The Magazine of the Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria Inc. UsefulNo. 40Knowledge – AUTUMN 2016

PO Box 1080, Windsor VIC 3181 Australia ISSN 1835-5242 Reg No. A0038156G ABN 60 337 355 989 Price: Six Dollars $6 MECHANICS'... AND PROUD OF IT!

We are greatly indebted to Jock Macneish OAM We have vicnet. net.au/~mivic recently established a website for this very reflective front page cartoon. to which all MemberNo InstitutesInstitute Jock is a professional trainer, who clearly needshave the to opportunity be without to a contribute web presence, to their page Mechanics’motivates people Institutes and of he Victoria has given Inc. us (MIV) a very is by way of pictures and information. valuable blueprint ‘on a plate’ as it were. The Little River but if Useful andyou Stanleyhave one we can list the link or website on Knowledgebut the facilitator. (UK your MIV page. Click on the pages of yearSince and this 1999 is very we much have dependent published on your for examples of how your pages can feeding us information) which is ofissued forthcoming three times and a Involvementlook. There is [in/or] no charge of Neighbourly save your Suppport supplying past events, news of your people, and the Teams.information It’s Totally and a range Up To of Everyone. pictures. As for the drama of your Hall. Please PASS UK around Mechanics’ your Committee and members and don’t just Institute file it with inwards correspondence. Now everyone read Jock’s In UK Meet, Enjoy and Connect with message aloud. Thankyou Jock for the Healthy Activities of Neighbours, Interesting inspirationMEMBERSHIP from your perspiration! RENEWALS you will Communities, [and] Social Groups. ENCLOSED IN THIS ISSUE. 2 Useful Knowledge - MARK YOUR CALENDAR ComingJULY Events 7 American Membership Libraries - Annual Meeting - San Franciso Mechanics’ 1 Stanley Athenaeum - Opening of NEWSLETTERInstitute, ROUND USA 'Botanical Treasures' exibition, continues Tick after reading and pass it on until January 2017 President 14-24 Rare Book Week 19 Melbourne Athenaeum - Richard Overell ...... Melbourne- 'Collecting AthenaeumTravel Books' - Anne(more Kucera info in Vice-President...... Around the Institutes) Treasurer...... Insert your name) 20 Secretary...... - 'A Rare Art Form: Pop Up Books' (more Committee ( info in Around the Institutes) ...... 21 Prahran Mechanics' Institute - Lecture by Wallace Kirsop 'People from Prahran ...... and District Important to the Melbourne ...... AUGUSTBook Scene', 6.30pm ......

29 Applications Close for Veterans Grants...... More information at www.dpc.vic.gov...... THANK YOU TO OUR PRINTER SEPTEMBERau/index.php/veterans/veterans-grants

TDC3 Print Centre, 548 Bridge Rd, Richmond. 3 Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute Open tdc3.com.au Day. 10am-5pm, 117 Sturt St, Ballarat. ballaratmi.org.au 24 MIV's Annual General Meeting, Prahran Mechanics' Institute The MIV would like to acknowledge the support 24 MIV's Second Annual Wesson Lecture, of our 'home' - the Prahran Mechanics' Institute NOVEMBERPrahran Mechanics' Institute MIV

Independent Libraries and Mechanics’ President TBC RuffartzInstitutes Biennial Worldwide Art Show 2016 – San Contacts 3-6 Vice-President Robert Kingston - [email protected] Franciso Mechanics’ Institute. Contact: Secretary [email protected] Bron Lowden - [email protected] MIV'S EVENTS CALENDAR IS NOW ONLINE! Treasurer Luke Mitchell - [email protected] vicnet.net.au/~mivic/events Gary Bester - [email protected] Subscribe for weekly email updates on events Archives Scanning Project; Plaques; throughout the week. The calendar will include MIRC/E-NewsTravelling Exhibition - [email protected] events held at or by MIV Institute Members, andMember important Institutes: dates and events that may be of Research interest to Institutes and other members of MIV. Judith Dwyer - [email protected] email through details of your events, or public events being held at your Magazine/Website Institute, both big and small to bronlowden@ Pam Baragwanath - [email protected] hotmail.com for inclusion in the online calendar. Let us help you promote your events! Bron Lowden - [email protected] MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 3

Letter From The President

For some time now State Government policy has been for local councils to take responsibility for the thousands of Crown Land Reserves dotted around the State. For their part councils have resisted, holding out for additional funding to support the extra costs involved. This stalemate has produced a situation where the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) disingenuously refers to the responsibility for each reserve being determined “on its merits”. In practice this means councils are only interested if the reserve in question represents an economic benefit rather than a cost. In other words where the reserve comes with its own income, can be profitably redeveloped or can be sold off. While there may be many cases in which the public interest is well served by this policy in the case of Mechanics' Institutes it represents an existential threat. Why so? Between 1839 and the early 1900’s there were approximately 1200 Mechanics' Institutes built in Victoria. Of the 500 or so still with us today around two thirds are built on Crown Land gazetted as reserved for “site for Mechanics' Institute”. Dating as they do from the earliest days of most Victorian towns and cities they now find themselves Emeraldlocated on Hill prime Mechanics' real estate Institute coveted by councils and property developers alike. Not that this is anything new. In the 1890’s the South Melbourne Council are said to have offered the Emerald Hill Mechanics' Institute a wing in the magnificent South Melbourne Town Hall in return for their Institute in Cecil Street. The former Institute building still exists but there is no sign of the either as a tenant of the South Melbourne Town Hall or functioning organisation. “the disseminationThe lesson that of scientific we need and to draw literary from information, this is that usefulonce an knowledge Institute losesand rational tenure over recreation” its site oris control of its buildings its life expectancy as an independent local social enterprise dedicated to Trentham and Ballan very short indeed. lastDELWP’s edition of recent Useful decisions Knowledge to transfer management of the Mechanics' Institute Reserves to their respective local councils are just two cases that have come to our attentionSAVE since YOUR the INSTITUTE . Elsewhere in this issue we have highlighted some of the actions you can take to from a similar fate. Paramount amongst which is to ensure that your Institute is a dynamic, open and imaginative institution deeply engaged with your local community. Meanwhile MIV will be engaging all levels of Government in an attempt to ensure that Victoria’s Mechanics' Institutes don’t keep falling victim to what experience shows to be an overly simplistic one size fits all policy. Robert Kingston

President. 4 Useful Knowledge

‘Mechanics’... and EditorialProud of it!’ The theme for this issue is Travelling The argument that nothing of the original Exhibitions which just happens to be the Trentham Institute remains is a nonsense. title of one of our much travelled The core is original and the add-ons show the . As you peruse the pages of this building’s evolution, which is typical of many issue from page one you will see just what a good Mechanics’ Institute Halls. news story the Mechanics’ Institutes have beenJock In Victoria we have seen Mechanics’ Macneishas they move into their second life and Century 21. notebuildings Tamworth happily School recycled of Arts into other uses like, We’ve got much Alex to celebrateTyrrell and libraries, museums, theatres, even homes. I Pam Baragwanath’s cover cartoonand Ken bringsJames thatThese home,Walls is to be turned Speakand inside Volumes. we have ’s review of into a seven day a week 6am-10pm diner and ’ a children’s gymnasium, so those walls will Steve Kellermeier continue to speak. Mechanics’ Institutes, You will also read how budding architect With the unparalleled blitzing of the media achieved his Diploma of with the wording now Architecture, the very hard and old way. However is the time to take advantageUK of the proud name, in the computerCase Study era hopefullyat Otley this will not put which I have just heard Birregurra has done. anyone off from attempting a similar survey. (More about that in the next .) Our , YorkshireSwindon (UK) Let us know your news of upcoming events Mechanics’highlights a need for independent agencies to to show others what is being done in and about step in and Wickhamprevent what School happened of Arts at (NSW) are our Halls. Keep the passion burning with your (UK) or in Australia where buildings examples and enthusiasm. such as the Finally how about signing up a friend, Hall, just left to moulder in a state of what has been Library or Government Department to join MIV, referred to as ‘demolition by neglect’. as they say the more the merrier.Bron MembershipLowd e n Often we see stories of HallsRuffy as Mechanics’ not worth forms available for download from our website. WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS Hallsaving. The reply to that was rammed home at the recent plaque unveilingThis Hall at is not just a few nails (Forand somea full boards,report nextits presence issue). Thereis a place one of Castlemaine Pioneers & Old Residents enduringthe speakers memory, stated a concept ‘ that may be hard for Association Inc. others to understand Somerville,THESE WALLS Tyabb SPEAK and District VOLUMES Heritage - AVAILABLE Society FOR PURCHASE FROM MIV .’ Trentham Mechanics’ Institute S How well put as we see the battle for the Dr being Gweneth waged imply download the order form from the Wisewouldaround its fate. MyOutpost: father A well Doctor remembers on the website (vicnet.net.au/~mivic/twsv), print, the launch of the legendary late Divide ERRATAcomplete - and UK 39 mail it with a cheque. Books are ’s book $85 + $15 postage per copy. in the Trentham Mechanics’ one bitterly MURCHISON MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE (Est. cold rainy night in 1971. A night you would not 1873) send a dog out on, but yet all of Trentham turned Murchison Mechanics’ out to fill the Hall to bursting point for their Institute UK beloved ‘Dr Gwen’. I am told Dr Wisewould was In the article on the ‘ resplendent in her ball gown, but it was so cold, ’ in ‘Where they Stood’ in 39 it was she had her usual trousers on underneath to mentioned that the swimming pool was on the keep her warm. site of the former building. This was incorrect, a The site of the launch was fitting, for in park and picnic area now occupies the site of the that same Hall Dr Wisewould and her partner former Murchison Mechanics’ Institute building. IndeedAnnabelle the had Trentham staged regular Mechanics’ concerts Institute’s over the The new swimming pool was built on the river wallsyears engagingspeak volumes. and entertaining the community. bank about half a kilometre away. There is also a query if the proceeds from the sale of the buildings, fittings, etc. were used wholly or in part to build the new swimming pool. MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 5

CONFERENCE UPDATE: MECHANICS' WORLDWIDE 2016 REINVENTION: THRIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Are Mechanics’ Institutes still • volunteer management relevant? Will they survive and development and thrive in the 21st century? • staffing We believe they will! The conference will take Join colleagues from place, 3-6 November 2016, at around the world to exchange the Mechanics' Institute of San ideas, explore histories, and Francisco, a leading cultural discuss our present situation center that includes a vibrant and our aims for the future. library, a world-renowned We have an exciting program chess program, and a full Brewsterlined up, includingKahle three calendar of engaging cultural keynote presentations: events. Founded in 1854 to , (below serve the educational and social needs of mechanics — Ninaleft) Simon Founder & Digital Librarian, Internet Archive (archive.org) artisans, craftsmen, and inventors — and their families, the Institute today is a favorite of avid ( , (below centre) Executive Director, readers, writers, downtown employees, chess Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History Lee Rainie players, and the 21st century nomadic worker. santacruzmah.org) - "The Art of Relevance" We are located in our 9-story landmark building , (below right) Director, Internet, in the Financial District at 57 Post Street. Science and Technology Research, Pew Networked: The New Social Operating System EarlyConference bird rate registration is in effect until is now 1 July open: 2016. ht t p:// (Research Center & Author of the book www.milibrary.org/reinvention/registration. hotel for Reinvention: Thriving in the 21st www.pewresearch.org) - "The Reinvention Century,The Orchard Hotel is the official conference Recipe: One Part Desperation. One Part Aggravation. One Part Decimation. One Part located within easy walking distance Liberation” of the Mechanics’ Institute. We have reserved a Our colleagues presenting on topics of interest in block of rooms at a specially discounted rate, but the areas of: you must reserve by 3 August 2016. • disaster planning We look forward to welcoming you to our • development/fund raising beautiful City by the Bay. • membership growth and retention If you have any questions, please contact Deb • building maintenance/restoration Hunt,http://www.milibrary.org/reinvention/ Library Director at [email protected] • digitization/preservation • strategies for viability and sustainability (e.g. partnerships, outreach) 6 Useful Knowledge ARTHURS CREEK REMEMBERS THEM

The sun shone brightly upon yet another the rosemary bushes of the Commemorative memorable very well attended event at Garden which was aptly described as a space for CommemorativeArthurs Creek Mechanics’Garden Institute on 17 reflection, a space for dreaming… and a fitting MemorialApril. The occasionCairn and was Arthurs the Dedication Creek World of the place to recognise those who served and those War I 1914-1918 Honour Roll, and unveiling of the whoBanjo gave Paterson their lives… and to celebrate their memory. We’re All Australians Now ‘So now a project which we’ll toast the Third Brigade/ summed That it up led well Australia’s in his was partially funded by way of a grant from the van,/1915 poemFor never shall their glory fade/ In minds Department of Veterans' Affairs. Australian.’ We were cheerily Colette Apted welcomed at the registration desk, given numbered name Institute President , then came tags and a copy of the full- to the podium and outlined the backroundThe of colour program and we took Worldthe Commemorative War I Commemorative Garden project, Project built on team the our seats. Looking around traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people. we noticed that some office- Bruce Draper Zacharybearers Salbon wore a ‘different’ Juliewas headedNankervis by Peter and NankervisIan Macmillan. and included type of poppy and were later told that these had Institute historian along with been knitted by , a student at They nearby Arthurs Creek Primary School. started with the Arthurs Creek Methodist Church The afternoon’s proceedingsPeter Honour Roll, which just listed Nankerviswere ably compered by Hall the surnames and the initials Committee stalwartCindy McLeish of twenty-eight soldiers. It was MLA who welcomed known that some names were all including: missing and so the hunt was on Councillor who wasAnika representing Van to find those and ‘bring all their Hulsenthe Government of Victoria;Noel names to life’. Morse Ned The initial list grew to forty- Panuzzo,, Nillumbik Shire; Robyn Watson and five names, with biographical , HurstbridgeArthurs RSL; Creek Primary School and service details to be Diane Phillips Whittlesea and Maree RSL; Galvin researched from records including the once fromstudents the Strathewenfrom Primary School ; venerable ArthursSaluting Creek Their Rifle Service: Club. Bringing Photographic Their of the Barr and students Namesmaterial to was Life: also Arthurs hunted Creek down Mechanics’ and this resultedInstitute ; members Commemorativein the book Garden WWI Honour Roll . Chocolate Liliesfamily; Choir and more. Nerida KirovThe Hurstbridge/Warrandyte-basedAdvance Australia (See: Fair , conducted by Book Review page 34). , then led the singing of Next came the decision as to what form the . The choir members were standing amidst memorial would take. Ideally it would be in local Brianstone and Allan a chunky 1.75 metre long specimen was to be sourced from the neighbouring paddock of . It was thought best to site it near the front fence so people could see the stone from the road. Finally, as a place a memory, it was fitting that the surrounds should be landscaped with a predominance of rosemary bushes, interspersed with evergreens and flowers. The matter of youth involvement and their future ownership and management wasPeace then considered. After consultation it was felt that the garden represented two elements MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 7

ARTHURS CREEK CONT...

