Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. A Book of Verses Author: Lady Wilson (Anne Glenny Wilson) Publisher: Elliot Stock Date: 1917Label on spine cover with typed text RA 821.008 WIL Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, a book of verses, lady wilson, anne glenny wilson

A Wilson Lady Advantage tennis racquet. Wilson logo features across base of head. Calligraphic swirl device features on throat. Model name features along shaft. Raised brown 'W' trademark features on butt cap. Materials: Wood, Paint, Nylon, Leather, Adhesive tape, Ribbon, Plastic, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Inktennis

A Wilson Lady Advantage tennis racquet. Wilson logo features across base of head. Calligraphic swirl device features on throat. Model name features along shaft. Raised brown 'W' trademark features on butt cap. Materials: Wood, Paint, Nylon, Leather, Adhesive tape, Ribbon, Plastic, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Inktennis

A colour photograph taken of the rainforest along Lady Talbot Drive near Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph taken of the rainforest along Lady Talbot Drive near Marysville in Victoria.Lady Talbot Drive is a 24 kilometer scenic rainforest car journey which passes a number of walks and waterfalls in the Yarra Ranges National Park. Lady Talbot Drive is named after Lady Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of Sir Reginald Talbot, who was the Governor of Victoria from 25th April, 1904 to 6th July 1908.Temperate Rainforest/ surrounding Marysville/ Koala Creektalbot drive, marysville, victoria, postcard, souvenir, sir reginald talbot, lady sarah elizabeth talbot, lady talbot drive, lady talbot forest drive

COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FROM MISS E.W.WELLS - PHOTO OF 'GREAT AUNT ALICE MOORE'/ lady wearing Victorian style clothing / black and white photo with Logo on the bottom Augustus W Wilson & co, Photographie Artistique, 13f Dalston lane, Kingsland N./ rear of photo -logo includes certificate of merit, Inter Exhibition 1880, Inter Exhibition 1878, Prize medal photographic Exhibition of Great Britain 1878, the only gold Medal International Photographic Exhibition 1880. Augustus, W. Wilson & Co Photographers , Dalston Junction Bazaar, Nearly opposite Dalston Junction NLR and at 77, De Beauvoir Rd Kingsland , N. Trapp & Munch Berlin.Augustus , W. Wilson & Co , Photographers ,photograph, portrait, female, augustus w wilson & co , photographie artistique , 13f dalston lane , kingsland n. // 'certificate of merit , .inter .exhibition 1880, inter .exhibition 1878 , prize medal photographic exhibition of great britain 1878, the only gold medal international photographic exhibition 1880.//augustus , w. wilson & co , photographers , dalston junction bazzar , nearly opposite dalston junction nlr, and at 77, de beavoir rd kingsland , n…..trapp & munch berlin

Small, full length portrait of a lady wearing a long high neck dress. The dress has a voluminous skirt with different material from the hip up.Batchelders. 41 Collins St. East Melbourne. Dunn. Wilson & Botterill Prop.photograph, portrait, female, portrait of a lady

Cream, brown & gold certificate awarded to Miss Mary Foster for First Prize in the Eaglehawk Branch of the Australian Natives Association Musical and Elocutionary Competitions 1908 Violin Solo Open. Certificate signed by Robert Murdoch, President and Frank Walker, Secretary. Certificate has Australian Coat of Arms at the top. On the right side is a lady dressed robes and holding a trumpet in her left hand and a wreath in her extended right hand. She is standing on stage steps. At the bottom is a carpet, a harp and an urn with a plant in it. Printed under the bottom of the certificate is: Herbert Woodhouse, Lith: Law Courts Place, Melb: On the back of the mounting board is a label: From D. G. Coope & Son, Picture Frame Manufacturers, The Fine Art Gallery, Mitchell Street Bendigo. Established 1871.document, certificate, music, foster & wilson collection, violin certificate, mary foster, robert murdoch, frank walker, eaglehawk a. n. a. competitions

Large cream, beige and green certificate awarded to Miss M Foster for First Prize in the Violin Solo Open at the Austral Literary and Debating Society's Annual Musical, Elocutionary, and Literary Competitions. Bendigo, 1908. Certificate has angels at the top, one with a harp and one writing. There is a lady at each side and one at the bottom, all dressed in robes. There are decorations of leaf and scroll work designs. Certificate signed by M. ?, President and Thomas Byrne, General Secretary. On the back of the mounting cardboard is a label: D. G. Coope & Son Fine Art Gallery Mitchell Street Bendigo.document, certificate, music, foster & wilson collection, violin certificate, miss m foster, austral literary and debating society competitions bendigo 1908, thomas byrne

Large cream, beige and greenish certificate awarded to Miss A. Foster for First Prize in the Piano Solo (under 12) at the Austral Literary and Debating Society's Annual Musical, Elocutionary, and Literary Competitions. Bendigo, 1906. At the top are two angels, 1 playing a harp and 1 writing. At the sides in the centre are ladies dressed in robes and at the bottom is a lady dressed in robes and carrying a harp. Decorative scroll work and leaves decorate the certificate. On the back is a label: From D. G. Coope & Son, Picture Frame Manufacturers, The Fine Art Gallery. Mitchell Street, Bendigo. Established 1871. Signed by E. ??, President and ? Byrne, Hon. Secretary.document, certificate, music, foster & wilson collection, piano certificate, miss a foster, austral literary and debating society, ? byrne

