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. 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 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, and to 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. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. Three Plays The Great Broxopp, The Dover Road, The Truth about Blayds Author: A A Milne Publisher: Chatto and Windus Date: 1923Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 822 MIL Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, 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, three plays, the great broxopp, the dover road, the truth about blayds, a a milne

Suzy was the youngest of the Boyds’ three children - this is one of her childhood books.Hardcover book.walsh st library, ohm2022, ohm2022_40

SoftcoverPenciled numbers on the front pagedrama, walsh st library

Colour photo of seven men, one holding a fiddle, three playing button accordions, one playing a concertina, one is holding a camera and the seventh has one hand behind his back. Photo taken in front of shrubs.photo, group, musicians, peter ellis collection, musicians

Students entertained visitors to the college during the week, Name Change Celebrations, Lakes Entrance Secondary College.Black and white photograph three students playing musical instruments Lakes Entrance Post Primary.schools, music

From the early 1950s, the Kew Repertory Players performed more substantial, if less spectacular fare in the Recreation Hall, and later in the new Kew City Hall, after the former’s demolition in 1960. Their repertoire ranged from plays by Noel Coward to J.B. Priestley. Many of their programmes, the earliest from 1953, and the last from 1965, form part of our collection.Arthur Henry Dear was an employee of the City of Kew, acting as Hall Keeper of the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, and later the new Kew City Hall in Cotham Road. The Arthur Dear Collection contains memorabilia - tickets, programmes, invitations - as well as his identification badge. Items in the collection dates from the 1940s to the 1970s The Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later the Kew City Hall (Cotham Road) were major locations in suburban Melbourne in the postwar period for civic and private events including theatre productions and exhibitions. The Arthur Dear Collection (in conjunction with the scrapbooks compiled by Marion Tilley) provide a comprehensive snapshot of performing arts in Kew during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. The collection includes valuable data about performances, performers, directors etc., during this period. Programme issued by The Kew Repertory Players for performances in August 1957 of three plays - Sad About Europe by Philip Johnson, Fumed Oak by Noel Coward, The Rose and Crown by J.B. Priestley - in the Kew Recreation Hall. The 4-page programme includes cast lists, and advertisements for local businesses.sad about europe, philip johnson, fumed oak, noel coward, the rose and crown, j.b. priestley, kew repertory players, arthur dear collection, performing arts -- kew -- victoria, kew recreation hall -- wellington street, theatre memorabilia

Stawell Drama Group in 1954 stage production "Fools Rush In". Photo taken Stawell Town Hall. In Photo L - R. Phillis Grant, Malcolm Smith, Dianne Hall, Alan Podger, Glenda Hurst. Diane Hall "Pam" daughter Malcolm Smith - Paul ex husband. May Hall - Mrs. Coot - nanny Glenda Hurst - Angela mother. Three act play "Fools Rush In" Stawell drama group. Presented at Stawell Town on 1st April 1954. Black and white photograph of five persons on stage. Also colour photograph of brick house.Diane Hall "Pam" daughter Malcolm Smith - Paul ex husband. May Hall - Mrs. Coot - nanny Glenda Hurst - Angela mother. 1954 Three act play "Fools Rush In" Stawell drama group. Presented at Stawell Town on 1st April 1954. In Photo L - R. Phillis Grant, Malcolm Smith, Dianne Hall, Alan Podger, Glenda Hurst. stawell entertainment

Three men playing billiardsblack and white photograph, unmounted, copy, poor conditionMelbourne Suburbs St Kilda, Billiard Room, St Leonards, St Kilda By the Sea Annual. P. fold out. Season 1915-16. Stamped: National Library of Australia Canberra

Photograph published page 37 in the Port Melbourne Quarterly July-September 1959Blanc and white photograph with white birder depicting three men playing pool in the Billiard Room of the Flinders Street Mission.sailors, seamen, pool, billiard, billiard room, mission to seamen, seamen's mission, mission to seafarers, flinders street, melbourne, 1959, snooker

Three people playing in snow outside the Mission Hall in the Main Street of Olinda. Current Mangana Store covers this site.On back of photograph - Mission hall OLINDA. Mission Hall Olinda in the snow.olinda, mission hall, snow

The first Mt Dandenong State School opened in a shed on the property of William Ferguson on the corner of Blythe and Old Coach Roads. The first teacher was Miss Ethel Gruber who opened the school on May 11th, 1897. It wasn’t until 1901 that the school shifted over the road into an old school building that was moved up to the new site from Ringwood. All the buildings were demolished to make way for a new school that opened in 1991. Up until the later 2000s snow fell at the school several times a year. Three children playing in snow at the front of Mt Dandenong Primary School 5th September 1995. The snow lasted three days.mt dandenong school, snow, mt dandenong

Three children playing in snow covering bank and oval at Mt Dandenong Primary School 5th September 1995. Snow lasted three days.mt dandenong school, snow

Seafarers compete in 3-legged race at the zooSmall monochrome outdoor photograph, depicting seamen playing three legged race.zoo, 1907, race, picnic, lhlg, ladies harbour lights guild, sailors, seamen, sports, games, 3-legged race, anne treverton goldsmith (nee lobb

large b & w photograph of three Asian seafarers playing pool in the billiard roombilliard room, pool table, seamen, seafarers, sailors, asian, corduroy