Cindy McLeish then spoke of the personal experience of her family which started with service at the Boer War and following Wars and then dedicated the Commemorative Garden and unveiled the Memorial Cairn.Zac and Taylah on behalf Next colourful wreaths were laidJohanna by the andvarious Jenna VIPS, including: of Arthurs Creek Primary School and on behalf of the Strathewen Primary School at the base Odeof the of Memorial Remembrance Cairn. For the and Remembrance FallenMC Peter followedLast with Post theOne reading Minute’s of SilenceLaurence and Binyon’s The Reveille and so the white dove and , followed by the , red poppy were chosen to match those themes. with thoughtful and Arthurs Creek students created the ceramic interesting incites into their various origins. white doves and Strathewen students made the Peter continued on with the calling of the ceramic red poppies and what a stunning display Roll of Honour, and bringing some of its names they made ‘planted’ around the garden. ‘to life’, noting only one ‘B Allen’ that had eluded The genesis of the flagpole, which carried the Thethem Parting to date. Glass and This is My Country, in a new Australian flag, donatedJim Barr by the Government The Chocolate Lilies closed the ceremony with Warrantwas then Officer explained. James The Walker flagpole’s Barr served original as owner was the late , whose father fitting manner. A sumptuous afternoon tea followed in the stretcher bearer in the Second Field Ambulance best tradition of Arthurs Creek home cooking, during World War I. Jim came into the ownership with cream cakes, slices, sandwiches, party pies, of the flagpole when his family was quite sausage rolls, quiches, etc. The tablesRuth were White still young and they remember the pole moving groaning when we left. The Arthurs Creek ladies with them from house to house, occasionally (and some men) led by Secretary , being transported partly in or on a vehicle, and certainly know how to (over)Andrew cater. Stanley of subsequently generally being stored under the lightandsound.com.auA feature of the day was the quality of the current residence. Jim’s family thought that sound system provided by Arthurs Creek needed a flagpole for ceremonial and we congratulate his Laurieoccasions Parker such as this and donated it to the expertise on its setup and presentation. Institute. Arthurs Creek Institute’s Mr Fixit It left us to comment that the Arthurs Creek then got to work, sanded, painted Mechanics’ Institute folk had conducted yet and fitted it up with pulley and tie down. I am another splendid event and their meticulous sure Jim Barr would have been justly proud of planning had paid off with a most fitting, the result. sincere and thoughtful tribute to World War I’s servicemen. Well done to all of the hardworking team at Arthurs Creek, and take a bow! Postscript: the numberIan on Toohill the name tag was to identify people in photographs taken by roaming master photographer and you can see some of Ian's pictures taken on the day on Facebook/ArthursClockwise from left: Ceramic Creek Mechanics poppies and Institute doves in Hall.front of the new memorial; Chocolate Lilies Choir; Peter Nankervis and Colette Apted; one of the knitted poppies created by Zachary Salbon; and the Arthurs Creek Hall Committee. (Photos by Roslyn Lowden) 8 Useful Knowledge A THESIS TALE

long that you would have a spare copy of the project, as I would love In reviewing material that was to have one (complete with the available for searching Halls, excellent plates) for my collection. I Mechanics’ Institutes and their would also value a copy of Douglas’s ilk Australia-wide we were Paper about the Cairns School if you looking at Queensland. For that still have it somewhere./ Whether or State, there was the cited study not you can help with these requests, by S H Kellermeier ‘Schools of I would like to congratulate you on Arts -Queensland’ dated 1980, a piece of research of which many which seemed to be the only postgraduate students would be comprehensive study, but what did proud. ( it contain? Steve Pioneering Culture.) KellermeierA search on the internet This was written pre threw up an architect ‘ ’ in a Brisbane suburb But let us take things back to and a subsequent letter was the very start. Steve’s early years sent asking if he was that person were spent on a farming property responsible and if so requesting‘Unfortunately a copy of the his at Goovigen, about 50km from Biloela in Central thesisthesis, wasfor which written payment before could computers be made. and only GoovigenQueensland. School Steve, of asArts a babe and up to his aboutThe three response months came ago I back came across and threw Wonderfulteen years, of attended World of community Mechanics’ events Institutes at the out the original typed manuscript.’ Steve noted he with his family. (See ‘What will I ever want with ). that [again]?’ On reaching secondary school age, his family murmured at the time moved closer to Biloela. There he went to the He did however note he had given a nightsHigh School in the during nearby the dayBileola and attendedSchool of evening Arts copy to his late mother and wondered where that activities such as dances, school plays and speech had finished up. . A few weeks later a package turned up Sadly demolished in 2011. homecontaining in the an Mechanics’original bound Institutes copy of Resourcethe thesis Graduating from High School, Steve received Collectionwhich Steve (MIRC). hoped would find a good and useful a cadetship with the Queensland Housing Commission. So at aged seventeen, farewelled by Indeed it will! Associate his parents, Steve boarded ‘the garret’ at Biloela ProfessorInterestingly, Philip pinned Candy in at the back of the bound for Rockhampton, where he changed thesis is a copy of a letter from trains to Brisbane and arrived in 'the big smoke' of the Academic Staff on Saturday morning. He caught a cab to his Development Unit, Queensland lodgings and started work on DearUniversity Stephen,/ of I am Technology, presently the Monday morning, in the compilingdated 13 a bibliography February on 1991. the huge metropolis. subject of Mechanics’ Institutes Two weeks later he enrolled throughout Australia and I as a part-time student at the am writing to say what an Brisbane-based Queensland unexpected pleasure it was to Institute of Technology in the encounter your research project Department of Architecture on the Queensland School of Arts and Industrial Design, School here in the QUT Library./ As you of the Built Environment know, the field was considerably to achieve his Diploma of neglected, and in Queensland Architecture. still is. I know of no other When it came time for comprehensive study of the his essay subject, Steve movement in Queensland since remembered the local Goovigen yours./ I don’t suppose after this and Biloela Schools of Arts. He thought documenting the ‘few’ other Schools of Arts MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 9

A THESIS TALE CONT...

much individual information. Then it became the hard decision of what not to use. JimThesis Hutchinson preparationGavin was Litfin not easyGeorge then, O’Kane with a andhand Margaret typed draft West being run by his four advisers: , , . They too all had a steep learning curve introduction to the Schools of Arts in Queensland, which by this stage, with elusive Station and Mill Institutes, was edging towards a staggering 400 in number. Biloela School of Arts Hall during demolition in The thesis then needed retyping for yet 2011. Photo: www.centraltelegraph.com.au another review, and after further corrections then followed the Final copy, with six individual copies. Colour photocopying was not available established in Queensland, an area not recorded, then and 210x300mm coloured prints were would be a ‘push over’. However when he went to expensive, particularly on a cadet’s wage. At look for written material about them, in the days the time he was sharing a house and it had two when the idea of the internet and Trove were bathrooms. So Steve took over one, blocked aberrations, there was virtually nothing of use. over the windows, put a red globe into the light Visits to the State Library in Brisbane, over socket, and the bath served as his developing several months turned up little and at this stage tray. (Steve points out that this was not the only his thesis dismally looked like it would fill about ‘extraordinary’ use of the bath, as folks back in five pages. Similarly a letter to every country Goovigen used theirs to scald pig carcases prior newspaper in Queensland threw up little useful to their being dehaired, and later being processed information. The only goldmine was finding for the family table.) the last Secretary of the Queensland School of The colour coded regional maps were Arts which he interviewed and he had useful meticulously done individually with ‘Letracolour’ files. Another contact established, confused his dots of various sizes. Lookingindividually closely, each dot interest in the Institute and its records with that had a small hole in the middle and its explanation of their custodian. After several amorous letters, was that the dots were cut from with one hinting at marriage, Steve suddenly sheets of colour, laboriously using a two pointed lost interest in that Institute and its records, but compass. By rotating the compass ‘softly softly’ often wonders what became of their custodian. it cut out the required dot size, which was then Now desperate for information, Steve hit the lifted off the backing paper and placed on to the road on the weekends with the family dog looking map. for and photographing Schools of Arts, camping effortFinally Steve came made the collation and binding which beside creeks and sleeping under bridges. In thecost lodgement ‘an arm and of a his leg’ for each copy. With all this hindsight it was a lot of fun. In each place he tried, generally unsuccessfully, to locate the local Hall manager. Still the pickings datelandmark in Novemberthesis one were thin. Then on another visit to the State day before the due Library, he hit the jackpot and came across a librarian ‘who had been there for 40 odd years’ 1980, and with all and she took SteveJanet out Hogan the back and showed him that diligence and her ‘room full of history’. Shortly after he was persistence it is little introduced to of the National Trust Stevewonder and he passed.many and so the paucity of information turned into an Congratulations avalanche. The once sparsely filled card box was soon thanks for the crammed with several hundred cards each memories and a copy representing an Institute, and annotated with of ‘The Opus’. 10 Useful Knowledge HISTORY OF THE HALL IN AUSTRALIA

Pam Baragwanath and Ken New South Wales James These Walls Speak Volumes: A History of Elisabeth Mechanics’Since publication Institutes of in Victoria there has been an Richardson The late was in the added impetus to extend this full coverage to all Sydneyprocess of compilingMechanics’ a other States. Consequently we have assembled SchoolNSW State of ListArts for the a selection of resources to advance the HOTHIA National project. , and Cathy Milward-Bason Mechanics’ theSeveral work in progressNSW is Institutes and Schools of Arts in Australia: An held by SMSA. Annotated Bibliography of’s Secondary pioneering Sources Barrie Brennan and WarrenH Newman regional coverages are available.The (1995), Schools of Arts, Mechanics’ Institutes, Ect. in New England and Northern New SMSASouth listingstill remains is asBronwyn the only nationalLowden’ readings Mechanics’ list. Walessponsored, Institutes,The only Schools available of Arts, comprehensive Athenaeums, nationaletc.: An Australian Checklist, Helen (2005), Trustum is availableOld Time on CD Country and can Halls be accessed at SMSA. updated to a 3rd edition and Barbara Heaton’s Greg Preston and Mary (2010), Philipwhich Candyalso contains and John useful Laurent regional shire (1999) is a valuableScience, guideSuccess for theand Lismore Soirees: region; The Pioneeringmaps, is a good Culture: starting Mechanics’ point for a InstitutesGoogle search. and Rabbitt Mechanics’ Institute Movement, in Newcastle and SchoolsThe of Arts in Australia compiled Lower Hunter’s (1994) is presently the (2002) covers some seventy Halls best detailed overview of Australia’s Institutes, as the National Library of Australia, in those areas. with extended articles on some Institutes. Roger Morris There have also been several valuable The compilations by of Tour Notes National Legal Deposit centre, has the best for individual Sydney suburban and hinterland single collection of Institute or Hall monographs, at the Association of Mechanics’ Institutes Noel Butlin Archive Institutes. and individual listings can be found holds in theirthe and Schools of Arts (NSW) Australian National University The catalogue. The Australian Estates or AMISA haS recently conducted a survey of NSW War records of which owned Memorial MI/SA’s and the result is some a number of properties nationally which had individual Hall studies on their website: amisa. Station Institutes in them but these records are Association of Australian Decorative org.au.Queensland andnot indexed Fine Arts to thatSocieties extent. The is Steve Kellermeier (ADFAS) has embarked The best listing, with some detailed studies, on a national research and listing project ’s landmark architecture with resulting individual Institute pages thesis ‘Schools of Arts – Queensland (1980), with Institutes, mostly in New South Wales, copies are which are available for viewing at the QueenslandMechanics’ and South AustraliaInstitutes being of postedVictoria on Queensland University of Technology Library their website: adfas.org.au. andJoan the Beddoe MIV Mechanics’ Institutes Resources The Collection via Prahran Mechanics’ Institute. have also given coverage to some individualPrahran has made her research of Mechanics’State Institutes Institute in their Newsletter/Magazine a numberNicki Laws of and Institutes Ann Alcock available's Frocks, online Country at: since 1999. These are indexed on the Hallsschoolsofarts.com and Deb Balls website: library.pmi.net. au and some back issues can be searched and Noel Butlin (2015) Archive is a at good the studyAustralian of the accessed on the MIV website: home.vicnet.net.Memorial, NationalHalls of the University North-East Darling Downs. Soldiers'au/~mivic/. and RSL Halls The A significant number of State also holds the records of are individually listed Colonial Sugar Refinery which sponsored Mill on: monumentaustralia.org.au. Institutes. MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 11

HISTORY OF THE HALL IN AUSTRALIA

South Australia These Walls Michael Speak Volumes. Talbot A Chance to Read: A History of the Halls andMechanics’ a partial listing Institutes is given of inVictoria Inc. InstitutesThe best Movement available in source South toAustralia date is Joan’s Beddoe The (1992). website: home.vicnet.net.au/~mivic/ hasUseful a has also made her research Knowledgemembers’ webpage section and some of these availableTasmania for South Australia at: schoolsofarts.com. contain some history and its magazine Western Australia are two valuable reference sources.

TasmaniaVictoria Website: heritage.tas.gov.au. In addition to Pam Baragwanath and Ken Heritage in Western Australia in regards James These Walls Speak Volumes to signage and documentation of Halls as meeting places and film sites hasLotteryWest been well ’ , there have documented. This appears to be in no small part been several compilations of Tour Notes which due to resources available from . give expanded histories of MIV Institutes The website is easily searchable: inherit. accessedPaul Jones from Melbourne during several day stateheritage.wa.gov.au.IMPORTANT NOTE tours. ’ “'Education, Enlightenment and Entertainment’: A History of the Mechanics’ If you can add to or correct any of Institute Movement in Victoria” (MA Thesis in the above please email Jim Lowden: Public History, Monash University, 1994) gives [email protected]. a valuable compilation and listing of Victoria’s We intend to publish a listing of Hall Institutes. monographs for each Australian State, if you have There have also been around a hundred a listing of items it would be most appreciated monographsLET THE written GAMES on individual BEGIN! Victorian beforehand.

Having a board game Monopoly night has times, and a lot of the regular long been part of family traditions Saturday members joined in. [It] Trivial- gathering Pursuit around a could be a good thing for local board, testing our knowledge on communities to establish as well. Uno or simply skipping Table games are a good way to or stacking draw twos on the next bring older and younger people player at . together." More information about But in the last few years we Tableday Day at:XXXI geekandsundry. Olympiad, have seen a resurgence in tabletop Rio 2016 Summercom/table-top-day/ Olympics gaming beyond that played after familyMunchkin dinners. This August also marks the More and more people are coming togetherTimeline for , being held in Rio games nights; battling monstersTicket in to Ride, de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympics is one sporting testing their chronological history in event that brings people from all over the world and travelling America in . together, cheering on competitors from different Gaming has come full circle - away from screens nations side by side. In and technology and back to good old-fashioned the spirit of the Games, board games. 4th Annual how about holding a mini- InternationalOn April 30, Tabletop 406 locations Day aboutMelbourne the world Olympics at your Institute Athenaeumregistered to Library participate in the for kids, both big and . The little, to try their athletic Sue Westwood was one of seven Australian or artistic talents, while locations registered for a game-filled day. raising money for your The Ath's reported: "there Institute or Hall. were up to twenty people playing at different 12 Useful Knowledge HEALESVILLE - A PHOENIX RISING

Pam BaragwanathMIV historian and former owner of the Healesville Mechanics’ Institute just happened to drive by the Church Street site recently to see much needed restoration works in full swing on the 1892 building. Pam purchased the Hall in 1984The andOld Mechanics’after two years Gallery of very and hard Teawork Rooms finally opened it on 22 August 1986 as Fox with an exhibition ‘The Elton Fox Gallery Revisited’. The family had occupied the building from 1946-83, after returning from California where Elton worked as a photographer and advertising artist. After the buildingSydney of theBradshaw new Memorial Hall in 1924 the Institute Hall was sold to auctioneerAlex Robb for a time and later who Henry Cassidyused it as auction rooms. It also housed Corps during World War II and it also had use as bootmaker a gymnasium. did wireless repairs in a front room. The Pam sold the building in 1992 and up until very main hall was used by the Volunteer Defence recently littleMark had been Gunther spent on its maintenance. The building was sold at auction on 2 August 2014 by at a stated $360,000 and we believe it is now being restored as Bed and Breakfast accommodation.Healesville Indeed Mechanics’those walls Institute speak volumes, and Free some Library of which1892- 1992.was recorded in Pam’s history Clockwise from below, left and right: Old Healesville Mechanics' Institute, technical drawings (1988) by Michael Williams and David Mulhall from State Library of Victoria Collection; side photo of the building with facade mid- repaint (Photo: Rob Dunlop); scaffolding allowing workers easy access to the front of the building to begin restoration works (Photo: Rob Dunlop). MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 13 SLUOC SEMINAR - KEEPING THE ORIGINALS - 16 JULY 2016

