Conduct and Service belonging to Grace Brebner, registration no. 9690. Includes personal description, list of transfers and black and white profile photograph of Grace Brebner.police woman, brebner, grace, 9690, conduct record, service record, criminal investigation branch, detective, police women, policewoman, policewomen

Rev. John Brown (1722-1787) was a minister of the Scottish Secession Church in Haddington. The "Self Interpreting Bible" originally published in 1778 was his most notable work. This edition was published in Glasgow. This bible is kept because of the inscription and its link to John Alexander Brebner, who was a military tailor and habit maker in Timor Street, Warrnambool in the 1870's and 1880's.This is a hard covered family bible. The cover and spine has an ornate gold design. Holy Bible is printed in gold on the spine. There are 82 pages of information at the start including reflections and an introduction to the right understanding of the oracles of God and a chronological index of scriptural history. There is also a biography of the Rev. John Brown, minister of the gospel at Haddington. Within the pages of the first chapter of the bible, Genesis, a four page black and white printed A5 leaflet entitled Christian Baptism can be found. John Alexr. Brebner May 14th 1873john alexander brebner, brebner, family bibles, john brown haddington

These books were provided free of charge to pupils thanks to the support of the advertisers. The front pages which possibly contained student's work have been torn from the book and the following pages contain lists of names, times and dates . The entries relate to work at places such as E A Wright, Infectious diseases hospital, Ray Barnes as well as many names of local people and areas. Most appear to be associated with electrical work.A link to the district containing names of local people and the cover provides an interesting snapshot of businesses around the district in the 1940's.Green card cover with exercise book inside.There are advertisements for businesses on the outside and inside front cover.Some are local businesses and others relate to businesses further afield. In the top RH corner "Homework Exercise Book" is printed.John M Reid is handwritten at top of front cover.Advertisements included are for the following businesses: J C Williams & Co Port Fairy, Vic Becker clothing Warrnambool, X-L Motor oils, A J Oakes Port Fairy, John Newton Port FairyAlex J King Port Fairy Mrs A V Smith Koroit, R S Corson Koroit , W F Brebner Warrnambool,W J Gee Koroit,Vacuum Oil Company, SPC canned fruits Shepparton.warrnambool, john m reid warrnambool, port fairy, koroit and district state schools, homework exercise book