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. 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 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent 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 1950’s 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. Rolf Boldrewood (1826-1915) ‘Rolf Boldrewood’ is the pen-name used by Thomas Alexander Browne as a writer. Browne was the eldest child of Captain Sylvester John Brown and Elizabeth Angell nee Alexander. He was born in London on 6th August 1826 and arrived in Australia with his parents and siblings when he was 5 years old and grew up in Sydney. In the 1860’s Browne added the ‘e’ to his surname. As a 17 year old Browne took up land in the Western District of Victoria between Portland and Port Fairy on a property named “Squattlesea Mere”. He remained there until 1858, enjoying the squatters’ life on his 32,000 acre property, growing potatoes and running cattle and horses. He sold in 1858 and purchased a sheep station on the Murray River near Swan Hill. He later sold this and bought another sheep station near Narrandera until bad seasons and severe droughts eventually caused him to change his career after 25 years as a squatter. Over the next 25 years Browne held the position of Police Magistrate and as a gold commissioner in various locations. His third career as an author lasted approximately 40 years. In 1865 he wrote two articles on pastoral life while he was recovering from a riding accident. In the 1870’s his writing was bringing in the income to support his family, changing his focus to the writing of novels. A series of these was written for the Australian market and published in The Sydney Mail and the Centennial Magazine. His later novels were aimed at the overseas markets. His best known novel “Robbery Under Arms” was written from 1882 to 1883 and has been serialised on radio in Australia and Britain. The novel was filmed in 1907, 1920 and 1957, and in 1985 it was made into a television series. It is now an Australian Classic. He also wrote short stories, several nonfiction graziers’ guides, and an autobiography named “Old Melbourne Memories” in 1884. [This information has been taken from Wikipedia; Australian Authors-Perry Meddlemiss; Australian Dictionary of Biography, Browne, Thomas Alexander (1826-1915)] 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. The Miners Right A tale of the Australian Goldfields Author: Rolf Boldrewood Publisher: Macmillan And Co Date: 1922Label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 823.91 BOL Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library 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 miners right, australian goldfields, australian rush, rolf boldrewood, gold rush

This Miner’s Right was issued post the rush of the 1850s-60s but is testament to the ongoing interest in gold although the great rush had dwindled. Local papers continued to report on findings and hopes of success, including syndicates and explorations across the south-west district of Victoria and Otways. The Warrnambool correspondent of the “Hamilton Spectator”, 31/1/1878, p4 attest to the price of a good season of potatoes comparing “favourably with the unsteady returns of any precarious gold-bearing quartz reefs in the colony.” A James Collins (1842-1918) is listed in the Pioneers’ Register, Warrnambool, Township and Shire 1839-1900, Volume One, A.I.G.S Warrnambool Branch, 2004, p137. As are numerous other Collins pioneer families of the district. This item is significant in that it illustrates that people associated with the region were interested in taking their chances in prospecting for gold similar to many others. A lure that is still present for some today. Although the southwest region found it's source of wealth in other industries from whaling and fishing, wool and other agricultural pursuits. This is a top to bottom upright image of a Miner’s Right. It is a buff coloured document printed in black ink. It was issued in “BALLARAT” and rubber stamped twice in red ink. The issue to “James Collins”, is dated “23rd August 1889” to “22nd August 1890”. The signature of the authority could be Bennet. All handwriting is script style in black ink. Looking from the front the lefthand side has a serrated edge. The back is printed in black ink and there are no “particulars of registration”. The Miner’s Right is from “Series J, Book No. 3, ticket “No. 15”. A “Colony of Victoria” coat of arms is displayed at the top of the document. An insignia runs along the lefthand side of the license featuring coat of arms with a kangaroo and emu, then a miner’s pick and shovel, two crossed Union Jack flags sit behind a monogram “VR” with a hanging set of scales supported by a sword. "By Authority Robt. S. Brain, Government Printer.""Series J. Book No. 3 Five Shillings. No. 15. Colony of Victoria. Miner's Right"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, james collins, australian goldfields, miner's rights, the history of ballarat, gold rush

This miner's right is held by the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat. The original was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Blue Miner's Right issued at Ballarat in the Colony of Victoria.colony of victoria, miner's right, goldrush, ballarat, 1856

This miner's right is a copy from an original held by the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat. The original was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall. Blue Miner's Right issued at Ballarat in the Colony of Victoria.miner's right, mining, gold, ballarat, old colonist's association of ballarat

