John Griffin’s wool classing exercise books from 1941-1943 when he was a student at the Gordon Institute in Geelong. John and his father John Henry Griffin owned a farm in Dunkeld and bred fine merino wool. One year they topped the wool sales figures for the area, in the late 1940s. There are four books in total. One book is on the topic of Veterinary Science and is from 1941. It contains information on topics such as birth and early lamb life, bone structure and other internal organisms of a sheep, such as the heart. Another book is on Wool Classing with topics such as wool scouring, dipping, shearing and micron counts. The third book is on general shearing shed knowledge. This includes a diagram for rolling a fleece, correct method for stamping a wool bale and branding abbreviations. The final book is on the History the Merino Sheep. It is a long form essay answer booklet. The Gordon institute and wool are synonymous with one another, the first class in wool sorting was offered at the Gordon in 1891. With much of the wool clip sent directly to England at this time, The Gordon's focus soon shifted to wool classing and marketing. By the 1930s, The Gordon's wool school was renowned as the state's wool industry training centre. Early specialist short courses were offered around Victoria to assist wool growers in preparing their clip for market, with modules on sheep breeding and pasture development included in the programs. Anne Griffin’s, John’s daughter, donated the exercise books to the National Wool Museum in 2021. Book 1 is predominately blue circular cover with cream background. Middle of book has pink highlighter mark. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. It also has four black ink markings Book 2 is predominately blue circular cover with cream background. Book has red tape across the spine. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. Book 3 is predominately blue plaid cover with cream background. Middle of book has pink highlighter handwriting which has been crossed with the same colour, leaving the text unreadable. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. Book 4 is predominately blue diagonal striped book with cream background. Middle of book has small picture of Australia. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. Book 1. Front cover: “All Schools” / EXERCISE BOOK / NAME Jack Griffin Grade Gordon Institute School of Technology(?) / Approved by the / Education Department Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) Book 2. Front cover: 2nd & 3rd / “All Schools” / EXERCISE BOOK / Name Jack Griffin / Grade 2 / School the Gordon / Approved by the / Education Department Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) Book 3. Front cover: Embassy / EXERCUSE BOOK / Name John Griffin / Grade 1 / School (?) / APPROVED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) Book 4. Front cover: EXERCISE / APPROVED BY EDUCATION DEPT. / BOOK / NAME Jack Griffin / GRADE 3 / SCHOOL Gordon Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) gordon institute geelong, wool classing, 1940s sheep farming, note book, study, student

Belonged to Thomas Alan Broadbent No 15887 46th Batt, KIA 20.9.18. Refer 2322.2 for service history also 2567P..1) Wallet, black leather, folding, lined with pale blue corded silk/rayon. .2) Note book, black, stiff cardboard, lined pages containing addresses military and civilian. Sprigs of Cypress foliage in note book..1) In gold lettering on Right hand fly "T.A.B"note books, containers, military

The note book begins on 27.2.1942 describing Japanese raids on Darwin. The notes were written by Lawrence Vernon Andrews VX114736. Refer Cat No 4228 for his service details.Cream satin covered note book with a plastic loop to hold a pencil, paper pages, hand written entries.note books, darwin raids,

In May 2005, a State Foundations Educators' Meeting was held at the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria's headquarters in Elsternwick. This photo depicts several attendees seated at tables during the meeting.COL photo of a group of people seated at tables set in a circle formation. There are various items on the tables, such as a small brass bell, folders, diaries and note books, a pencil, a glass, and a lunchbox. In the background, there is a set of large bi-fold doors held in the closed position, with the last panel opening out into the room behind.[On a white label, typed in black ink] State Foundations - Educators Meeting May 2005arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, osteoporosis victoria, ov, state foundations, educators, meeting, 2005

