This book looks at the earliest years of contact between Aborigines and Europeans in the Melbourne area. The contact period saw the Wurundjerei-willam resisting, coping with and adapting to a new and alien culture. A degree of mutual respect seems to have existed, at least for a short time, of each other?s intentions. It appears that the settlement at Port Phillip did not encounter the degree of violence seen elsewhere.maps, b&w illustrations, colourwoiwurung, woi wurrung, wurundjeri, wurundjeri willam, merri merri, william thomas,

64 p., black & white illustrationsnon-fictionmerri creek, native flora

Digital images of Middle Island Stingray Bay warrnamboolvictoria, river, mouth, coast, ocean, island, middle, middle island, warrnambool, merri, merri river

The local photograph shows the original footbridge across the Merri River near its mouth, the Viaduct road and the Warrnambool Breakwater with the Titan crane on it. The breakwater's construction was completed in 1890, the year this photograph was taken. The Viaduct has since been filled in to prevent water passing through the pylons, and the footbridge has been replaced. The photograph was presented to Flagstaff Hill on the centenary of South Warrnambool Primary School, 1877 to 1977, by the school's Warrnambool South Primary School Centenary Committee. The centenary was celebrated during August 12-13-14. The school was decommissioned in the 1990s.The photograph is locally significant for recording the completion of the Warrnambool Breakwater, for showing the original design of the Viaduct and for a clear view of the original footbridge across the Merri River. It also records the date of the presentation of the photograph celebrates the centenary of the 1877 to 1977 Warrnambool Sough Primary School.Photograph, black and white, mounted onto cardboard with a pasted-on label below the photograph. It shows the Merri River footbridge, the Viaduct, the Warrnambool Breakwater with the Titan crane, and the Port of Warrnambool. The label has an inscription. The photograph was taken in 1890 and was presented to Flagstaff Hill by the South Warrnambool Primary School's Centenary Committee ca. 1977. The photograph was taken in 1890 and was presented to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum by the South Warrnambool Primary School Centenary Committee in the Centenary year of the South Warrnambool Primary School;1977.Typed onto the label: "PRESENTED TO FLAGSTAFF HILL / BY THE SOUTH WARRNAMBOOL / PRIMARY SCHOOL CENTENARY / COMMITTEE / "VIADUCT TO / WARRNAMBOOL BREAKWATER" / - 1890 - "warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, warrnambool breakwater, viaduct, viaduct road, merri river bridge, merri footbridge, original merri foodtridge, titan crane, warrnambool south primary school, warrnambool south primary school centenary commitee, centenary committee, 1890, 1877, 1877-1977, lady bay, port of warrnambool

