Elizabeth (Bessie) Mercer, a daughter of Henry Boyd Mercer and Deborah Mercer née Sinclair, was born 23/8/1873 at Spring Hill (near present-day Pittong). She attended Spring Vale State School where she achieved her Merit Certificate. She registered as a teacher in 1891 and completed further training to become a teacher of gymnastics in 1896. Bessie married David Brown of Chepstowe, and they farmed at Pittong. They had two children, Vera and Roy. Bessie Brown died in 1940. Bessie and her sister Emma were very involved with the war effort during World War I, and after the war they were presented with certificates of appreciation by the Linton "Diggers". (Copies of certificates in the LDHS collection.)Black and white copy of original photograph of a seated lady wearing dark skirt and blouse with a high neck and ruffles. Standing beside her is a girl wearing a light coloured knee length dress and black shoes and socks. She is also wearing glasses, a cameo necklace and a white bow in her hair."Mrs Bessie Brown + daughter Vera".elizabeth (bessie) brown née elizabeth mercer, vera brown

Two newspaper cuttings from the Bendigo Advertiser, no date. One cutting refers to the fourth annual meeting and mentions the officers re-elected. The second one mentions office bearers elected, and the success of their trading tables.Bendigo Advertiseressential services, red cross, ephemera, john jones collection - st paul's red cross circle, mrs e h pickford, mrs a l beischer, miss hobson, mrs f jones, mrs m webster, mrs w i jones, mrs a j secombe, mrs w webster, mrs e vains, mr w b murdock, mrs allot, mrs sanson, mrs smith, mrs b f pidgeon, mrs a w nankervis, mrs a e brown, mrs r wallace, mrs a m bush, miss wooltorton, miss w hobson, miss barbara marsh, mrs m jenkin, mrs wright, canon e h pickford, mr t hall, mrs k emonson, marea, bendigo advertiser

Silver plated bowl with wooden base.Grape design around rimEmerald Country Club Associates Mrs..L.J. Brown Trophy

Black covered exercise book with red edges on the pages. Book contains handwritten minutes of the St Paul's Red Cross Branch between the years 1939 to 1945. List of members in the back of the book: Mrs Trembearths, Nellor, R Wallace, W Webster, Wynd, J M Winterbottom, Watts, Wilson, A Gittens, N Richardson, Miss Leslie, Nuttall, Mrs Roxburgh, Burridge, A Brown, T Cambridge, Corner, W Draper, H Euring W Euring, Gall, Magee, Gibbon, Hampson, S L Reed, F Jones, J Jones, Killian, Malloy, Mansell, Marshall, Palmer, Pidgeon, Putman, Redin, G Rumboldt Jun, O Williams, A E Wallace, G Wright, Wooltorton, Yeo, Allat, Starkey, Goyne, Fabrian, Fox,book, bendigo, bendigo organisations & businesses, john jones collection - st paul's red cross branch minute book, mrs trembearths, nellor, r wallace, w webster, wynd, j m winterbottom, watts, wilson, a gittens, n richardson, miss leslie, nuttall, mrs roxburgh, burridge, a brown, t cambridge, corner, w draper, h euring w euring, gall, magee, gibbon, hampson, s l reed, f jones, j jones, killian, malloy, mansell, marshall, palmer, pidgeon, putman, redin, g rumboldt jun, o williams, a e wallace, g wright, wooltorton, yeo, allat, starkey, goyne, fabrian, fox

Zillah Brown (nee Baxter), was the wife of a pioneer of the district, Mr Hugh Brown. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Black and white studio photo of Mrs Zillah Brown and her son, Thomas. Mrs Brown was the wife of Mr Hugh Brown.University Studios 306 Lygon St. Carltonhugh brown, mordialloc, pioneer, zillah brown, zillah baxter, pine vale

