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. The Storm Author: Ilya Ehrenburg Translated from Russian by Eric Hartley and Tatiana Shebunina Publisher: Hutchinson International Authors Ltd Date: 1949Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC HER Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a glued onto it a part of the dust cover from the book. Inside front loose endpaper has a 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 storm, ilya ehrenburg, eric hartley, tatiana shebunina

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 2003. Eye of the storm: a cyclone swept through Marong in September, 1911. One person was killed in the chaos.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

BHS CollectionBendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2003. After the storm: January,7, 1979. The roots of a peppercorn tree at Devon Myers Flat. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Scammell HousePhoto of front of house & Drivewaywreck of joseph h scammell

South Beach 16/05/1975 stormBlack and white photograph of Storm waters lashing South BeachSouth Beach 16/05/1975 storm The Port Fairy Gazette Phone 14 Printers Publishers Stationerssouth beach, storm, houses, ocean, sea

140 p.; 22 cmnon-fictionThis book covers the story of Roy Robertson a well known crop-dusting pilot who flew in his plane from the U.S.A. to Australia in 1973tiger moth aeroplane, wyn proctor, proctor's rural services, cessna agwagon

White mug with handle and blue print of a soldier, aircraft and Desert Storm ‘91 printed on one side and the American flag printed on one sideDesert Storm ‘91 and American Flagamerica, flag, soldier, desert, storm, 1991

The handmade model in a bottle is the work of a hobbyist, in about the mid-20th century. The word 'Cork" may indicate the location of the maker. The Pamir was a four-masted barque built for the German shipping company F. Laeisz. One of their famous Flying P-Liners, she was the last commercial sailing ship to round Cape Horn, in 1949. By 1957, she had been outmoded by modern bulk carriers and could not operate at a profit. Her shipping consortium's inability to finance much-needed repairs or to recruit sufficient sail-trained officers caused severe technical difficulties. On 21 September 1957, she was caught in Hurricane Carrie and sank off the Azores, with only six survivors rescued after an extensive search.The model represents the work of an individual as a hobby project in the early to mid-20th century.Ship in bottle. The "Pamir", a 4-masted ship, and avsmall motorized vessel the "Theodore Storm" set against a European background inside large bottle. Mounted on varnished wooden stand. "Pamir" "Theodore Storm" "Cork"pamir vessel, flagstaff hill museum, four masted vessel, ship in bottle, theodore storm, ship model, cork, handmade, 20th century handcraft, hobby ship model, hobbyist made

Leonhard Adam was a Dunera internee in Camp 2 Tatura.RomanticismWatercolour Painting of Tatura Internment Camp 4 tree plantation with approaching dust storm.Tatura No 4 Camp (Victoria), Dust Storm 8th Dec 41tatura, dunera, internee camps, illustrations, watercolour

Description of fate of deckhouseNarrates the story of the wreck of the Scammell and fate of the Deckhouse

Scammell plaque memorial at AngleseaRecords unveiling of Scammell memorial plaque at Anglesea ( with photo of Margaret Ganly )

Story of Scammell House Article & Photos

Interview with Margaret Ganley about Scammell HouseArticle & PhotoArticle from Real Life Magazine by Michelle Ednacott & Barbara Maher

Reports address to local Probus Club by Carleen ThornbergArticles and photos

View of front Scammell House

Photograph of deck house room downstairs (Eastern Side )scammel deckhouse

Photograph of Scammell House as it was in 1936

Family photo at the rear of housePrivate residenceBlack & White Photcopy shipwrecks great ocean road victoria, scammell house

Private residenceFamily photo in front of house looking towards the oceanshipwrecks great ocean road victoria

Scammell House Photograph from womans Weekly Writing short stories in the ships house

Family PhotoPride family in front of deck house

Interior of house original wallsScammell HouseScammmell Houseshipwrecks great ocean road victoria

Original walls and portholesScammell housePhotocopyNil

Scammell house Photocopy of original walls and doorsscammel deckhouse, wreck of joseph h scammell

Scammell HousePhotocopy of residents in front of house

Scammell HousePhotocopyscammell house

Pride Family on picnic at AngleseaPhotocopy of Pride family Pride family on picnic at Angleseapride family