This postcard folder contains lithographs of photographs taken locally by Georg Rose between 1880 and 1942. He reproduced them at his company's premises, the Rose Stereographic Company at Armadale, Victoria. The postcard folder was purchased as a Warrnambool souvenir by the donor's parents around 1945 to 1950. Interestingly, the city on the cover is printed as "Warrambool", which is a location in New South Wales, but the postcards within all have the locations and text of Warrnambool. The photographs include the 'new' concrete bridge, built in 1922 to replace the original bridge, built in 1872. The boathouses belonging to Proudfoots and to Flett/Fanny Nelson are also pictured on the Hopkins River mouth. The twelve photographs included locations connected to other items in our Collection. The photographs are titled: - b. The Avenue and War Memorial. Warrnambool. Vic. c. The Blow-hole. Thunder Point. Warrnambool. Vic. d. Botanical Gardens. Warrnambool. Vic. e. Eagle Rock. Warrnambool. Vic. f. The New Concrete Bridge and Breakwater. Warrnambool. Vic. g. Liebig Street. Warrnambool. Vic. h. Looking to Thunder Point. Warrnambool. Vic. i. The Beach. Warrnambool. Vic. j. Hopkins Falls. Warrnambool. Vic. k. Shelly Beach. Warrnambool. Vic. l. The Mouth of the Hopkins River. Warrnambool. Vic. m. Panorama of Warrnambool. Vic. [Kepler Street towards Presbyterian Church on Spence St] George Rose, 1861-1942: - famous for his Late 19th and early 20th century photography. He was born in Clunes, Victoria, and was in his 20th year when he founded Rose Stereograph Company in 1880. He took the opportunity of a popular trend of the times to produce stereographs, pairs of almost duplicate photographs which appeared to be in 3D when viewed in a handheld stereo viewer. By the 1920s these lost their popularity, so he used his photographic skills to produce cards and postcards of scenes and people. The photographs in this postcard folder were taken between 1880 and 1942 by the renowned Victorian photographer George Rose. The locations match photographs and postcards in our collection that were taken at different times. A comparison between them shows the changes over time in the land and bay, the buildings and other structures, transportation and even the fashions of the times, building the story of our local history.The postcard folder has a blue-grey textured rectangular card cover with a sketch of a rose on the front along with the name of the postcard series. the location of the series' focus, the producer's details and lines for adding an address. The folded cover contains a long, concertinaed page with six titled photographs on each side, totalling twelve in all. Interestingly, the cover has the location name of "Warrambool", a place in NSW, instead of Warrnambool, the location of all of the photographs inside. The folder contains scenes from Warrnambool and nearby popular areas including Lady Bay, Port of Warrnambool, Warrnambool Breakwater, Viaduct, Merri River Footbridge, the Hopkins River Mouth, with Proudfoot’s and the Fanny Nelson/Flett boathouses. The cover has a sketch of a rose and inscriptions. The photographs for the lithographs were taken prior between 1880 and 1942 by well-known Victorian photographer, George Rose, Rose Stereograph Company of Armadale, Victoria.Image: [Rose with rosebud and leaves] Printed: "Rose Series / Picturesque Views of / WARRAMBOOL / AUSTRALIA" [correct spelling is WARRNAMBOOL] "PUBLISHED BY / ROSE STEREOGRAPH CO / ARMADALE. VIC." Printed lines (3) for an address. Printed rectangle [ ] for attaching a stamp.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, warramble, postcard, postcard folder, warrnambool scenes, picturesque views of warrnambool, picturesque views of warramble, lady bay, port of warrnambool, breakwater, warrnambool breakwater, viaduct, merri river footbridge, merri river suspension bridge, suspension footbridge, merri river mouth, hopkins river mouth, proudfoot's, fanny nelson, nelson's boatsheds, nelson's boathouse, boathouse, hopkins river boathouses, flett's boathouse, flett, george rose, image of a rose, rose series, rose stereograph co, rose stereographic company, lighograph, armadale victoria, lady bay beach, beach scene, lower light, concrete footbridge, 1922 footbridge, viaduct road, rose postcard, new concrete bridge, 1945, 1890, 1922, small footbridge, 1872 footbridge, 1872, merri river estuary, stingray bay

Book review of People of the Merri Merri: the Wurundjeri in Colonial Days by Isabel Ellender and Peter Christiansen 1 pagesharry gilham collection, indigenous history, merri creek, wurundjeri

Collection of photograph envelopes which had belonged to staff members. Some are photographs from excursions, other teaching material - plants. Some labelled: Ruth Upper Merri Creek - negatives and prints; Merri Creek - negatives and prints; Merri Creek Panorama - prints; Merri Creek Posters - negatives and prints; Western District Exhibition, labelled - negatives and prints; Mt Ridley (Excursion?) - negatives and prints; Energy Education Centre 15 November 1995; Gardens - Spring 1995 negatives (mostly James Hitchmough Native Grasslands and Luffmann Ponds); Student Party June 1994 - negatives; Pot Trial - negatives and prints; Miscellaneous plant trials, Centenial Centre Shop, Arborists, Plants, Excursions - negatives; Excursions , 1 year 2000 - negatives and prints; Orchard (older) - black and white negatives and prints; Arborists - negatives and prints; Staff, Graduate students - negatives and prints; Miscellaneous: Plants, Plant database (Jill Kellow) - negatives, slides and prints.staff, excursions, teaching material, merri creek, mt ridley, energy education centre, student party, pot trial, centenial centre shop, arborists, plants, graduates, students, plant database, jill kellow, orchard, james hitchmough grasslands, horticulture shop