Black and white photograph: horse's head, white blaze on face, wearing leather bridle. Person holding a Miner's Right on side of horse's cheek, on which is written the name of G.G. Blossom, presumably the horse. See 12262.72 - horse appears to be part of a 'protest' meeting. In blue pen 'G.G. Blossum (sic) only 14 years with Miner's Right'.gold mining, miner's right

This book about the New South Wales goldfields was written by Rolf Boldrewood in 1890. It is retained because the author played a significant part in Warrnambool’s history. Rolf Boldrewood, the pen name of Thomas Browne, first came to the Warrnambool district in 1842, visiting the Bolden brothers’ property, Grasmere. He camped on the banks of the Merri River for about six months and described the area, including Warrnambool Bay, some years later in his book Old Melbourne Memories. In 1844 Thomas Browne established the property, Squattleseamere near Bessiebelle, north west of Portland. He remained there for ten years then moved to New South Wales. The last forty years of his life were spent writing and he became well-known for the classic Australian novel, Robbery Under Arms. This book is retained because it is a 19th century example of the writings of Rolf Boldrewood. He is important in Warrnambool’s early history as he was in the area in the early 1840s. His account of the area at that time is the most important one we have of the area that was later to be the site of the new settlement of Warrnambool.This is a soft cover book of 188 pages. The cover is brown with red edging and lettering and is partly detached from the binding. The spine is partly missing. The pages are dog-eared and there is some foxing. The text is printed in two columns to a page. Frank J. Donovanrolf boldrewood (thomas browne), bolden brothers in the warrnambool area, warrnambool history, the miners right

This miner's right certificate was issued in Orbost to Donald Munro of Orbost. It was valid from 24.10.1904 until 23.10.1905 and cost two shillings and sixpence. Donald Munro, with his brother, Archie carried on a boot-making business in one of the rooms of a three-storeyed barn at Lochiel. The Munros were musically inclined and through them a band was formed in 1889. Donald Munro was involved in many of the town's activities. (More in Mary Gilbert's Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District). The Miner's Right was introduced in 1855 in the colony of Victoria, replacing the Miner's Licence. Protests in 1853 at Bendigo with the formation of the Anti-Gold Licence Association and the rebellion of Eureka Stockade in December 1854 at Ballarat led to reform giving the right to mine gold, the right to vote, and the right to own land. This new system proved economical and sustainable, operating substantially unchanged up until 1975. This item is of historical significance as it is associated with positive outcomes for gold miners brought about by the Eureka Stockade rebellion and its subsequent democrat changes. It is also associated with the Munro family who were early settlers in Orbost.A white paper miner's right certificate. It has black print with hand-written details. It is an elaborate document with the Victorian coat-of-arms at the top.on back- date, hand-written notescertificate-miner's-right munro-donald

The first known residents were Mr and Mrs Walter Pretty and their family who moved there in 1856. Mr William Collins took out a miner's right in 1886 and Mr and Mrs Frank Lowe bought the freehold when the site was auctioned in 1930.History of families associated with the property originally leased on a miner's right near the corner of Yarra Street and Cemetery Road circa 1850s, and later had a frontage to the Main Road with access from to Taroona Avenue.

Miner’s Right. Eureka 150stawell

A miners' right issued to John Wiight in Trust for the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat. The land under Miners' Right was in Humffray Street South.miners' right, ballarat old colonists' association, john wright, humffray street south

Pleasant Creek was the original game for Stawell, Victoria. John Paterson is possibly the same John Paterson who was involved at the Eureka Stockade. (http://eurekapedia.org/John_Paterson )Miners' Right made out to John Paterson.miner's right, john paterson, pleasant creek

White Miner's Right in the name of Susan Christie of Eaglehawk. Miner's Right No 50, book No 306 and dated 17 March 1898. At the top is a crest with a lion and a unicorn holding up an oval piece with a crown on top. The oval is divided into four and an illustration in each quarter. The Miner's Right cost two shillings and six pence. Signed by Nancy Morris. On the back are details of residence area and Privileges conferred by a Miner's Right.document, gold, miner's right, miner's right, susan christie, nancy morris, robt s brain

FRAMED ORIGINAL MINER'S RIGHT, FRAMED & ISSUED TO JOHN HOPE.3RD JULY 1892local history, document, miners right, mining