Australia's Red Cross was formed 9 days after war was declared in 1914. Seven ladies gathered at the home of Mrs J.B. Pearson in Berwick shortly after and decided to form the Berwick Branch of the Australian Red Cross. Mrs Scott Sharp became the first president and Mrs A.E. Thomas, the first secretary of the branch. The other 5 founding members were Mrs L.D. Beaumont, Mrs William Wilson, Mrs John Brown, Mrs Chris Griffiths and Mrs Pearson. An 18.5 x 12.5 cm black and white photograph of seven ladies on the steps of a building. Three ladies are standing behind four ladies sitting. The lady at the front left appears to be sitting on the steps, the others look to be sitting on chairs. The photo appears to have been taken during the colder months as all ladies are wearing coats and/or furs and hats. The photo is mounted on a board behind interleaving in a white patterned paper folder.Inside front cover in black pen: This photo was taken on the steps of Mrs. Pearson's home, still in use as part of present St. Margaret's School - 1984. Below photograph in same handwriting and pen: Back Row, L to R:- Mrs A.E. Thomas (Secretary) Mrs. L.D. Beaumont, Mrs. Wm Wilson. Front Row, L to R:- Mrs. John Brown, Mrs. Chris Griffiths, Mrs. J.B. Pearson, Mrs Scott Sharp (President). BERWICK RED CROSS BRANCH 1914berwick red cross, berwick (vic.)

Mr & Mrs Charles Brownstawell

Mrs Jeanette Lawson nee Brown born Cathgart NSW 11/3/1895, husband Craigie Lawson died 1964Colour photograph of Mrs Jeanette Lawson nee Brown former Postmistress of Wiseleigh P.O. celebrating her 104th birthday at Private Nursing Home Kalimna Victoriagenealogy, celebrations

Image taken of the Geelong Lawn Tennis Association Section 21 Champions for Season 1982.1 photograph of Premiership tennis teamStanding, D. Lyons, D. Keating, G. Bradbury Seated, Miss F. Krafft, Miss S. McCormack, Mrs C. Brown, Miss M. Hanrahanleopold tennis club, d keating, g bradbury, s mccormack, c brown, m hanrahan, geelong lawn tennis association, daryl lyons, fiona krafft

A bridesmaid's frock worn by Mrs. Dorrie Brown 0f Frances Street Vermont for her sister's wedding. Donated by her niece.1945 Pale green satin brocade bridesmaid's frock. Puff sleeves, heart shaped neck line, long waisted with gathered skirt. Long length.costume, female ceremonial, costume, female

Image taken of the Bellarine Peninsula Tennis Association Grade 14 Champions for Season 1983-84.1 photograph of Premiership tennis teamStanding, M. Howard, K. Robilliard (Capt.), D. Keating Seated, Miss L. Marra, Miss S. Wheeler, Miss R. Dawson, Mrs C. Brownleopold tennis club, bellarine peninsula tennis association, m howard, k robilliard, d keating, l marra, s wheeler, r dawson, c brown

Image taken of the Geelong Lawn Tennis Association Section 19 Premiership team for Season 1978.1 photograph of Premiership tennis teamStanding, A. Mason, M. Cass (Capt.), G. Paech, D. Mason Seated, Miss N. Pearse, Miss S. Hanrahan, Miss P. Dadds, Mrs C. Brownleopold tennis club, geelong lawn tennis association, a mason, m cass, g paech, d mason, n pearse, s hanrahan, p dadds, c brown

E B Browning: Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English poet of the Victorian era, popular in Britain and the United States during her lifetime. Born in County Durham, the eldest of 11 children, Elizabeth Barrett wrote poetry from the age of eleven. J H Ingram: John Henry Ingram was an English biographer and editor with a special interest in Edgar Allan Poe. Ingram was born at 29 City Road, Finsbury Square, Middlesex, and died at Brighton, England. His family lived at Stoke Newington, recollections of which appear in Poe's works.Re publishing of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poems with a Memoir by John H. Ingram well known biography & editor, item is significant as it was a new edition published in 1887 of works by a famous poet with also the involvement of J H Ingram.Book with red cover with title of Mrs Browning in gold letteringTitled "The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning". From 1836 to 1844, edited with a Memoir by John H. Ingram. Published in London, New York and Melbourne, by Ward, Lock & co. Limited. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, the poetical works of elizabeth barrett browning, book, elizabeth barrett browning, poetry

