Skittles was a game of European origin maybe as early as the 4th or 5th century and became popular in England in the 14th century. Many Bendigo hotels included Skittle Alley's and some early mentions of these include Epsom in 1856. Teams could even play for monetary prizes. Although generally considered an indoor game, skittles also made appearances at outings such as picnics and race meetings.2 Wooden skittles with knob at the top. Cylindrical in shape thinning out at the neck. Two grooves at the bottom with one groove in the middle and another 2 grooves just as the neck seems to thin down. Hole in the middle at the bottom and one at the top skittles, toys, leisure activity

Skittles or Nine Pins has been played since the 4th century. It is an old European lawn game. In general, players take turns to throw wooden balls down a lane at the end of which are several wooden skittles in an attempt to knock them all over. It evolved into ten pin bowling, one of the most popular pastimes around the world. This is an indoor children's toy probably played on a carpeted passage inside. Skittles was an indoor game which could be played by the whole family.This item reflects a time when simple games were enjoyed as a family. In rural areas where there was limited access to commercial recreation skittles would have been a popular pastime.Four wooden skittles. They are tapered with a knob at the top. All are painted black with two red bands towards the base. Two are smaller and have rounder bases. Under the bases are T-shaped ridges.recreation skittles indoor-games

These handmade skittles in this set appear to have had a lot of use as the surfaces of the skittles are well worn. The skittles have a hole in the top, indicating that they were made on a wood lathe. The game of skittles is played indoors and outdoors. It is a traditional target game or sport and the forerunner of the sport of bowling. A standard skittle set has nine skittles and one or two balls. The skittles would be arranged in a diagonal square pattern and a ball would be bowled towards them, for a given distance away. The object is to knock down as many skittles as possible. These skittles are representative of the traditional games played by children and adults over the centuries.Set of four wooden skittles, cylindrical body tapering inwards to form a narrow keck with a knob on top. Knob has two flat surfaces. The bodies and knob tops of the skittles sow remnants of wood stain but the bodies' surfaces are worn. The tops have a scored line around their circumference. The bases are rounded, with the edges off the floor. The top and base of the skittles have a hole in the centre. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, skittles, pins, game, children's game, traditional game, bowling, toy

Set skittles and ball. 9 wooden skittles with wooden ball. 3 painted green, 3 painted red, 3 painted blue and one with black top. Plain wooden balltoys, general

Indoor children's toy. Historically these gained greater popularity when professional ten pin bowling had its major impact in Australian sport and recreation. This item was gifted by one who had played skittles as a child with her brother on carpeted passage in her home. Skittles was an indoor game.This item clearly represent a period in rural Australian development when entertainment and sporting facilities were broadcast but local access to professional facilities not readily availableThis is an incomplete set of toy wooden skittles. There are three green, two yellow, one red and one brown pin. The bottom and top have manufacturing markings from a wood turning machine. Full set is nine pinschildren, wooden, toy, skittles

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. Handbook of Athletic Sports Vol 4 Rugby Football - Association Footall - Baseball - Rounders - Quoits - Bowls - Skittles - Curling. Edited by Ernest Bell Publisher: George Bell & Sons Date: 1892Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 790 BEL Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, 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, handbook of athletic sports vol 4, ernest bell

A skittle is one of the pins used in skittles - a British form of ninepins, in which a wooden disk or ball is thrown to knock down the pins. The skittle could also have been used as a juggling prop.A turned timber skittle turned on a lathe. Its widest point is just above the base, and there are three turned decorative features on the widest section, and a round knob at the other end. skittle, entertainment, bowling, juggling, turned, turning