MRS. ELIZABETH MILNE OF CLUNES TRANSFERRED HER MINING LICENCE TO DANIEL MC VICAR, GRAND FATHER OF MICHAEL KIERCE FOR HIS PARENTS. JOHN AND CELEILA MCVICAR TEPLETON STREET, CLUNES.PHOTOCOPY OF MINERS RIGHT TRANSFER. 1901 TO DANIEL MC VICAR OF CLUNES848 IN BOOKS OF MINING REGISTRARlocal history, document, miners right, transfer [copy], mining

Pietro Lucini owned the building on the right in the attached photograph. He operated a general store here prior to building a new building opposite this site. He was involved in gold mining activities in the early settlement of Spring Creek, now known as Hepburn Springs. Dr Francesco operated a store in building on left. A document and photograph glued on cardboard. 01451.1 Miner's Right, No. 7351. Glued on cardboard. 01451.2 A separate photograph of two early stores at early Jim Crow diggings, now Hepburn Springs. Text at bottom of photograph, " First hotel and store built at Jim Crow Diggins Daylesford. Now known as Hepburn Springs. These buildings are still standing at rear of "Golf Club Hotel. Photo Miner's Right donated by Mr J Bramwell Officer in charge of Kew Fire Station. Sept 1936". Back of cardboard has the following writing; "Donated by Mr J Bramwell Officer in Charge of Fire Station, Walton St. Kew. Sept 1936", "Donated by Beryl Jean Frame (per Mrs.R.Bland Ferntree Gully) 1987", "Box 4", WINGRAM 47 Victoria Road Auburn Melb 1- JAN 1940, Daylesford & District Historical Society.gold mining, lucini, buildings, hotel, spring creek, golf club hotel

Miners Right - Herbert Jackson Leed, Central Deborah Gold Mining Co, Red White & Blue, New Don, Forbes Carshalton, South Frederick The Great Company. There are also multiple copies of other Miners Right.MCCOLL RANKIN & STANISTREETorganization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet

This book is a register of land holders with miners' rights. The correspondence is associated with applications for miners' rights on privately owned land and business sites. They include application fotrms and objections to registrations. The areas referred to are Combienbar, Goongerah, Club Terrace, Wombat Creek and Dundong. One of the privileges under the Mines Act, conferred by the holding of a miner's right until 1935 was that of residence on up to one acre on a gold-fields area. Those occupying a residence area were "deemed in law to be possessed ... of such ... parcels ... and the property therein".This is a useful research tool.A large, heavy book with a grey cloth cover and red spine. The end papers are marbled. The inside pages are ruled in grey with red ruled columns. Entries are hand-written. There are copies of correspondence inside. Details given are the registration number and date, the name of the person, the number of the miner's right and its date, a description of the allotment and any remarks or references to other volumes. Any changes of ownership are shown. The book is mostly unused.register-mining miners-rights

Miner's right, buff coloured, no name entered. On front: Book No. series S; five shillings.mining, prospecting, miner's right

Miner's Right No 35975, dated 6 August 1921, issued to Matthew Arbile (?).The Miner's Right has a crest at the top with a lion and a unicorn beside a shield with a crown on the top. It has 2s. 6d. Printed on each side. Signed by Helen T. Morris. Written on the back is the Situation of Residence Area in Eaglehawk. Printed on the back are Privileges Conferred by a Miner's Right (Subject to the Mining By-laws and for the State of Victoria). Printed on white paper.document, gold, miner's rights, miner's rights, miner's right no 35975 matthew arbile, helen t morris, albert j mullett

Miner's Right No 14628, dated 9 August 1914, issued to Matthew Arbile (?).The Miner's Right has a crest at the top with a lion and a unicorn beside a shield with a crown on the top. It has 2s. 6d. Printed on each side. Signed by Helen T. Morris. Written on the back is the Situation of Residence Area in Eaglehawk. Printed on the back are Privileges Conferred by a Miner's Right (Subject to the Mining By-laws and for the State of Victoria). Printed on white paper.document, gold, miner's right, miner's right, miner's right no 14628, matthew arbile (?), helen t morris, albert j mullett

Diggers & mining. The gold era. IN 1855, the government, realizing that the diggers had a grievance, substituted the miner's right for the licence. Slide shows a copy of a Miner's Right 26 March, 1856, William Lunn. Markings 29 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Seventeen copies of Miner's Right. dating from 1897 - 1922, in the names of Mary Wilson and Archibald Wilson,mining, prospecting, gold mining.