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. 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 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. 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. An Australian Story-Book Selected by Nettie Palmer Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: PAT FIC AUS The label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC AUS Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service The first page of Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute 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, an australian story-book, nettie palmer

Story book, c 1916, prescribed to be read as a novel by children in grade V.Example of novel written for children in grade VChildren's story Book, aimed at Grade V pupils.Seven pence (price) 'Lost In The Rockies' George Robertson & Co. Proprietary Ltdchildren's educational novel

Read to Giselda Bannister as a toddler in 1966-1967. Her favourite story: read, at her request, every night for 6 months, before bed!Example of child's Bible story book used in 1960s.Child's colour picture book of the Bible Story of Noah's Ark with die-cut tabs.2707 ST100bible story book

Hardcover book, 339 pages. Front cover of book has an image of a woman wearing a crinoline skirted dress. Book contains six coloured illustrations by James Durden.fictionBook containing 10 chapters.james durden, christina gowans whyte, fiction

Soft Cover book. Soft cover - cardboard, red and black colour print on front, spine and back. Front cover illustration, copy of oil painting (in colour) of "Lockheed Hudson" aircraft by artist ALFORD Robert. Back cover illustration in colour of the unofficial badge of No. 13 Squadron. 158 pages plus appendix, cut, plain white. Illustrated black and white photographs and maps. Front and back end papers illustrated black and white maps. Title page - signature by the author. 13 Squadron 50th Anniversary Publication. Official and unofficial history of No.13 Squadron R.A.A.F. during its wartime existence from 1940 to 1946.books, ww2, raaf, aircraft

Example of children's story booksSee aboveStory book, part of extensive series for children aged 7-8."Presented to Allan Kepert, Balwyn Baptist Primary 1.11.42"children's story books

The Peninsula Story Book 1 Sorrento and Portsea Yesterday presented by the Nepean Historical Society, 63 pages with black and white photographs & maps.victoria, history, nepean peninsula, victoria-history-nepean peninsula- sorrento - portsea

The Peninsula Story Book 2 Hell to Health the history of quarantine at Port Phillip Heads 1852 - 1966 by Major J.H.Welch, published by the Nepean Historical Society. Soft cover 96 pages with black and white photographs.Major J H Welchvictoria, history, quarantine station, australia-quarantine station-portsea vic-history-victoria

Favourite Stories, hardcover childrens story book, published by McLoughlin Bros New York, with black and white illustrations.books, children's, story book

Edvard Griegg Boy of the Northland, hard cover childrens story book, 165 pages with black and white illustrations & sheet music.Sybil Deucherbooks, children's, story book

The Geoff mentioned in the inscription is Geoff Biddington.Children's book with colour and black and white illustrations.Inside front cover "To Geoff With Best Wishes From Aunty Vi 1932army, airforce, navy, armed service, royal marines, sailors, naval aircraft carrier, signalling, submarine, royal horse guards, military band, drum major, argyll and sutherland highlanders, royal artillery, machine gunners, tanks, bridge building, the piper, whippet tank, airmen, armstrong whitworth atlas machine, hawlker fury aeroplance, super-marine napier, schneider racing aeroplane, fairet iiif sea-plane, hawker hart day bomber, parachute jumping, schneifer trophy sea-plane, bristol bulldogs, iris flying-boat, geoff biddington, uniforms

Hard covered children's bookboys book, children's literature

Holy Trinity Kindergarten. Presented to Allan Smithstawell

Large hardcover book with picture of children playing in the snow on cover. Contains many coloured plates and line drawings.fictionBoys annual containing many short stories by different authors. children's books, fiction, annuals

Famous detective stories. Sold by Angus and Robertson, 89 Castlereagh St, SydneyFawn hardcover book containing short stories written by A. Conan Doyle Preface written 1928, 1336 pages \Sherlock Holmes - his adventures, memoirs. Return, His last bow and the case-book. The complete short stories

Hard-covered book (see photo)see photoeducation, school, picture story, religious education

