I Newsletter Vol. 1 1 No. 4 Autumn 2001 Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 4 Autumn 2001 ···- MIV ANNUAL MEETING TheThe AnnualAnnual MeetingMIV ofof thethe Mechanics·Mechanics· ANNUAL MEETING Institutesinstitutes of Victoria was heidheld atat thethe MelbourneMelbourne AthenaeumAthenaeum onon Saturday.Saturday, 1212 MayMay 2001.2001. Itlt was was aa happyhappy occasionoccasion withwith thethe satissatis factionfaction ofof much achieved inin thethe previprevi • ousous year:year: the publicationpublication ofof PamPam Baragwanath’Baragwanarh' ss landmarklandmark workwork onon VicVic toria’storia· s Mechanics’Mechanics· institutes.Institutes, and thethe organising�rganising andand running of the FirstFirst :\aNa tionaltional Conference Conference ofof Mechanics·Mechanics’ instiInsti tutestutes whichwhich producedproduced anan impressiveimpressive setset ofof Proceedings Proceedings.. ThenThen therethere waswas thethe MlV’MlV' ss rolerole inin thethe launchlaunch ofof the DepanmentDepartment ofof lnfrasuucInfrastruc ture’sture' s l\�hanicsMechanics’! InstitutesInstitutes Comm Comm u unit)·nity PartnershipsPartnerships ProgramProgram whichwhich sawsaw a a numbernumber ofof Victori.aVictoria’s· s .\tisMIs shareshare overover $80,000:580.000 in grams.grants which werewere thethe firstfirst grants grants to toseveral several Mls since Mls sincethe the A pensive Past President Dr Frank Hurley was re-elected for a 1970s. A pensive Pas: Pres1denr Dr frank Huriey was re-eieoea tor a fur 1970s. furtherther lerm term to lead to lead tne the MIV MIV ,mo intothe newthe newMiHenmum. Millennium. TheThe planningplanning and designing ofof thethe travtrav elling exhibition Remember the .Me elling exhibition Remember the Me The happy groupgroup re-electedre-elected DrDr FrankFrank HurleyHurley toto thethe chanics? has occupied Pam Barag chanics’? has occupied Pam Barag chair.chair, with JohnJohn MurphyMurphy asas Vice-PresidentVice-President, CatCatherineherine wanath, Catherine Miiward-Bason. wanath, Catherine Miiward-Bason, Milward-BasonMilward-Bason isis SecSecretary/Treasurer.retary/Treasurer. TheThe CommitCommit- Alan Tonkin and Jim Lowden in con Alan Tonkin and Jim Lowden in con tee comcomprises:prises: PamPam BarBaragwanath,agwanath. Graham Graham Dudley Dud siderable effon. but it is DO\\ nearing siderable effort, but it is now nearing ley(ex-officio). (ex-officio), Paul PaulPermezel, Permezel, Don Tasgan. Don Taggart, OA.1vl. OAM, completion. lt' s really been all go completion. It’ s really been all go. Alan Alan Tonkin.Tonkin, DrDr Alex Tyrell andand Leila Leila WinchcombeWinchcombe...... '- InsideInside this issue: . ·, Book Short-Listed inin Awards ProceedingsProceedings forfor Soi Sale e 2 If!f thethe WallsWails Could SpeakSpeak hashas MIV'sMIV’s aims ofof ‘protecting,'protecting, 2nd2nd NationalNotional Conier Conference ence beenbec.n shon-lis-Ledshort-listed inin th,� the Vicu: Vic bbuildings-1ilding.; anda.nG collectionscoiiection:: torianrian CommunityCommunity HistoryHistory of Mechanics·Mechanics’ Institutesinstitutes WhoWho waswas George George Birkbeck? Birkbeck? 3 Awards.Awards. TheseThese Awards areare in Victoria'.Victoria’. TravellingTravelling ExhibitionExhibition ReadyReady sponsoredsponsored byby the Royal HisHis toricaltorical Society ofof VicwriaVictoria ConfusionContusion on on Athenoeums Athenaeums 4 andand InformationInformation Victoria.Victoria. ThankyouThankyou allall...... AuthorAutho r Pam BaragwanathBaragwanath waswas onon hand in Queen'sQueen’s HallHall NewNew Members 5 ParliamentParliament HouseHouse on 28on Aprii 28 DirectoriesDirectories Aprilfor the for announcement the announcement to re toceive receive The Cenificate The Certificateof Com- of MelbourneMeibourne AthenueumAthenaeum’s s 6 Commendationmendation which which readsreads WelcomeWeicome ‘Commended· Commended-Best-Best Print Print- Publication.’Publication: AroundArounri the the lnstiiuTesInstitutes 7 TheThe bookbook was published withwith aa CentenaryCentenary ofof FederationFederation NewsNews Roundup 10I 0 GrantGrant andand Pam hashas donareddonat edail allproceeds proceeds to to funherfurther thethe NorthernNonhern Terrnory Territory Mis MIs 11ll Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria Inc. Victoria Institutes of Mechanics’ Page 2 MECHANICS’ INSTITUTES OF VICTORIA INC.
