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. Sea-Wrack Author: Frank T Bullen Publisher: MacMillan and Co Date: 1903Label on spine cover with typed text RH 910.45 BUL Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, sea-wrack, frank t bullen

View of sea in foreground looking towards Christ Church, Summerland House, Marli Terrace. The handwritten date 1862 is incorrect. The actual date is most likely to have been between 1873 and 1878. Buildings depicted in Grey Street were not completed till 1873, while the southwestern corner of Grey and Fitzroy Streets remains a paddock, the first building on the site going up in 1879. lithograph black and White copySt Kilda (from the Sea)st kilda, st kilda beach, port phillip bay

Prior to 1901, sailing pilot cruising cutters were "Boomerang", "Corsair", "Anonyma", "Proserpine", "Rip", "Mavis" and "Hawk". In 1901 the pilots took delivery of their first steam powered pilot cutter, "Victoria", 46 metres in length, built at Williamstown. "Victoria" was followed by "Alvina", "Akuna", "Akuna II" and in 1953, "Wyuna", a twin-screw diesel electric pilot cutter 63 metres long. "Wyuna" served until November 1979 and was then sold to the new Nautical College at Launceston for use as a training ship. The system for getting pilots on and off ships at sea was for the ship to stop dead in the water with the wind and sea broad on the beam. The pilot cutter would round the ship's stern, manoeuvre into the lee and lower the 18ft. workboat which, with a crew of two, transferred the pilots to and from their ships.Chief Officer's Log Bok from SS Victoria from June 1930 to June 1931log book, port phillip sea pilots, ss victoria

Colour magazinenon-fictionmaritime journals, maritime magazines, ships

The Empress of the Sea is historically and archaeologically significant as it was one of Donald Mackay's famous wooden clipper ships ie: representative of a particular design or type. It was also associated with both the Black Ball and White Star Lines of Australian Packets, which carried thousands of immigrants from Britain to Australia.Photograph of an original water colour painting of the burning of the sailing ship 'Empress of the Sea' by Charles Dickson GregoryFront: Burning of the Empress of the Sea, C. Dickson Gregory. Back: nilempress of the sea, watercolours

The Empress of the Sea is historically and archaeologically significant as it was one of Donald Mackay's famous wooden clipper ships ie: representative of a particular design or type. It was also associated with both the Black Ball and White Star Lines of Australian Packets, which carried thousands of immigrants from Britain to Australia.An original watercolour painting of the burning of the sailing ship 'Empress of the Sea' by charles Dickson GregoryFront: Burning of the Empress of the Sea, C. Dickson Gregory. Back: Whatmans watercolour drawing board, 36640, C. Dickson Gregory, 41 Albert Street. Fixed label: 'Destruction of the famous clipper 'Empress of the Sea' at Port Phillip Heads 19th December 1861 Drawing by C. Dickson Gregoryempress of the sea, watercolours

HMAS Quickmatch was a Q Class destroyer built for the Royal Navy and was commissioned to RAN in September 1942. HMAS Quiberon was a Q Class destroyer build for the Royal Navy and was commissioned to RAN in July 1942. Air Sea Rescue Boats, after their order were delivered to Sydney in June/July 1944. HMAS Quickmatch was used as a Convoy Escort during WW2. HMAS Quiberon was used as a Convoy Escort during WW2. Air Sea Rescue Boats were mostly stationed in northern Australian waters or in New Guinea during WW2. Three black and White Photographs of Ships on photo paper. Ships - HMAS Quickmatch, HMAS Quibero, Air Sea Rescue Vessel.Hand written on the back of the photo 1. HMAS Quickmatch, HMAS Quiberon, Air Sea Rescue.

Reclaimed from the Sea, Site of old Bathing Ship, c1915, foreground shows people relaxing on the lawns, background shows Fitzroy Street and part of Acland Street North, partial view of buildings in Fitzroy street, including 1 Fitzroy Streetblack and white photograph, copy, fair conditionSeafront Gardens, Esplanade, Melbourne suburbs St Kilda reclaimed from the sea - sight of the old bathing ship, St Kilda By the Sea Annual, page 59, National Library of Australia, Canberra

Local Newspaper reporting On World War 2 Events dated 9/5/1942 - My War Part 25Newspaper Reporting on World War 2 Events - My War Part 25 - dated 9/5/1942Local Newspaper reporting World War 2 Events - My War Part 25 - Battle Of The Coral Sea10 Japanese Warships Sunk - Battle of The Coral Seabattle of te coral sea - 10 japanese warships sunk - enter the general

Wooden Plaque 600000 Sea Miles in support of the Army 32 Small Ship Squadron RAE 59-73 600000 Sea Miles in support of the Army 32 Small Ship Squadron RAE 59-73

