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. About Ion L Idriess 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 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 where 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. The Great Boomerang Author: Ion L Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1948Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 919 IDR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker 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, the great boomerang, ion l idriess

Leslie Pryde "MM" Regt No 11986. Refer Cat No 914 for his service history and award.Medallion, gold coloured. In centre is a copper shield with leaves on either side, a blue enamelled boomerang below and blue enamelled ribbon above. Ribbon has text: "The Great War", boomerang has text: "Returned with Honor." Top of medallion has a soldier at attention standing in front of a rising sun. From Wycheproof.Engraved on rear: "Presented to Sgt L Pryde from Wycheproof".wycheproof-civic, military history, medallions

When he died at Camperdown in February 1883, Wombeetch Puyuun (Camperdown George) (c1820-1883), was the last member of the Liwura Gundidj clan of the Djargurd Wurrung, still living on Country.Black and white studio photograph of Wombeetch Puyunn (Camperdown George) in traditional dress wearing a headband, kangaroo tooth necklace and possum skin cloak, holding a boomerang and carved shield Back: WOMBEETCH PUUYUUN, CHIEF, AND LAST OF THE LOCAL TRIBEScdhs, djargurd wurrung, djargurdwurrung, cdhsfirstnations

When he died in February 1883, Wombeetch Puyuun was the last member of the Liwura Gundidj clan still living on Country at Camperdown. The Wombeetch Puyuun Monument was erected by his friend and Guardian, James Dawson in 1885, largely at his own expense. At the top is engraved 1840, which marked the beginning of the demise of the local First Nations people. Below are a boomerang, a club, and a message stick. At the bottom is the year 1883 which saw the last of the local First Nations people on Country with the death of Wombeetch Puyuun. On the base are the words: "In memory of the Aborigines of this district. Here lies the body of the chief, Wombeetch Puyuun, and the last of the local tribes". Dr Ken Coghill (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs) unveiling plaque in front of the Wombeetch Puyuun Monument in the Camperdown CemeteryBack: Dr Ken Coghill unveiling the plaque in front of the Aboriginal Monument in the Camperdown Cemetery Dec 12th 1983cdhs, djargurd wurrung, djargurdwurrung, cdhsfirstnations, first nations people

When he died in February 1883, Wombeetch Puyuun was the last member of the Liwura Gundidj clan still living on Country at Camperdown. The Wombeetch Puyuun Monument was erected by his friend and Guardian, James Dawson in 1885, largely at his own expense. At the top is engraved 1840, which marked the beginning of the demise of the local First Nations people. Below are a boomerang, a club, and a message stick. At the bottom is the year 1883 which saw the last of the local First Nations people on Country with the death of Wombeetch Puyuun. On the base are the words: "In memory of the Aborigines of this district. Here lies the body of the chief, Wombeetch Puyuun, and the last of the local tribes".Dr Ken Coghill (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs) unveiling plaque in front of the Wombeetch Puyuun Monument in the Camperdown CemeteryFront of the obelisk "1840-1883 IN MEMORY OF THE ABORIGINES OF THIS DISTRICT. HERE LIES THE BODY OF THE CHIEF WOMBEETCH PUYUUN AND LAST OF THE LOCAL TRIBES".cdhs, djargurd wurrung, djargurdwurrung, cdhsfirstnations, first nations people

When he died in February 1883, Wombeetch Puyuun was the last member of the Liwura Gundidj clan still living on Country at Camperdown. The Wombeetch Puyuun Monument was erected by his friend and Guardian, James Dawson in 1885, largely at his own expense. At the top is engraved 1840, which marked the beginning of the demise of the local First Nations people. Below are a boomerang, a club, and a message stick. At the bottom is the year 1883 which saw the last of the local First Nations people on Country with the death of Wombeetch Puyuun. On the base are the words: "In memory of the Aborigines of this district. Here lies the body of the chief, Wombeetch Puyuun, and the last of the local tribes".Dr Ken Coghill (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs) unveiling plaque in front of the Wombeetch Puyuun Monument in the Camperdown CemeteryBack: Dr Ken Coghill unveiling the plaque in front of the Aboriginal Monument in the Camperdown Cemetery Dec 12th 1983cdhs, djargurd wurrung, djargurdwurrung, cdhsfirstnations, first nations people

