From the Title pages; 1. "The/ Rudolph J Nunnemacher Collection/ of/ Projectile Arms/ Part 1/ LONG ARMS". 2. "The/ Rudolph J. Nunnemacher Collection/ of/ Projectile Arms/ Part II/ SHORT ARMS".1. & 2. Hard cover book. Covers - cardboard, dark orange buckram. Gold colour print on spines. 1. 414 pages, cut, plain, off white colour paper. 'Long Arms', illustrated black and white photographs and technical drawings. Front end paper - handwritten information. 2. 1016 pages, cut, plain, off white colour paper. 'Short Arms', illustrated black and white photographs and drawings.1. Handwritten information - grey lead pencil "$20-".publications, books, reference guide, history, weapons

In 1829 London's first police department was founded. The billy club or baton was a tool used from that time as a weapon and a symbol of police authority; it was the only armament they carried for many decades. The billy was used against law offenders as well as a tool for breaking windows or to signal to other officers by knocking against fences and curbs. The billy club came in different sizes and some were purely a decorative symbol of the police. The billy club or baton has been replaced in more recent times by the TAZER and sprays.The billy club is significant as an example of early police control in Britain, Australia and America. Other less brutal means are used today for crowd control, such as sprays and TAZERs Russet coloured leather Police Billy. The Billy Club is wrapped in copper wire to prevent wear. The round end is filled with lead shot to a weight of 9 ounces (about 255 grams).flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime-museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, police billy, police officer’s club, mace, truncheon, nightstick, baton, police equipment, crowd control, public order, police symbol

444 pagesnon-fictionThis report is one of a series describings the physical nature of the land and its environment, examines the likely forms of land use, and assesses the hazards associated with these uses. It is divided into four main sections: Introduction, Characteristics of environment, main forms of land use and description of 24 specific blocks in the study area which include Torquay, Brisbane Ranges, Werribee, Wombat, Loddon, Romsey, Puckapunyal, Strathbogie, Eildon, Disappointment, Break O'Day, Black Range, Cerberean, Upper Goulburn, Kinglake, Donna Buang, Upper Yarra, Thomson, Dandenongs, Bunyip-Latrobe, Shady Creek, Tyers, Westernport and Strzelecki. The Land Conservation Act 1970 established the Land Conservation Council whose functions is to "carry out investigations and make recommendations to the Minister with respect to the use of public land in order to provide for the balanced use of land in Victoria. This report sets out to describe and assess the natural resources of the public lands in the Melbourne area and provides a factual basis on which members of the community may base submissions to the [Land Conservation] Council of Victoria.land use, kinglake, thomson valley, conservation, public lands

These photocopied documents were used in the Orbost Secondary College Library. In the latter half of 1913 working bees, concerts, balls, sports carnivals and collections were held to raise funds before The Hospital Movement felt they were ready to ask The Public Health Department for plans for a suitable building (2000 -2500 pounds) for use as a permanent hospital in Orbost. A Hospital Committee was formed and despite several a major setback (the president died in November 2013), continued to hold many public events in order to raise the funds necessary. Orbost Hospital was officially opened in 1930. ( Read Margaret Holland's "Orbost Hospital: History, Personalities and Stories.) These documents are a useful research tool on the history of Orbost Regional Health.A stapled collection of photo-copied minutes from the fund-raising committee for the Orbost Hospital.orbost-hospital health-fund-raising

Report - 35 pages, within light blue covers, comb bound with black binder, titled "National Tennis Centre - Transport strategy Report November 1987". Report looks at the then planned Tennis Centre precinct and use of public transport in order to access it. It includes coach and car parking and how to handle various modes. Includes the MCG carpark, maps, parking areas, walking paths, access points. At the time, the tram line was located in Batman Ave. Also includes notes on the public information campaigns. Produced with the assistance of the MTA. Report prepared by Dennis Johnston and Associates for the Road Traffic Authority.trams, tramways, public transport, tennis centre, melbourne, mta