Bostock & Manifold were all from pioneering families in the Western District of Victoria almost from the time of settlement. Family history: The Bostock family were prominent in Warrnambool from the 1850s to the 1880s. Patriarch Robert Bostock had in 1813 been transported to Sydney from Sierra Leone for having 'felonious traded in slaves' and sentenced to 14 years transportation. He moved to Tasmania in 1821 where he died in 1847. A number of his children came to Port Phillip. Edward Robert Bostock held the Jellabad run from 1849 to 1853. George Bostock (1826-1858) was a Warrnambool Shire Councillor in 1856. Thomas Edward Bostock (1828-1874) was a Shire Councillor in the late 1860s. Augustus Bostock (1833-1920) lived in Warrnambool. Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert and Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen's Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. The Wagon is significant locally and state wide for its association with Augustus Bostock who was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District of Victoria, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. Bostock & Manifold were all from pioneering families in the Western District of Victoria almost from the time of settlement. The wagon is significant for its historical and economic association with the local Warrnambool business of Manifold & Bostock. These men had leased and owned vast tracts of land and operated businesses around the district together at various times often associated with the farming industry. One example is the Manifold & Bostock store and flour mill from which the wagon dray is believed to have been associated with for the delivery of goods. Their flour mill began operation in 1850 in 7-17 Stanley St South Warrnambool and was known as “Jetty Mills” Manifold and Bostock in 1858 purchased the Mill from John and G Elliot (brothers) with half an acre of ground and a cottage for £1600. It appears addresses of the company changed over the years as the town grew. These are listed in “Jones, Lewis & Peggy flour mills of Victoria” showing the company operating from, Fairy Street and later at the Merri River near the cutting, known as Banyan and Merri Streets. The company ceased trading in 1870. The Wagon Dray is also an example of agricultural freight and general transportation during the 1800 and 1900 century.A four-wheeled wooden horse-drawn wagon with flat top described as a Wagon Dray in historical writings. Painted brown and black. The wagon has rear brakes, wooden, operated from a metal handle at the front of the Wagon. Front wheels are attached to a turnstile to allow easy turning of the wagon. This flat-topped, horse driven, four-wheeled Wagon was used for cartage by the business of Manifold & Bostock, Warrnambool. The original sign writing of the wagon is obscured or painted over. There is a feint mark of lettering to the sides and back edges of the cart Manifold & Bostock. "Manifold and Bostock" very feintflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, cartage, manifold and bostock of warrnambool, manifold family of western victoria, bostock family of western victoria, four wheeled wagon, wagon, horse drawn wagon, farm wagon, aitkin, aitkin bostock manifold, dray, aitkin family, cart, aitken, flour mill

The local photograph shows the original footbridge across the Merri River near its mouth, the Viaduct road and the Warrnambool Breakwater with the Titan crane on it. The breakwater's construction was completed in 1890, the year this photograph was taken. The Viaduct has since been filled in to prevent water from passing through the pylons, and the footbridge has been replaced. The postcard has a personal message written on the back to a Dr Scott from May. The photograph is locally significant for recording the completion of the Warrnambool Breakwater, for showing the original design of the Viaduct and for a clear view of the original footbridge across the Merri River. It is also of significance for being used by a female to send a greeting from Warrnambool to a doctor. Postcard, coloured, of the Warrnambool Breakwater, with the Merri River footbridge and the Viaduct in the foreground. Pedestrians and a horse-drawn cart are on the Viaduct, The lifeboat house and other buildings are near the beginning of the Breakwater. A three-masted sailing ship is in port. The photograph was taken from Middle Island. A personal message is written on the back, and a title is printed on the front. Produced in Germany in the 1890s.On the front: "Breakwater, Warrnambool" Written on the reverse: "Warrnambool Wishing Dear Dr Scott the Compliments of the Season With love and best wishes, From May"warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, postcard, coloured postcard, warrnambool breakwater, breakwater, viaduct, 1890s, merri river footbridge, dr scott, may