Photograph, Sepia, Easter Sports 22 and 23rd April 1867 in aid of Creswick Hospital. Structures in order from gate 1 No. 3 Publican’s Booth- W. Davies. 2 Richardson’s Show 50’ x 25’ inside platform 14’ outside 21’ x 18’ (Braganzro (?) provide poles) 3 Refreshment Booth 50’ x 12 ½ ‘ shingle roof, bazaar and wheel of fortune (J. Hook) 4 No. 1 Publican Booth, T. W. Anthony 40’ x 20'. 5 Storage for donations. Secretary’s office, Steward’s room 60’ x 13’. 6 Dancing Booth 80’ x 30’ floored with such boards; contains 8,000’ of ?? 7 No. 2 Publican’s Booth W. J. Whatman. Sports commenced 1 p.m. 2 large swings at south end of ground; running was 300 yards round platform for dancing in center; skittle alley fenced off near entrance; portion roped off on East side and provided with seats for ladies; entrance 1/- children 6d A. M. Wilson- Aunt Sally; Mr. Rowell- Doodlem Buck ; 3 shils a penny; Bobbly Down; Wheel of Fortune; Sunny’s ? ; skittles, Dancing excellent string band Monster balloon ascends last day, sent by J. Moore at conclusion of sport. Full brass band. Easter Sports Committee; H. Piening treasurer; C. Whiffle; E. Williams; J. Machiman; H. Williams; G. Frazer; B. Trevan; W. Johnson. W. Pobjoy Hon. Sec. Refreshement Booth; Mesdames Geljon, H. Williams, Moore, Sedon (2), Burke, Grigan, Whalley.Lennon Troupe: Lennon, Burrel, & Carroll Taming a Tiger. Photograph taken from Water street about intersection with East side of Roger street. Photo taken by H. Moser Monday 22nd April 1867) Easter Sports 22 and 23rd April 1867 in aid of Creswick Hospital. Photograph, Sepia, 1 No. 3 Publican’s Booth- W. Davies. 2 Richardson’s Show 50’ x 25’ inside platform 14’ outside 21’ x 18’ (Braganzro (?) provide poles) 3 Refreshment Booth 50’ x 12 ½ ‘ shingle roof, bazaar and wheel of fortune (J. Hook) 4 No. 1 Publican Booth, T. W. Anthony 40’ x 20'. 5 Storage for donations. Secretary’s office, Steward’s room 60’ x 13’. 6 Dancing Booth 80’ x 30’ floored with such boards; contains 8,000’ of ?? 7 No. 2 Publican’s Booth W. J. Whatman.photograph, h. moser, easter sports, creswick

This wooden juggling club or exercise club may also be referred to as a juggling pin. It is very similar in shape to a bowling pin or an Indian club. It dates approximately to the early 20th century. It may have been used as one of a pair for gymnastics or exercise, or part of a larger set used by a juggler for entertainment in a circus or carnival. At some time it may have been used with a ball or disc as part of a Skittles or bowling game set. The historical collection of Federation University Australia, Victoria, includes a very similar but slightly shorter club, labelled ‘timber skittle”, as can be seen in their photograph. Another example of very similar-shaped, same-sized clubs can be seen in the collection of Nobelius Heritage Park and Emerald Museum, Emerald, Victoria. JUGGLING Jugglers entertain audiences with their tricks and routines at events such as circuses, amusement parks, parties, shows on television or theatre, schools and parties. Juggles also compete at International Championships to obtain world records, performing as individuals or in groups or teams. Contemporary champion juggler David Cain performs a Juggling History Show that both entertains and educates his audience. His routines date from the early 1600s to the 20th century. He uses a wide variety of equipment in his acts including juggling clubs. EXERCISE Exercise clubs or Indian clubs were used in 19th century Victorian times as part of exercise or strengthening programs when they were swung in certain patterns and movements. Even in the early 20th century workplace a few minutes of Indian club swinging was common practice for the relief of tension. A video clip of an American school room in 1904 shows a group of boys and girls skilfully wielding clubs in an exercise sequence (see ‘Links” section). The 1904 and 1932 Olympic Games had an event called Club Swinging. Rhythmic gymnastics was added to the Olympic Program at the L.A. Games in 1984 where competitors use apparatus such as rope, hoop, ball, ribbon and clubs. The clubs come in a variety of weights and heights and have been used from the mid-1800s until around the 1930s in schools and military institutions. They are decorated in a variety of patterns and colours and some have feature lines or scored rings on them. This juggling club is significant for its association with education, entertainment and sport in the late 19th and early 20th century.Wooden juggling club (or pin, skittle or Indian club). Vintage, bottle-shaped club with a flat, slightly concave, base. Its turned, solid timber body tapers out from the base then in again to a very narrow handle with a round knob joined onto the top. Two concentric feature lines are scored into the wider part of club. It was possibly used in exercise, gymnastics or as a skittle. Sections of the club have two brown painted stripes; paint on the lower strip has been worn off at the base . There are remnants of white paint in two areas, possibly the remains of a maker’s name or decoration. There also appears to be an inscription stamped into the wooden handle but this is illegible. Late 19th to early 20th century.Remnants of what appears to be stamped lettering and painted labelling.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, wooden skittle, entertainment, bowling skittle, wooden juggling pin, wooden juggling club, wooden exercise club, indian club, exercise club, club swinging, rhythmic gymnastics, sport equipment, juggling equipment, wooden club

(1) Sjoelbak with (2) storage cover across two centre gates during storage (3) two-ply centre gates (4) 30 sjoel discs (not individually numbered).