Rare Books Week

This Seminar, held during , 1972, the first printedBlue in colour,Poles carried the story will take the form of aHistory Panel discussionof the Book, with of the National Gallery of Australia’s acquisition Manuscriptsaudience participation, and Pictures and will consider the of Jackson Pollock’s under the banner role of the Library’s of ‘Would you pay $1.3m. for this?’ (It is now teams in collecting, estimated to be worth $40 million.) Melbourne preserving and making available the physical MorningSome Herald newspapers even appeared as objects that underpin Victorian and Australian ‘Extraordinary’ issues such as the history. , issued on ‘Monday Evening, The Seminar will be of particular interest to November 11, 1850’ with the banner headline community organisations concerned about the ‘Glorious News! Separation at Last!’. long term preservation of Professor their archives Wallace and In the case Kirsoptheir digitisation. Des Cowley, informationof photos, the The Panel, moderatedKevin by Molloy photographer , will comprise: Madeleine Manager, Say History of the Book; Dr, Manager,Richard contained on the back TraversManuscripts Collection; , of the portrait, of Manager, Pictures Collection; and the standard 2.5”x 4” , past President of the Book Collectors interest‘Carte de Visite’than canthe Society of Australia (Victorian Branch). be of equal or more theyThe have retention been digitised of original has been documents, a vexed newspapers, periodicals, books, etc. even after actual picture itself. It may ultimately lead question for library administrators, but for the to the identification of actual historian the preservation of originals is athe faint picture’s embossed subject. vital, as they can reveal much more. Some even carry For example paper watermarks, which do not show up in normal digital images are proving photographer’s mark, vital for dating of manuscripts, letters, etc. as in the case of In some cases the paper watermark actually George William Perry included the date of manufacture. (1824-1900) who worked in Melbourne between 1854-97. Embossing detail not being held in the visible on digitised card. The Seminar is (Images: slv.vic.gov.au)

Red Rotunda (Cowen Gallery), State Library of Victoria on the afternoon of Saturday, An example of paper watermarking which may be 16 July, between 1.30-4pm and will draw on the lost with digitisation. (Image: www.whimsie.com) Library’s vast collection. Whilst attendance is free, booking is essential, as it is most likely that this ‘must attend’ event will be ‘sold out’. RSVP: the Herald, [email protected] In the case of newspapers, take for example STOP PRESS: Melbourne’s late and much loved The Victorian Daniel Andrews’ ofcurrent digitising project provides forand one edition and The Herald City, Home Final State Government has just announced that from each day. In fact there were three editions the State Library’s annual allocation will be each day The Herald- increased by $5 million. Indeed a very worthy each edition generally carried a different front Sun contribution to maintaining and running one of page. Even when it merged to become Herald the world’s great libraries in Melbourne, one of it published two daily editions until 2001. UNESCO’s seven Cities of Literature. The City Extra edition of 17 December 14 Useful Knowledge MIV's SOMERVILLE Historical MARKS 50 INSTITUTES Plaques THROUGHOUT Program THE STATE

Fresh from full restoration Mayor Pittock after being de-roofed announced that $120,000 in January 2015 the had been allocated for resplendent Somerville the redevelopment of Mechanics’ Hall is again the adjacent Somerville alsoopen the for home business. of the home That advisedFruitgrowers' that the Reserveexisting may be hiring, but it is Playground. He also of Somerville, Tyabb, and representative collection District Heritage Society of fruitgrowing machinery which operate from the would be housed in two front rooms, with one a new building with as a record centre and the viewing windows and other as a Museum. interpretative signage. Two anniversaries were Those wishing to being celebrated: the 125th book the hall can call anniversary of the building (03) 5950 1150 or email: of the Institute in 1891; hallbookings@mornpen. and the centenary of the vic.gov.au. The Museum building of the two front is open on Wednesdays rooms, in 2015. Top: L-R: Cr Lynn Bowden and Mayor Cr Graham 10am-3pm and Sundays Pittock (Courtesy: Mornington Peninsula by TheHenry first Gomm stage wasBH 2-4pm and entry is free. built, on a site donated Shire News via mornpen.vic.gov.au); Bottom: The Society can be contacted Walker Somerville Mechanics' Institute. designs of Thomas, byWatts installedon (03) 5977 on the 6489. front of the & Sons of Frankston to the The Plaque was later by Louis Smith the design. It wasof Raymond officially openedRobinson on 17 July 1891 Institute, to the right of the front door. Ralph Philbrick MLA. The second stage was to and built by Check out the Plaques page on the MIV website who also executed the work on for locations and individual citations - vicnet. the distinctive art-deco Crrendered George façade. Griffeth These Recentnet.au/~mivic/plaques Plaques rooms were officially opened on 31 December Ruffy Public Hall - 1915 by Shire President Barbara Thornell . and On hand for the official festivities were No. 47 UK. unveiled 22 May Crthe Lynn Heritage Bowden Society’s and Mayor Cr Graham Pittock 2016. ThisJeffcott unveiling North will Mechanics' be featured Institutein the next - Mornington PeninsulaCarl Cowie. Council’s Watson Ward issue of No. 48 Kyneton Mechanics' Institute and Shire CEO unveiledSomerville November Mechanics'2015 Institute Cr Bowden noted the Hall's historic use for No. 49 Rhyll Mechanics' Institute - to be dances, concerts and movies and concluded No. 50 noting ‘It’s a lovely historic building with strong No. 51 Your Institute? community ties and it is still an integral part of unveiled later in 2016 theour MIVcommunity plaque to No. this 50 day.’ No. 52 Mayor Pittock and Cr Bowden then unveiled , also an historical event thein itself. Somerville Fruitgrowers’ Association To order a plaque (They will cost $195 each, The major early use of the Hall centred around including delivery, and will require your installation.) or for more information, contact: and they later conducted annual shows in the Judith Dwyer, Box 482, Berwick, V 3806 or Fruitgrowers Hall which was destroyed by fire [email protected]. about 1945. MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 15

SAVE OUR INSTITUTES

At the last MIV placards are available, Committee meeting as are supplies of Velcro, Robert Kingston, our plastic ties, poles and President, demonstrated garden stakes. The the ‘kit’ assembled by balloons come with the Trentham SAVE OUR sticks, holders and a INSTITUTE Campaign. handy blow-up pump. The idea is that all MIV Truly a kit ready for Members campaigning action. to Save Their Institute The affection felt whether it be from by communities for wear and tear, takeover, Mechanics Institutes closure, demolition, apathy or just plain poverty and their historic halls runs deep despite can hire the kit from the MIV for a small charge. overworked Committee members sometimes As Robert explained, Mechanic’s Institutes being tempted with the thought that nobody enjoy support from across the political spectrum cares. Far more people than you might imagine so it was important that the colour scheme be genuinely do care and will respond to a sustained politically neutral. They also thought that yellow campaign. However they do need to understand and black would stand out and perhaps hint at a that the “Old Hall” is in real danger. work in progress and even danger ahead. So before you succumb to the siren call of your The focus of the kit is a bright yellow gazebo local Council, Government Agency or property that comes with 12v LED lighting and includes developer offering short term relief in return for AA battery powered emergency backup lighting. the control they crave over the land under the Two 2400mm x 900mm matching vinyl Old Hall why not try a Campaign to SAVE YOUR banners emblazoned with SAVE OUR INSTITUTE INSTITUTE. and HANDS OFF THE HALL are included. These Work out what it is you need to SAVE are ideal for attaching to your Hall, onto a fence YOUR INSTITUTE from. If it is just the cost or between the gazebo and nearby trees with the of maintenance that is overwhelming you be ropes provided. positive. Thoroughly cost out the required The gazebo serves as a focal point for repairs or works needed to keep the doors open. distributing brochures, signing petitions and the Take construction industry advice and set a sale of SAVE OUR INSTITUTE balloons, stickers, fundraising target two and a half times your first placards and other paraphernaliaUK all of which can estimate. Don’t forget to advertise your need for be purchased from MIV in appropriate quantities people prepared to commit to the Committee for (available in the next issue of ). several years and give your turnaround a good SAVE OUR INSTITUTE and HANDS OFF THE chance of success. SAVE OUR HALL stickers along with three sizes (A1, A2 & INSTITUTEKick the campaign off with aMIV series Travelling of Open A3) of similarly worded weatherproof korflute ExhibitionDays or Market Stalls using the Pack and even an and alert your community to the dangers facing your Institute. Only by asking for help will you find out who or what is going to turn up and help you SAVE YOUR INSTITUTE. One thing you can be certain of is that neither locals nor celebrities or cashed up donors will join your campaign if you don’t launch one. If you would like to SAVE YOUR INSTITUTE or tell someone to keep their grasping HANDS OFF THE HALL and would like to hire the SAVE YOUR INSTITUTE kit from the MIV contact Robert at: [email protected] 16 Useful Knowledge

This column is comprised of contributed articles Aroundand those written ‘in house’. Victoria's Whilst care has been Institutesthe Victorian Heritage Restoration Fund and taken to ensure dates and facts, the scant history HelenJuly. The Macpherson $300,000 funding Smith hasTrust. been provided by of Institutes makes it an impossible task to verify Ballarat Heritage these. If you find a date, spelling or fact incorrect Weekend let us know and we will publish amendments in During the 7-8 May our next issue. Our newsletter is indexed to enable from the Max, BMI Harris unveiled Photography ‘a teaser’ ofCollection its most histories of various Institutes to be aggregated recent research asset, thousands of photographs over time. bywhich the Haymes feature family Ballarat life since its early ALEXANDRA FREE LIBRARY (Est. 1877) settlement. The collection was gifted to the BMI Friends of the Alexandra Library have of paint fame. One of the features of the BMI Open Day was The for These Walls Speak Volumes a photographicMax Harris and Collection documentary exhibition of put their money where their mouth is with the Ballarat’s Chinese families. Truly fascinating.Open Day on purchase of a copy The will form a major the Alexandra Community Library. In addition exhibition which will be ready for to documenting the history of the Alexandra Saturday, 3 September, when other exhibitions, Library it all documents the history of other area performances, demonstrations and lectures will Institutes including those that no longer exist. take place. In the meantime the Junior Friends of the The BMI is a very busy place with the Twilight Library continue with their various projects Talks Series, Music –Jazz, Film and Theatre, and a and author sessions funded partially from the jolly good read, in its many spaces, which are all proceeds of the Friends of the Library Bookshop available as a wedding venue. The Batten Room in Grant Street, Alexandra. This is well worth a or Minerva Space being perfect for a wedding visitBALLAARAT to show what MECHANICS’ can be done INSTITUTE in a community. (Est. 1859) reception, dinner, meeting or conference. To introduce new members to Ballarat’s real-life ‘Phoenix’, BMI are also offering a three months free trial membership to sample the fare. Website:BEECHWORTH ballaratmi.org.au ATHENAEUM/ BURKE MUSEUM (Est. 1857)

The dynamic team at‘Hunters the Burke Museumand Collectors: recently Theput togetherHidden anHistory exhibition of the of Burke their genesisMuseum’ or beginnings. Titled

the display told the story of some of the key exhibits from its 30,000 item collection. Whilst the exhibition closed on 29 May the ‘bones’ of the exhibition can still be seen amongst the various exhibits including the notable RE Johns Aboriginal Collection, the Natural FriendsHistory Collectionof the Burke of ‘stuffed’Museum native fauna and The front of the BMI was obscured behind Geological Collection. The Museum has an active scaffolding and sheeting for this year’s Heritage which organises Festival which seemed apt showing that are a fundraising through special events and lectures Quadratum BERWICK MECHANICS' INSTITUTE AND FREE ‘jewel’ in Ballarat’s heritage will endure as and assists with staffing the Museum. LIBRARY (Est. 1862) part of it. Melbourne architect overseeing the work on external rendering, Talks from the Balcony. metalwork and replacement of woodenNicholson window Constructionframes and restoration of doors. The task is being undertaken by Ballarat’s In the tradition of Mechanics' Institutes , with works due for completion by delivering talks and lectures to impart useful MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 17

knowledge, the Berwick Mechanics' Institute & of the giant mural that has been painted on the Free LibraryMr (BMIFL) Neil Lucas, has initiated PSM, JP "Talksentertained from artistdisused Guido Graincorp van HeltenBrim silo complex. the Balcony". The inaugural talk was in May The giant mural painted by Queensland-based 2015 when Regional who has Arts undertaken Victoria the audience with reminiscences and anecdotes andother Yarriambiack large scale muralsShire Council. around the world. of his early yearsJulia inDrury-Catton Berwick and the building donatedFunding bywas Taubmans by way of and Loop Paints and the of the new library for the BMIFL. In October Paint was 2015 author spoke of the challenge renovating an old family home on the local caravan park and the pub provided the artist Greek island of Lemnos. with free accommodation and meals. The project Speakers stand on the "balcony" - the took three weeks of ten hour days, sometimes in Mezzanine floor - and patrons sit and stand 40 degree heat. Utilising a giant cherry-picker, on the library's ground floor. The events have the thirty metre high portraits of three men and proved very popular with patrons and visitors. one woman gradually emerged across the curved The most recent "Talk from the Balcony" silo complex.Brim TheActive identities Community of those Group portrayed Prof.was the Weston Celebration Bate, OAM of Queen Elizabeth's 90th are known locally, but have not been publicised Birthday on Thursday 21st April. Guest speaker further. can be highlighted the Queen's wellCAVENDISH pleased withMECHANICS’ ‘their own Mount INSTITUTE/ Rushmore’. dedication to duty and also spoke of early Royal SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL HALL (Est. 1885) visits to colonial Victoria when patriotic fervour was at its best. AttendedHappy by about Birthday 50 people, the The Cavendish Free Reading Room and Library Heritageevent concluded Day 2016 with the lighting of the birthday cake and the singing of . was established in 1884, with the reservation Officer Public Hall of a Crown Land site for a ‘Reading Room’ in Scott Street, gazetted on 27 February 1885. In The proved a popular the meantime the InstituteFrank Roberts probably operated venue for the Casey Cardinia Heritage Festival from the Cavendish State School as the on Sunday, 15 May 2016. It is estimated that Institute Secretary was Joseph School more than 100 local residents visited the hall MoynanHeadmaster. The Hall was built late in 1885. The to inspect the displays and reminisce about Hall was extended in 1893 to a design by days past. A number of young people attended . The name was changed to Cavendish byto obtainthe Narre information Warren MIfor andtheir the projects Berwick on MIlocal hotelierMechanics’ Gotthelf Institute Fellenberg and Free Library in 1894 history. Mechanics' Institutes were represented and the distinctive lantern was given to Hall by . BRIM MEMORIAL HALL (Est. 1905) between 1915-20. Judith Dwyer With the old Hall proving inadequate for large gatherings it was resolvedAlgernon to build Abbott a new Hall elsewhere on the corner of Barker and Scott Streets and Shire Engineer prepared the plans. On 30 October 1923 the Trustees of the Cavendish Soldiers Memorial Hall called for tenders to erect a Hall. It was noted in November 1923 that the Robert55,000 bricksYoung had laid been the on the site for six months. Former local resident and Institute SecretaryW Slater ER Waters (Mayor foundation stone ASon Rogers29 January 1924. Speeches Photo: Sally Joustra were made by MLA, of Hamilton), and MHR. Afternoon tea was servedWilliam in the old Diwell Mechanics’ Hall in a nearby Brim residents have seized the moment down street. The Hall was completed in November by through the years since they purchased their own contractor at an eventual cost of Hall in 1905. Over the years it has been upgraded £2,700. to be what it is today. However in very recent McPhersonThe Hall was opened on 15 December 1924 times the conversation at the Seniors weekly by W Slater MLA. Members AS Rogers MHR and lunches held in the Hall has been the progress were also present and spoke. John McNeill MHR. Stanley Learmonth occupied the 18 Useful Knowledge