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. 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 when Pattison accepted the 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 areas 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 from 1942 to 1945 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 NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. 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 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. Poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning Author: Elizabeth Browning (Mrs E B Browning) Publisher: George Routledge & Sons Date: 1887 The label on spine cover with typed text PAT 821 BRO Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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

This hot water bottle was designed to lay flat in a bed between the sheets. Its purpose was to warm the bed before use. The bottle was filled with hot water then a stopper was placed in the top to seal it, preventing the water from running out. The inscription on the attached label of this hot water bottle gives both the donor's details and the location of the bottle when it was first displayed at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. the "P.M.O." are the initials for the Port Medical Office. The donor's details are also written in pencil on the base of the bottle. In the 16th-century people warmed their beds with the 'bed warmer', which was a long-handled, metal pan filled with hot coals and embers and covered with a lid. The pan was placed between the bedsheets to warm the bed before the person retired to sleep for the night. In the early 19th-century earthenware bed warmers came began to be used for the same purpose. They would be filled with hot water and sealed then often wrapped in fabric. The ceramic material would hold the heat for quite some time, without being too hot for the person in bed to also warm their feet as they went off to sleep. Hot water bottles were later made from glass, copper, brass or tin. Some manufacturers made them into decorative pieces that still had practical use. In 1903 a patent was taken out for the first rubber hot water bottle, invented by Slavoljub Eduard Penkala, a Croatian engineer. This bottle is of historic significance, as an example of personal heating equipment used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Hot water bottle, earthenware, pale colour with brown glaze on top over the shoulder and mouth section and clear glaze on the remainder of the sides. The cylindrical bottle tapers to a slightly narrower base. One side of the bottle, about a sixth of the circumference, is flat. The base of the bottle has a handwritten inscription. An inscription was on the paper label originally attached to the bottle. Inscription hand written on base of bottle "Mrs K. Rob _ / Browns Rd / Offic / 3 _ _ 9" Inscription on paper label " "Mrs K Robinson Browns Rd Officer 3809 - Hot water bottle P.M.O." flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, domestic item, hot water bottle, heating equipment, ceramic bottle, stoneware bottle, potter, earthenware, personal item, bed warmer, foot warmer, flat-sided hot water bottle, household item, stoneware, clay, ceramic

Stawell Bowling Club 1929 opening day. Seated front centre Mayor Cr C Brown and Mayoress Mrs. Brown (Holding flowers). Black and white photograph of a group of people seated and standing infront of the pavilian.Stawell Bowling Club 1929 See Page 8 Club History (Mag. Box 4) Page 8: 1929, the pavilion faced east, location, B Green Stawell Bowling Club Opening Day, Names listed by W. Holmes (snr). Second row, from left, reading left to right: 1, C. Johnson; 2, Geo Smith; 3, J. McDonald; 4, J. G. McDonald; 5, Bob McCracken; 6, Bill Carter; 7, Rowlands; 8, G. Sharpley; 9, 'Tug' Wilson; 10, Jack Bennett; 11, Bert Whiteside; 12, Syd Maddison; 13, Leck Grant; 14, Don Wright; 15, Vicar Anderson; 16, Alex Larkin. Front row: 9, Charlie Brown (Mayor); 10, Mrs Brown; 13, Gus Haase, President. Ron Robson explained the entrance to pavilion and the green was from Victoria Street, gate entrance approx where single gate is now (1991), facing Cato Park. W.J. Chapman Photo Artist Stawell stawell sport

PHOTOGRAPH DONATED BY MR.&MRS. CRICK 36 BROWNS PARADE WENDOUREEOVAL PHOTOGRAPH ON RECTANGULAR BACKING OF FOUR WOMEN PLAYING CROQUET?."CLUNES 6.6.14"local history, photography, photograph, early citizens

