Historical information

The Fisherman's Union in Victoria evolved from the formalisation of the fishing industry in the late 19th century, leading to state-based unions like the Victorian Fishermen's Union. These early unions provided members with exclusive access to resources like cold storage and sales networks, but also functioning as barriers to non-European participation. This union represented a shift from informal fishing practices to a regulated industry, reflecting broader trends in Australian trade unionism during this period.

The book belonged to the family of Charles Gustav Patterson who was part of the original Portland Lifeboat crew. Receipts collected by Roy Patterson were inside the book and have been accessioned separately.

Significance

Interim statement pending further research:
This minute book is significant because it belonged to Charles Gustav Patterson. Patterson was one of the early European settlers to Portland and as well as being a part of the early fishing industry here was part of the Portland Lifeboat crew who took part in the rescue of survivors from the Admella Shipwreck. The book details repairs done to the Portland Lifeboat as well as documenting its history - in particular its time at the Portland Botanic Gardens.
The book also documents the early history off the union movement in Portland.
This book has been in the Patterson family until donation to the Glenelg Shire Cultural Collection.

Physical description

Dark blue book with brown/orange spine and corners. The front cover has paint splashes and splatters on it. The spine has a dark red label located in the top half of the spine. It reads, ' Minute Book'/ The corners on both the front and back cover are worn with the top layer having worn off. Both the inside of the front and back cover have blue marbled paper. The pages of the book are numbered in the top corners. The pages have blue lines and a red lined margin. The inside has hand written minutes. The first page is titled ' Minutes of ordinary General Meeting Held Feb 24th 1905'. The handwriting is in black ink. Page 262 is loose and detached. The final page - 286 - has the minutes dated 8.1. 1937.

The book contained receipts and other papers which have been catalogued separately.