Chair. The Library along with the distinctive WhilstShort 1874 & is Co on the front of the building, lantern, was then transferred to the Hall. The the building was actually constructed in early Supper Room was added in 1929. 1872 by . at a contract price of £384. The Hall holds the local Honour Roll along The name was changed from Clunes Mechanics’ with another from the former Bulart Primary Institute to Clunes Free Library in 1874, hence School. The library continued into the 1940s its current badging. This building replaced The and film screenings took place into the 1950s. Institute’s earlier home, the old Masonic Lodge in The distinctive column-fronted Hall has been Service Street, which it purchased in 1864 and well used and maintained by the Cavendish soldLANCEFIELD early in 1872 MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE (Est. community over the years. 1868) In the meantime the community are again preparing for the Annual Fleece and Flower held inCLUNES the Hall FREE each LIBRARY year in November. (Est. 1862) Lancefield pursue their dream of renovation and extension. Following the Macedon Ranges Council recent contribution of $75,000 to upgrade the kitchen and foyer, it has recently been announced that the Institute will share in the bushfires $1.4 million funding package, to the tune of $150,000. This all follows on the major restoration of the main hall in 2013. Indeed those thatMELBOURNE dare to dream ATHENAEUM and have plans (Est. in1939) the drawer! WHAT’S ON AT THE MELBOURNE ATHENAEUM LIBRARY IN JULY Richard Photo: Pam Baragwanath Overell COLLECTING TRAVEL BOOKS - A talk by , Tuesday 19 July at 6pm The Clunes building has been closed for the Discover the fascinating history of collectable past four years, following concerns about its books recalling stories of the Grand European structural integrity. Unfortunately its closure Tours from the 17th to the 20th century. The has attracted vandalism and windows have been ever-popular Richard Overell will present travel smashed and the interior damaged and defaced. accounts by authors such as Sterne, Smollett, The cost of reinstating the building is now Johnson and Boswell. He’ll look at examples of edging towards $1 million and this has been the 18th and 19th century lady travellers, and 20th big Regstumbling Kinnersly block. and John Almao century accounts by Waugh, Durrell and Fermor However the Management Committee headed among the works of many other, less well-known up have taken writers. Highly collectible travel guides such as Wendythe ‘bit betweenJean the teeth’ and with the technical the Baedekers will also be explored. assistance of Hepburn Shire’s Heritage Advisor Richard Overell was, until the end of 2014, they are developing a staged and the Rare Books Librarian at Monash University costed works program.Blakes The first stage of which Library. He is now working at the State Library of has recently been completed by local building Victoria helping to catalogue the John Emmerson restoration business of Creswick. These Collection of 17th century English Civil War works have included: some weatherproofing; books and pamphlets. window refits; reinstatement of damaged rear Anne Kucera toilets; interior repairs to plasterwork; and some A RARE ART FORM: POP-UP BOOKS - A talk by painting. The opening of an entrance through , Wed 20 July at 5.45pm north wall will also later permit wheel chair Local Artist Anne Kucera is giving a talk on the access to the building. wonderful world of the Moveable Pop-Up Book The next stage includes the construction of a on Wednesday 20th July as part of her residency swale drain to intercept water that flows down at the Melbourne Athenaeum Library. As a the slope towards the Hall and roof and spouting paper pop-up artist herself, she will discuss the work. Clearly the Committee are in for the long origins of moveable books; from their evolution, haul as they plan to have the works all complete to their now collectable status and their future in time for the 150th anniversary of the building conservation. Anne will also explore the idea of in 2022. MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 19

Steven Greenaway the modern pop-up book as a form of art, which salads providedGarry by Dickerson the local community. Music she illustrates through her own practice. for dancing was provided by Anne Kucera is a visual artist born in (piano) and (piano accordion). Melbourne, Australia. She holds a Bachelor Indeed ‘It was wonderful to see the hall, 100 years of Fine Art from the Victorian College of the on,ROMSEY alive with MECHANICS' activity and INSTITUTE obvious enjoyment’. (Est. 1868) Arts and a Diploma of Visual Arts from RMIT. Exploring her affinity of working with paper, Anne creates pop-up Artworks made entirely by During the weekend of the 19th and 20th hand including; the pop-up design, mechanisms March, Romsey Mechanics' Institute Committee and the book cover. of Management and Romsey Neighbourhood Anne’s work will be on display at the House held their 2nd Annual Antiques Fair. The Melbourne Athenaeum Library during Rare weekend was catered for by the Romsey Golf Book Week and Open House Melbourne – from Club and Romsey CWA. Numbers through the 14 – 30 July 2016 during normal opening hours. door were a little lower than that of last year, MERTON MEMORIAL HALLMelbourne (Est. 1910) Athenaeum but the event was still a success, and discussion has begun for next year's Fair. Keep an eye on MIV's calendar for the 2017 event dates. romseymechanicsinstitute.comSORRENTO MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE (Est. 1877) Nepean Historical Society The Institute’s custodian, the continues a busy round of lectures, exhibitions and the constant search for more history. Volunteers ANZAC clocked Honour up Roll 5581 hours last year from amongst their membership of 300. Their evolving of local men and women is being updated regularly on the web. The long search for the nineteen gravesites of the nineteen free settlers who died at Sullivan’s HarperWork on & the Morphett refurbishment and additions to Hall Cove in 1803-04 continues. This has progressed was commenced by Euroa-Based contractors Settlementwith research by Cr done Hugh recently Fraser in the British commenced on 11 January. Library on the Harris documents of the Collins ‘The community will then be fully involved in . Hugh recently finishing off, painting and landscaping activities’. addressed the Society on his findings from that Besides the Mansfield Shire Council and research work. AusnetMerton MemorialServices Hall andFoundation Recreation for Reserves Rural The Society’s Accredited Museum, and andCommittee, Regional other Renewal funding partnersMansfield include: bookshop, is open on weekends between 1.30- Community Bank; the Merton Community. 4.30pm and is well worth a visit. They are also (FRRR), open to groups by appointment. Check out their Haymes Paint STANLEY ATHENAEUM & PUBLIC ROOM (Est. , the website: nepeanhistoricalsociety.asn.au. 1863) generously donated paint for the completionMITRE PUBLIC of the HALL whole (Est. building. 1915) Ros Woods Chris DormerFeatured inand a recentHelen editionMcIntyre of theholding local papertheir Mitre celebrated their Hall centenary on 14 is a pic of Stanley stalwarts,These Walls Speak Volumes, November 2015. The event drew people from across the State and from interstate. Over autographed copy of 120 peopleCouncillor sat downMark forRadford afternoon and teaMember from standing in front of their Hall, which proudly 3pm. A plaqueEmma was unveiledKealy by Horsham Rural supports an MIV commemorative plaque. (Helen City collected Stanley’s copy at The Ath launch.) for Lowan, . A time capsule of Stanley is one of twelve Victorian Institutes that memorabilia was sealed and to be opened in have their library intact. Like numerous other November 2040. The day kicked on into the Institutes they have seen a revival in recent evening with a spit roast of lamb and pork with times and now stage regular exhibitions and 20 Useful Knowledge Geoff Craig Local History Collection other fundraising events. The Institute holds the Contact - 0458 606 922 or 03 5728 6702 which for Email: [email protected] those interested in Victoria’s north-east history Website: http://victoriancollections.net.au/ May 2016 - Stanley Athenaeum News is an amazing resource. organisations/stanley-athenaeum The Stanley Times and Mining Journal - TRENTHAM MECHANICS’ INSTITUTEChris Dormer (Est. 1878) Geoff Craig's original history of Stanley (1979), has long been out of print and has now been re-typed The Trentham Institute has been a busy and by Ros Woods, a Friend of the Athenaeum. This much talked about place in recent times. Hepburn new user friendly edition will be launched in May Council’s announced intention to demolish the and available to purchase from the Athenaeum building and replace it with a community hub or by mail order ($25 + postage). A number of byis contentious hosting the to Melbourne say the least. Claddagh Notwithstanding Irish Set historical booklets by the late Geoff Craig are Dancersthis it has recently served the community well also available for purchase at the Athenaeum. Trentham Easter Art and You may be surprisedThe History about of what Hurdle pieces Flat ofis youralso Craft Show weekend of activities on 15-17 January. family history are to be found in these books. The Then followed the Trentham Food new edition of Hub’s Growers’, from Cookers 24-27 March.and Eaters One hundredDinner, available for $25. (Geoff Craig left the copyright and thirtyArkie people T Williams attended and the Mudlarks Newof all Catalogue his Stanley books to the Athenaeum in his The Chaplin’s Barista will). Barwhere and Nosh Night entertained, onEasy 9 April. Street Quartet A new format copy of the historic book collection Robbie Melville was heldStephen on 22 Magnusson April. This catalogue is now available to help visitors more featured Zoe the Frater (bass) and Carl comprisingPannuzzo easily find and access information on the books. (guitar), (guitar), ExhibitionsThanks to Friend to see Ros at theWoods Stanley for her Athenaeum work on the catalogue database. (drums) andThe improvised Pawn Shop a ‘soundThe track’Floorwalker for the Botanical Treasures: Illustrations and Text andscreening Easy Street of Charlie Chaplin’s short original from the collection at the Stanley Athenaeum, a silent films , . Most recently the Hepburn Shire Council met there on 17 May for their selection of books in the collection reflect the monthlyWAREEK meeting. PUBLIC HALL (Est. 1912) interest in botany and plants from all over the world, 'a global fascination with plants from the New World' and their interest in the unusual. Sunday 17 August 2015 was a red letter day ThisMemorials, new exhibition Memories will and begin Loss on : 1stStanley July &2016 the for Wareek Hall, when it officially celebrated Firstuntil World30 January War exhibition2017. that tells the story of a century of community service. Balloons and Presidentstreamers Barbarawere in placeIpsen to welcome visitors to the celebrations which kicked off at 12.30pm.Cr John HallVan the young men of Stanley who enlisted and gave Beveren chaired proceedings theirEuchre lives Nightsin greater numbers than many other at which Central Goldfields Shire small towns, the exhibition concludes 30 June. Wes Jolley spoke of the valued presence of the - showcases the game of Euchre much loved and cared for Wareek Hall. Historian once a popular social activity of many Stanley took the gathering down memory residents, euchre nights were held regularly at lane. the Stanley Athenaeum for many years to raise A Hall was the goal of the Wareek and District money to support the Athenaeum and to bring Progress Association which met in the Wareek people together. The Euchre display has been State School from 1912. In 1914 permission was made possible by extra space available with the given to erect the Hall on the SchoolHon. ReserveAR Outtrim and recently completed glass cabinets funded by an no time was lost in its building. It was officially IndigoNow Open Shire Every Council Friday Community Grant. opened on 5 August 1914 by the MLA and during the evening it was announced that Britain was at war with Germany. The Hall Visit the Stanley Athenaeum and Public Room, holds three matching Honour Boards – World (Mainother Street. times by Stanley appointment) which is open every Friday War I, World War II and Other Conflicts. A & 4th Saturday each month from 10am to 12pm. cenotaph was erected in front of the Hall in the MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 21

about 2000 and when the State School closed in Williamstown is believed to be the last 2002 the flagpole was shifted to the site. Institute to have a remaining detached caretaker’s To permanentlyMayor mark Barry the Rinaldi occasion a cottage, although St Arnaud and the Melbourne celebratory plaque was unveiled by Central Athenaeum had ‘in-house’ accommodation.Williamstown JoanGoldfields and Kevin Shire Da Fonte and Pam Jolley. Behind to MusicalThere Theatre are also Company plans to upgrade facilities the scenes were other Hall Committee members for the theatre which hosts the Williamstown Film Society and which stages ensureWILLIAMSTOWN everyone had MECHANICS’ an afternoon cuppa.INSTITUTE three shows a year. The building also hosts the (Est. 1856) YARCK PUBLIC HALL (Est. 1887).

Photo: Corinne Brewis

Fear of the potential demolition of the Secretary/ Re-opening of Yarck Hall Librarian’s CottageHobson’s at the Bay Williamstown Council that Mechanics’ Institute has been allayed with the recent disclosure by After the completion of its recent renovation,Yarck it plans to spend $5,760,000 on the Williamstown Hall was officially reopened on 29th April 2016. Mechanic’s Institute complex. This renovation has added more space to the These works include restoration of the building and includes a magnificent commercial WilliamstownSecretary/Librarian’s Mechanics’ Cottage Institute which Conservation will be kitchen. Sharon Fox on behalf of her father Planin accord with the Council-commissionedDavid MrA Roy plaque Fox commemorating the event was Bick unveiled by prepared by conservation architectWilliamstown , a well known local identity. Both Historical in 2001. Society were present at the unveiling. As well as the The Institute has hosted the original hall and its later extension to the front, and their Museum Collection the hall retains two small internal rooms with for more than fifty years and this is welcome fireplaces and the bio boxJohn for film Drysdale shows which news for the Society. This is Williamstown’s were held in earlier days. main museum and given the area’s maritime, Committee Chairman, , spoke shipbuilding and military significance, is a key about the many hours of work undertaken Victorian heritage collection. prior to and during the renovation, noting the Williamstown’s Cottage wasJames built Taylor early considerable amount of volunteer time and effort Morrellin 1884 at a cost of some £430 and was first given to the project. Cr occupied by Secretary/LibrarianElizabeth MargaretAmongst Rae some fifty persons at the reopening (1840-1903) who had been appointed in Margaretwere members Abbey of the Yarck Hall Committee,Cindy 1879. After his death his wife James Charles(1842- McLeish , Mayor of MurrindindiDr Bill Sykes Shire, Morrell1933) held the position until 1909. Their son, , CEO Murrindindi Shire, who grew up in the Cottage, , MP for Eildon and , her Walter (1868-1943) Burley Griffin was a pioneer of Town predecessor. Planning in Australia and had early involvement The afternoon concluded with a magnificent with in Canberra. country tea provided by the C.W.A. Corinne Brewis 'halls may be burnt, flooded, blown apart by cyclonic winds, sink into the black soil or be devoured by termites or social change. Yet, because of the people involved, they are far from lifeless structures. Each country hall has its own personality.' Nicki Laws and Ann Alcock - Frocks, Country Halls and Deb Balls 22 Useful Knowledge The Wonderful World of AUSTRALIA - NEW SOUTH WALES Association of Mechanics' InstitutesMechanics’ Institutes and Schools of Arts SYDNEY MECHANICS’ SCHOOL OF ARTS (Est. (NSW),It also hosts activities of the 1833) TAMWORTH our sister SCHOOL organisation. OF ARTS (Est. 1856)