When he died in February 1883, Wombeetch Puyuun was the last member of the Liwura Gundidj clan still living on Country at Camperdown. The Wombeetch Puyuun Monument was erected by his friend and Guardian, James Dawson in 1885, largely at his own expense. At the top is engraved 1840, which marked the beginning of the demise of the local First Nations people. Below are a boomerang, a club, and a message stick. At the bottom is the year 1883 which saw the last of the local First Nations people on Country with the death of Wombeetch Puyuun. On the base are the words: "In memory of the Aborigines of this district. Here lies the body of the chief, Wombeetch Puyuun, and the last of the local tribes".Dr Ken Coghill (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs) unveiling plaque in front of the Wombeetch Puyuun Monument in the Camperdown CemeteryBack: Dr Ken Coghill unveiling the plaque in front of the Aboriginal Monument in the Camperdown Cemetery Dec 12th 1983cdhs, djargurd wurrung, djargurdwurrung, cdhsfirstnations, first nations people

When he died in February 1883, Wombeetch Puyuun was the last member of the Liwura Gundidj clan still living on Country at Camperdown. The Wombeetch Puyuun Monument was erected by his friend and Guardian, James Dawson in 1885, largely at his own expense. At the top is engraved 1840, which marked the beginning of the demise of the local First Nations people. Below are a boomerang, a club, and a message stick. At the bottom is the year 1883 which saw the last of the local First Nations people on Country with the death of Wombeetch Puyuun. On the base are the words: "In memory of the Aborigines of this district. Here lies the body of the chief, Wombeetch Puyuun, and the last of the local tribes".Dr Ken Coghill (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs) unveiling plaque in front of the Wombeetch Puyuun Monument in the Camperdown CemeteryBack: Dr Ken Coghill unveiling the plaque in front of the Aboriginal Monument in the Camperdown Cemetery Dec 12th 1983cdhs, djargurd wurrung, djargurdwurrung, cdhsfirstnations, first nations people

When he died in February 1883, Wombeetch Puyuun was the last member of the Liwura Gundidj clan still living on Country at Camperdown. The Wombeetch Puyuun Grave Monument was erected by his friend and Guardian, James Dawson in 1885, largely at his own expense. At the top is engraved 1840, which marked the beginning of the demise of the local First Nations people. Below are a boomerang, a club, and a message stick. At the bottom is the year 1883 which saw the last of the local First Nations people on Country with the death of Wombeetch Puyuun. On the base are the words: "In memory of the Aborigines of this district. Here lies the body of the chief, Wombeetch Puyuun, and the last of the local tribes". Standing facing the monument is Kaawirn Kuunawarn (Hissing Swan), Elder of the Kirroe Wuurong tribe.Kaawirn Kuunawarn (Hissing Swan at the Wombeetch Puyuun Grave Monument in the Camperdown Cemeterycdhs, djargurd wurrung, djargurdwurrung, cdhsfirstnations, first nations people

Pattern-breast hook boomerang shaped wooden object with square top.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

This is an exercise book containing the Minutes of the Boomerang Club from 1936 to 1942. The Boomerang Club was a Warrnambool social club that was formed some time in 1934 and continued until at least 1956. By the late 1930s there were nearly 200 members who took part in activities that included dinners, balls, dances, Christmas parties and picnics. Profits from the Boomerang Club functions were donated to local charitable organizations. This is a significant item as the Boomerang Club was an important social group in Warrnambool in the mid 20th century. This is an exercise book with a black cardboard cover taped at the spine. The pages in the book are lined in blue and the entries are handwritten in blue and green ink. The cover is stained and blotched. There is a white sticker on the front with the contents listed. Front cover (on white sticker in blue biro): ‘Minutes 1936-1942’warrnambool boomerang club, warrnambool

These are visitor’s cards for the Warrnambool Boomerang Club. This club was a social club that was formed some time in 1934 and continued until at least 1956. By the late 1930s there were nearly 200 members who took part in social activities that included balls, dances, dinners, Christmas parties and picnics. Profits from the Boomerang Club functions were donated to local charitable organizations. These are significant items as examples of visitor’s tickets from the Boomerang Club, an important social group in Warrnambool in the mid 20th century. These are two visitor’s cards for the Warrnambool Boomerang Club. One is a pink card and the other is cream-coloured. The printed material on both is enclosed in an ornamental edging and an ornamental pattern is included in the writingBoth cards: ‘Boomerang Social Club, Visitor’s Ticket, T.A.Tinker, President, E.E. Thurlow, Hon. Sec.’warrnambool boomerang club, warrnambool