In 1961 Bruce Evans was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the member for Gippsland East. He was the party's deputy leader from 1964 to 1970 and its whip from 1970 until his retirement in 1992. "The Land Conservation Council was established by the Land Conservation Act 1970. As one of its three functions, it makes recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment with respect to the use of public land, in order to provide for the balanced use of land in Victoria. This report contains the Council’s final recommendations concerning the use of public land in the East Gippsland study area, the boundaries of which correspond to those of the Shire of Orbost. The recommendations in the text are grouped under major headings, such as Parks, State Forest, and so on. " The Council met on seven occasions during the year, and also made visits of inspection to each study area. The Chairman visited Shire Councils in study areas to explain the role and the functions of the Land Conservation Council and to invite submissions on the use of public land in these areas. This is the fourth annual report by the council. This is a useful research tool.A large book 236 pp book with a yellow / gold cover with a green bush scene . The binding is orange. It contains folded maps and information on public land use in East Gippsland.inside - "With Compliments - Bruce Evans, M.P."east-gippsland-study-area conservation public-land-use

David Aloysius Patrick McKenzie-McHarg, L.I.B, O.B.E was born on 20th June 1918 in Albury, NSW to Hugh Patrick McKenzie-McHarg and Laura May (Dunne) McKenzie-McHarg. McKenzie-McHarg served on the Council of the United Shire of Beechworth for more than a decade during the 1960s-70s, including seven years as president. He was renowned as a public speaker and played a significant role in the community. In recognition for his outstanding achievements and services rendered to the Beechworth community he was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1976. David McKenzie-McHarg died on 6th June 1992 and is buried in Beechworth Cemetery. David McKenzie-McHarg’s wife, Marjorie Jean McKenzie McHarg, was well known to the Beechworth community as a brilliant pianist and played at all the balls and house parties. Apparently, she could play without sheet-music and would only have to hear a tune once to play it to near perfection. Together, they were a formidable asset to the Beechworth community over many years The British honours system has various orders, usually relating to the monarchy, military and colonial officials. An OBE (or order of the British Empire) is given for an outstanding achievement or service to the community. This will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others. This Order was established by George V in 1917 in response to recognising the thousands of men and women who served in a variety of non-combatant roles during the First world war who didn’t otherwise receive any formal recognition but were certainly worthy of acknowledgement. Recommendations for appointments to this Order were originally made on the nomination of the United Kingdom, however this soon became available to Commonwealth countries as well. However, Australia officially ceased to recommend the Order of the British Empire in 1989 with the establishment of the Order of Australia. Silver badge suspended from red ribbon with pearl-grey edges. The badge is in the form of a cross patonce (having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end), the obverse of which bears the same field as the star pictures George V and Queen Mary. The reverse bears George V's Royal and Imperial Cypher. Both are within a ring bearing the motto of the Order: FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE. The presentation case in which the medal is housed is of a black outer boarder edge leatherette finishing, block letters in gold OBE. The inside has a cream velvet base with a silk padded liner to the roof with the full set of Royal Mint Crest Mark. Obverse: FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE / burke museum, obe, obe medal, beechworth, david mckenzie-mcharg, british honours system, george v, beechworth community, order of australia., order of the british empire, marjorie jean mckenzie mcharg

Two 1850s surveyor's maps on cardboard backing showing area from Melbourne extending East beyond Bulleen and Nunawading. Detailed description of lots for sale and navigational directions to the property from Richmond by Thomas Ham, Victorian public servant, map maker, publisher, lithographer and original Ringwood land owner. Inset map enlarging area between Yarra River and Dandenong Creek, with southern boundary of allotments later forming part of Oban Road, North Ringwood.TRANSCRIPT: "This really valuable Property is now offered to the public for sale, in lots to suit purchasers at the Iow rate of £1 per Acre for 80 acres and upwards, and £1.10s per Acre for any smaller portion. Terms of payment Half Cash, Balance in 6 and 12 months, bearing 8 per cent interest. The Estate is well wooded with Gum, Cherry Tree and Stringy Bark, with Wattle in the valleys of the several creeks. Every lot is Staked and Trenched at the corners marked on the Plan thus - The Surveyor has carefully sub-divided the Property, in order to give every Farm a Creek for Water, Valley for Cultivation, and Hills for House and Grass Paddock. The ROADS have been very carefully laid out so as to give a firm, well drained, and nearly level road to each Homestead. Intending purchasers can readily find the property by the following directions, viz: Start from Richmond Bridge, at Hawthorne, then take the left-hand road to KEW. When at the "Woodman Inn", take the Cotham Road to the right, bearing due east, keep this Road, passing Trainor's "White Horse" Inn, and before you leave the fences, you will see calico bills (see margin) nailed to the Trees on the bush track leading to the Upper Yarra country, follow the Bills till you come to the SOUTH boundary line of the Property, which bears East and West (see Plan) where you will see Bills nailed up "THIS PROPERTY FOR SALE, etc." The Bills from Town lead direct to where Mr. Jull is erecting his Store, and arrangements have been made with him to show the lots to intending purchasers free of charge. At the respective corners of the lots the Bills are nailed up double, with numbers to denote the lot, and that the corner stake is adjacent. Any parties wishing to proceed to the property by way of BULLEEN will find Bills nailed on the Trees, commencing at the NEW INN, at "Wilson's Slip Rail." Keep this Track till you come to the Log Bridge, over the Deep Creek at Bloxhome's Paddock; go through the land now being cleared; keep the track over the hill till you come to an Iron House, you will then be on the property, which Iies to the North and East as per Plan. Follow the Bills till you come to Mr. Jull's Store, etc. etc. Further particulars can be had from the Agent for the Property. THOMAS HAM. "

