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. An Account of The Manners and Customs of The Modern Egyptians Author: Edward William Lane Publisher: Ward, Lock & Bowden Ltd Date: 1842Label on spine with typed text PAT 962.03 LAN Inside front cover has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front endpaper has 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, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, edward william lane, an account of the manners and customs of the modern egyptians

[Adelaide : Libraries Board of South Australia, 1971] 2 v. : maps (part col.), plates (part col.) ; 28 cm. Facsimile of: London : T. Cadell jun. and W. Davies, 1798. Includes an account of a voyage performed by Captain Flinders and Mr. Bass abstracted from the journal of Mr. Bass. Volume 1non-fictionnew south wales - descriptions and travel, new zealand - descriptions and travel

[Adelaide : Libraries Board of South Australia, 1971] 2 v. : maps (part col.), plates (part col.) ; 28 cm. Australian Facsimile Editions No.76. Volume 2non-fictionnew south wales - descriptions and travel, new zealand - descriptions and travel

Book, Les Gillies Collection, The Land and the Book or, Biblical Illustrations drawn from The Manners and Customs, the scenes and scenery of The Holy Land. London; T.Nelson and Sons, Paternoster Row, Edinburgh; and New York. 1870.W.M.Thomson, D.D., 30 years Missionary in Syria and Palestine.religions, christian, christian religion

Topics covered include Japanese customs, manners, ceremonies, festivals and arts and crafts of Japan. Part of the Bennetts Collection. See Catalogue No. 9726P for details of "Alva Marie Bennetts" service.1. & 2. Paperback with blue silk covered card for cover back and front. Title on front written vertically using black lettering. Pages secured on LHS with hand sewn thread. 1. 200 pages with cut edges. 355 black and white line drawn illustrations. 2. 200 pages with cut edges. 385 black and white line drawn illustrations.1. & 2. Handwritten in black ink on first pages “VFX 128835. Cpl. A Bennetts, 130 Aust Gen Hosp, Eta Jima, Japan, 1947”.alva bennetts, japan, customs, ceremonies, ww2

Journals of Expeditions of Discovery into Central Australia Vol 2 Author: Edward John Eyre Publisher: T and W Boone Date: 1845 non-fictionJournals of Expeditions of Discovery into Central Australia was written by Edward John Eyre. It is Eyre’s 1845 account of his 1840–41 exploration journeys from Adelaide into central Australia and then overland to King George’s Sound. The book is published in two volumes and was first issued in 1845. It blends practical expedition reporting with reflection, so it is both a record of exploration and a statement about the colonial understanding of inland Australia. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, journals of expeditions of discovery into central australia vol 1, edward john eyre

Journals of Expeditions of Discovery into Central Australia Vol 1 Author: Edward John Eyre Publisher: T and W Boone Date: 1845 non-fictionJournals of Expeditions of Discovery into Central Australia was written by Edward John Eyre. It is Eyre’s 1845 account of his 1840–41 exploration journeys from Adelaide into central Australia and then overland to King George’s Sound. The book is published in two volumes and was first issued in 1845. It blends practical expedition reporting with reflection, so it is both a record of exploration and a statement about the colonial understanding of inland Australia. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, journals of expeditions of discovery into central australia vol 1, edward john eyre

Book is part of a 25 volume set with red cloth bindings and gold filigree design to rib.non-fictionThe 1908 edition of The Historians' History of the World is a monumental work of Edwardian scholarship, representing a specific era of "universal history" where the goal was to synthesise all human knowledge into a single narrative. Volume 1 is titled "Egypt and Mesopotamia," it is divided into two distinct parts Part I concentrates on ancient Egypt, covering the Nile Valley from its legendary beginnings through the various dynasties. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, book, the historians history of the world vol 1 set 1

The King and People of Fiji Author: Rev Joseph Waterhouse Publisher: Wesleyan Conference Office Date: 1866 non-fictionThe King and People of Fiji (1866) centres on the biography of Thakombau (Cakobau), Fiji's chief from 1817-1883, blending it with ethnographic details of Fijian society before the 1854 Christian reformation. It covers pre Christian manners, customs, superstitions, court politics, mythology, community structures, inter-island warfare, cannibalism rituals (like consuming war captives and widows), and hospitality toward missionaries and visitors. Chapters open dramatically, such as "First Blood" depicting young Thakombau's initiation in revenge killings. warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool public library, the king and people of fiji, rev joseph waterhouse

This children's eating utensil is believed to belong to the household of Chiltern writer and historian, W.C. Busse. The level of tarnish and the mark 'EPNS' may indicate it is electroplated. The blade also contains the maker's mark 'APEX', which was used by John Biggin & Co, Sheffield, United Kingdom. Pushers such as these were a common utensil in Victorian and early twentieth-century households. They were used to help children too young to use knives learn to eat politely at the table - the blunt blade was used to push food onto the fork. Pushers could also be used to pull food from a serving platter onto an individual plate. Wilfred Clarence Busse was born in Chiltern in 1898. He went to school at Wesley College in Melbourne, studied law at the University of Melbourne and became a barrister. Additionally, after spending time on a Victorian station in his early twenties, he wrote two historical novels about bush life. His first novel was 'The Blue Beyond: a Romance of the Early Days in South Eastern Australia', written in 1928 and published in 1930. Busse's second novel was titled 'The Golden Plague: A Romance of the Early Fifties'. The judges of the Henry Lawson Society's T.E. Rofe competition to advance Australian literature unanimously awarded it the Gold Medal in 1931 for the best historical novel of 1930. Newspaper articles about the award mention the writer's meticulous documentary and oral history research regarding life on the Gold Fields in the 1850s. It became a best-seller. Busse also wrote a series of articles about local history for "The Federal Standard" newspaper in Chiltern. He was a member of the Chiltern Athenaeum. He died in 1960.This child's eating utensil is significant for the detail it conveys of ordinary domestic life in the household of a significant Victorian writer with special reference to Chiltern and the surrounding region. It may also be significant in understanding the customs and practices of English-speaking nations in the early Twentieth Century. The object is a metal food pusher, a child's eating utensil with a blunt lozenge at right angles to the handle. The metal is tarnished, indicating that it may be silver or silverplated. APEX EPNS AI w.c. busse, wilfred clarence busse, chiltern, indigo shire, north-east victoria, gold fields, gold mining, gold rush, table manners, etiquette, children, childhood, john biggin & co, sheffield, golden plague, blue beyond, historical fiction, 1930s, 1850s, t.e. rofe, henry lawson society, electroplate, tableware, cutlery

xv, 619 pages ; 23 cm.1 v 225x160: indexnon-fictionSweeping history of public and private life in Melbourne's Establishment during the mid-to late 19th century. Contains extensive biographical entries, a bibliography, an index, and appendices which include lists of landowners in 1879 and club members.elite (social sciences) -- australia -- victoria -- history., upper class -- australia -- victoria -- history., elite (social sciences), manners and customs., upper class., victoria -- social life and customs., victoria., upper classes history, victoria, elite (social sciences) -- virginia -- history., upper classes -- victoria -- history., social classes -- victoria -- history -- 19th century., upper class -- victoria -- history -- 19th century., upper classes -- victoria -- history -- 19th century., elite (social sciences) -- victoria -- history -- 19th century., upper class -- victoria., elite (social sciences) -- victoria., upper class -- victoria -- history., elite (social sciences) -- victoria -- history., upper classes -- history., pioneers and pioneer life -- victoria., victoria -- social conditions -- 1834-1900., victoria -- social conditions -- history., victoria -- history -- 1851-1900., victoria -- social life and customs -- 1834-1900., social class, elites, social customs, history, book