Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. A Drovers Odyssey Author: George McIver Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1935Label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 823.912 MAC Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, a drovers odyssey, george mciver

Photograph shows gum trees in paddock. This is in Lower Plenty with Odyssey House in background.Part of the John Ramsdale collection of slides and audio visual material.Colour photograph scanned from slide.No maker's marks. No caption on slide.lower plenty, odyssey house

This photo was taken during a competition run by National Centre for Hellenic Studies and Research, La Trobe University, in the early 2000s. The theme was on the Odyssey and secondary school students from all over Australia participated.Photograph of a jag. Jag in the photograph was made by secondary school students for a competition run by NCHSR. Colour. Item in the photo is black and yellow with the word 'Odyssey'. odyssey, la trobe university, nchsr, school art work, photograph-ancient jags

Odyssey House drug rehabilitation centre in Bonds Road, Lower Plenty is a distinctive landmark, especially when viewed from across the Yarra at Templestowe. It was built in the 1950’s as a seminary for the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. Because of the poor and circuitous road access, a suspension footbridge was built across the river. As well as providing easy access for the priests residents of Templestowe could attend services at the seminary. The bridge is now part of the Yarra Trails system.Colour photographlower plenty, bonds road, odyssey house

Part of a slide show presentation "Bridges & Waterways of the Shire" by Russell Yeoman to the 13 September 1989 Society meeting. The presentation included slides of historic photos from the Shire of Eltham Pioneers collections as well as several recent views.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 15) Mount - Agfa CS System grey 8 dotsfootbridge, lower plenty, odyssey house, yarra river

Ill, p.320.non-fictionA first hand account by an Australian airman of his escape from a Turkish prison camp during the first world war - only to land in the middle of the violence of the Russian revolutionworld war 1914-1918 - prisoners of war - turkey, escapes - turkey

bibliography, index, notes, ill, p.152non-fictionTen years after the end of World War I, the Sydney Sun reported that an unknown ANZAC still lay in a Sydney psychiatric hospital. David Hastings follows this one unknown ANZAC, George McQuay, from rural New Zealand through Gallipoli and the Western Front, through desertions and hospitals, and finally home to New Zealandworld war 1914-1918 - biography, mcquay george

Index, ill, p.833.non-fictionThis national bestseller by Colonel David H. Hackworth presents a vivid and powerful portrait of a life of patriotism.From age fifteen to forty, David Hackworth devoted himself to the US Army and fast became a living legend. In 1971, however, he appeared on television to decry the doomed war effort in Vietnam. With About Face, he has written what many Vietnam veterans have called the most important book of their generation.From Korea to Berlin, from the Cuban missile crisis to Vietnam, Hackworth's story is that of an exemplary patriot, played out against the backdrop of the changing fortunes of America and the American military. It is also a stunning indictment of the Pentagon's fundamental misunderstanding of the Vietnam conflict and of the bureaucracy of self-interest that fueled the war. soldiers - united states - biography, united states - army - personal recollections

Exhibition catalogueLong notes from David to Trish. Also listing of the paintings for salewalsh st library

Hardcover w/ Dust Jacket"Penleigh Boyd" inside front cover. Awarded as a prize from Melbourne Grammar School in 1961 for "Project and Neatness"walsh st library

Hardcover w/ Dust JacketTo Rod , Love from Suzy Christmas 1968/inside front pagescience fiction, walsh st library

Ill, maps, p.322.non-fictionA diary of the doings and sufferings of prisoners of war in Turkeyescapes - turkey, world war 1914-1918 - personal recollections

Winner Wyndham Art Prize LEAP Award 2023

Ill, maps, p.320.non-fictionThe story of an Australian airman imprisoned in Turkeyworld war 1914-1918 - personal recollections, world war 1914-1918 - prisoners of war

The triumph, the tragedy, the courage, the madness of one soldier's Vietnamvietnam war, 1961 - 1975, personal narratives, american

Odyssey House drug rehabilitation centre in Bonds Road, Lower Plenty is a distinctive landmark, especially when viewed from across the Yarra at Templestowe. It was built in the 1950’s as a seminary for the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. Because of the poor and circuitous road access, a suspension footbridge was built across the river. As well as providing easy access for the priests residents of Templestowe could attend services at the seminary. The bridge is now part of the Yarra Trails system.Colour photograph of footbridge over Yarra River, part of the Ruffey Trail just off the Main Yarra Trail near the former seminary (now Odyssey House) Lower Plentybridges, yarra river, lower plenty, seminary, blessed sacrament fathers, odyssey house, bonds road