The coloured postcard depicts the Port of Warrnambool in the early 1900s. It shows the Breakwater, completed in 1890, the Viaduct, and the Merri River footbridge. There are many people on the sandy river banks, beach and bridge, and some are on the rocks of Middle Island. The printed postcard was made in England and is one of the Jordan Series produced by Joseph Jordan, a renowned photographer in Victoria's Western District.The postcard is locally significant as a record of the early footbridge over the Merri River, and the Viaduct before the space between the pylons was filled it. It shows the use of horses as a means of transportation. The photograph is also associated with Joseph Jordan, a renowned Victoria's Western District photographer.Postcard, coloured, showing the Port of Warrnambool. People are gathered on the sandy beach beside the river and near the river mouth. They are on and below the footbridge, along with several horses. Some are on the rocky Middle Island. There is a white ship in port. There is a jetty on the left, and buildings at the start of the breakwater. An inscription is printed at the bottom of the picture. The picture is one of the Jordan Series. It was printed in England in 1910."SANDY BEACH & BREAKWATER AT WARRNAMBOOL" "JORDAN SERIES" "PRINTED IN ENGLAND" "1910"warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, postcard, merri river, footbridge, warrnambool breakwater, breakwater, viaduct, middle island, port of warrnambool, jordan series, printed in england, 1910, joseph jordan, jordan photography

WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE 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 November 1884 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 fundraising 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 courthouse 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 historical 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 Historical 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 artworks 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. The Magic Carpet Author: S Elliot Napier Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1932Label on spine with typed text R.A. 824.912 NAP Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book, the magic carpet, s elliot napier, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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

WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE 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 November 1884 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 fundraising 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 courthouse 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 historical 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 Historical 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 artworks 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. Sir Roger De Coverley and The Spectators Club by Steele & Addison Author: Steele & Addison Publisher: Cassell & Co Date: 1886 The label on the spine with typed text 824 Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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, sir roger de coverley and the spectators club, steele & addison

WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE 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 November 1884 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 fundraising 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 courthouse 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 historical 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 Historical 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 artworks 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. The King and People of Fiji Author: Joseph Waterhouse Publisher: Wesleyan Conference Office Date: 1866 The label on spine with typed text RA 996.11 WAT Inside Front, endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Inside front, endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum Handwriting on the Flypaper reads " Henty Findon 1866"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, the king and people of fiji

This map documents the changing state of Lady Bay from around 1870 until 1976. It depicts the changing high water mark over that period and the main outlet of the Merri River in 1872 and 1976.This map provides a useful and significant insight into the ever changing face of Lady Bay from the 1870’s through to 1980’s. Cream paper map drawn with black ink showing Lady Bay and South Warrnambool section of Warrnambool. In lower RH corner Soil conservation AuthorityPlan of High water marks at Lady Bay Warrnambool. Drawn P.D. 19.1/84. Scale 1:3600. Written on back in black pencil: Lady Bay Historical HWM lady bay map, merri river 1872- 1976, merri river 1872- 1976, history of warrnambool

These nails were found in the floorboards at 5A Liebig Street, the residence of Lee Harris at the time. The nails, being of the 19th century variety, pre-date the present building and must have come from a previous dwelling or perhaps a building associated with the old Shire Offices. The Shire Offices, near the corner of Liebig and Merri Streets, were erected in 1860 and the Shire continued to operate from there until 1936. These nails are of interest as an example of the type of nails used in buildings in Warrnambool in the 19th century. These are 13 iron nails which taper to a point and have a blunt half head. They are all in a rusty condition. nails, 5a liebig street, shire offices, warrnambool

No information has been found on the Commission Agent John Fitts except that he died at the Yarra Bend Asylum at the age of 51 and was formerly a resident of Ascot Vale, a suburb of Melbourne. His estate was valued at £600. Yarra Bend Asylum, near the junction of the Yarra River and the Merri Creek was the first institution for the mentally ill in Victoria and operated from 1848 to 1925. Tait collection: item 5 of 62This document is only of interest in that it came from the former legal offices of Mackay Taylor in Kepler Street, Warrnambool. It originally came from Thomas Goodall, a legal clerk in the office of the lawyer Ernest Chambers who passed it on to George Mackay, the lawyer in the forerunner firm of Mackay Taylor where it remained until the firm of Mackay Taylor ceased to exist and the buildings were cleaned out. This is a piece of parchment paper with printed black lines and handwritten material in black ink. There is a fold at the bottom of the document with a seal of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria attached by a green ribbon. The document is slightly discoloured but is otherwise in good condition. ‘In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria, Probate jurisdiction, In the Estate of John Fitts, late of the Yarra Bend Asylum, formerly of Ascot Vale in the Colony of Victoria, commission agent, deceased intestate, Administration, Edwards and Perry, Proctors’yarra bend asylum, john fitts, warrnambool