In May 2005, a State Foundations Educators' Meeting was held at the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria's headquarters in Elsternwick. This photo depicts most of the attendees seated at tables during the meeting.COL photo of a group of people seated at tables set in a circle formation. There are various items on the tables, such as a small brass bell, folders, diaries, note books, leaflets, pens and pencils, a lunchbox, and a platter of apples. In the background, there is a set of double glass doors with a large window on either side. The windows have venetian blinds attached.[On a white label, typed in black ink] State Foundations - Educators Meeting May 2005arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, osteoporosis victoria, ov, state foundations, educators, meeting, 2005

In May 2005, a State Foundations Educators' Meeting was held at the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria's headquarters in Elsternwick. This photo depicts several attendees seated at tables during the meeting.COL photo of a group of people seated at tables set in a circle formation. There are various items on the tables, such as a small brass bell, folders, diaries and note books, a lunchbox and glasses, and a platter of apples. In the background, there is a telephone affixed to the wall next to a display board. There are posters pinned to the display board, with headings such as "Active Living Age is no barrier to good health" and "The Pyramid of Good Health". In the centre-left of the frame, there is a set of large bi-fold doors folded back in the open position. To the right of the frame, there is a large whiteboard affixed to a perpendicular wall.[On a white label, typed in black ink] State Foundations - Educators Meeting May 2005arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, osteoporosis victoria, ov, state foundations, educators, meeting, 2005

This book was produced after the Royal tour of Australia and New Zealand 1954 . Many people went to see the Queen as there was a lot of interest in the occasion. This was the first time a reigning monarch had toured Australia and Queen Elizabeth being a new young Queen was very popular and attracted very large crowds where ever she went. Mt Beauty residents including Cubs, Brownies, Scouts and Guides travelled to Benalla Railway Station to see the Queen on the Royal Train. Historical: At the time there was a lot of interest in Royalty. Provenance: Clare Roper, a local lady from Tawonga visited the Queen at Buckingham palace as a representative of CWA and therefore was particularly interested in the Queen's visit. KVHS has the dress that Clare wore, in their collection. Local residents recall travelling in 1954 to Benalla Railway Station to see the Queen on the Royal Train.This book has a blue hard cover with its original shiny paper cover over it. This paper cover is the Australian flag with white writing of the title, some of the stars and the red part in the top left corner. The back of the paper cover is blue with the Southern Cross. On the inside of the hard cover is a full size picture of the Queen meeting a group of early Australians & settlers with a group of soldiers in line saluting and a ship in the background. This picture is repeated on the cover at the back .On cover page in blue ink 'Clare Roper' At back attached with sticky tape to last page - a note: Vanour(?) Books / Mrs C. Roper & Mrs G. Richardson clare roper. queen. royal visit., 1952-1953. cwa. tawonga., queen elizabeth

Yields information about the rosters or the work patterns of the crews in operating the Ballarat tramway towards the time of closure. Has a strong association with the crews themselves as they had to know these on the job.Set of 3 sheets on heat sensitive paper of the roster or timetables of the various tram runs for crews detailing the time they sign on, what services they operate, times, meals, who relieves or takes them, and times finishing, total times and any notes eg change of tram type. Hand written on foolscap size graph paper, with additional notes in ink on each run as needed. Would have allowed the crews to copy into their own note books. Sundays - 1 - 8. 2nd copy added 3/1/2020 See Reg Item 5414 for Weekdays and 5415 for Saturdays.trams, tramways, rosters, timetables, crews, shifts, ballarat

Yields information about the rosters or the work patterns of the crews in operating the Ballarat tramway towards the time of closure. Has a strong association with the crews themselves as they had to know these on the job.Set of 10 sheets on heat sensitive paper of the roster or timetables of the various tram runs for crews detailing the time they sign on, what services they operate, times, meals, who relieves or takes them, and times finishing, total times and any notes eg change of tram type. Hand written on foolscap size graph paper, with additional notes in ink on each run as needed. Would have allowed the crews to copy into their own note books. Weekdays - 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 - 20, 22 - 30, 34 - 38. 2nd copy added 3/1/2020 See Reg Item 5415 for Saturdays and 5416 for Sundays.trams, tramways, rosters, timetables, crews, shifts, ballarat