Colour photo of three men playing musical instruments. The one on the left is playing a banjo, the middle one is playing a violin and the one on the right is playing a button accordion.photo, group, musicians, peter ellis collection, musicians

The Ballarat Teachers' College had a number of excursions and events including the college picnic.Two black and white photographs of Ballarat Teachers' College students at a picnic. .1) nine adults pose for a photograph. All are standing. .2) Three males 'play rough' on an oval..1) - verso "College Picnic" .2) - verso "Sammy Boyd, David Cooper (Charles), Tom Hill. College picnicballarat teachers' college, boyd, cooper, hill, picnic, student activity

In 1999, the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria (AFV) participated in a community expo (location unknown). The AFV brought along its recently launched Healthy Bones Bus (a mobile information and education resource funded by the Victorian Ladies Bowls Association), conducted a Tai Chi demonstration, and gave people the opportunity to try out the game of croquet.Colour photo of three people playing croquet on a grassy area. One woman is holding a mallet, preparing to strike a ball through a hoop while another woman and a man (who are also holding mallets) look on.arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, arthritis victoria, av, community expo, croquet, 2000

Edithvale Life Saving Club was founded in 1919.Sepia postcard of Edithvale Life-Saving Club, a double story wooden building, built on the foreshore of Edithvale beach. Bathing boxes are on the right hand side, with boats sitting on the sand and three children playing, while a man watches.Kiosk and beach, Edithvale Valentine series no 198life saving club, edithvale, edithvale beach, bathing boxes

Black and white photo of three men, two playing accordions and the third is playing some type of wind instrument. The man in the middle is Peter Ellis.photo, group, bandsmen, peter ellis collection, peter ellis

Black and white photo of the Kurtz Family - Stringybark Band. Date on the back is Sep. 1981. The three men are playing accordion, violin and flute. The two women are playing the guitar and harmonica.photo, group, mixed group, peter ellis collection, kurtz family, stringybark band

"JCR" in blue ink, "Common Room 1959 at HH" written in script in pencil, stamped "Archives International House"

Also, black and white photograph number 02892.2 of three children performing Nativity Play at Kindergarten.Black and white photograph child dressed in art smock, painting at easel, at Heatherlea Grove Kindergarten, Lakes Entrance.education

Autobiography of Greg Williams played for three AFL clubs after famously being rejected by Carlton twice. Greg Williams played for three AFL clubs after famously being rejected by Carlton twice. Greg played for Geelong, Sydney & ironically Carlton. Greg won two Brownlow Medals at Sydney and Carlton in 1994. Greg played in the 1995 Premiership win over Geelong playing as forward kicking 5 goals. He was acknowledged for his handball skills and despite a lack of leg speed his ability to collect possessions. 199 Paperback Book

On the rear in black pen are listed 19 names signed by the individual with address & instrument played. Three other names have been listed by the one person who were obviously absent on the day.Photo, black & white, showing 19 members of a military band. In foreground a black dog, behind band an army hut. Photo is on cardbaord, grey colour with a black edging.On front: "38th BATT BAND MT MARTHA 1940" in ink under "=MT MARTHA="photographs, band, 38th, mt martha

Blue & White Paper Document Theatre Production Seagulls Over Sorrento Hugh Hastings Three Act Play. Bendigo Training Prison Performance Sunday 18th May 1958. Produced & Directed By Keith G. Cast: Rex S., Norman B., Des Nicholas, Keith G., Graham M., Robert K., Andrew F., Ronald A. Allan Q.clubs and associations, theatre, bendigo training prison, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/seagulls_over_sorrento

Black and white photograph of the interior of the Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, c1994. The image reflects the ambience of the venue. Three musicians play guitar, violin and accordion. They are Doug DeVies, Dan Burk and George Butrulis. Two men enter the café. A group of people sit at tables with bottles of wine and glasses. The stained glass sign for the Empire Cafe can be seen at the top of the image.

The Orbost football club players were known as the Busters and wore green and gold guernseys. An Orbost football team has participated in the East Gippsland League since the early 20th century. In 2003 in response to a dwindling population, the Snowy Rovers and Orbost Football Clubs were driven to merge into the Orbost Snowy Rovers Football clubs, through their many changes, have always been an important social fabric of the community. Sport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia, contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and good health.A black / white photograph of men playing football. Three men are jumping for the ball. The goal posts are on the right side. A large group of spectators are at the rear behind a fence.recreation sport-football orbost-football-club

Grant Davis Collection black and white group photo including Franklyn Joseph Davis (extreme right -seated ) .The photo appears to be of members of a play. Three women and three men wearing Victorian era costumes on a stage with background sceneryphotograph, portrait

Postcards sent to R.H. Baron's siblings Fred and Myrtle and future wife (?) Elsie. Notes on each card mention a three day journey playing with a band. Part of the "Robert H. Baron" No. 3596 and Cooper Collection. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.1. Black and white photograph of a house partially covered with ivy. Garden in the foreground. 2. Black and white photograph of a church with square tower. Graveyard and cart in the foreground.1. The Convent, Stourton Gardens. Handwritten in black ink on back: 'Letter from R.H. Baron to Elsie and Fred - no date." 2. Stourton Church. Handwritten in black ink on back: 'Letter from R.H. Baron to Myrtle' - no date.robert h. baron, cooper collection, postcard, stourton uk