A4 page with stylised artwork of conductor and sea, with blue yellow and white printing on white paperSTONNINGTON SYMPHONY PRESENTS Pictures of the Sea, Sounds of Sunshine Chris Martin conducts Elgar and Brahms Christopher Martin - Conductor Jacqueline Dark - Mezzo Soprano Elgar - Cockaigne (in London town) Overture Elgar - Sea Pictures Elgar - Sospiri Brahms - Symphony No. 2 Malvern Town Hall Sunday 26 August 2007 2.30pm

These records of two songs sung by John and Mary Kopke, has been made as a souvenir of Warrnambool during the time it won the Premier Town Award 1979-1982. This award was given to a town or city that showed excellence in official environmental practice. The promotion song, ‘City By the Sea’ celebrates Warrnambool and mentions the May Racing Carnival with its Grand Annual Steeple Race, the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycle Race and Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. The other song is about the Mahogany Ship, a ship that was first found wrecked on the coast near Warrnambool in 1836. There were many sightings of the wreck until the 1890s when it disappeared. There has been speculation ever since about the ship’s origins – Spanish? Portuguese? Chinese? The search for the wreck continues. This record is an interesting one – a memento of the celebrations in Warrnambool during the time it won the Premier Town Award 1979-1982. These are two identical records. .1 This is a paper cover for a 45 R.P.M. record. It has black printing, the logo of Warrnambool Premier Town, a blue-coloured image of the harbour at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Warrnambool with an inset black and white photograph on one side and a blue-coloured image of the Mahogany Ship and black printing on the other side. .2 This is 45 R.P.M. record with recordings on both sides and inset with black printing on an aqua background. ‘Warrnambool City By the Sea’ ‘The Ship Mahogany’ ‘John and Mary Kopke’ warrnambool premier town 1979-82, mahogany ship, john and mary kopke

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Frank Wright Sails the Red Sea. Sepia photograph of a man dressed in whites standing aboard a boat, with his left arm outstretched and holding onto the mast. The man is Frank Wright. A further two photographs shows Frank Wright in a darker suit, on what is thought to be the same deck.Frank Wright on board "Remo", Red Sea, Jan 1940frank wright, ballarat, cornet, red sea, sailing boat

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of a group of people swimming in a canvas pool on board a ship. Behind the pool can be seen part of the ship and water to the right. The ship is the Remo, the place is the Red Sea and the man in the middle of the group is Frank Wright.Written in pencil on the back - Swimming bath on 'Remo' Red Sea, Jan 1940, F.W. in centrefrank wright, ship named remo, red sea, swimming bath, swimming pool, conductor

The Sea Baths at Cowes were built about 1893. They were erected by the Shire Council and administered by that body. Mixed bathing was not allowed. A Red flag at certain hours gave the "all clear" signal for ladies.Looking down on Sea Baths through foreshore treelocal history, photographs, sea baths, cowes, sepia photograph, mary karney

First Sea Scouts with two Australian flags in background Lakes Entrance Victoria. Names of thirty one Sea Scouts on back of photographBlack and white photograph of group of thirty one members of First Sea Scouts with two Australian flags in background Lakes Entrance Victoriaboy scouts, clubs

The Sea-Cell pamphlet was written by Captain Henry Moors of the Land Forces Signal & Torpedo Corps. In the pamphlet Captain Moors investigates the theory that the zinc case of the torpedo, the iron hull of Cerberus and the sea water combined to form a sea-cell. (battery) Captain Moors investigates whether this sea-cell could have resulted in a current being produced that was strong enough to detonate the torpedo.Eleven page pamphlet measuring 137 mm x 215 mm exploring the possibility that the Cerberus torpedo accident was caused by a Sea-Cell effect.sea-cell torpedo

One letter (1490.a) and two flyers (b and c) a. A covering letter dated September 1985 to Anglican congregations and their representative on Mission letterhead with a typed message headed Sea Sunday' from Michael Chin, Senior Chaplain. b. Monotone flyer with red colour title 'Your Daily Bread Costs Him His Family Life' depicts bearded man holding photo of woman and child aboard a ship. There are four different associated organisation logos. c. Deep blue three-colour flyer titled 'Remember Seafarers on Sea Sunday; July 10th' features a graphic of a silhouetted figure framed by porthole looking at tanker out to sea; features three logos below. Additional inscriptions and logos: a. The Mission letterhead in blue featuring the Missions to Seamen flag. b. The sub-title 'Sea Sunday Oct 20 is your chance to remember him and his family in your prayers' and featuring four logos; the International Christian Maritime Association circle, the Apostleship of the Sea flag, the British Sailors Society flag and The Missions to Seamen flag. c. The sub-titles 'Seafarers are members of God's family too' and 'The Church serving ALL seafarers' and featuring three logos; The Mission to Seamen flag, the Apostleship of the Sea flag and the British Sailors Society flag.mission to seamen, international christian maritime association, apostleship of the sea, british sailors society, flyer, reverend michael chin, sea sunday, 1985