Yields information about the rosters or the work patterns of the crews in operating the Ballarat tramway towards the time of closure. Has a strong association with the crews themselves as they had to know these on the job.Set of 8 sheets on heat sensitive paper of the roster or timetables of the various tram runs for crews detailing the time they sign on, what services they operate, times, meals, who relieves or takes them, and times finishing, total times and any notes eg change of tram type. Hand written on foolscap size graph paper, with additional notes in ink on each run as needed. Would have allowed the crews to copy into their own note books. Saturdays - 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13 - 29, 33. 2nd copy added 3/1/2020. See Reg Items 5414 for Weekdays and 5416 for Saturdaystrams, tramways, rosters, timetables, crews, shifts, ballarat

In May 2005, a State Foundations Educators' Meeting was held at the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria's headquarters in Elsternwick. This photo depicts most of the attendees seated at tables during the meeting.COL photo of a group of people seated at tables set in a circle formation. There are various items on the tables, such as a small brass bell, folders, diaries, note books, leaflets, pens and pencils, a glass, a lunchbox, and a platter of apples. In the background are two display boards affixed to the wall, with posters pinned on the boards. The posters on one board contain headings such as "Active Living: get stronger with age", "National Healthy Bones Week", and "10 Steps for Living Well". The posters on the other board contain headings such as "Active Living Age is no barrier to good health", and "The Pyramid of Good Health". In the centre-left of the frame, there is a set of large bi-fold doors folded back in the open position. Further along the wall, there is a closed door. To the right of the frame, there is a large whiteboard affixed to a perpendicular wall.[On a white label, typed in black ink] State Foundations - Educators Meeting May 2005arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, osteoporosis victoria, ov, state foundations, educators, meeting, 2005

Tawonga's first recorded game was against Yackandandah in 1893 at Tawonga. Tawonga folded up in 1957 enabling Bogong to have 2 teams, the firsts and seconds in 1958. Bogong merged with Dederang in 1976 and became the Dederang-Mt Beauty Football Club. Bogong joined the Yackandandah league in 1947. In 1954 Bogong entered the Ovens & King League. In 1960 Bogong United was in the Tallangatta League with Tallangatta, Kiewa, Kergunyah, Dederang, Lavington, Bandiana, Bullioh, Mitta United, Barnawartha, Sandy Creek and Yackandandah. The Kiewa league was formed in 1923. In the 1930's Tawonga was in the Chiltern League then the Dederang League, then the Yackandandah League and then the Tallangatta League.The papers are a primary source of the history of the Bogong, Tawonga, Dederang and Mt Beauty Football Clubs. They include family names of players and families living in the Kiewa Valley at the time and increase an understanding of the social changes country areas have undergone during the period covered.Paper records for local (Upper Kiewa Valley) football clubs' history including minute books, notes, journals, newspaper cuttings, footy records and booklet produced for the Dederang-Mt Beauty Golden Jubilee in 1998.football clubs; upper kiewa valley; sport

Hardcover with grey, scarlet picture of three nurses.non-fictionMilitary nursing, Queensland. historynurses, boer war, world war one, world war two, vietnam

Hardcover with grey, scarlet picture of three nurses.non-fictionMilitary nursing, Queensland. historynurses, boer war, world war one, world war two, vietnam

These two exercise books contain notes on Methods of Teaching and were produced at a Teachers' College in Victoria sometime in the 20th century. They belonged to Claire O'Keefe who came from the Winslow area.These books are of some interest as examples of tertiary education notebooks from the past.1 A black-covered exercise book with ruled pages and handwritten notes in blue ink. .2 A red-covered exercise book with ruled pages and handwritten notes in blue ink C. O'Keefe Method of Teachingvintage school exercise books, methods of teaching texts, claire o'keefe winslow