We recently sighted the impressive 2015 Annual Report of the SMSA and what a fascinating RiverTamworth, in northern and enlightening read it proved to be. Firstly located on the Peel it showed the building which comprises eleven levels is a very busy place. The activities of SMSA farmingNew South region Wales, of occupy three levels and the remaining eight levels lies in the rich bring in some $1.3 million in rentals. Hirings from immediately the Institute’s own spaces brings in a further New England. It is $200,000. The thirteen member Board, which comprises recognisable as the home of the Tamworth six ladies (Women were first admitted as Country Music Festival held each year in January. members during the first year of operation in The Tamworth Institute had its start in 1856J H 1833. They first joined classes in the 1860s, Scottwith Durbin the selling memberships for its lectures were admitted to the SMSA Debating Club, and which started with one on ‘Genius and Talent’. first joined the Committee of Management in delivered a controversial lecture on 1893.), serve variously on six Committees, or Ad ‘Immigration’ to the Institute in 1858. Hoc Committees as required. There was also a Eventually a planned 25ft (8m) by 65ft (20m) growing number of volunteers. building was constructed and this was officially Membership cards have been issued for the opened on 24 May 1866, Queen Victoria’s birthday. first time ‘in many years’ to the almost 1400 This seemed apt since both the names, of the town members. These also contain membership access and the River on which it stood, were translated details which enable on-line e-Book use. Cards from England. will also be useful for developing partnership and The new Institute provided a venue for discount offerings. lectures, discussions, debates and a library The core Library activities saw 20,000 loans, from which books could be borrowed and more including over 24/7 2000 e-Book loans. There was importantly ‘local’ newspapers and periodicals also an impressiveTom Keneally range Centre of e-Magazines available could be read. Community and political meetings for perusing. were intermingled with soirees of entertainment The is now open three and music. days a week, with author talks, writers’ classes, The first meeting of the local Council was held and readings. Tom has just started to notate the there as were the services for the various Church significance to him of each book on the Centre’s denominations and Lodge meetings until their shelves, which is a daunting, but most worthwhile own individual buildings were erected. task. The building was later expanded to provide a In addition to a range of talks and events, there Reading Room with an octagonal ceiling, which is the Mystery and Crime Reading Group, Poetry was later to become the Art Gallery. at SMSA Group, the Mah Jong Group, and Film The Institute was a busy place during wartime Group with other groups being initiated for Chess and for the duration of World War I it was used for and Scrabble. Library Lover’s Day was celebrated recruiting, Red Cross fundraisings and Comforts with an afternoon tea and ‘Blind Date’ with a book. Fund activities and of course Welcome Homes. There was also the annual Members’ Bus Trip. A large contingent of Army and Air Force JulianThe Ashton Members’ Art Christmas School Party was again held personnel was stationed at Tamworth during in conjunction with a showing of works from the World War II and the Institute was used for which SMSA financially dances, entertainments or just reading. supports with scholarships. SMSA also conducts Chess, draughts and whist were pre-1900 and an annual grants program and it distributed over enduring recreations. Billiards also became a $40,000 in 2015. feature of Institute life and the record breaking MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 23 visit of Walter Lindrum

in 1936 saw record scores andUniversity crowds to ofsee New him England play. established The building entered a new phase of life in 1961 when the its largest regional office there. Its uses were expanded with film screenings, concerts and even trial broadcasts for Tamworth’s Community FM radio station. The building of a new Tamworth Regional Photo: queensland.com Library in 1961 and an adjoining Art Gallery in 2006, freed the InstituteAustralian for other Country uses. Computer Music Foundationcourses were held there as were pottery classes. rail siding in 1925 but this was closed about 2000. In 1997 the However the town still has its grain receival moved into the building and there centre at nearby Callide. its offices and archive expanded. Eventually the Today the area is noted for its cotton, cattle Foundation’s offices moved to alternate premises and grain production. Close by the township is and the building returned to U3A use. However the large Lake Victoria which is a quiet tourist the Foundation’s archive and museum exhibits destination and the free caravan park at Goovigen remained to form the Australian Country Music is well used by tourists. The district is named in Hall of Fame. That grew to bursting point and the Aboriginal dialect as ‘box tree’. Whilst the in 2015 it moved out into its nearby new guitar- township is not prone to flooding, Cyclone Marcia shaped premises. which passed through in February 2015 did some So the Tamworth School of Arts building damage. celebrated its 150th anniversary quietly. In the Back in the early 1900s peopleCharles felt meantime it awaits new tenants in the form of: a Georgeuncomfortable Warren meeting at Warren’s Hall which children’s gymnasium and active learning centre; was attached to the hotel conducted by and a family restaurant, which will open from 6am- . Finally a meeting was held in 10pmURANA daily, SOLDIERS’ and is expected MEMORIAL to employ thirtyHALL people. (Est. the Goovigen State School on 29 August 1926 to 1884) discuss the building of a community hall. About thirty people were present. ‘Mr F Mathies explained the business of the meeting. He said that one of the local wants was a suitable building for holding meetings, dances, picture shows, etc. There was also the need of Christiana library.’ FrederickSuggested fundraisingWilliam Mathies was to start with a sports meeting and dance in the evening. ( [1871-1935] was the Photo: Panoramio/andyhz1 Streetinaugural by HeadmasterStephen and at EmilyGoovigen Stone State and School.) three A half-acre site wasE Edwards; donated Ernst in August Rannes Schuenemann; and F Norris The grand and imposing two-storey slip-form trustees were elected: concrete front of the Urana Soldiers’ Memorial . A meeting was convened on 8 October 1927 from which plans Hall in factGeorge combines Sheppard two Halls: the original Urana School of Arts (1884) designed by engineer and were drawn up for the 30ftx15ft hall. Eventually construction of the Goovigen byarchitect Sidney James Hunnings (1853-1918); and the WA Wilson present façade and large hall (1924-25) designed School of Arts started early in May 1929 with the (1882-1961). contractor being . No time was wasted Thanks to a grant from Veterans Affairs, Urana and a sports meeting and dance was planned was recently able to have their Honour Boards for the opening on 1 June. There was ‘a large cleaned and relettered. Now fully restored, the attendance’ at the sports and ‘Owing to the lack QUEENSLANDHonour Boards are back on display in the Hall foyer. of time the Committee were unable to run offMatt the Reimerfull programme.’ There was a ‘very satisfactory’ GOOVIGEN SCHOOL OF ARTS (Est. 1926) attendance at the evening ball, at which was MC and the Wowan Orchestra played. The day’s activities resulted in a profit of some The Goovigen district is located about 650km £40. north-west of Brisbane. It was established as a 24 Goovigen Country Women’s Association Useful Knowledge

The and all residents it brought back a treasure trove was formed at a meeting held in the Hall about of memories of local history and district people. 1933. In 1934 the CWA held a dance to raise money Percival Thomas Schluter passed away in 2004 for the Hall and a Supper Room and kitchen were and his wife Elaine was called to her reward in added to the Hall in the same year and the library 2015. Both are buried in the Goovigen Cemetery. was shifted into this area at the same time. ledIn by 2010 Bill McLintockflagging interest and high overheads,Gwen The CWA met regularly in the Hall until they Lucy,which Maryincluded Lang insurance, sawDee, a group Jeraldin of locals and purchased their own premises in Stanley Street, David McLintock and which included Goovigen about 1936, and they have continuously , as well as met there since then. The library appears to have set out to save the Hall. been shifted to the CWA Hall about this time. They organised what proved to be a red letter However the CWA still usedGoovigen the Institute Jockey for major Club occasion for the afternoon of 18 December 2010. functions and World War II fundraisers. The event kicked off at 4pm with a barbecue and From around 1936 the lassiesthen ‘funny modelling farmer’ a range Geoff of Maynardfashions from moved olden in held dances in the School of Arts and the New as MC for a fashion parade with local ladies and Year’s Eve Raceday Ball. Races continued up until World War II. The Crown Reserve racecourse, times to the present. Current with all this activity out the Lake Pleasant Road, and opposite the was the conduct of a ‘traditional monster ham cemetery, has since been leased. wheel night’ with a host of multi-draw raffles, the Post-War community events were transferred prizes for which included twelve hams. to the picture theatre and the School of Arts was The Goovigen Community Hall, near the corner only used for an occasional meeting. of Stanley and Stone Streets, was built about 1965 About 1964 a public meeting was called to decide and now holds the District World War II Honour whether to upgrade the existing hall or build a new Roll. It’s most talked about use was for the hall and the meeting voted Colfor aStone new hall. annual Miss Banana Shire Balls, which attracted Consequently the old School of Arts building up to 400 patrons. These ran post World War II was sold about 1965 to who used it for about thirty years. Today the Goovigen and Goovigenas a grain shed.Historical About Society1995 it was subsequently District Progress Association manages the Hall. Desireepurchased Turner back for the community by the SOUTHThe Goovigen AUSTRALIA story is in fact the tale of four halls. under President Percy Schluter GRANGE INSTITUTE (Est. 1888) . Thomas subsequently Schluter became President of the Historical Society, which seemed May History Festival The folk of the historic Grange Institute recently apt, as Percy’s father was the participated in the . They Secretary of the original School of Arts Committee Elaine also conducted a very successful sale of second- back in 1926. hand books and library surplus stock, where one Percy and his wife threw their all into could have three novels for a dollar. The art gallery restoring the galvanised iron clad School of Arts. also did reasonable business during the day. It had to be partially restumped. The stage which Des Pitman and Gary Campbell The Grange Institute Library is perhaps the had been removed for a grain hopper was rebuilt Dee McLintock last community library in South Australia to be by Percy, . Elaine run entirely by volunteers and proudly showcases Schluter and others including , thePORT Institute NOARLUNGA movement. INSTITUTE (Est. 1914) painted the external trims of spouting, windows and doors and the inside of the Hall. The verandah was also repaired. Carl Port Noarlunga is a small seaside town about 60km FriedrichPercy thenWilhelm dismantled ‘Bill’ the historicLaura slab south of Adelaide. Originally established as a seaport hut which hadEngel been the original home of for the inland town of Noarlunga, the township was (1891-1977) and surveyed in 1859. The Post Office was opened in (1896-1974) and relocated, it was rebuilt on 1909. The first jetty was built in 1855, but this was the School of Arts site. destroyed by storms in 1915. The current jetty was When Percy became ill the Society’s reins constructed and opened in 1921. were passed back to Desiree Turner. In General The Port Noarlunga Vigilance Committee was Committee Percy Schluter was duly elected a Life formed in 1914 and on 7 November 1914 resolved Member of the Society and it was resolved to name to make inquiries about the establishment of an the refurbished School of Arts complex after him. Institute. The Library was established in 1914 in a It was a proud moment for all when the Goovigen former Church, and later shifted to Skinners store. Historical Society opened their community A meeting was held on 21 June 1918 when it was museum in the School of Arts building. For Percy resolved to build a hall and a site was purchased MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 25 TASMANIA ELLENDALE HALL (Est. 1928)

Photo: www.onkaparingacity.com

Photo: ellendalehall.com.au in June 1920 for £120. Tenders were called in May 1924. The limestone was supplied by localCleveland farmers Brosand the blocks were cut and carted bySA volunteers. Hall. Ellendale is a small rural community located The foundation stone, a WHgift ofHollis the , was laid on 9 August 1924 by The 75km south-west of Hobart in the Derwent Valley. The annual gathering of Ellendale inhabitants Percival80ft x 30ft Heggaton Hall was built by at a cost of £1555, and was opened on 13 December 1924 by took place on 19 April 1887. An estimated crowd MP. The opening was followed of 250 people of all ages had gathered for the by a fundraising fair. theoccasion Hon. duringNicholas which John the Brown distribution of the The Hall was converted to cinema in the1930s Ellendale Public School prizes took place, at which and regular Saturday night screenings continued officiated. Mr Brown intimated ‘that in view of the establishment until 1957, although there wereNoel occasional A Webb screenings after that date. of a library and reading room, he had brought Institute inaugural President with him a collection of volumes for lending out, also some periodicals to read in the room, which laid the foundation Janet stone Henderson for the Library Warren Hall extension on 27 April 1929. he said would come into operation immediately On 1 July 1942 on completion of the new school room for which died. She had been the Institute Librarian 1914 up tenders had been invited.’ Proceeds from the until a short time before her death. Miss Warren evening concert were devoted to the Library Fund. had come to live in Port Noarlunga in 1913 and ‘It is understood that the loyal people of conducted a boarding house in Murray Road Ellendale are determined to perpetuate the known as ‘Angus House’. In addition to being memory of the Queen’s Jubilee by the establishment Librarian she was also Institute Hon. Secretary, of the abovementioned reading-room and library, which it is proposed to call the Ellendale Jubilee and was a Trustee. A large crowdS Talbot turned Smith out for her funeral and burial in the Morphett Vale Library and Reading-Room.’ Cemetery. In November 1942, , It appears early community meetings and President of the South Australian Institutes’ activities were held in the Public School and then Association, unveiled a portrait of Miss Warren in the Temperance Hall, which was built in the in the library, which was to be officially known late 1880s. Community use of the Temperance as the Warren Library. A commemorative plaque HallCharles continued John until Holmes the present hall was erected to her memory can be seen in the Onkarparinga in 1928. Room, at the Arts Centre. planted a King Billy The Hall debt was finally paid off in 1944 and pine tree outside the Hall about 1906. Nearby an the deeds were ceremonially passed over. The Avenue of Honour was planted in commemoration Noarlunga District Council took over the building of those who had enlisted in World War I on 23 in 1964, and it continued as the community library August 1918. It wasPrivate noted James of the Cecil twenty-three Bentley; local men who had enlisted seven had paid the until 1985. Noarlunga Lance-Corporal Alfred Clark; Private Arthur Supreme Sacrifice: CommunityIn 1983 CouncilArts Centre restored and refitted the Clark; Private Alfred Henry Davis; Private building and it was ‘rebadged’ as the Gordon Harold Heron; Private Angus William . Holmes; and Lance Corporal Henric Clarence Today it is very dynamic place with three Nicholas. exhibition spaces: The Foyer; Onkaparinga; and Linear in addition to the performing arts theatre. The distinctive polished wood Honour Roll in the Hall lists those who had enlisted in either or both World Wars I and II. The central panel, which contains a list of the casualties, concludes 26 GUNNS PLAINS COMMUNITYUseful HALL Knowledge (Est. 1925) with ‘Their bodies lie in the grave, their souls with God. Their spirit remains with us.’ (The Ellendale After overseeing the highlyYvonne successful Downes 90thhas Public SchoolInspector World War Brown I Honour Roll now hangs birthday Hall celebrations in September last year in the Westerway Primary School.) longtime Hall John President Hoare In 1923 found that the Hall stepped down to Vice-President and has been was suitable as a picture venue, but as there was succeededRay by . Indeed behind every no ‘firebox’ or projection room and he suggested busy lady there is an understanding husband, in that a hole be cut in the Hall wall and the projector this case and we commend them both for be set up outside. their dedication and contribution to the Hall and On 22 February 1928 tenders were invited for Rev. Kenneth communityIndoor life overWoodchop the years. Potato the erection of the Ellendale Public Hall (Labour John Hughes FestivalGunns Plains is now ramping up for its next Sidneyonly) and E Read.closed with the youthful annual in July and , butG & over A Cooper the name of Hon. Secretary, in November, featuring historic and currentLAUNCESTON Gunns PlainsMECHANICS’ enterprises. INSTITUTE (Est. Contractors built the Hall, which 1842) rested on concrete footings, and was fitted with a stage, and the exterior hardwood walls were painted in a ‘dull red’. In allHon. the costLouis was Manton £590 Shoobridge‘ground included’. The Hall was opened by MLC on the afternoon of 13 July 1928. This was followed by a Fair and Side-Shows at the Recreation Ground, with stalls for: Sweets; Afternoon Tea; Fancy Goods; Cakes; Produce; Dutch Garden; Chocolate Wheel; and Hoopla. There was a dance in the Hall in the evening, for Left to right: Mary Dent, Bob McKinnon, Richard which the Ritz Band played. Mulvaney (QVMAG Director), Jenner Plomley for TheReg originaland May Temperance Holmes. Hall then appears to (Plomley Foundation), Peter Richardson, Mike have been sold and was converted into a residence McCausland, Sue McClarron, Prue McCausland, and Dorothy Rosemann. Photo: Facebook/QVMAG The Hall’s fifth anniversary was celebrated in July 1933Ellendale with a dance Country with Women’s music provided Association by the Carnival Band. Following on news of their receipt of a Community The , Friends of the Launceston Heritage Grant for a Preservation Needs which appears to have started in the 1940s Mechanics’ Institute Jude Assessment (PNA), the used the Hall for its meetings and fundraising. Fraser (FOLMI) report that It also contributed significantly to its upkeep. , historian and manager of consultancy Consequently in 1954 the Hall Committee was programs, of the University of Melbourne’s able to set aside £400 for ‘improvements and Grimwade Centre visited in December 2015. This alterations’ to the Hall. on-site inspection resulted in a valuable 58 page The 65ft (20m) x 30ft (10m) dance floor and PNA report ‘packed with practical advice that we a well equipped stage makes this an ideal dance can use to take care of our collection, focussing and performing arts venue. In addition there is a on the kinds of resources a community group like full range of audiovisual equipment available for ours can muster or acquire’. hire. The commercial kitchen facilitates its use as This was followed in March 2016 by a $7197 a meeting or wedding venue. historiangrant from the Plomley Foundation. (The Plomley The Hall has long been the venue of Christmas NJB ‘Brian’ Plomley Foundation was established in 1984 by the late related activities which today continue as the , a former Director traditional Christmas Carols and a Christmas Traditional Country Market on the last of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in July dinner. The Hall and surrounds hosts the from 1946-50. Brian had used the Launceston regular Annual Buskers Mechanics’ Institute Collection for research and Sunday of every month. Bash recreational reading, he being a 'consumer' of The recently inaugurated fiction from the Victorian and Edwardian eras.) held in March with prizemoney of over This grant will fund the ongoing cataloguing $4000 has proved a ‘winner’ with talent coming project by the training of a six member team, from all over Tasmania to compete for the cash all professional librarians, to gain experience money. and registration to enter the LMI Collection on MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 27