This is a member’s ticket for 1938-39 for the Warrnambool Boomerang Club. This club was a social club that was formed some time in 1934 and continued on until at least 1956. In the late 1930s there were nearly 200 members who took part in activities that included balls, dances, picnics, dinners and Christmas parties. Profits from the Boomerang Club functions were donated to local charitable organizations. No information is available on this member, Miss M. Gilmour. This is a significant item as an example of a member’s ticket from the Boomerang Club, an important social club in WarrnamboolThis is a member’s ticket for the Warrnambool Boomerang Club, a small card coloured green with red printed material and the name of the holder of the ticket entered in green ink.‘Boomerang Club, Member’s Ticket, Season 1938-39, Name… Miss M. Gilmour, President W.Pridmore, Secretary L. Tinker’warrnambool boomerang club

This is the Constitution of the Warrnambool Boomerang Club. The Boomerang Club was a social club that was formed some time in 1934 and continued until at least 1956. By the late 1930s there were nearly 200 members who took part in activities that included dinners, balls, dances, Christmas parties and picnics. Profits from the Boomerang Club functions were donated to local charitable organizations. This is a significant item as the Boomerang Club was an important social group in Warrnambool in the mid 20th century. This is a small booklet of four pages, two double-sided and two with printing on one side only. It has a red cover and contains printed material. It has an image of a boomerang on the front cover. The pages were originally stapled.Front cover: ‘Constitution of the Warrnambool Boomerang Club, Collett and Munday, Printers, 254 Timor Street, Warrnambool’ The Boomerang image has the word ‘Club’ in the centre warrnambool boomerang club

These are two tickets issued by the Warrnambool Boomerang Club. This club was formed some time in 1934 and continued on until at least 1956. By the late 1930s there were nearly 200 members who took part in activities that included picnics, Christmas parties, balls, dances and dinners. Profits from the Boomerang Club functions were donated to local charitable organizations. No information is available on Messrs Gallacher or Abernethy. Mr Abernethy received a complimentary ticket as he was the President of the club at the time (1948)These items are significant items as examples of the activities of the Boomerang Club, an important social club in Warrnambool in the mid 20th century. These are two Boomerang Club tickets. One is a buff-coloured card for the Members’ Ball on November 4th (no year) with black printing and the other is a pink card with blue printing, a Complimentary ticket for membership for 1948-49. Both cards have a sketch of a boomerang. Card one: Club, Members’ Ball, November 4th, Name…. Mr R. Gallacher, Admittance only by this ticket. (Written list of dances on back) Card two: Boomerang Club, 1948-1949, Complimentary, S. Abernethy, President, W. L. Grant, N. B. Grant, Hon Secs. (on back – Mr S. Abernethy) warrnambool boomerang club, warrnambool

This is a member’s card for the Warrnambool Boomerang Club. This club was a social club that was formed some time in 1934 and continued until at least 1956. By the late 1930s there were nearly 200 members who took part in activities that included balls, dances, Christmas parties, picnics and dinners. Profits from the Boomerang Club functions were donated to local charitable organizations. The member, Mr S. Aberneathy, was a local Warrnambool resident. This is a significant item as an example of a member’s ticket from the Boomerang Club, an important social group in Warrnambool in the mid 20th century.This is a member’s ticket for the Boomerang Club, a card of thick paper, dark red on one side and white (buff-coloured) on the other. One side has gold-coloured printing with a gold boomerang and the other side has the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s name and the name of the member signed in blue ink. There is a small hole on one side to attach the card to a chain. The card is somewhat worn with age. One side: Boomerang Club, Members Ticket, 2/- Other side: J.W.Greening, Secretary & Treasurer, Name…. Mr S. Aberneathy warrnambool boomerang club, mr s aberneathy, boomerang club

This wooden boomerang has been made to promote the Boomerang Club in Warrnambool and to use as a decoration at the Boomerang Club functions. The Warrnambool Boomerang Club was a social club formed in 1934 and it continued until at least 1953. The club had over 200 members enrolled by the late 1930s. The club organized regular activities, including monthly dances, an Annual Ball, Christmas parties, picnics and dinners. Profits from the activities were donated to local charities with over £600 being donated in 1946. This boomerang is of interest as a memento of the Boomerang Club, a social club in Warrnambool in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. This is a wooden boomerang painted brown with white and red lettering on the boomerang face and a white border along the edges. The red paint is fading. There is a small hole at the top for attaching the boomerang to a wall or other object. ‘Boomerang Club.’ history of warrnambool, boomerang club, warrnambool