Set of papers - 20 hand prepared foolscap sheets, giving notes on the PMTT depots, extracts from Surveyor field books, notes on doubtful matters, sketches of curves, surveyor notes, relevant dates of surveys, Items 2041 to 2052 within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "PMTT" in red pencil.trams, tramways, pmtt, malvern, routes, track, malvern depot, kew depot, surveys

Contains extensive typed historical notes including excerpts from books, plans and maps which provide details on the Buninyong railway line. Contents page still to be developed. The line opened in 1889 for freight and passengers. It continued operating until the 1940s. Detailed historical notes housed in this folder.railways, buninyong railway, buninyong station, trains, transport

Set of research notes of the Minute books of the Hawthorn Tramways Trust held in the Public Records Office of Victoria. Prepared by Warren Doubleday September to December 2015. Summarises the various meeting minutes in the two journals, hand written, inspection, finance and works committees of the HTT. Photocopied 33 A4 pages.trams, tramways, htt, hawthorn, public records office, minutes, meetings

These books are part of the Lawless Collection. The Lawless family lived in Orbost from 1907 - c 1920. John Francis Lawless had a saddlery shop. He died at an early age - 47 years - June 7 1912, leaving his wife, Elizabeth and seven children. The eldest son, Victor Rowland lawless volunteered for serv ice in WW1 but did not leave Australia because of illness. The second son, Edward Vincent Lawless (b 1895 d 1917) worked for McCoy & Co. in Orbost, coachbuilding, undertakers, general blacksmiths and farriers, prior to enlisting in WW!. He was trained as a signaller and was sent to France where he was killed in action on 9.10.1917. Elizabeth Lawless worked as a ladies' nurse (midwife) in Orbost prior to leaving the district in 1920. She lived to 6.6.1975 aged 104 years.These personal documents, photographs, medals and books give an insight into the human element of World War 1 ensuring that those who were part of the Orbost community and died while playing a vital role during this time are remembered.Three books used by Edward Vincent Lawless during his service in WW1. 1846.5 has a black cover and contains hand-written notes and diagrams in an exercise book. 1846.6 has a purple cover and contains hand-written notes on bombing. 1846.7 is a small book with a black cover and a ribbon for tying closed. It contains signalling notes1846.5 Edward Lawless 1846.6 E.V. Lawless 1846.7 Ted Lawless A Group Signalling 6th Battalion 22/6 Lark Hill School No 5 Camp No 5 Camp B Coylawless-family ww1 books signalling

Visiting seafarers signed the books on arriving at the mission.The logbook provides an insight into which ships and the origins of their crews were visiting Melbourne from 1999 to 2004. On the cover is a yellow post-it note bearing the words: Melbourne Visitors Log 27/10/99 06/08/04visitor, logbook, seamen, sailors, seafarers, mission to seafarers, seamen mission, flinders street, nationality, ship

These are the notebooks of Redmond Barry, made when he first arrived in the colony, covering the period 1839 into the early 1840s. They relate to the days when he was a barrister and appearing as an advocate in a number of cases. One volume is devoted to Barry's notes about his cases, the other a book of legal precdents that he was collecting and annotating.These volumes are of state significance, Barry's role in colonial Victorian History is an important one and these volumes relate to his early years in the colony.Two volumes of small leather bound books. Redmond Barry's Book of Cases and Book of Precedents. redmond barry