the Australian National Bibliographic Database The Hall was initially used as a school from and the Australian National Library’s discovery 1907 until one was built. The Methodist and service TROVE. It is expected that the project will Anglican churches continued to utilise the Hall take two years. down through the years and jointly conducted a Check out: launcestonmechanicsinstitute. Sunday School. Farmers held their meetings there WESTERNblogspot.com.au AUSTRALIA as did other organisations. An Honour Roll in Hall lists twenty-seven local PIESSEVILLE AGRICULTURAL HALL (Est. Mrs Emily World War I servicemen. It was unveiled on the 1906) Vince James Alexander Greig night Sydney of Friday, Stubbs 21 March 1919Cr byErnest Henry Absolonin the presence of MLC, MLA and (Local Repatriation Committee). Mrs Vince handed over the Honour Roll ‘to theG Board;trustees KGof the Clark-Kennedy; hall to keep for Privateever and Samuelever in Robertperpetuation Corry; of theA Crowe; memory *Corporal of those uponClarence it’. Theodore Elphick; Private Donovan Russell Elphick; F Griffiths; *Private Douglas Anderson Hendry; Private John Harold Hendry; Private Stanley Thompson Jarman; *Private Thomas Photo: Carol Goldsmith Victor Lakeland; Private George Garfield Lloyd; W McLaren; P McMahon; Private John Nash; Sergeant Henry Burge Newman MM; Private This was a station on the Great Southern Railway Frank Robbins Rowe; Gunner George Sands; in 1889, about 15km from Wagin, and 200km Private Richard Sydney Sands; Private George south-west of Perth. The district was originally Edward Sutcliffe; Corporal Edward Samuel known as Buchanan River and the township was George Tilley; A Trembath; Private Ernest gazetted in 1903, setting aside sites for a cemetery Vince (aka Ernest Rowe); and Lance Corporal and rifle range. However since then it has seen Clement Harrington Glover Wood several name changes: Buchanan (1903); Barton Frederick Henry . (An asterisk (1905), Piesse (1918), and finally Piesseville in Piesse and Charles Austin Piesse. indicates those who paid the Supreme Sacrifice. 1923, named for local residents The Honour Roll was updated after World War II.) ‘Refreshments were then handed round by the The Depression hit hard in Piesseville and the ladies, and the ceremony, that will live long in the Barton Hotel closed in 1930 and many farmers memory of those who were present, closed with walked away from their small holdings. But still patriotic songs.’ the loads of bagged wheat came to the railway Cricket and Tennis were early sports played siding. This was not to become a bulk handling on the Hall reserve. At one time six tennis courts depot until 1949 and continued until the bin were in use, but as numbers dwindled it was closed about 1982. difficult to field a team, and remaining members Whilst it appears some effort to erect a Hall was Barton Progress joined the Highbury Club. However social tennis made in 1904, the real momentum to build a hall Association has again returned to the courts in recent times. started with a meeting of the Zimmer Bros A fiftieth anniversary celebration was staged held on 5 May 1906. Tenders were on Saturday, 6 November 1954 which took the called on 4 August 1906, with the form of a Dinner and Ball. The one hundred and of Wagin being successful with a contract price of seventy participants were welcomed to a newly £173.10s. The timber building, with a jarrah floor renovated hall, which was ablaze with light from and corrugated iron roof eventually cost £180 of George Mallen the newly installed electric lighting plant. which £100 was defrayed by way of Government The centre piece of decorations was ‘a large grant. was a trustee. Robert Sinclair, poster [mural] depicting the advance of the In the absence of Hon CA Piesse MLC the Hall was district over fifty years. The central feature officially opened by storekeeper illustrated the early name of Barton merging into of Wagin on 10 October 1906. There was a sports the present name of Piesseville, this was flanked meeting in the afternoon on the sports ground on the one side with a depiction of the horse and which was ‘somewhat of a prehistoric nature, and Mr and sulky and on the other a modern car proceeding needs a good bushman to locate it’. (The Hall is Mrs G [George] Justins along a bitumen road. Great credit is due to still situated some distance from the main road, for the splendid portrayal and surrounded by trees, and is not easy to find. ) 28 Useful Knowledge of the purpose of the occasion and it was greatly novelty games…Mr Keith In the Stewartevening a barbecue tea was Hadmired Cousins by everyone.’and C Turner held and this was followed by an old time dance to Catering was done to full justice by Mesdames the music of . Everyone enjoyedMr . Numerous toats Ewatching Simms and trying out the old dances not seen were proposed and drunk including to the : at Piesseville for many years. Many thanks to ‘Descendants of Old Identities’; ‘Original Hall for calling the Lancers.’ Committee’; ‘Present Hall Committee’;CD Nalder and ‘Absent The roof was replaced in the early 2000s and Friends’. The toasts to ‘Ourselves and the Future the building was restumped about the same time. of the District’ was proposed by MLA. The sash windows have also been replaced by After the Dinner the Hall wasWE cleared,Davey then and louvre windows. Kellie Blight the crowd increased to some three hundred in The Hall centenary in 2004 drew three number. Master of Ceremonies hundred people and compiled a called the gathering to order and dancing began brief reminiscence of ‘The Town I Know’. to the music of Mac’s Melody Makers. Since then a new kitchen has been added, the The Piesseville residents and past residents Hall interior refurbished and a new toilet bock were called together again for the 75th anniversary and septic tank has been constructed. in November Mr 1979. Jack ‘The Moyses day commenced with a The longrunning Christmas tree event has luncheon with past and present residents being recommenced and dances, which are held every welcomed by this was followed by two months, are well attended. a choral item from the children and then a cricket The Hall is currently used for various activities match on the old cricket ground plus various by the Piesseville Social Club and the Tennis Club. - OTLEY MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, UK Case Study the Otley Mechanics’ Institute Our attention has been drawn to the plight of (aka Civic or Town Hall) building in West Yorkshire (UK). Otley, on the banks of the River Wharfe, gained market status in 1222. To its early wool based industries, it added furniture and paper making, as well as tanning. Heavy industry followed, which produced the world renowned Dawson and Payne Wharfedale printing press. In 1836 a branch of the Useful Instruction Society was formed in Otley with early meetings being held in Victoria Yard and the old Salem Chapel. This merged to become the Otley Henry Newstead Mechanics’ Institute (OMI) in 1839. Between Secretary, solicitor declared 1840-45 the Institute leased and moved into the the Exhibition open. old Methodist Society’s Meeting House, built in In the late 1860s the Institute purchased Nelson Street in 1771, that could accommodate several thatched houses on Garnett Street, ‘500 hearers’. The Institute ‘fitted out’ the two- abutting the town centre’s Cross Green. These storey building with a Reading Room, Library CH Dawson demolished, the foundation stone of the present and Classrooms on the ground floor, and a large Emma hall was laid in the presence of JP, by lecture hall above. his wife and their son, in 1869. By 1851 the OMI had 264 members and fifty The Institute was almost due to open, when in students and there were 1100 volumes in the June 1871 lightning struck the nearby Maypole library, with annual borrowings of 7000. In on Cross Green. Stones from its base were flung 1865 an Exhibition of the World of Art, Industry towards the Institute building which smashed and Curiosity was assembled in the Institute. windows and damaged the façade. After repairs The exhibition, which drew on the collections the Institute was officially opened on 31 October of the stately homes of the region, was opened 1871, with a soiree and public meeting. with the singing of the National Anthem. The MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 29

CONT... Case Study Mr Dawson subscribed £300 to Following the advice of the Fire the building of the Hall, a ‘large and Officer, who condemned the electrics, commodious’ two-storey building, Council declared the Institute with basement, which cost around building closed to public use in May £5000. Carved stone heads ‘of 2010. In the meantime Leeds Council contemporary local industrialists, then leased premium real estate in etc.’ were above the arched windows suburban Otley to house the Otley and the Otley armourial device is Town Council. above the front entrance. In addition Since then it has been revealed to the large Hall, it also had a lecture that the cost of the rewiring would be room for science and art classes and had a library. £20,000 and the ‘distant’ Leeds Council spends The community again came together for the around £40,000 a year on outgoings and basic annual ‘merry month of May’ in 1872, when a maintenance on the vacant building. Further replacement Maypole, fitted with a lightning Leeds Council appears to claim that the Civic conductor, was erected. Hall will incur an annual cost of £120,000 to run In 1894 it was decided to extend the building and maintain. to the rear to accommodate the Science and Various figures of between £2-£4 million have Art Schools and a Museum. Fundraising took been advanced to restore the English Heritage the form of a ‘Model Village Exhibition’ and listed Grade II building and rear structure. Workersentertainments Education over anAssociation eleven day period which Council has advertised for expressions of interest raised £467. The new extension opened in 1895. to take over the whole building, wherein lies the lectures were catch, for the 1895 rear structure is very badly also staged here during the first half of the run down. twentieth century. The issues appear to be that Council wants to A well-used feature of the Institute was the restore both buildings in order to again occupy snooker room from which a table still survives. the front building and there is no will in the The full sized table was purchased for £60 in present Otley Town Council to move from their 1905 by thirty subscribers who paid the two present reportedly ‘top end’ accommodation. pounds each. Further there appears to have been no Council The Institute building was ‘passed to’ Otley application to English Heritage or theGive Heritage Otley Urban District Council in 1957 which then spent itsLottery Town Fund Hall for any restoration funding. some money on its refurbishment. From 1959 it TomIn JanuaryFeatherstone 2016 a group titled housed the Otley County Library, but this moved Bob Brook was launched and headed by out in 2006 to purpose-built accommodation in . Steering group member Nelson Street. said ‘I hope everyone in Otley will Following theOtley merger Museum with theSociety Leeds moved City get behind the campaign, sign the petition, Council in 1974, space becameOtley available Little Theatre in the and spread the word, and that Otley and Leeds building and the Otley and District Council will make it happen’ and the 400 seat Men’sin. Other Forum users included the auditorium be returned to full community use and it was the home of the for theatre, cinema and Otley Town Council. until 2000 when Council advised This group was amazed that in February the closure of the meeting venue. 2016 Council announced it was spending £10 In July 2007 a violent storm caused havoc million on a facelift of the Leeds Town Hall. Then on Cross Green and windows on the front of hard on the heels of that announcement came the Institute building were damaged. There another, that an expansion of the West Yorkshire appeared to be also damage to the roof, for Playhouse would be funded with Givea further Otley £4.9 its since then the ceiling has partially collapsed. Townmillion. Hall Indeed it would appear that during the forty However it would appear the years of Leeds Council ‘ownership’ and use, little group is heeding their benefactor money has been spent on the building, save bare Dawson’s motto ‘Perseverando’ or ‘Persevering’ maintenance. and we wish them success. www: OtleyTownHall.co.uk 30 Useful Knowledge

WhereDUTSON MECHANICS' They INSTITUTE Stood & FREE LIBRARY (EST. 1890) met in a room lent by John McNaughton In 1890 the Dutson Progress Association, which Charles McLean offered, was the driving force for the construction of the Mechanics’ Institute. ‘the requisite land from his selection’ on what is now the south-west corner of Johnsons Road and Longford-Loch Sport Road. The Progress Association then wrote to the Department of Lands and SurveyJames aboutRobinson the excision of the half an acre of land from the McLean property. Surveyor of Sale surveyed the land and prepared the plan without cost. The site was next door to the William Dutson State School,Lars No. Jensen 2368 which& Co had opened on 1 April 1881. Cartledge will be a good moon’. Picnic Secretary behalfThe bytender the of . for £80 was Albert Harris Mallet Bros was to act as MC for the dance. accepted and the building was erected on his In January 1891 MLA donated . Much of the ‘cutting several books ‘bearing on agriculture’ to the and fitting’ and had been done in Mr Jensen’s Sale Tempest Alderson Fraser Bros Institute. A Concert was noted as being held in timberyard and was carted to the site by Messrs William McAndrew March 1891. . The . and At a meeting on 16 March 1891 of twenty President provided their carrying Matthew Carr subscribers, the membership fee was set at 10s services free of charge for other goods. Hall per annum. Those present were to form the acknowledged the John Bott; Committee and seven trustees were elected assistance of all in the speedy completion of the Matthew Carr; William Cartledge Jnr; to be effective from 19 June 1891: Hall. Robert McConnell; Charles McLean Jnr; John The weatherboard Hall was completed on McNaughton Thomas Tempest Christmas Eve 1890, and was 30ft x 20ft x14ft and ; and . These had a capacity of 100 people. It was fitted with a included the three men who had undertaken the 1.5in pine floor and people were ‘delighted to see responsibility for paying off the debt. such a fine floor to swing on in Dutson’. It was to The site was gazetted as a temporary be opened, after the New Year’s Day Picnic, with reservation for a ‘Mechanics’ Institute and a social and dance in the evening when ‘there Free Library’ on 29 May 1891. A Committee of Management was gazetted on 12 June 1891 and the site was granted permanently on 17 September 1891. In 1891 the Library had fifty books and opening hours were 7pm-10pm with yearly borrowings of 400 books. By 1894 there were 185 books with opening hours of midday-4pm Tuesdays and Fridays, and there had been 400 borrowings during the year. The Hall reserve perimeter was planted with cypress trees and a cork tree in the MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 31

