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 1942 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. A Treatise on Surveyin Compiled by Reginald Middleton,Osbert Chadwick, & J. Du T. Bogle Publisher: E & F N Spon Ltd Date: 1911 Label on spine with typed text PAT 562.9 MID Pastedown end page has sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service over a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, a treatise on surveying, reginald middleton, osbert chadwick, j. du t. bogle

duboring, c., whewell, j., catford, h., cook, ro, moore, h., heyward, g., quick, w., davies, e., lelean, w. d., hart, richard, bath, h., watsford, j., blamins, w. l., symon, j. c., waugh, j. s., bullas, m., cope, j., annear, d., burridge, w., marsland, j. a., pennell, j., burns, e. b., fison, l., fitchett, w., williams, s., edwards, b., worth, w. s., nicholson, j., allen, j., simpson, j., bickford, j., bogle, a., rigg, a., binks, w., patchell, g., burgess, h. t., james, t., wells, w. p., read, j., newman, c. t., lee, g., edmeades, t., llyod, t.

Small book for Ceremonial Presentation of Colors of 38th Battalion Australian Imperial Force by His Excellency the Right Hon. Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, P > C. G. C M. G. On behalf of The Citizens of Bendigo on Sunday, 11th June, 1916 at 3 p. M. Printed by Bolton Bros, Bendigo. The program outlines Presentation of Colours Ceremonial, names of Regimental Staff, Duties, Companies and the names of Officers and the Consecration of Colours. On the front is the Rising Sun Badge with Australian Commonwealth Military Forces and two crossed flags. On the right is the Union Jack and on the left is the green 38th Battalion flag. The letter is from Allan Wilkie who has sent $10 to cover his subscription to the Historical Society and he enclosed the 38th Battalion AIF booklet on the Presentation of Colors. Two copies of this booklet.book, bendigo, 38th battalion aif, book, 38th battalion aif presentation of colors, allan wilkie, bendigo historical society, william henry wilkie, sir ronald munro ferguson, lady helen munro ferguson, c h davis, r o henderson, a fraser, j m mccusker, r m marks, w n gunson, p s spark, p j telfer, h w joseph, j j code, a runting, f e fairweather, j h moore, g v lansell, r e trebilcock, l lipshut, w j collins, c h peters, l l smith, e f moore, h dench, e w latchford, f c morrison, f r b martin, g hurry, j akeroyd, r d tyers, j l whitehead, w maxwell, h mccoll, a j a maudsley, h f selleck, w l bogle, w williams, a l reid, w h orchard, j b o'donnell, t e green

This is the twenty-first key presented to Ronald Arthur Edwards in August 1935. The celebration, held at his parents home in Husband Road, Forest Hill, was attended by many well known local people who signed his birthday key. Ronald Edwards was the youngest child of Arthur and Martha Edwards. In 1929 aged 15 he contracted poliomyelitis and became an invalid. He died in 1955 at Forest Hill.This item is significant in the history of Forest Hill as all the attendees and Ronald Arthur Edwards are from the pioneering families of the area of the Shire of Nunawading.Large wooden plywood key made to celebrate the 21st birthday of Ronald Arthur Edwards in August 1935. Written on handle end in pen Ron Edwards 21st - 19.Key end signed Anna Course, Herbert Course, R.J. Bird, D.J. Bogle.Reverse side R. Course, A.H. Course, Aunt Corrie, F. Bogle, Aunt Harriet, Marjory Course, S. Edwards, Edwards, H. Edwards, E. Edwards, Doug Edwards, Charlie Course, Jean Course, Tom Bailey, H.S. Tainton, N. Tainton, ?Luen Edwards, C.W. Bird, ?S.U. Course, J. Porter, Bob Course, J.E. Bird, M.P.? Course, ?Edwards, L. Tainton, J. Bird, Shirley Edwards, H. Edwards, Ed, A.E. Edwards, Albert H..., V. Edwards, F. Smith, W. Smith, L.James, E. Galley ?, A.E. Edwards, Mother and Father. Gold traces on one side; 21 carved out in key end.See Descriptionhandcrafts, woodwork

Card and Paper Booklet Australian Commonwealth Military Forces 38th Battalion Australian Imperial Force. Presentation of Colours by His Excellency The Right Hon. Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, P.C. G.C.M.G. Governor-General and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia, on behalf of The Citizens of Bendigo Sunday June 11, 1916 at 3pm. Regimental Staff: Lieut-Colonel C.H. Davis Commanding; Major R.O. Henderson 2nd in Command; Captain A. Fraser Adjutant; Captain J.M. McCusker Medical Officer; Captain R.M. Marks Quartermaster, Captain W.N. Gunson Chaplain; R.S.M. Warrant Officer P.S. Spark; R.Q.M.S Warrant Officer P.J. Telfer Orderly Room Sergeant H.W. Joseph; Band Sergeant J.J. Coe; Armourer Sergeant A.Runting. On Parade with Colours:- Lieut, F.E. Fairweather King's Colours; Lieut, J.H. Moore Regimental Colour. Companies Present (A. Company) - Captain G.V. Lansell, O.C; Captain R.E. Trebilcock; Lieut F.E. Fairweather; Lieut, L. Lipshut; Lieut, W.J. Collins 2nd Lieut C.H. Peters. (B Company) Captain L.L. Smith, O.C; Captai, E.F. Moore; Lieut, H. Dench; Lieut, E. W. Latchford; 2nd Lieut, F.C. Morrison; 2nd Lieut, F.R.B. Martin. (C: Company) Major G. Hurry, O.C., Captain J. Akeroyd; Lieut, R.D. Tyres; 2nd Lieut, J.L. Whitehead; 2nd Lieut W. Maxwell; 2nd Lieut H. McColl. (D Company) Captain A.J.A. Maudsley O.C.; Captain H.F. Selleck; Lieut J.H. Moore; 2nd Lieut W.L. Bogle; 2nd Lieut W. Williams; 2nd Lieut A.L. Reid. (Reinforcements) 1st/38th Lieut W.H. Orchard, O.C.; Machine Gun Section 2nd Lieut J.B. O'Donnell. T.E. Green, Hon. Secretary.bendigo, clubs, australian imperial force 38th bat