In UK in early 1800's the word 'mechanic' was applied to a broader range of skills such as working man, tradesman or artisan. Mechanics' Institutes were formed originally for voluntary, self-funded organisations, to improve the education of working men and to instruct them on their various trades. The germ of the idea came from a class formed in 1799 by Professor George Birbeck in Glasgow, Scotland, for journeymen mechanics (apprentice trade workers), with the first Institutes being organised in London and Manchester in the 1820's. By then the original aim had broadened and the Mechanics' Institutes were established as popular agencies of adult education. The Mechanics' Institutes were run by committees that provided facilities for a meeting room, hall suitable for lectures, and a library. Funding was raised locally and often supplemented by grants from government agencies for the purchase of books and other resources. Activities were community based. In Australia, Mechanics' Institutes were set up in New South Wales and in Tasmania in the late 1820's. Mechanics' Institutes began in Victoria, with the first one in Melbourne dating from 1839, providing similar services but in time offered services tailored to their specific area. Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. "These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In q856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art., and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. In 1975 the original building was demolished and the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: - The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. - The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. - The Historic Society has some items - The State Museum has some items - Some items were destroyed - Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. NOTE: Pages of this book have been digitally recorded and archived. 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 Accessions Book, 1913-1922. Hard cover, olive green cover with brown protective cloth on corners. Page edges have coloured marble pattern. Hand written inside cover "RA 02749457 MEC,000451"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, warrnambool mechanics' institute, mechanics' institute records warrnambool, record book c1918

In UK in early 1800's the word 'mechanic' was applied to a broader range of skills such as working man, tradesman or artisan. Mechanics' Institutes were formed originally for voluntary, self-funded organisations, to improve the education of working men and to instruct them on their various trades. The germ of the idea came from a class formed in 1799 by Professor George Birbeck in Glasgow, Scotland, for journeymen mechanics (apprentice trade workers), with the first Institutes being organised in London and Manchester in the 1820's. By then the original aim had broadened and the Mechanics' Institutes were established as popular agencies of adult education. The Mechanics' Institutes were run by committees that provided facilities for a meeting room, hall suitable for lectures, and a library. Funding was raised locally and often supplemented by grants from government agencies for the purchase of books and other resources. Activities were community based. In Australia, Mechanics' Institutes were set up in New South Wales and in Tasmania in the late 1820's. Mechanics' Institutes began in Victoria, with the first one in Melbourne dating from 1839, providing similar services but in time offered services tailored to their specific area. Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. "These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In q856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art., and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. In 1975 the original building was demolished and the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: - The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. - The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. - The Historic Society has some items - The State Museum has some items - Some items were destroyed - Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. NOTE: Pages of this book have been digitally recorded and archived.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. Record book, Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Committee, Secretaries reports, 5th April 1903 - 31st March, 1906. Soft card with red/blue/white marble pattern and red binding. Ruled lines with red left margins. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, warrnambool mechanics' institute, mechanics' institute records warrnambool, record book c1903

In UK in early 1800's the word 'mechanic' was applied to a broader range of skills such as working man, tradesman or artisan. Mechanics' Institutes were formed originally for voluntary, self-funded organisations, to improve the education of working men and to instruct them on their various trades. The germ of the idea came from a class formed in 1799 by Professor George Birbeck in Glasgow, Scotland, for journeymen mechanics (apprentice trade workers), with the first Institutes being organised in London and Manchester in the 1820's. By then the original aim had broadened and the Mechanics' Institutes were established as popular agencies of adult education. The Mechanics' Institutes were run by committees that provided facilities for a meeting room, hall suitable for lectures, and a library. Funding was raised locally and often supplemented by grants from government agencies for the purchase of books and other resources. Activities were community based. In Australia, Mechanics' Institutes were set up in New South Wales and in Tasmania in the late 1820's. Mechanics' Institutes began in Victoria, with the first one in Melbourne dating from 1839, providing similar services but in time offered services tailored to their specific area. Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. "These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In q856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art., and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. In 1975 the original building was demolished and the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: - The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. - The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. - The Historic Society has some items - The State Museum has some items - Some items were destroyed - Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. NOTE: Pages of this book have been digitally recorded and archived.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. Record Book, Warrnambool Mechanics Institute, Copy of Statements sent to Government, 1910-1912. 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