Prior to 1939 access to the Island was by punt from San Remo or car ferry from Stony Point. A bridge was opened in 1940 but increased traffic and low load capacity was a problem. The decision to build a new bridge was made in the 1960s.HistoricalColoured, bound booklet with a photo of the old and new Phillip Island bridges on the cover and the CRB logo and name on rear. It includes the order of proceedings for the opening and bridge statistics, plans and contractor information. Also photos of construction and a history of travel to the Island before a bridge was built and the first bridge. There is also a 2 page typed document written by the bridge engineer who gives a brief history of access to the Island and problems at the opening with access and a rebel who tried to open it unofficially.Official Opening of the Phillip Island Bridge at San Remo by The Hon. M.V. Porter, MLA. Minister of Public Works. November 21 1969bridges, 2nd phillip island bridge construction, tom russell, phillip island bridge opening 1969

This sign warned people not to go near electric wires. Consequences are explained. Public Health & Safety has changed over the years as have the consequences. Historic: Used by the S.E.C. on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. White metal sign with black and red writing warning people to keep away from electrical wires.(In black unless stated differently) "State Electricity Commission / of Victoria / Danger (red) / Contact with electric wires will cause Death (last word in red) / 10 pound reward paid for information leading to / Conviction for damaging commission's property / Maximum penalty Imprisonment for / 10 years. By order L G Morrison / Secretary"state electricity commission of victoria; warning sign; public health and safety; kiewa hydro electric scheme

A collection of eight large fold out coloured maps published in a bound book formnon-fictionThe Melbourne Study Report is a series of volumes describing the physical nature of the land and its environment, examines the likely forms of land use, and assesses the hazards associated with these uses. This is Volume 2 (coloured maps). The first page featues a black and white map described as "Shire of Diamond Valley" with public land marked in yellow. Followed by eight large fold out maps. Melbourne Study Area Public land and descriptive blocks, Population description, Geology, Physiography, topography and rainfall, vegetation and water supply. The Land Conservation Act 1970 established the Land Conservation Council whose functions is to "carry out investigations and make recommendations to the Minister with respect to the use of public land in order to provide for the balanced use of land in Victoria. This report sets out to describe and assess the natural resources of the public lands in the Melbourne area and provides a factual basis on which members of the community may base submissions to the [Land Conservation] Council of Victoria. maps, shire of diamond valley, population, geology, topography, rainfall, vegetation, water supply, land use, public lands