Blue hard bound 'Harry the Hero or Forgiveness Wins ' CHILDREN'S book by Jesse Page Author of 'The Story of a Yellow Rose ; 'The Children's Saviour etc. , The Religious Tract Society , 56, Paternoster Row and 65 St Pauls Churchyard /showing picture of bird, branches , flowers and moon on front /gold lettering / inside front cover writing in ink -'Endsleigh Private School awarded to Master Harold Merifield 2nd prize for Arithmetic , E. Gibbins Xmas .Embossed .Frank Catford Bookseller Bendigo / black and white / coloured illustrations / Little Dot Series / 6 x short stories / back of the book has several pages advertising further readingJesse Pagebooks, children's, story book, harry the hero /jesse page author / the religious tract society , 56, paternoster row and 65 st pauls churchyard / 'endsleigh private school /.frank catford bookseller bendigo / little dot series

The illustrations in this book are attributed to EULALIE. Eulalie ( Eulalie M. (Eulalie Minfred Banks), 1895-1999) was born in London and illustrated more than 50 children's books as well as cards, calendars and even murals. She died at 104 and was still painting into her 90's. This book is a children's story book and has been well used. It seems to be aimed at very young children.This book is a typical example a child's story book of the 1940's.A children's story book with large colourful illustrations. It is the story of a young boy's visit to London zoo and has illustrations of Australian animals. The cover and first pages are missing.book-children's eulalie-banks

A book titled,'Dolly Dimple's Stories.' Hard bound cream covered book with blue lettering / publisher London - Printer & Publisher - Ernest Nister / painting of girl on front/ circa 1890's ? / The collection of short stories includes a poem -spring time by F.E. Weatherby / Clifton Bingham poems, The Hoop, The Shepherd Boy , Preparing for Christmas.books, children's, story book, lydia chancellor collection, collection, - book-dolly dimpl's stories / london - ernest nister / poem -spring time by f.e. weatherby/ clifton bingham poem the hoop, stories, poetry, illustrations, literature

Our Darlings, hardcover childrens book from early 1900's 424 pages with black and white & some colour illustrations, published by John F Shaw & Co London. Inscription inside front cover reads To Madge with love from Mother Madge Kelly.books, children's, story book

BOOK - 'THE Boys ' Budget ' /,Hard covered Book - -published by Blackie & Son Ltd , 50 Old Bailey , London and 17 Stanhope St. Glasgow / front cover shows a painting of countryside with two boys brewing a kettle on a Primus stove - part of a picnic - back cover - two boys and a row- boat / black and white & coloured illustrations/ , Stories by assorted authors /books, children's, story book, the boys ' budget ' / blackie & son ltd , 50 old bailey , london and 17 stanhope st glasgow

Grey Hardcover Children's book 'Little Lord Fauntleroy' by Mrs Frances .Hodgson. Burnett Illustrated / cover shows a sketch of a man, boy and dog / inside cover written in pen -'Miss E. Hall .A memento of our 1894 exam ' / published -London Frederick Warne and Co 1893 / Copyright entered at Stationers' Hall November 1886, Richard Clay and Sons, Limited, London and Bungay.Mrs Frances .Hodgson . Burnettbooks, children's, story book, 'little lord fauntleroy' by mrs frances .hodgson . burnett illustrated / published -london frederick warne and co 1893 / copyright entered at stationers' hall november 1886 / richard clay and sons , limited , london and bungay

Circa 1920, Red, Hard bound children's book 'Hi-Tum. Ti-Tum and Scrub ' showing a painting of a boy , a dog and a girl carrying an umbrella / author Jennie Chappell / inside front cover 'Private School Wattle St Second prize for writing awarded to Edna Beche , Christmas 1903 , A.L. Parkhurst Teacher / water colour painting on first page /HI-TUM. TI-TUM AND SCRUB '- A story of three kittens by Jennie Chappell author of 'My friend Kathleen ', 'Terrie Travels ' ' The lost Doll etc., Illustrated by Audrey J Watson, Blackie and Son Limited, London, Glasgow and Dublin / illustrations include pen and ink sketches / part of a series of books listed in the last few pages include - Blackie and Sons - Books for Young People - Eighteen penny seriesJennie Chappellbooks, children's, story book, 'hi-tum. ti-tum and scrub / jennie chappell / illustrated by audrey j watson / blackie and son limited , london , glasgow and dublin /