Tait collection: item 18 of 62 This document contains information on the Probate papers of James Evenett, a fellmonger from Warrnambool. He died in September 1898. James Evenett had a fellmongery on the Merri River, commencing business about 1869 and continuing in to the 1890s. In the 1880s his woolscouring works employed four people and this increased to ten at the busy times. He purchased sheepskins from the neighbouring farms and sent the wool to England with the skins being used in the Merri River tannery works. He left real estate property to the value of £686 and personal estate to the value of £200. The three executors were William Ponting, James Harman and his wife Mary Evenett. These probate papers relate to James Evenett, a fellmonger from Warrnambool.This is an 1898 document containing the Probate papers of James Evenett. The paper has been folded in two with handwritten material on four sides. There is a seal of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria attached with a green ribbon and a red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The writing in brown ink is legible but the paper is somewhat stained in places. probate papers, james evenett, tait collection, ernest chambers

Tait collection: item 39 of 62 This document gives the details of the Will and Probate of Thomas Oakley who died in Warrnambool at the age of 75 in 1893. He had come with his first wife to Australia in 1852 and was a Customs Officer in Warrnambool, in charge of the signals and premises, living in Merri Street. Later after the death of his wife (they had ten children) he married Eliza McKeeman in 1870 and they lived at ‘Oakbank’ near the Warrnambool Cemetery where Oakley pursued farming interests. They had a further eight children, many of them making their mark in the business and community life of Warrnambool and further afield. Thomas Oakley left real estate to the value of £900 and personal estate to the value of £1251, with the beneficiaries being his wife, his daughters, Elizabeth and Mary Anne from his first marriage and the eight children of his second marriage. The lawyers concerned with this document, O’Mahony and Murray, had offices in Warrnambool in Kepler Street at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. This document was in the possession of Ernest Chambers, a Warrnambool lawyer during the same period. It was then passed down to successive lawyers occupying the Kepler Street premises and located there in 2014.This document is of considerable importance as it gives details of the Will and Probate of Thomas Oakley, a prominent and successful landowner in Warrnambool in the 19th century. It will be of great use to researchers. This is a white piece of thick paper folded in two with handwritten material on four sides of the paper. The pages have printed red lines at the edges of three pages. The document contains details of the Will and Probate of Thomas Oakley who died in 1893 in Warrnambool. The pages are clean and readable.In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria in its Probate Jurisdiction in the Will of Thomas Oakley late of Warrnambool in the County of Villiers in the Colony of Victoria Landowner deceased.o’mahony & murray,, warrnambool lawyers, ernest chambers, warrnambool lawyer, thomas oakley, tait collection

This writing desk was used by the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia personnel and the date associated with it (through unproven Historical Society records) is 1859. The Bank of Australasia was established in Sydney in 1835. The Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in 1854 in a stone cottage in Merri Street leased for two years. The bank was next located in a leased building in Timor Street with new purpose-built premises at the corner of Timor and Kepler Streets opening in 1860. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia merged with the Union Bank to form the A.N.Z. Bank Limited. In 1970 the E. S. & A. Bank and the London Bank of Australia merged with the A.N.Z. Bank forming the A.N.Z. Banking Group Limited with the business transferring to Liebig Street. The old Bank of Australasia building was purchased by the Warrnambool City Council and later sold to a private buyer. It is now a nightclub. The writing desk may have been used in both the Timor Street leased building and the bank building at the corner of Kepler and Timor Streets. William Palmer was the Bank Manager when the desk would have been first used. This is a most significant item as it comes from the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, the first bank to be established in Warrnambool and a major banking business in Warrnambool for nearly 100 years. The desk was handed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society by Clarrie Kempton, the A.N.Z. Bank Manager in Warrnambool from 1964 to 1971.This is a wooden writing desk, possibly made of walnut wood. The base is rectangular with a drawer with a brass handle at the base. From the base the desk slopes up to a triangular shape with a slightly curved top. The middle of the desk has a front opening with two doors with four brass hinges with a brass lock. There are six bolts, one with a slot missing. Inside the doors are inset 10 wooden slots of different sizes to hold papers, letters, ink, dockets etc. Also inside the doors, behind a transparent material, are spaces for the day, date and month. These numbers and letters were once able to be changed according to the date. The writing desk is in good condition but a little stained. ‘Tuesday’ ‘8’ ‘November’ bank of australasia, history of warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This book was given as a Sunday School prize to James Cassady. The donor was William Wines. The Wines families were pioneers in the Woodford district. James Cassady was the son of William and Elizabeth Cassady and the family lived at Boughton on the Merri River (near Cassady’s Bridge, Caramut Road today). This property was established about 1845. Charley and Joe, whose names have also been written in the book, were James’ brothers. This book is of interest because it belonged to James Cassady, the son of pioneer settlers in Cassadys’ Bridge/Woodford area. This is a hard cover book of 220 pages with 32 extra pages at the back of the book giving information on other books produced by the same publisher. The cover is grey-green with gold lettering, green and black floral decorations and gold images of two men on horseback and a South American Indian chief. The spine is torn away at the top and the cover and pages are stained and crumpled. There are many black and white illustrations throughout the text, with the frontispiece protected by a piece of tissue. The inscriptions are handwritten in black ink and pencil.‘Woodford Sunday School presented to James Cassidy (sic) by his well-wisher William Wines’ (this is re-written underneath in pencil with the correct spelling of ‘Cassady’) ‘Chaley cassady, boughton, merri river (sic) “Joe’ james cassady,, boughton, william wines, woodford sunday school, history of warrnambool