early 1900s andThomas these Alfred still exist. Robinson, These appear to have been Arbor Day projects connected with local resident a keen horticulturalist. Robinson came to the district to be Head Teacher at the Dutson State School from 1891-1904, when he retired. He then purchased a property, which he named ‘Armidale’ and became involved with growing wild flowers. The building was burned to the ground on 9 April 1911 and a piano and organ were destroyed. The building was insured through Australian Alliance Insurance Co. for £80. No time was lost in replacing the Hall as the insurance money Jameswas enough Turner to McNaughton replace all the materials and it was decided to rebuild it with voluntary labour.Thomas Joseph Carr ‘a fully qualified tradesmen’ was the foreman and Hall Secretary was the project administrator purchasing materials, etc. Joseph White ‘The new building, which comprises a main long grass near the Hall, seemingly bludgeoned to hall 35 x 25 feet with porch and three rooms at death by an axe. The body of was the side was completed in about three weeks. found in the old school house ‘with an abrasion It is lined and ceiled throughout, and the floor on the forehead and the wrists and throat were is a capital one for dancing.’James It was McNaughton opened in lacerated. A kitchen knife lay nearby.’ October 1911 with a social on a stormy night, It appears the two had been camping in the with a small attendance. Hall whilst trapping rabbits in the district. They provided the music and a presentation was made both drank heavily. It is believed that in delirium to JT McNaughton of a saw, plane and spirit level tremens White believed Murray to be a monster for his dedicated work. ‘The local ladies provided and killed him. Then upon sobering up he one of their usual high class suppers.’ realised his dreadfulDetective mistake Donald and Cadby then took had his to The Hall was used extensively by the State own life. As the Coroner was not available until School and for sendoffs and welcome homes for the next day,A Legge World War I and World War II service personnel. camp overnight in the Hall. A World War I Honour Board was installed in the In 1966 wrote to the Department Hall, which carried the namesPrivate of twenty-nine Leonard advising that because of vandalism that he Neildistrict Davis; servicemen: Private including Harry fiveForster; of whom Sapper had believed that the Hall would soon collapse. Mr Georgepaid the Neil supreme McAndrew; sacrifice: Private Cyril Thomas Legge was advised in a letter on 13 December Robinson; and Private James Thomas Wilson 1966 that the Department had no objection to the Hall being sold or disposed of and the monies . being used to build a new hall if required. The Honour Board was unveiled by Hon. Edward The Hall Financial Return for the period 1 Jolley Crooke MLC on 25 June 1919 in the presence March 1967-1 May 1970 indicated that the Hall of ‘a very large attendance’. (This is now held by had been sold on 1 March 1967, as well as the the Sale Museum.) sale of timber and iron on 5 June 1967. In 2003 The Hall was used for: debates;Mrs Eddie school Stephenson concerts, correspondence with the Department indicated fancy dress evenings; and card nights. For Jim the that there was difficulty in forming a Committee andregular Bob old McNaughton time dances of Management. The Committee was formally was a later dance pianist accompanied by Doesrevoked anyone on 5 have March a photo 2010 of and the the Dutson site isHall? now on their violins. directly managed by the Department. Clockwise from left: Map showing location of On 2 September 1944 an RAAF Kittyhawk Dutson (Source: Google Maps); image from the made an emergency landing in the paddock Dutson Mechanics' Institute's ledger; Dutson adjacent to the Hall. Honour Roll (Courtesy Sale Historical Society). MartinA murder-suicide Murray occurred in the region of the Hall on about 23 October 1956. The body of , a rabbit trapper, was found in 32 Useful Knowledge - FROM THE SHELVES OF A MECHANICS' LIBRARY

The Mechanics’ Institutes are known universally for their libraries, which were in most cases the first in the manyEx-Libris communities in which they were established. Whilst many books were taken to the local tip or sold, even the blandest title can tell us much about the Institute and the conduct of its library. Ghosts that Still Walk: Real Ghosts of America Our item for this issue comes fromWarracknabeal the former (New Mechanics’library of the onceInstitute well York: AA Knopf 1941), andstocked Free Library. which deals with ghosts andof herA Manual stately childhoodfor Baby as its genesis a meeting The Sittershome at Wiscasset, Maine; Institute appears to have (Boston: Little held by the Warracknabeal Brown, 1949), which is Tent of the Independent self explanatory. Our title Order of Rechabites in was registered in the US nineJune 1882of the which members resolved: to for Copyright on January ‘That this meeting elect 1953. It was then issued simultaneously in three form a committee pro editions: Westminster tem for the purpose of Press of Philadelphia; drawing up some plans Ryerson of Toronto, a towards starting either subsidiary of the Methodist a reading room, library Church; and Victor Gollancz of mechanics’ institute in of London. Ours appears this township...’ It was noted that ‘a library and to be the first printing of Gollancz, as there was debating society’ had recently been operating also a marked ‘Second impression’, both printed and that it be reformed. In July 1882 a meeting in England by The CamelotLibrary Press Journalof London and was held to authorise the purchase of a site and Southampton, and also issued in 1953. The book ‘and make the other necessary arrangements for was advertised in the US as ‘The opening the Institute’. In May 1884 it was noted strangest story ever told about a woman in a half acre site had been purchased in the ‘centre Johndanger.’ Roderigo and is setDos in Passos New Guinea. The reviewer of the main street’ and trustees were elected and noted on the pasted down dustjacket remnant, in June two designs had been received and were Nineteen Nineteen (1896-1970) was a being considered for a building. Construction Thefriend, Guardian’s fellow author and a competent artist. Dos appears to have taken place in the latter part of Passos’ novel; (1932) is listed in 1884 and opened in early 1885. One Hundred Best Novels at No. 58. In August 1885 it was mentioned as operating The book’s blurb has been fixed to the front in ‘a little building’ which had been built for the pastedown. It appears to have been purchased purpose and it had 400 books on the shelves. In the for fifteen shillings and sixpence and carries the 1950s it is noted as having some 7000 titles. The number ‘8402’ in three places, on the front and Institute continued to provide the community’s back pastedowns and on the 100x70mm library library service until the Warracknabeal Council’s label pasted on the outside of the back cover. Community Library opened on 8 November The book carries two separate library 1968. So it operated for around eighty years. The stamps in purple ‘Mechanics Institute/ and Free Institute was demolished in the 1970s. Library/ Warracknabeal’ and on the last page ‘3d Our bookMonsoon is a 130x170mm Quarter hardback bound in a per week charged for books/ not returned in 14 heavy grained paper and this has been varnished. days’. The back fly is used to record borrowings The book Marion Lowndes is noted as the first with a rubber date stamp in purple. It was first and seemingly the only novel of New England borrowed on ‘19 Oct 1853’ and had another eleven (USA) born socialite , nee Smith, loans, the last being on ‘8 Jun 1956’. It appears to who married Lloyd, of a notable Philadephia have been later sold for ‘20c’ handwritten on the family. Lowndes had written two previous books: cover. MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 33

These Walls Speak Volumes: A BookHistory of Mechanics' Reviews Institutes in Victoria dramatic and musical companies, acrobats, clowns and comics, - Pam Baragwanath novelty acts and religious fanatics’. and Ken James. Self Published, When, as happened over and over 2015. Hardcover, dust jacket. 704 again, communities experienced pages, illus, bibliography, index. the loss of their cherished institute 215x295. 9780992308780. by fire, we find them steadfastly The Mechanics’ Institutes, writes setting to work on a replacement. Pam Baragwanath, have been Admittedly, all was not always written off as a story of failure. sweetness and light; human This splendid history, of which nature with all its foibles makes she and Ken James are the co- an appearance in these pages. The authors, points to a different guardians of public decency at the conclusion. Drawing on many Teesdale institute burned books years of dedicated research, it Bulletinthat they deemed to be immoral. provides meticulously compiled The ‘disloyal, disgusting and entries for almost 1000 institutes, leaving no filthy’ was banned at Tatura. A major doubt as to the crucially important role that constitutional crisis erupted at Whittlesea when they have played in the life of Victoria. Although a formidable lady confronted the committee over the intention of the early institutes to provide the custody of the key and drove most of them science classes for artisans had a fitful existence, to resign. The same institute descended into this book shows that the wider aspirations of ‘disorder’ on several occasions when the local the ‘useful knowledge’ movement were not Church of England clergyman and headmaster forgotten. Institutes provided libraries; there clashed in angry disagreement. Obviously there were lectures, classes and debates; some had were problems at the Wehla institute when the museums; and there were musical performances. secretary was remanded for stealing books. Among the interesting features of this history This is a beautifully produced volume, are many striking examples that demonstrate handsomely printed and copiously illustrated how the beliefs and practices of migrants can with photographs, many of them very old. It be adapted to suit the conditions of life in a should serve, not only as a model for future new country. The ‘lofty ideals sometimes had publications about institutes in other parts of to yield to demands for less cultured pastimes’, the world, but also as an indispensible source for but throughout Victoria the mechanics institute, the social history of Australia. housed as often as not in a simple wooden Reviewed by Alex Tyrrell structure, became the hub of the community Available from: MIV, PO Box 1080, Windsor, V during the pioneering days, often serving as the 3181. $85 + $15 postage. Mitre Public Hall only public building for miles around. It is hard to 1915-2015: A Brief think of any get-together that did not take place History as there from court sessions, elections and religious Transcribed from meetings to weddings, balls, film shows, roller the Minute Books skating and billiards. Weighing in at nearly three kilograms and 704 pages, an alphabetical list of short entries – James Aitken, and appendices does not offer the promise of compiler. Mitre: a good read, but, amidst the dates, listings of Mitre Public Hall events and administrative information, there are Committee, 2015. fascinating glimpses of early Victorian social life. Paperback, We can envisage, for example, how important saddlestitched. 8p, the Casterton Institute was for its district illus. 150x210mm. when we read that during the 1880s there was This slim ‘a seemingly endless procession of lecturers, volume tells 34 Useful Knowledge Book Reviews a typical rural story of how generations of more than year in the reseaching, which started families have sustained their local Hall. In out with the basic surnames and their initials on Mitre Hall’s case those families are the: Aitken, an Honour Board that was in the Arthurs Creek Hateley, Lear, Mayberry, McClure, McCredden Methodist Church. The Board carried twenty- and Sudholz families. A member of the latter, eight names, which appear to have either lived Heinrich Sudholz agreed to sell a site to the Hall in the area, had family ties, were members of the Committee for five pounds. Mitre is lucky that Arthurs Creek Rifle Club, local sporting clubs, it has almost a full run of Minutes Books, save had connection with the Arthurs Creek State the one covering the 1941-47 period. Contractor School or were members of the Arthurs Creek and Committee man Charles John Pumpa did Methodist congregation. Further research by the sterling service firstly in building the Hall and Project Committee eventually expanded the Roll then serving on the Committee until he left the to number forty-five and then they assiduously district in 1925. Scanning the Minutes we note: went to work putting ‘flesh’ on to just the basic the Hall was not available for hire on Sundays for name. The canvass was wide, but relied heavily ‘trading, business or amusement’; that Thomas H on each soldier’s service record which is held Light supported a motion to purchase Coleman by the National Archives of Australia and is lamps to improve the Hall’s lighting; a piano was available online at the NAA website. Other purchased from Sutton’s in Ballarat in 1951; in people provided family details and pictures. The 1958 Mrs S Alt leased the hall for teaching music research team tracked them all down except ‘B at 7s6d per day; electricity was switched on in Allen’. The ‘priceless’ picture at the end of the the district in 1958; and the Hall’s Jubilee was booklet ‘The Arthurs Creek Football Team’ taken celebrated with a concert and dance in 1965. outside the recently demolished Doreen Hall, Since then the wheel has indeed kept turning with a valuable names’ list, depicts six of the local and a goodly number turned up in November lads who went to War. Whilst the title page tells 2015 for the Hall’s centenary. Well done to all us ‘This is by no means complete and only begins concerned in producing this trip down memory to illuminate each man’s story.’ it is a worthy and lane. Its themes will ring true for many Hall fitting tribute to the community’s servicemen. folk. It’s something all Halls should do in case The brass World War I Roll of Honour affixed to a anything happens to the Minute Books. large local stone in the Commemorative Garden Available from: Mrs Elaine Aitken, 314 Mitre- at the front of the Hall shows that Arthurs Creek Nurcong Road, Mitre, V 3409. $5, postpaid, with has ‘remembered them’ and this booklet has proceeds to Hall restoration. Saluting Their added another dimension to that memory. This is S e r v i c e : an excellent ‘blueprint’ which can be emulated by Bringing Their every community to bring their Rolls of Honour Names to Life: to life, with a completion goal of 2018. Available Arthurs Creek from: Arthurs Creek Mechanics’ Institute Inc. Mechanics’ C/- Peter Nankervis, ‘Tryst’, 79 Nankervis Road, Institute Arthurs Creek, V 3099. $15,Preserving postpaid. Popular Commemorative Music Heritage: Do-it- Garden WWI Yourself, Do-it- Honour Roll Together

- - Sarah Baker, Peter Nankervis, editor. London: ed. Arthurs Routledge – Taylor & Creek: Arthurs Creek Mechanics’ Institute Francis, 2015. Hardback. Committee of Management, 2016. Paperback, 266p, illustrated, saddlestitched. 20p, illus, many in colour. bibliography, index. 200x200mm. 1 6 0 x 2 4 0 m m . This booklet is a worthy tribute to the 9781138781436. soldiers who enlisted from the districts of The rapidly changing Arthurs Creek, Nutfield and Strathewen. It was methods of recording MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 35

Book Reviews music over the past century has established scene has been collected for the past twenty the need to develop methods and protocols for years in many different formats. dealing with the various recording mediums The role of the DIY or Professional-Amateur from wax cylinder to digital files. is explored in their current archiving and Much archive material did not make it beyond preservation practices. In an international reel to reel tape and in some cases still exists in context, with a disciplinary approach, this copious amounts. The issues that arise are dealt book explores the ‘bottom-up’ approach to with in this edited collection of contributions community based initiatives into the collection, from various ‘local’ practitioners from around preservation and archiving of music’s material the world. A great amount of this archival work is history. ‘DIY preservationism’, ‘self-authorised’ done by do-it-yourself personnel in music related and ‘unauthorised’ methodologies are explored regional museums. in relation to heritage practice and the DIY Included Australian in the book Country is an Music Australian Hall of institution. This is a worthy referenceRoutledge for Famecase studyMuseum of theat Tamworth. Australian Country Music Researchstudents ofin Music popular Series. music, and cultural and Foundation’s heritage studies and is part of the Here the history and product of the Australian Country Music Available through Australian booksellers at approx $239.00. CurtainMINERS REST MECHANICS'Ca INSTITUTE (EST. 1865)

Miners Rest was settled before its neighbour Hall was extended to the rear in 1959 and these Ballarat, it grew as a community midway extensions were officially opened in 1960 with a between the goldfields of Buninyong and Clunes. Broadcast Ball. Water was connected in 1963. A public meeting was held in Miners Rest The distinctive andRobert colourful Flavell stage backdrop on 11 December 1865. A site was confirmed in afeatures son Thomas 'The Erskine Lexington River Flavell near Lorne'. It was 1866 but it was not until 12 February 1887 that andpainted Melanie in 1955 'Dolly', by nee Rigby (born 1936), five trustees were appointed for the temporary (1899-1989) Mechanics Institute Reserve of two roods, that . Thomas was any real progress was made. Headmaster at the Miners Rest State School. Originally known as the Miners Rest & In recent times the Hall has been used for a Day Dowling Forest Mechanics’ Institute and Free Care Centre and a Bookmobile stop. In addition Library up until 1890, it had become MinersWilliam Rest the Hall is well-used for community events and Brazenor,Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library by 1891. by community organisations including Lions Plans were prepared by architect and Landcare. The Hall Committee hosts a noted for buildings which had a welcoming morning tea on the 1st Wednesday curved roof, and construction got under way Photo:of the Bill month Loader where community issues are early in 1888. The building, which included a informally discussed. (See story next issue). library, was opened on 24 August 1888, with a concert, supper and ball. It was noted that the district ploughing match was planned on the same day. ‘A spacious room was annexed the Hall in 1889.’ Various Ballarat performersHenry Loader gave of their talents for a fundraiser for the Institute in April 1890 and Hon. Secretary thanked them in the press. A machine gun was unveiled in the Hall in 1919 and servicemen were given a Welcome Home from the War. Electricity was connected in 1946. The 36 Useful Knowledge