.1) Postcard photo with a poem "Hail Australia" central, photo inset oval shape with soldier in peak hat, background has a kangaroo and bush. .2) Postcard photo, sepia tone with boat central and a tugboat alongside. .1) On rear in pencil: "Mrs C Brown, New York Hotel, Bourke St Melbourne 26/7/18" .2) On rear in blue pen: " A warship First World War, My brother sailed on it to war - Lilian Holding (Donaldson)post cards, poetry, warship

roses, old-fashioned roses, australian women's weekly, growing roses, h d price, jocelyn brown

Pleasant Creek Cross Reef Quartz Mining Co No2 Poppet Head constructed 1868. On christening of the Engine, Mrs. T. Brown christened it "The Duke of Edinburgh". At the back of the winding engine building of the No2 Shaft is the Grant and Lamont Crushing Battery built in June 1876. On right can be seen the Whim of the Pioneer and Galatea mine.Poppet Head and Winding House of Pleasant Creek Cross Reef Quartz Mining Co mine. Tree on left and bushes in foreground. Three chimneys prominent on right of photograph.stawell

St. Patrick’s Tennis Club Opening c 1929 -1931. St Patrick Church in background. The photo was taken at St Patrick's tennis courts. Possible the opening. The tall gentleman standing near front, slightly right, hat in hand wearing button hole with his wife holding a Rosey is the mayor and Mayoress Mr. & Mrs. C. Brown. Gentleman near left front in collar & tie is Mr. Cowman.Black and white photograph of a large group of people assembled for a special occasion. Church building in background.stawell sport religion

As well as the official opening for the Low Vision Clinic extension of Kelaston, the residents also had their own party to celebrate the opening. Mrs Jill Bothe, occupational therapist, samples some food with Mrs Sainty, Miss Sharry, Mrs McDonald and Mrs Brown. A red ribbon was tied across the doorway with residents waiting to see who will cut it.2 x colour photographs of Kelaston residentskelaston home (ballarat), association for the blind, jill bothe

Australia's Red Cross was formed 9 days after war was declared in 1914. Seven ladies gathered at the home of Mrs J.B. Pearson in Berwick shortly after and decided to form the Berwick Branch of the Australian Red Cross. Mrs Scott Sharp became the first president and Mrs A.E. Thomas, the first secretary of the branch. The other 5 founding members were Mrs L.D. Beaumont, Mrs William Wilson, Mrs John Brown, Mrs Chris Griffiths and Mrs Pearson. Minute books for the Great War years, 1920s and 30s were destroyed in a house fire. School Note book with blue lines. Starting in 1969, each page has membership, raffle, Door Knock and donation information to 1984.red cross berwick/upper beaconsfield, membership records, upper beaconsfield (vic.), berwick (vic.)

Australia's Red Cross was formed 9 days after war was declared in 1914. Seven ladies gathered at the home of Mrs J.B. Pearson in Berwick shortly after and decided to form the Berwick Branch of the Australian Red Cross. Mrs Scott Sharp became the first president and Mrs A.E. Thomas, the first secretary of the branch. The other 5 founding members were Mrs L.D. Beaumont, Mrs William Wilson, Mrs John Brown, Mrs Chris Griffiths and Mrs Pearson. Minute books for the Great War years, 1920s and 30s were destroyed in a house fire.Blue vinyl padded covers with silver embossed 'Guests' on a diagonal white stripe across the cover. Inside pages contain guest lists for the Unit's 70th, 75th, 80th and 90th anniversary functions.Donated by Mrs. Helen Hudson. Berwick/Upper Beaconsfield Unit. Celebrating 70 years of Red Cross 1914- 1984. red cross berwick/upper beaconsfield, guest book

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. 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 when Pattison accepted the 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 areas 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 from 1942 to 1945 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 NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison. 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. Two Great Englishwomen Mrs Browning and Charlotte Bronte Author: Peter Bayne Publisher: James Clarke & Co Date: 18841 Edition:The label on spine cover with typed text PAT 824 BAY Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, two great englishwomen, peter bayne, mrs. browning, charlottle bronte