Black & white wedding photograph. The wedding party consists of 4 males and 4 females. The men are wearing 3-piece suits. Three of them have flowers in their buttonholes and the 4th one is wearing a clergyman's collar. The bridegroom is sitting on a chair beside the bride who is wearing a long white dress with a long veil. She is holding a large bouquet. The bride and the lady standing on the other side of the groom are wearing a medallion and brooch. The lady to the right of the bride is wearing a plain, long white dress, a white hat, a cross and brooch and she is holding a large bouquet. The lady on the groom's left is wearing an embroidered dress, slightly shorter, a white hat and is holding a large bouquet. The 4th lady is wearing an embroidered dress, gloves, a wide brimmed, dark hat and a cross and brooch. She is sitting on a chair. Photo is mounted on brownish board. Stuck to the back of the board is a notice: Molony & Co., Photo Enlargers and Picture Framers, 44 Honeysuckle Street, Bendigo.W. Vincent Kelly Mitchell St. Bendigophoto, group, wedding, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Small black & white half length photograph of a lady and a man. The lady is wearing a dark coat, hat and scarf. The man is wearing a dark 3-piece suit and a light coloured coat. He is wearing a small cross on the left side of his waistcoat. There are gum trees in the background.photo, group, couple, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Black & white, matt photograph of three ladies. Two of the ladies are wearing coats and the other a striped jacket, skirt, beret and gloves. The lady on the right is holding her gloves in her hand and the lady in the centre has a fur around her neck. They are both wearing hats. They are standing in front of a bushy tree.photo, group, female, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Coloured photograph of two ladies taken in a house. Both are sitting on a couch, one is holding a little brown dog on her lap. She is wearing a purple and aqua dress with a brooch at the neck, a short necklace, gold bracelet and a pearl hair clip. The other lady is wearing a mauve & multi coloured dress, mauve jacket and a wide brimmed mauve hat. On the table in front of them is a large, round glass/crystal vase.photo, group, 2 ladies, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Coloured photograph of two ladies, one holding a little brown dog, standing in front of a yellow shop door with the number 52 on the front. The older lady is wearing a deep blue dress and shoes, a long necklace and brooch. The younger lady is wearing a multi coloured top and black trousers. The shop is called Nefertiti Video. There is notice with Jackson at the top in the window. There are curtains inside the window. There are red & white Coca-Cola advertisements on both sides of the door.photograph, portrait, female group, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Coloured photograph of a young man and three women. One lady is a lot older than the other two. The photograph has been taken inside a house. The young man has shoulder length dark hair.photograph, portrait, group, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Coloured photograph of an elderly lady sitting at a table with a cup, saucer and plate in front of her. She is wearing a deep blue dress with a long necklace and brooch. She also has a pearl type hair clip in her grey curly hair. The background of the photo looks like the interior of a restaurant.photo, individual, female, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Coloured photograph of an elderly lady standing on the steps of a building. She is wearing a light grey skirt, green top, grey/black speckled jacket and black shoes. She is also wearing a long necklace and brooches and is holding a handkerchief in her right hand. The building is brick at the lower edge and rendered above the bricks. There is a brown gate behind her. Written on the back: Eileen. 'Home Sweet Home' - At St. Kilda.photo, individual, female, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Black & white photo of a lady in evening wear. She is wearing a floral dress with a wide scooped neckline. She has short, dark hair. She is also wearing an ornate necklace, ear-rings and watch. On the back is written: 'To little Eileen Love From Dot'.photograph, portrait, female, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Coloured photo of a lady holding a sponge cake. She is standing beside a table which has been set for a meal. There is a bunch of flowers on the table. Written on the back is: 'To little Eileen Love From Dot'.photograph, portrait, female, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Black & white photo of three women. Two are wearing long coats and one a short, striped jacket and skirt. All are wearing hats. The older lady in the centre has a fur around her neck.Progress Studio, Midway Arcade, 256 Collins St., Melbourne. C.3516.photograph, portrait, female group, foster & wilson collection, photograph of 3 ladies

White envelope addressed to Mrs. Henry Wilson, No 2 Flat, 95 Grey Street, St. Kilda. S.2. And postmarked 28 Nov 1950. Envelope contains a light green invitation with blue printing inviting Mrs Henry Wilson to the 100th Birthday Celebrations of Bendigo January to December, 1951 and has a red stamp in the top left corner with Bendigo Centenary Jan 1st to Dec 31st 1951. Also contains a programme of events in Bendigo for the Festival Year 1951. Front of programme has picture of a miner holding a pick and a lady with an umbrella and a basket on her arm. Programme printed 30/9/50.Cambridge Pressdocument, invitations, official celebrations, foster & wilson collection, mrs henry wilson, bendigo centenary festival year 1951

Sepia photograph of a lady. She is wearing a long, dark dress with a bustle. The bodice is tight and the skirt is pleated. She is carrying a handbag and an umbrella. She is also wearing a feathery type hat which has tie ribbons under her chin. In front of her is a plant. The photo is mounted on cardboard and has a gold line around the photo. 2035 written on the back.J Weller, Maryborough, Victoria. Australiaphotograph, portrait, female, foster & wilson collection, photograph

Black & white photograph of an elderly lady and her dog. The lady is wearing a dark dress and shoes. She is also wearing a three strand bead necklace and a violin shape brooch on her dress. She is holding a small fluffy dog and a plastic shopping bag. Written on the back of the photo is: Alan 95342684.photograph, portrait, female, foster & wilson collection, photograph