Sea View Tea and Refreshment Rooms, Marine Parade (below Brook's Boat Sheds). Mrs Blyth (late of Bendigo) Proprietress. I.X.L. Ice Cream. Roof promenade for Afternoon Tea and Summer Drinks. black and white photograph fair condition unmountedSea View Tea and Refreshment Rooms, Marine Parade (below Brook's Boat Sheds). Mrs Blyth (late of Bendigo) Proprietress. Tel. 1478 w. I.X.L. Ice Cream. Roof promenade for Afternoon Tea and Summer Drinks. K42 Sea View. p.64 St Kilda by the Sea Annual 1915-16 Season F600.65. NationalLibraryof Australia, Canberra.

First Colquhoun Sea Scouts Stuart Lanthal and unnamed boy Lakes Entrance VictoriaBlack and white photograph of two First Colquhoun Sea Scouts Stuart Lanthal and unnamed boy Lakes Entrance Victoriascouts, clubs

Firefly Mk IV and V. Sea Fury Mk X

Toorloo Arm Sea Scouts leader Stephen Walker and Vera May at Nyerimilang Homstead Kalimna West VictoriaColour photograph of Toorloo Arm Sea Scouts leader Stephen Walker and Vera May at Nyerimilang Homstead Kalimna West Victoriaboy scouts, clubs

STONNINGTON SYMPHONY PRESENTS Pictures of the Sea, Sounds of Sunshine Chris Martin conducts Elgar and Brahms Christopher Martin - conductor Jacqueline Dark - Mezzo Soprano Elgar - Cockaigne (In London Town) overture Elgar - Sea Pictures Elgar - Sospiri Brahms - Symphony No 2 Malvern Town Hall Sunday 26 August 2007 2:30pmSmall program with much information on Elgar's work.STONNINGTON SYMPHONY PRESENTS Pictures of the Sea, Sounds of Sunshine Chris Martin conducts Elgar and Brahms Christopher Martin - conductor Jacqueline Dark - Mezzo Soprano Elgar - Cockaigne (In London Town) overture Elgar - Sea Pictures Elgar - Sospiri Brahms - Symphony No 2 Malvern Town Hall Sunday 26 August 2007 2:30pmstonnington symphony presents pictures of the sea, sounds of sunshine, christopher martin, jacqueline dark, mezzo soprano, cockaigne, sea pictures, elgar, brahms, malvern town hall

Sepia photograph of four women in bathers and sailor hats, standing on the sand with pier in the background.Daughters of the seasocial life and customs, photographs, cowes beach, cowes pier

The magazine was purchased by Douglas Jenkin (born 1933 and father of the donor) during a luncheon at the Mission. Douglas had joined the Navy at 16 and was in the Navy reserve for 10 years. His love of the sea and sailing has been a pattern all his life, even sailing around the world with his 54' timber yacht Roama.The magazine was published in 1961 (p.9 mentions the arrival of Padre Long) and provides names, photos of opportunity shops. It was published to raise funds for the Mission. It is a rare magazine as no other Neptune Digest can be found online or even mentioned in the National Library of Australia.Small magazine with bright yellow and blue cover.Neptune Digest / Proceeds Aid The Missions To Seamen (Victoria) / Vol. 1, No 12 / Sea Stories Travel-Adventures / 2!neptune digest, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, melbourne, reverend perry mitchinson, reverend r.m. long, fundraising, marketing, publicity, opportunity shops, caledon bay, williamstown, port melbourne

Original sheet music booklet, words by John Masefield.Representative sheet music booklet of popular period John Masefield song.Paper booklet of song - sheet music and words.Title: "SEA FEVER"music, song, cultural events, john masefield

First Sea Scouts Toorloo Arm Colour photograph of First Sea Scouts presented with Troop Flag from Gippsland Lakes second Masonic Lodge Holding flag is Patrol Leaders Adam May, Luke Gray in background Leaders Vera May and Stephen Walker Toorloo Arm Victoriaguide group

copy(?) of black and white photograph fair conditionHand written on back: U 4 Paradise, C 154, and Melbourne Suburbs St Kilda Paradise, St Kilda by the Sea Annual p.84 Season 1915-16 F 600:65 Stamped National Library of Australia, Canberra