Odyssey House drug rehabilitation centre in Bonds Road, Lower Plenty is a distinctive landmark, especially when viewed from across the Yarra at Templestowe. It was built in the 1950’s as a seminary for the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. Because of the poor and circuitous road access, a suspension footbridge was built across the river. As well as providing easy access for the priests residents of Templestowe could attend services at the seminary. The bridge is now part of the Yarra Trails system.Two black and white photographs of footbridge over Yarra River, part of the Ruffey Trail just off the Main Yarra Trail near the former seminary (now Odyssey House) Lower Plentybridges, yarra river, odyssey house, bonds road, lower plenty, seminary, blessed sacrament fathers

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 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 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. Guests of The Unspeakable The Odyssey of an Australian Airman - Being a record of Captivity and Escape in Turkey Author: T W White Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1932 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 940.3 WHI Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, 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, guests of the unspeakable, t w white

A page with an exposee on tennis champion, Althea Gibson, entitled: ALTHEA'S ODYSSEY. A second page features a full-page image of Gibson, in action. Materials: Paper, Inktennis

BHS CollectionAn eight pages Bendigo Advertiser supplement from Saturday, February 16, 1963. Reconstruction supplement "The Advertiser" rises from its ashes, success crowns long odyssey. Aileen and John Ellison Collection.bendigo advertiser, reconstruction, 1963

Jacqueline Dark (rhs) was a member of this trio. Dark is a principal artist for Opera Australia performing in many operas. With Kanen Breen she performs cabaret under the name "Strange Bedfellows".Small advertising program, black and white photograph of three women with words printed.Odyssey Productions Inc & Chapel off Chapel present Melbourne's newest cabaret sensation Viva la Diva glamour, drama and heavenly music $25 (consession $20) etc.jacqueline darl, viva la diva, opera

BHS Collection. See Item 8357.3A copy of a supplement to the Bendigo Advertiser from Saturday, February 16, 1963. The supplement is dedicated to the reconstruction after a fire destroyed the premises of the old Advertiser. The front page article is titled: "The Advertiser" rises from its ashes, success crowns long odyssey.bendigo advertiser, 1963

Photograph shows view across a road and open land to large house in a rural setting. At the time of the photograph was named 'Odyssey House' at Lower Plenty, Pre 1976 it was known as the Blessed Sacrament Fathers Seminary.Part of the John Ramsdale collection of slides and audio visual material.Colour photograph scanned from slide.No maker's marks. No caption on slide.rural landscape

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. Slaves of the Samurai Author: W S Kent Hughes An Australian Odyssey, which gives an account of the Life and Thoughts of a slave of the Samurai, during his three years and seven months as a Prissioner of War in the hands of the Japanese. Publisher: Geoffery Cumberlege, Oxford University Press Date: 1946Label on spine cover with typed text R.H. 821-914 HUG Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library with the date 1st Jan, 1947 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, slaves of the samurai, slaves of the samurai, w s kent hughes

Lower Plenty Heritage Excursion included the former monastery of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, now Odyssey House, and its suspension footbridge across the Yarra River. Odyssey House drug rehabilitation centre in Bonds Road, Lower Plenty is a distinctive landmark, especially when viewed from across the Yarra at Templestowe. It was built in the 1950’s as a seminary for the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. Because of the poor and circuitous road access, a suspension footbridge was built across the river. As well as providing easy access for the priests residents of Templestowe could attend services at the seminary. The bridge is now part of the Yarra Trails system.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 strips Also photographic prints 10 x 15 cmKodak Gold 200-6activities, blessed sacrament fathers, bonds road, bridge, foot bridge, lower plenty, odyssey house, seminary, yarra river

Lower Plenty Heritage Excursion included the former monastery of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, now Odyssey House, and its suspension footbridge across the Yarra River. Odyssey House drug rehabilitation centre in Bonds Road, Lower Plenty is a distinctive landmark, especially when viewed from across the Yarra at Templestowe. It was built in the 1950’s as a seminary for the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. Because of the poor and circuitous road access, a suspension footbridge was built across the river. As well as providing easy access for the priests residents of Templestowe could attend services at the seminary. The bridge is now part of the Yarra Trails system.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 strips Also photographic prints 10 x 15 cmKodak Gold 200-6activities, blessed sacrament fathers, bonds road, bridge, foot bridge, lower plenty, odyssey house, seminary, yarra river