This book has been given by the Woodford Sunday School to Edith Cassady (note the misspelling of ‘Cassady’). Edith Cassady was the daughter of William and Elizabeth who lived at Boughton on the Merri River (near Cassady’s Bridge, Caramut Road today). This property was established about 1845. The donor of the book was William Wines, a member of a pioneering family in the Woodford district. This book is of some interest as it belonged to Edith Cassady, a member of a pioneering family who lived at Boughton on the Merri River. This is a hard cover book of 344 pages. The cover is red with black border decorations and black and gold lettering. There are several full page black and white illustrations scattered throughout the book which has 23 chapters of story. The cover and pages are much water-stained. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘Woodford Sunday School Presented to Edith Cassidy (sic) by her well-wisher William Wines’ william wines, woodford, history of woodford, edith cassady, boughton property, cassady family

This book was given as a prize in 1892 to Joseph Cassady from the Cassady’s Bridge State School. This school, once located near Cassady’s Bridge on the present-day Caramut Road, was opened on 19th January 1891 and closed in December 1892. The first teacher was Janet Ada McDougall and the teacher when the school closed was J. H. Delahenty. The Cassady family had the farm, Boughton and this was established about 1845 on the Merri River near where the bridge is today. Joseph was born in 1882 to William and Elizabeth Cassady.This book is of considerable importance as it is the only memento we have of Cassady’s Bridge State School. This school only existed for two years.This is a hard cover book of 208 pages. The cover is green with coloured borders and a coloured sketch of a stream and a bridge. The lettering on the front cover and the spine is gold and the pages are gilt-edged. The cover is much faded. Some of the back pages are partly torn away. The book has two black and white sketches at the front of the book and 28 chapters of story. The inscription is handwritten in black ink and the inscription page is stained. ‘State School Cassady’s Bridge Xmas 1892 Presented to Joseph Cassady 3rd Class for Good Progress. J.H. Delahenty Head Teacher’ cassady family, boughton, history of warrnambool

This book about the New South Wales goldfields was written by Rolf Boldrewood in 1890. It is retained because the author played a significant part in Warrnambool’s history. Rolf Boldrewood, the pen name of Thomas Browne, first came to the Warrnambool district in 1842, visiting the Bolden brothers’ property, Grasmere. He camped on the banks of the Merri River for about six months and described the area, including Warrnambool Bay, some years later in his book Old Melbourne Memories. In 1844 Thomas Browne established the property, Squattleseamere near Bessiebelle, north west of Portland. He remained there for ten years then moved to New South Wales. The last forty years of his life were spent writing and he became well-known for the classic Australian novel, Robbery Under Arms. This book is retained because it is a 19th century example of the writings of Rolf Boldrewood. He is important in Warrnambool’s early history as he was in the area in the early 1840s. His account of the area at that time is the most important one we have of the area that was later to be the site of the new settlement of Warrnambool.This is a soft cover book of 188 pages. The cover is brown with red edging and lettering and is partly detached from the binding. The spine is partly missing. The pages are dog-eared and there is some foxing. The text is printed in two columns to a page. Frank J. Donovanrolf boldrewood (thomas browne), bolden brothers in the warrnambool area, warrnambool history, the miners right