It appears that the badge has the wrong name spelling and should most likely be “HUTCHESON”. He was born in the Parish of Pine Grove, Wanurp District is in the same area. James Hutcheson had pre war training with the 4th LH at Mitiamo. Enlisted in the AIF 16.3.1916 age 33 years 5 months in the 1st Reinforcements 38th Bn, Embark for England 20.6.1916, disembark 10.8.1916, hospital with “Chill” 19.10.1916 then diagnosed with “Mumps”, rejoin unit 5.11.1916, embark for France 22.11.1916, Hospital 4.12.1916 with “Bronchitis” then finally “Tracheitis”, rejoin unit 2.3.1917, classed as Coy Driver 20.6.1917, WIA 27.7.1917 remaining on duty, embark for England 15.4.1919, embark for Australia 27.5.1919, discharged from the AIF 4.9.1919.Badge brass with central oval shape with image of a soldier, two flags at top each side has either a kangaroo or emu, under is a boomerang shape, ring at top for a chain/other.Rear, “Presented by Wanurp District League to Driver Jas Hutchinson for services rendered in the Great War 1914 - 1919”services rendered, wanurp, great war

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 its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 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 have 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 1850s 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. A Dictionary of Chemistry and Mineralogy Vol 1 Authors: A & C R Aikin Publisher: W Phillips Date: 1807 The label on spine cover with typed text RA 540.3 AIK Fly paper has a boomerang shaped stamp that reads Royal Mint Library, Cat. No. 540 A 1, Acc No. (no number)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, a dictionary of chemistry and mineralogy vol 1, a & c r aikin

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 its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 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 have 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 1850s 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. A Dictionary of Chemistry and Mineralogy Vol 2 Author: A & C R Aikin Publisher: W Phillips Date: 1807 The label on spine cover with typed text RA 540.3 AIK The fly paper has a boomerang shaped stamp that reads Royal Mint Library, Cat. No. 540 A 1. Acc No. (no number)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, a dictionary of chemistry and mineralogy vol 2, a & c r aikin

This is a souvenir which would have been mass-produced for tourists with the wording on the boomerang added to suit each different town or place. This type of souvenir was popular in Australia in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. This item came from a Hamilton antique shop.This item is of some minor interest as it demonstrates what tourists were buying in the 1940s. The use of the boomerang would indicate that overseas and local buyers would be attracted by what was seen as a typical Australian symbol. The size of the item would attract those travelling with limited luggage space. The item can be noted by researchers of social history and used for displayThis is a souvenir of Warrnambool in the shape of a wooden boomerang with a small yellow ribbon tied in the middle of the boomerang and a 1940 calendar attached by the ribbon. The wording on the boomerang is in gold lettering. The calendar is in the form of a small booklet. It can be displayed on a hook using the yellow ribbon loop. On boomerang: ‘Greetings from Warrnambool’ On calendar: ‘Calendar’ warrnambool, tourism, souvenir

