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 1942 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. Laddie A True Blue Story Author: Gene Stratton - Porter Publisher: Hutchinson & Co Date: 1961Label on spine has typed text PAT FIC STR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Children's Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, laddie a true blue story, gene stratton - porter

Suns True Bearing or Azimuth Tables by John Burwood Publisher His Majestys Stationery Office Date 1898 flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, suns true bearing or azimuth tables, azimuth tables, bearing, book

1 Pamphlet: four leaves.publication, australian, honey, institute, true, story, beechworth honey, publication, australian, honey, institute, true, story, beechworth honey

Phonograph record, black shellac, no cover. Green "Zonophone, The Twin" label. Side A: If only our dreams came true. Side B: Mother Machree. Sung by Mr. Harold Wilde with orchestral accompaniment.Serial No. 1080

This knitting leaflet was part of the magazine "English Woman's Weekly" and contains a knitting pattern for a womans jumper.TRUE-LOVERS' KNOTS JUMPER / LONG OR SHORT SLEEVES / MEDIUM SIZE (3-ply) / Presented with / English / WOMANS' / WEEKLYhandicrafts - history knitting, english woman's weekly, handicrafts - history, knitting

A collection of stories about Australian criminals, from the sub-title "true life stories of greed, obsession, drugs and murder".208 p., illus.crime and criminals, nigel cawthorne

Advertising Poster for use in Tramcars printed on heavy cardboard advertising the use of Australian Recycled Carton board with the headline caption "This is the Sign of a True Green Aussie". Has the logos of Defiance, Kleenex, Uncle Tobys, Arnotts, Neranda Tea, Lanes, Kellogs, White Wings, Aeroplane jelly and Peters. Sponsored by channel 7 Melbourne nightly news. Image file is a small version of the large pdf file, on file as hte5568i.pdftrams, tramways, posters, advertisements, melbourne

A small blue cloth covered storybook for young children titled - Show Your Colours and Other True Narratives. There are gold and black patterns all over the front cover and the back is embossed. A Merit Bookplate is glued to the front endpaper. The full colour illustrated frontispiece picture is of an old man seated at a table with a younger one standing behind him. It has grey pencil scribble all over it and a large tear. There are three short stories all with strong religious themes. At the back is a list of 40 of The "Little Dot" Series - New Sixpenny Books. The spine is broken from the pages. 62p.fictionA collection of three short stories for young children of family and school life with strong religious themes in the late 1800's.religious stories, children's stories, school life

non-fiction1960s, fundraising, parents association

Students attended Sunday School classes at the Tawonga Sunday School in 1898. Historical: Religious Education: This book was given by teachers to students who attended classes at the Tawonga Sunday School in 1898.Very old bound book. Brown coloured linen with a branch of blackberry vine with light green and yellow leaves drawn on top third of cover. Centre front is the title (David Elliot) printed in capital black letters with the D and E larger than the following letters and enclosed in a clear coloured rectangular box that has a thick 'railway line' border on its top and bottom. The bottom third has red leaves and black berries with thorns and the sub title in the same font but much smaller in size. the top and bottom to the cover has a border. Nothing on the back. David Elliot on the SpineAwarded to Annie Sullivan by the Tawonga Sunday School 27/11/(18)98religion, tawonga, sunday school, religious education, novel

Book is organised by "J.P".Softcover with collage of photos on cover. Photos are of railway locomotives, a bomber, railway bridges and a soldier.Inside front cover "Donated by Trevor Knight"books, military history

Black and white cardboard cover with red, white print and black and white photos front and back. Illustrated with black and white photos.books- military history, military history-air force

Soft cardboard/paper cover. White with sepia photograph. Blue trim on cover. Pages 136. Illustrated - black and white photos.books-military-history, armed forces

Collection of Newspaper clippings from Scrap Book 1960 - 1973Artical about Sister Margaret Campbell. She inherited Churchill Island from the Jenkins family. Photo of Mr Bill Ousley beside the cannon on Churchill Island.sister margaret campbell, mr bill ousley, churchill island, the "shannandoah" cannon on churchill island, jean jamieson

non-fictionkeith oliver, donation

An examination of conflicts in John Batman's account of the so-called treaty with the Wurundjeri in 1835.16 p., booklet. 2 copies.aborigines, batmans treaty, wurundjeri

Tells the story of Murrundindi of the Wurundjeri people of Victoria. The story relates his early years at school, his struggle with dual heritage and his later acceptance of his aboriginal heritage.32 p., illus. Paperback.murrundindi, wurundjeri, aborigines victoria, aboriginal heritage sites

This article is the result of an interview with Alf Poulter about the Poulter family roots in Greensborough. Discusses some of the family connections with other pioneer families in the area.Memories of the early days of settlement in Greensborough and of the Poulter family.Copy of newspaper article. 2 pages, black and white photograph.alf poulter, poulter, chapman, splatt, stock, greensborough

The story of Jim Martin, the youngest ANZAC during World War 1.173p., illus.world war 1, anzac legend, jim martin

Miss Hilda Burley of Greensborough won a Melbourne Conservatorium vocal scholarship.Photocopy of one page clippinghilda burley

Records the Partington family's origins and history in Greensborough through an interview with Alan Partington.Records details of one of the pioneer families of the district.Photocopy of a Leader newspaper story on the Partington family's history in Greensborough.partington family, greensborough, apollo parkways, alan partington, whatmough, plenty river

Hard Cover with dust cover Author's name, Ken Lukowiak, on the dust coverPublisher; Secker & Warburg London: 1993falklands. 3 commando.

Christian Science in Victoria Australia - One person's perspective of the introduction of Christian Science in Australia - the first 100 years

Softcover and slightly different format from photographsigned by Moss Berryman, Arthur Jones, Ron Morris and Horrie Young- all crew members on MV KRAIT during Operation JAYWICK in 1943