Joseph Wilder, a professional photographer, came to Warrnambool in 1860 and took a series of photographs, two of which survive today. One was of the local Volunteer Corps and the other was a series of photographs taken from Cannon Hill showing Merri Street and the town and buildings beyond. It seems that copies of these last-mentioned photographs were framed to produce a large panoramic view of 1860 Warrnambool and one of these was given to the old Warrnambool Museum in the 1880s by James Astley Bromfield. He had established a chemist’s shop in Warrnambool in 1854 and showed his interest in the history of the young town by producing a map in 1856 showing the first landowners, a seminal resource today for historians. He again demonstrated this interest when he included the names of the people and places in the 1860 photograph he gave to the museum in the 1880s. The frame fragment was found amongst the collection of items from the old Museum at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and brought to the Historical Society to accompany the original series of photographs. Bromfield went to live in Melbourne in the 1880s. It is presumed that the plastic cover has been placed on the frame fragment at a much later date than the 1880s.This frame fragment is interesting and very important for several reasons:- 1. It is one demonstration of the interest that James Astley Bromfield had in local history 2. It came from the old Warrnambool Museum and shows how that institution kept items of historical interest 3. It gives us the names of the people and places in the Joseph Wilder photographs of 1860 that placed together form a panorama that reveals what a major section of Warrnambool looked like only 13 years after its foundation. The list enables us to correctly identify the early places and people and so is invaluable for research purposes 4. It links a Museum exhibit of the 1880s with the original 1860 photographs which are held by the Historical Society This is a piece of wood broken from a frame containing a photograph. It has jagged edges. It contains the list of people and places depicted in the Joseph Wilder panorama photograph of Warrnambool in 1860. The list is handwritten in ink on paper which has been attached to the frame with a piece of plastic. Warrnambool in 1860 Photographed by Wilder. Showing children of the late Andrew Semple etc In red pencil – ‘Keep’, in ink, ‘Keep’ On separate piece of paper - Presented to Warrnambool Mechanics’ Muzeum by James Astley Bromfield, August 3rd 1886 joseph wilder 1860, panorama of warrnambool

This dictionary belonged to John Brass, an early settler in South Warrnambool. He owned several block of land and operated a lighterage business with John Young. As a lighterman and boatman he was well-known in Warrnambool. He was drowned in March 1895 while attempting to cross a temporary foot bridge across the Merri River. His house (probably in Stanley Street) was built in 1868 and remained as an interesting example of a lighterman’s cottage until1974. The dictionary probably became the property of W. Macdonald after John Brass’ death. No information has been found on this W. Macdonald. This book is of interest as it belonged to John Brass, an important early settler in South Warrnambool. This is a hard cover book of 974 pages. The cover is green with embossed patterning and lettering on the front cover and gold lettering on the spine. The book has a Preface, a Contents page, the Dictionary entries and an Appendix. There are many illustrations, from engravings on wood, scattered throughout the text. The cloth binding is coming loose and there are several loose pages. The last page is missing. The inscriptions are written in pencil and in blue ink and there are red stamps of John Brass. The cover is stained and faded. ‘John Brass, South Warrnambool, Victoria, Aust- 1893’ ‘June 5 x 6 x 93’ ‘J.Brass, Jetty’ Stamps – ‘John Brass, South Warrnambool’ ‘W.J. Macdonald, Moyston, Dec.23-11-95’ ‘W.J.McDonald’ john brass, history of south warrnambool, w. macdonald (moyston), warrnambool’s maritime history

This small note book belonged to John Ross, the Warrnambool Town Surveyor and Engineer (1889-1906 & 1913-1914). The book lists the levels taken for the benefit of contractors undertaking jobs for the Warrnambool Council from 1898 to 1902. The jobs include ‘Russells Creek from the Merri River upwards’, ‘Outlet at the Flume’, ‘Guns at the Battery’ and Drainage from the Terminus Hotel to the end of the Japan Street Tunnel’. John Ross was also in private practice with the architectural firm of Ross and Jackman. This notebook is of considerable interest because it is an original note book that belonged to John Ross, the Warrnambool Town Surveyor and Engineer in the late 19h century and early 20th century. The note book contains important information on the engineering projects in Warrnambool and district from 1898 to 1902. This note book has a red leather cover. The cover is a little creased. The inside pages have ruled red lines and printed headings regarding the levels taken of a site and the location of the site (1898 to 1902). The engineer’s entries in the printed columns are handwritten , mostly in pencil. The inscription on the first page is handwritten in black ink. ‘Jno C Ross, Town Surveyor Wbool 19/5/98’ john ross, warrnambool town council, history of warrnambool