The badge was issued by the Victorian branch (indicated by the 'V' on the reverse) of the Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women and is referred to as The Badge of Unity or Tri-Services badge, uniting the armed services of Australia; the Army (rising sun), the Navy (anchor) and the Air Force (pair of wings). The number '57' on the crown represents the year of paid membership; 1957. The badge belonged to Dr W R Angus, who served in the Australian Army as a military doctor during WWII. It was made in Melbourne by Stokes in 1957, around 100 years after the firm was established by Thomas Stokes in Mincing Lane, Melbourne. The firm was operating from Caledonian Lane/Post Office Place in the 1950s. The badge is one of a set of badges collected by Dr W R Angus from the organisations in which he was involved. They are now part of Flagstaff Hill’s comprehensive W.R. Angus Collection, donated by the family of Dr W R Angus, surgeon and oculist. Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women was formed in 1944 to "entourage fellowship and assist those who have served". The organisation is open to members from Australia, British Commonwealth and Allied ex-service personnel. The W.R. Angus Collection: - The W.R. Angus Collection includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material once belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) as well as Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. It includes historical medical and surgical equipment and instruments from the doctors Edward and Thomas Ryan of Nhill, Victoria. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1927 at Ballarat, the nearest big city to Nhill where he began as a Medical Assistant. He was also Acting House surgeon at the Nhill hospital where their two daughters were born. During World War II He served as a Military Doctor in the Australian Defence Force. Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool in 1939, where Dr Angus operated his own medical practice. He later added the responsibility of part-time Port Medical Officer and was the last person appointed to that position. Both Dr Angus and his wife were very involved in the local community, including the planning stages of the new Flagstaff Hill and the layout of the gardens there. Dr Angus passed away in March 1970.This Badge of Unity, or Tri-Service badge, is significant for connecting Doctor Angus with organisations that support men and women who performed military service for Australia. The badge was for membership with the organisation, which supports ex-servicemen and women of the three military forces; Army, Navy and Air Force. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The Collection includes historical medical objects that date back to the late 1800s.Badge; a gold-coloured metal and enamel badge. The blue boomerang-shaped band is below an arch of blue, below a crown with a number and coloured red, white and blue. There are symbols in the centre; a rising sun, above a pair of wings, with an anchor in the centre of both. There is red and blue scrollwork behind the symbols. Inscriptions are on the front and back of the badge. There are two loops and pins on the back of the badge. It is a membership badge of the Victorian branch of the Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women and was made by Stokes in 1957. The badge has a Serial Number. This badge is part of a set of badges collected by Dr Angus and is part of the W.R. Angus Collection.FRONT; “AUST. LEGION OF / EX-SERVICEMEN & WOMEN” On crown “57” REVERSE; “V” “13156" "STOKES” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, w.r. angus, badge, ladies’ badge, military service, stokes, melbourne, australian legion of ex-servicemen and women, membership badge, 1957 membership badge, ex=service personnel, heraldry, world war ii, second world war, tri-services symbol, badge of unity, rising sun, anchor, pair of wings

'Tiles from the Boomerang Studio' is a prototype of the work 'Year 2052', created while Mooney was an Artist in Resident at Laughing Waters in the Boomerang studio in 2002. Records of flora were collected in and around the Gordon Ford garden in Laughing Waters Road. The work 'Year 2052' is made up of '77' tiles and was acquired by Geelong (Regional) Art Gallery in 2003. Whilst working at the Boomerang studio, local based artist Mooney noticed that “a battle raged in the bush between non-indigenous plants and indigenous plants”. She also noticed how humans “invade” land, changing the surrounding environment and causing irreversible damage. This work is an interpretation of the fragility and value of Nillumbik’s indigenous flora and of its conflict with introduced species. The title of the work (Year 2052) and look of these ‘fossilised specimens’ asks viewers to cast themselves into the future and to look back at today. “These tiles have been found; an incomplete record of flora collected in and around the Gordon Ford garden in Laughing Waters Road. The tiles appear to have been made at the beginning of the millennium. The viewer is asked to contemplate which species are missing”. Mooney works with collected indigenous items to emphasis the beauty of their natural shapes, while at the same time introducing selected materials of contrast or sympathy. Her work creates a great sense of “stillness and peace, of simplicity and connection with the natural world as well at the vanishing Australian bush.”This work is made up of seven handbuilt earthenware oval/round clay 'tiles' - (eight pieces - with one tile intentionally broken), brown in colour and bisque and blackware fired, giving a matt black ash coating on each of the tiles' surface. Each tile has an imprint of a floral specimen indigenous to the Laughing Waters area in Eltham. Each tile has an imprint of the following specimens: tiles, earthenware, flora, indigenous, bisque, boomerang, ford, laughing waters

This album pays tribute to the First World War service men who were born and / or lived in the Shire of Marong and were killed in action. Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when Britain and Germany went to war on 4 August 1914, and both Prime Minister Joseph Cook and Opposition Leader Andrew Fisher, who were in the midst of an election campaign, pledged full support for Britain. The outbreak of war was greeted in Australia, as in many other places, with great enthusiasm. For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. Large volume with screw post binding. Corduroy and leather front and back cover. Leather gold embossed title central front cover. Marbled pasted down end papers. Seventy four individual cream and maroon printed pages with decorative scrolls, illustrations and text. Alphabetised. Each page is dedicated to a service man who died in action, recording his name, address, service record and date of death. Oval central space for photographic portrait with image of an emu on the left, kangaroo on the right and boomerang above. (Not all pages contain photographs). Shire of Marong / The President, Councillors & Ratepayers / of the Shire of Marong / hereby place on record their thanks and appreciation / for the conduct of (soldiers name) / Who served his King and Country / in the Great War / 1914 / 1919shire of marong, world war 1