George Knapman was born c.1851 in Ashburton, Devon, England, the son of George Knapman and Elizabeth Grant nee Wyatt. George, his mother and three sisters arrived in the Port of Melbourne, 28 Jul 1857 aboard the ship, Mindoro from Plymouth, his father having preceded them some eighteen months earlier. George married Mary Jane Williams in 1877 and they settled in Eltham where they had five children; Percival George (1878), Florence Maud (1880), Laura Blanche (1882), Alfred Edgar (1886) and Gladys Victoria (1897). In 1879 George was elected a vestryman for St Margaret’s Church, a position he would be re-elected to for many years. Both he and Mary were active members of the church and social activities. In 1884 George was also engaged in collecting funds for the renovation of the St Helena church George was also a member of the Eltham Cricket Club. In May 1884 following completion of the cricket season, several players banded together to form a group holding fortnightly meetings for the purpose of giving readings, recitations, etc to relieve the dullness of the long winter evenings. Charles Wingrove was elected President, Rev. J.B. Gason Treasurer and George along with Messrs Evans, Bourke, D. McColl, C. Jarrold, George Hill and William Brown, members of the Committee. In 1885, George advertised two horses had strayed from his premises (reward £2) and in 1891 he had a cultivator for sale (price £7/10/-). In 1902 he was treasurer of the Eltham Rifle Club. His children attended Eltham Primary School. In 1904 he was a member of the school's Board of Advice and addressed children at an Arbor Day planting activity. In 1907 he was elected president of the Eltham Progressive League, calling for public toilets to be erected at a local picnic spot. George along with William John Taylor and Isaac Hill was also appointed a Trustee of the Eltham Rechabite Hall in Henry Street on behalf of the Hope of Eltham Tent No. 195 Victoria District Independent Order of Rechabites from December 1901 until its sale to the community in December 1921 for use as a public hall. George ‘Snowy’ Knapman was a blacksmith by trade. He owned and operated a shoeing forge and wheelwright workshop, known as Snowy Knapman’s Forge, in Main Road Eltham, next door to the Eltham Court House. The location was well chosen. Mail coaches from Melbourne passed through Eltham enroute to Christmas Hills and Yarra Glen, with another heading to Kingstown (now Panton Hill). It was common practice for horses to be changed at Eltham. Two photos taken June 4, 1907, captioned ‘Election Day Eltham’, show a large crowd of men assembled in Main Road outside Knapman's premises. They are waiting to vote at the Court House. There are no women in the crowd; they were not empowered to vote. George's brothers William and John were also blacksmiths at Heidelberg, continuing the business established by their father George, who had died in 1900. After William died in 1909, George moved to Heidelberg to take over from him. George died at his residence, ‘Devon’, Yarra Street, Heidelberg on March 16, 1923, and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife Mary who died July 16, 1935, at Kew. Their former house at Eltham was located near where the WW1 Monument was erected in 1919, after they had moved to Heidelberg, at the corner of Bridge Street and Main Road and occupied by Mr. R. Trevena at the time of Mary’s death. Mary was sister to E.J. Williams, W. Williams and Mrs Fawkner, all residents of Eltham. In Loving Memory of George Knapman Died 15th March 1923 Also his wife Mary Jane Died 16th July 1935 Sadly Missed Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, george knapman, mary jane knapman (nee williams)

Robert David Taylor was a farmer who lived in Eltham all his life and died in 1934 at the age of 76. Mr and Mrs Bowman lived in York Street; Taylor was their neighbour. In 1933 he subdivided his land, the plan showing a proposed Grey Street flanked by residential blocks for sale. Mrs Bowman bought one: her family would be able to walk through it and along Grey Street to Henry Street, thus providing quicker access to the railway station. But Taylor retained ownership of Grey Street itself. He fenced it off at each end and charged the Bowmans with trespass when they used it. The matter went to Court. The ruling was that Mrs Bowman could use Grey Street, as she owned land in it, but her husband could not. (Taylor also accused the Bowmans of having broken the fences, but could not prove it.) Taylor had wanted to subdivide his land in 1914. Plans were submitted to Council and were approved, but the subdivision did not proceed. In 1919, Taylor doctored the plans to make it appear that a totally different subdivisional arrangement had been approved. The Titles Office immediately detected fraud, and the Crown charged Taylor with forgery and counterfeiting. But charges were later dropped (reason not recorded). He was an Eltham Shire Councillor between 1911 and 1920. In 1920, Council charged him with illegally felling 91 eucalyptus trees in Eltham Park (60% of them in a healthy condition), presumably to be sold as firewood. He was imprisoned pending trial. Taylor claimed that he had acquired from another man the right to remove timber and sued the Council for wrongful prosecution. The case eventually went to the State Full Court, with judgement given in favour of Council, on the grounds that any right acquired by Taylor covered only the removal of logs and refuse, not sound green timber. And his position as Councillor precluded him from acquiring the right anyway. Robert David Taylor was also a Trustee of the Wesleyan Church owned land at Lot 20 Henry Street, originally purchased in January 1855 for a chapel and from which David and Catherine Clark first ran their private school, the forerunner of the Eltham Primary School. The land was sold in November 1901 to the Hope of Eltham Tent No. 195 Victoria District Independent Order of Rechabites, for which his brother William John Taylor was a Trustee and became the home of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In December 1921 it was again sold, this time to the community for use as the Eltham Public Hall, Robert David Taylor being a member of the Committee.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, charlotte amelia taylor, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, lillian jane taylor, richard pinn, robert david taylor