This ledger contains original Warrnambool Standard newspaper cuttings of the eleven articles written by Henri Worland on the early history of Warrnambool. The subject matter includes the Post and Telegraph Office, Punts over the Merri and Hopkins Rivers, Transport in the Early Days, Early Exploration, Minjah Station and the History of the Breakwater. Henri Worland (1883-1972) was Warrnambool’s most important 20th century local historian. He was the Town Clerk of Warrnambool from 1918 to 1949 and his intense interest in Warrnambool’s history led him to collect and preserve a great amount of local history material. He wrote extensively on Warrnambool’s history and gave talks on the local radio station over a period of many years.These newspaper cuttings are of interest as examples of the many local history articles written by the important Warrnambool historian Henri Worland. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society has a collection of Worland’s original writings in his own handwriting. This is a ledger book with a brown-coloured cover with red binding. There is a label pasted on to the front cover with black printing on it. The ledger has indented alphabet tabs and the pages are ruled with red lines for ledger purposes but these have not been used. The ledger has been used to paste in original cuttings from the Warrnambool Standard newspaper (Henri Worland articles from the 1940s). One page contains two copies of old photographs. Some of the pages have been reinforced with staples and some pages have become detached from the binding. ‘Ledger’ henri worland, history of warrnambool

These documents relate to the sale of land in Merri Street Warrnambool in 1959 by Swintons Pty Ltd of Warrnambool. The buyer of the land was George O’Grady, a Warrnambool baker. The land sold for £4000 and there was a shed on the land (called the ‘Office’) which George O’Grady indicated he wished to be included in the sale. William and Ann Swinton migrated to Australia in 1854 and for a decade William Swinton worked as a builder and carpenter in the Warrnambool area, erecting many buildings, including the Wangoom Presbyterian Church. In 1865 he opened a store in Timor Street Warrnambool, selling groceries, hardware, china and glassware. By 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch stores were opened in Wangoom, Cudgee, Nullawarre, South Warrnambool and West Warrnambool. After William Swinton died his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split with George Swinton and Sons selling clothing, furnishings and glassware and Swintons Pty Ltd selling seeds, produce and hardware. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding shop in Timor St Warrnambool.These items are of some interest as being connected to the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty Ltd. They will be of interest to researchers. The current Swinton business in Timor Street is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the name Swinton associated with businesses in Timor Street Warrnambool for 152 years it is amongst the oldest family businesses in Australia.The items here relate to the sale of land by Swintons Pty Ltd., Warrnambool. .1 These are three pages of white paper with typed material, a lawyer’s signature in blue ink, one green stamp and a sketch of the land location. .2 This is a sheet of thick paper containing a plan of the land sold. The paper has printed material and a sketch of the land with part of it coloured in pink. .3 This is a small piece of paper torn at the bottom right edge. It has handwritten material (a letter) in blue ink..2 ‘Plan of Survey of Part of Crown Allotment 18 Section 3 Township of .2 ‘Plan of Survey of Part of Crown Allotment 18 Section 3 Township of Warrnambool Parish of Wangoom County of Villiers’ .3 ‘Tuesday Dear Mr Swinton I am writing to say that I would like to have the ‘Office’ Thanking You George O’Grady’swinton family,, warrnambool

This map contains the names, acreage details and dates of the original property owners of the Parish of Wangoom (County of Villiers), excluding the township of Warrnambool. It also has details of the Crown Lands adjoining the Merri and Hopkins Rivers. This is a most important map as it has details on the original property owners. It is a most valuable research tool and is one of our most-used maps.This is a map, printed in black and white and mounted on cardboard. Where there was intensive land ownership the details have been reproduced in larger print on the margins of the map. There are scuff and dirt marks on the map but it is otherwise in good condition.‘Wangoom, County of Villiers’wangoom, warrnambool, county of villiers