STREETON AND THE LAND OF THE GOLEN TheFLEECE History Page the demolition permit to the Uniting Church and Leighton Properties to build a thirty-four storey tower to replace ‘a unique part of Victorian After spending WHAT’S IN A NAME? Arthursome time in EuropeErnest women’s history’. Streetonpainting, artist A sharp observer recently noticed an apparent (1867- name change in an article on the State Library 1943) enlisted in noting it being referred to as ‘State Library the British Army’s Victoria’ instead of the long-used ‘The State Royal Army Medical Library of Victoria’. The change we are told Corps and worked happened in November 2014 when it was shown at the 3rd London on the State Library’s website. However the General Hospital The State official title still remains ‘The State Library of (Wandsworth). In Library, National Gallery, National Museum and Victoria’ in accord with the passing of 1918 he was made an Australian Official War Institute of Applied Science Act Artist and was attached to the Australian Imperial (1960). Force in France in May 1918 and remained there It is noted that the entity started out as the until October 1918. Two of his notable pictures The Library, Museums and National Gallery Act Melbourne Public Library 1856-69. In that year from this time are ‘Villers Bretonneux’ and ‘Boulogne’. Post-War he returned to Victoria and combined the three institutions into the one from a base at Olinda he did a painting tour of administration. The Public Library of Victoria Western Victoria which included the Grampians. The Public Library, National Gallery and came into being as the result of the demerging Streeton had the gift of capturing panoramic Museums Act by way of views from high vantage points. and sold largely at an exhibition held at the (1944). MelbourneWorks from Athenaeum this period Art Gallery were exhibitedin early But the State Library Healesvillechange is not Sanctuaryan isolated one, in recentSir yearsColin thereMackenzie has been Fauna another Park. less subtle name change, November 1920. Some of those pictures which replaced are now held in private hands were again publicly Land of the Golden Fleece However we understand officially the latter and exhibited at the Geelong Art Gallery’s exhibition WI name still prevails. We are told it is all part relegated of the which remained CWA MI’s marketing strategy. Come to think of it open until 13 June. The exhibition also featured Photo: are universal, but we still see Geelong’s most recent Streeton purchase ‘Ocean Alice Mills (1870 - 1929), via http://www.artgallery. toHISTORY the lowercase. WELL MADE nsw.gov.au/Blue, Lorne’. www.geelonggallery.og.au. and VALE – PRINCESS MARY CLUB Pam Baragwanath Ken James These Walls SpeakWhilst Volumes: talking ofThe marketing History theof the publication Mechanics’ of Institutes of Victoria ’ Once the home away from home for many Princess Mary Club has seen an unmatched country girls who were either studying or blitzing of the media. There has been radio and working in Melbourne, the newspaper coverage across the State, reviews building in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne is to be Alfred Michael and in major journals and in the National Trust and demolished. It was built in 1926 on a site donated George Richard ‘Rich’ Nicholas Aspro Royal Historical Society of Victoria newsletters, by philanthropist brothers Mechanics’ Institute and Pam and Ken have been out on the lecture , the ‘ ’ circuit. The meaning of the kings. and its purposes and uses is now well out there. The building has been vacant for about twenty This is our time to make the most of it with years and it is estimated that it would take $18 Councils, Government and other grant bodies. million to refurbish. Heritage Victoria has given Historians are like deaf people who go on answering questions that no one has asked them. Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 37

The Mechanics’ family is vast and we would Arts after a term Ourappreciate notification People of any items that would be of interest to our wider readership in Australia and across the world. of five challenging years. We appreciated his cooperation with historianTamworth-based Dr MIV and wishBrian him BarrieSchools Brennan of Arts Johnstonwell in his future has been very endeavours. November and took is up the role in busy over the past into his Pitt Street twelve months. He now well settled contributed a chapter office. Brian comes from a Australian long career Council in the ‘ A u s t r a l i a n ofhealth Health and Care social Standards care sectors and from 2000- Country Music 2013 was ChiefMacquarie Executive University of Hall of Fame: A . He is also visiting DIY museum andDr Fellow at . We welcome Saraharchive Bakerin Australia’s titled CountryPreserving Music Popular Capital’ Music in a Brian to the wonderful world of Photo:Schools smsa.org. of Arts Heritage:book edited Do-it-Yourself, by Griffith Do-it-Together. University member Barrie has auand) Mechanics’ Institutes and look forward to Country working with him in the future. ( Music Hall of Fame National had a long time association with the Trust of Australia which moved out of the (Victoria)The have Tamworth School of Arts building where it had been since 1997. It moved into the new guitar interest in the shaped InformationPhoto: Centre, www.historypin.org which partially) heritageshown a longof opened in July 2015, but was officially opened on 16 January 2016. ( Mechanics’ Former Minister MartinInstitutes. Purslow Chief for Local Executive Officer Government (and that interest for CandyMechanics’ Broad is has been part of againInstitutes), entering the past ten years, nine of which have been spent in the CEO’s role. linto e a v i public n g Martin brought considerable museum and Parliamentservice afterin gallery experience from his former English and Scottish engagements and he used those skills to upgrade and market the various National Trust PrimeSafe 2013. Candy enterprises. Martin is returning to cultural takes over as heritage work in England and we wish him well Chair of Leonard Vallance, Victoria’s meat industry and thank him for his contributionPhoto: Andrew to De theLa regulator on 1 July. She succeeds Mallee beef Rueinnovative via theage.com.au management) and marketing of producer who was appointed Victoria’s public heritage. ( in 2013. PrimeafePhoto: oversees www.bordermail.com.au the red meat, poultry) and fish industries. We all wish her well in this important role. ( Grahame With the final books back on the shelvesChristine after the Marks from the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Worthingtonmassive move from High Street to St Edmonds We overlooked the retirement of Road, Prahran Mechanics’ Institute’s has decided on a change. Christine 38 Useful Knowledge Our People has recently taken titles. I am sure we would all like to thank up her appointment Christine for her support and cooperationCathy with as Collections Milward-BasonMIV over the fifteen or so years which has also theManager/ Royal Historical Volunteer Mechanics’seen our firm Worldwide establishment. 2004 Christine and SocietyCoordinator of Victoria with were pivotal in the conduct of the and the landmark . Conference Proceedings was the PMI Press’s first Christine joined title. That worldwide connection is ongoing with Prahran in 2000 San Francisco in November. We wish Christine and has been part well in her challenging and excitingPhoto: role Prahran and I ofPrahran its remarkableMechanics Mechanics'am sure there Institute will Facebook be opportunities) of further Institute Press growth and diversity, cooperation with the RHSV. ( including as Manager of the which has published seventeen Vale highlightedA woman’s role in in warthe and volunteerism was Sylvia Ross Eadyeulogy given at the funeral of on 27 April 2007. Born Sylvia familyBowman later in moved Holbrook to (NSW) in 1920, her

Melbourne and she Photo: www.smh.com.au along with her two other sisters were Dorothy ‘Dot’ Richards educated at Fintona We note the passing of Williamstown identity Girls’ School, when the campus was located in (7 June 1916-9An Anthology February Hawthorn. Sylvia cut short her University of of2016). Aunts: She Growing was the up daughterin Williamstown of David ( Hick and Melbourne Commerce studies to work at Victoria FreeLily, neeRange: Stafford. A Collection Dorothy of Short wrote Stories Barracks, Melbourne, during World War II. She 1998); and married Alan Scott in 1949 and they had three Australian Women’s Weekly(2007). and children Jennifer, Ross and Susan. Alan died in WeeklyHer poems Times and short stories were published 1963 and Sylvia remarried Alan’s longtime friend variously in the Wilton Eady, a former World War II prisoner of . A founding member of Society war in Germany. They shared a happy family life of Women Writers (Victoria), Dorothy served together which included time at their seaside variously as President and Secretary. home in Sorrento. There Sylvia and Wilton Harold, her husband of 59 years predeceased became involved in local Nepean Conservation her. She is survived by her four sons Philip, Group and Nepean Historical Society and spent Michael, Andrew and Christopher and a large many happy hours over the years volunteering extended family. She will be much missed by the on various local Sorrento-based projects. Wilton, Williamstown community. who was a Life Member of the Nepean Conservation Group, passed away in 2015. MIV Magazine No. 40 – Autumn 2016 39

CommunityRECIPE Page Australian farmers and manufacturers, many of which are Institute volunteers and supporters and 5. Which Mechanics’ Institute had a long-running deserve your support. Hopefully the purchase of Art Gallery space? Australian grown or made product will help reward 6. Where is and what is the name of the library them. that is celebrating its bi-centennial in the UK during this year? BUTTER SHORTBREAD 7. At which two Institute buildings has Makes two dozen fingers scaffolding been recently erected? Ingredients 8. Which Institute building and Secretary/ Librarian’s cottage is to be the subject of a $5.76 million makeover? 250 grams Butter 9. Who produced the thesis on Queensland’s 125 grams Caster Sugar Schools of Arts in 1980? 350Method grams Plain Flour, sifted 10. Which Institute hosts an annual Fleece and Flower Show? 1. Preheat oven to 220 degrees. 11. Which firm donated the paint for the 2. Chop Butter into cubes and allow to reach restoration of Merton Hall? room temperature. 12. In which regional town were the silos recently 3. Cream the Butter with the Caster Sugar, then painted? combine with Flour. 13. What happened to the Dutson Mechanics’ Hall SPOTin 1967?THE BAKER’S DOZEN REFERENCES IN 4. Flatten mixture onto a floured board, cut into USEFUL KNOWLEDGE NO. 39 - ANSWERS fingers, and pierce top with fork. 5. Line baking tray with baking paper or grease. 6. Place fingers on lined or greased baking tray. 1. Upper Plenty Mechanics’ Institute, Scaddan 7. Cook in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes Town Hall, Yarloop Town Hall; 2. Professor Weston until slightly golden. Bate, OAM; 3. Somerville Mechanics’ Hall; 4. Alfred Deakin; 5. $71 billion; 6. Dr John Emerson, QC; 7. 8. Allow to cool for five minutes and sprinkle South Australia; 8. Gunbar Hall; 9. Miners Rest; COUNTRYwith grained KITCHEN Sugar. These Walls Speak Volumes: A History of the10. Mechanics’ Deborah Cheetham;Institutes in 11.Victoria Campfire Country Halls; 12. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the country ; 13. ‘The world needsHERITAGE visionaries’. LOTTERY UPDATE and we will occasionally Bullumwaalmention those Mechanics’ within the Hall,catchment of our Hall members. In this case it is in Gippsland, where the This matter was the subject of bipartisan inquiry is the venue of the annual ‘Miners and Bullumwaal Preserves. following Parliamentary Debate last year. Prospectors Exhibition’. Ways were/ are being explored how this can The cottage industry is be implemented by way of negotiation and/or Google around the net for their range and check out Raspberry Jam legislation. We trust that following the elections specialist food stores. We’re still working our way this will continue to an eventual resolution to bring throughSPOT THE a jar ofBAKER’S their DOZEN REFERENCES. A true delight. IN USEFUL KNOWLEDGE NO. 40 a new source of revenue to enable the restoration ofHAPPY historic BIRTHDAY buildings –and BROMLEY artifacts. HOUSE LIBRARY

1. Where was MIV Commemorative Plaque No. Having spent two centuries providing a sterling 50 unveiled? library service to the citizens of Nottingham, we 2. Who painted the mural at Miner’s Rest trust Bromley House will have a fitting year of Community Hall? celebratory events on Angel Row. Indeedyou Marcus have Tullius Cicero (106-43BC) was right when he 3. Where was the War Memorial Commemorative everything you need said ‘If you have a garden and a library, Garden recently unveiled? .’ Alere Flammam – Nourish 4. What is the title of the book featured in Ex- the Flame. Libris? 40 Useful Knowledge

IdeasFIRST IMPRESSIONS & Oortunities and a few dollars is their way of offering support We all stage various events in our Halls. The and saying ‘Thankyou’. One tip of warning though, tie the box down or up, the honour system does welcome that people and visitors receive varies NUMBER UP greatly from place to place. This can either show not always work. your group to be welcoming or lukewarm. Next time you are holding an event put your best foot We recently went to a Hall event where every forward at the gate or door with a welcoming issued Name Tag had a large number on it and this party, preferably bearing name tags with large was entered into the Visitor’s Book alongside the printing. Introduce yourself and make them name. No it wasn’t for a competition, it was for known to others. If time permits during the event the photographer’s use to later identify those that follow them up during afternoon tea, supper or wereREMEMBER in the photographs. OUR YOUTH whatever. There is a story told in one of the larger UK Institutes about an elderly gent who wandered When next staging an event in your Hall try to into their Institute museum for a look around. He include the youth of your community, for these was made welcome and at the end of his tour he are the ones that will take over the running was given a cuppa and the small printed history of the Hall in the future. Give them a role in of the Institute and he made a modest donation in perhaps designing an advertising flyer, being on appreciation. the welcoming Committee, speaking about their Several years later the Institute received a aspirations for the Hall, community, etc. Try and solicitor’s letter, Mr X had died. The letter noted run a couple of events each year that include the that Mr X had visited the Institute museum in children,WISH LIST besides the Annual Christmas Tree. 1982 and was so impressed with the friendly welcome, that he wished to bequeath his notable specialist collection of books, prints and artefacts Every Hall should have a wish These list from Walls the Speak big relating to an historic world celebratory. There Volumesticket items, sound system, stage lighting, to was also a sum of money to curate the collection. kitchen items or even a copy of YouINDIGO just neverSHIRE know & BALLARAT who is visiting. CITY HERITAGE for the Local History bookcase which all AWARDS Halls should have.a major And granttalking of big ticket items, Shire of Indigo on this most a small Victorian regional Hall recently hit the jackpot with because they had a We commend the projectSILO SUCCESS ready for COULD funding. ALSO BE A HALL SUCCESS inspiring initiative. ‘The awards recognise those who have made outstanding contributions to cultural heritage, conservation, research, Following on the world-wide attention gained by the portrait painting on the silos at Brim, education, interpretation,Ballarat City Counci trainingl also give and awareness-raising.’ $300,000 in State and Federal funding has been We know allocated to create five more silo art sites across Heritage Awards . This is something every Council the Wimmera-Mallee region. This will establish should emulate to raise awareness. It would be what is claimed to be the biggest regional art project in Australia’s history and the silo trail will interesting to know if there areNSW any Government other Shires of Cities in Victoria which have such awards. Rupanyup,stretch across Roseberry, a region of Sheep200km. Hills, Lascelles Whilst on awards, the andThose Patchewollock silos earmarked for a makeover are has Annual Awards for Halls on Crown Landall Reserves and it would be also good for other State , and include existing or Governments to join them, but with awards for former Institute towns. Halls,THE DONATION not just those BOX on Crown Land. Whilst this creates a silos trail, the same could well be done with regional Institutes to establish a designated trail, with strategic Institutes Many Institutes hold events for which there is no being coordinated to open on a certain day or attendance charge, but which some people may days to provide morning or afternoon tea and a be moved to make or give a donation. People do nominated barbecue lunch site. Raise it with your appreciate the hard work of volunteer Committees Institute neighbours.