EDHS_04894 Folder: Hotels Contents: 1. Newspaper clippings (photocopies) 1.1. Advertising (1886, December 3). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60431123 1.2. MR. H. T. CLARTON AT ELTHAM. (1886, February 12). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 3 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60430311 1.3. Advertising (1889, September 20). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 1 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58899086 1.4. Advertising (1890, July 18). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 1 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58900847 1.5. Newspaper clipping (photocopy): Advertising (1892, January 29). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 1 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60666835 1.6. The Evelyn Observer, (1892, June 3). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60667396 (Fire at Morris's Evelyn Hotel); and The Evelyn Observer, (1892, June 24). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60667494 (Kangaroo Ground Hotel) 1.7. Newspaper clipping (photocopy): Advertising (1898, September 2). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 1 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60684012 1.8. ELTHAM SHIRE COUNCIL. (1898, September 9). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60684043 (formation of footpath in front of Watson’s and Morris’s hotels) 1.9. ELTHAM. (1911, August 4). Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), p. 3 (MORNING.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60654497 (Drunken railway workers working on Hurstbridge extension) 1.10. Advertising (1924, February 22). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 4 (AFTERNOON). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56656795 (Eltham Dining Rooms - Late Morriss's Hotel - Mrs Fyffe) 1.11. Eltham. (1925, September 11). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 3 (AFTERNOON). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56658829 (New Eltham Hotel under construction)) 1.12. Eltham. (1925, June 5). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 2 (AFTERNOON). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56658482 (New Eltham Hotel to be built) 1.13. Eltham. (1925, July 10). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 2 (AFTERNOON). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56658620 (Demolition of original Eltham Hotel) 1.14. LICENSING PROSECUTIONS AT ELTHAM. (1929, June 14). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 2 (AFTERNOON.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57760053 1.15. KANGAROO GROUND HOTEL (1930, August 8). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57763225 1.16. Big Fire at Eltham : Extensive Damage (1931, February 20). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56734450 (Former Evelyn Hotel destroyed) 1.17. FIRE AT RESEARCH (1931, March 20). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56734679 (Research Hotel destroyed by fire) 1.18. On the thirsty road to the diggings, A Journey in Time, Nillumbik Mail, Wednesday, September 6, 2000, p4 (Kangaroo Ground Hotel) 2. Eltham Hotel 1850 / 1925 2.1. Photocopy of photo of Watson’s Hotel “On the road to Melbourne” (EDHS_00133) 2.2. Photocopy of photo of Reed’s Eltham Hotel “Jim at "The Pub" (EDHS_01777-3); Reed's Eltham Hotel 2.3. Notes by Harry Gilham of early proprietors Richard Warren and Benjamin Oliver Wallis. Also reference to Jack Moore 1911 of Kangaroo Ground Hotel and Mrs Harper and William Morris of Evelyn Hotel 3. Fountain Hotel / Evelyn Hotel 1852-1931 3.1. Photocopy of image showing Fountain Hotel with two-storey (EDHS_00137) 3.2. Typed chronology by date of events (by Harry Gilham) extracted from Evelyn Observer and Advertiser newspapers 3.3. Letter: (Copy) Jean Uhl to Peter Bassett-Smith, 30 September 1979 of index records to Forresters’ Hotel and Fountain Hotel (with reference to Susan Chapman of Greensborough Hotel) 3.4. Handwritten notes (Harry Gilham) timeline of building use 3.5. Copy of hand drawn map (Harry Gilham) of hotel site 3.6. Copy of William Morris advertisement July 18, 1890 3.7. Copy of Order of Programme; Procession then Inaugural Meeting (1860) at the Fountain Hotel (Eltham Church Committee) 3.8. Copy of “President’s Findings” by Harry Gilham with a summarised history of the hotel EDHS Newsletter No. 183, November 2008 3.9. Information sheet, 19th Century Portable Iron Houses, National Trust 3.10. Pamphlet: Portable 19th Century Iron Houses, National Trust, Calendar of Events, Sep-Dec 2008 4. Public Lists on Trove 4.1. Eltham – Hotels https://trove.nla.gov.au/list/164536 4.2. Eltham - Hotels (Eltham Hotel 1854 / 1925) https://trove.nla.gov.au/list/158092 4.3. Eltham - Hotels (Fountain / Evelyn Hotel 1852-1931) https://trove.nla.gov.au/list/164505HG Booklet 46harry gilham collection, eltham hotel, fountain hotel, 19th century portable iron houses, evelyn hotel, kangaroo ground hotel

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. Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to the Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940, he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books were in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. 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 it's 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 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent 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 1950s 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. 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. Over The Range Author: Ion L Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1937 The label on spine cover with typed text PAT 919.53 IDR Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute The top of the text block has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library 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, over the range, ion l idriess