First National Conference Proceedings Second National Conference Available Sydney, 2002
AFTER FLOATING the idea at the Mel bourne Conference that the Second National Schools of Arts/Mechanics’ Institutes Confer ence may be held in Sydney in 2002, the idea now has ‘legs’. “This...Conference is held MIV Secretary Catherine Milward-Bason vis- two hundred years after ited Sydney in May and spoke with the Syd ney Mechanics’ School of Arts’ Carole O’Brien George Birkbeck gave and Dr Roger Morris of the Sydney University his first free lectures to of Technology and the Conference is now fait accompli. working men in Glasgow, and event that is now taken as the beginning of the Mechanics’ Institute movement.” Rediscovering Mechanics’ Institutes - The Pro Dr Frank Hurley ceedings of the First National Conference held at the Melbourne Athenaeum on 17-18 Novem (MIV President) ber 2000 are still available. The Conference was sponsored by the Depart ment of Infrastructure - State Government of Victoria. The Papers fall under a range of headers: Re discovering the past; ‘Those Fountains of MIV ambassador at large, Catherine Milward-Bason ecstatic after her return from Sydney with the good news Knowledge’ - MIs and Education; ‘Mental and Moral Improvement and Rational Rec reation’; ‘More than a Place of Amusement’ Further it looks like a NSW umbrella group will - Some Local Institutes Considered; and Our be up and running in the not too distant future. Future. If you’re a NSW School of Arts/Mechanics’/ ‘British Origins of Mechanics’ Institutes’ by Dr Athenaeum or whatever contact the number be Alex Tyrell of LaTrobe University, Melbourne low and have your organisation put on the mai- heads the list. This was followed by ‘A Pioneer ling list. ing Mechanics’ Institute: Foundation of the Ed It is all very exciting given that the Tenter inburgh School of Arts’, by Professor Patrick field event is yet to happen to commemorate O’Farrell, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh the launch of the Federation movement in 1889 who jetted into Melbourne the day before the by Sir Henry Parkes. Tenterfield School of Arts Conference. have received a substantial grant to restore the Professor Philip Candy, of Ballarat University, building and it now looking pristine for the ‘big’ a long-time Mechanics’ researcher and editor event. of with John Laurent of Pioneering Culture fol So if you’ve got a paper underway, the NSW lowed with his ‘Australian Mechanics’ Insti- Conference is a likely launch pad, and it will tutes’. also be a place for serious discussion on a whole Victorian, Sydney and Adelaide Mls were cov range of mutual issues ered in the next segment. The emphasis is likely to focus on education, Dr Michael Talbot, State Library of South with themes of science and the progress of the Australia had us ‘Dancing by Moonlight and amateur service provider to the professional. All Sorts of Fun: An Illustrated Celebration of In the meantime there has been interest from South Australia’s Mechanics’ Institutes.’ We the Boston Athenaeum for a 2004 International are still searching for Book No. 7297, Class F Conference. Watch this space! from Port Adelaide MI, but with several ‘listed’ In the meantime you may like to register your pages it was not for the prudish. interest with the Sydney Mechanics’ School of In fact The Papers are a very good read for the Arts at Level 2, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW Special Price of $10. 2000 Telephone: (02) 9266 0766 or E-mail on [email protected] VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Page 3
Who was George Birkbeck? Second National Conference Sydney, 2002 GEORGE BIRKBECK An article in the Mechanics’ Magazine which was born at Settle, York suggested that an Institute be established in shire, England on 10 Janu London, spurred him into action. He lent 3700 ary 1776/ The son of Wil pounds for the building of a lecture room, was liam, a local merchant and elected President of the London Mechanics’ banker, he studied medicine Institute and delivered the first lecture there on at London and Edinburgh 24 February 1824. He became a trustee along “This is the time for where he gained his MD in with his friend Lord Brougham. 1799. the universal The Institute initially met with fluctuating suc Dr George Birkbeck At Edinburgh Uni cess but ‘neither the ridicule of its enemies, nor (1776-1841) diffusion of the versity he was a the quarrels of its promoters sufficed to prevent friend of Henry, later Lord Brougham. its eventual establishment’. blessings of (It was Brougham that coined the phrase Birkbeck continued to remain actively inter ‘Knowledge is Power’ ) knowledge.” ested in the London Institute wruch eventually Shortly after graduating he was appointed to the Dr George Birkbeck professorship of natural philosophy at the Ander- became known as the Birkbeck Institution. sonian University. However he was also a member of the first He became aware that artisans did not have access Council of London University in 1827. He to advanced information on scientific subjects, took a prominent part in the abolition of tax on and in 1800 he established a series of lectures newspapers (1835-36) and agitated for the re where working men were admitted on payment of form of the patent laws. a low fee. He was a frequent lecturer at the London Insti The ‘mechanics class’ of the university proved so tution and also London University. popular that in 1923 it was named the Glasgow George Birkbeck died in London on 1 December Mechanics’ Institution. 1841 by which time Mechanics’ Institutes had However Birkbeck shifted to London in 1804 spread around the world. where he devoted himself to his successful medi- Source: National Dictionary of Biography cal practice. (1886)
Travelling Exhibition Ready To Hit the Road he panels for the Travelling Exhibition Record Office Victoria—Local History Remember The Mechanics’? are soon Grant. Tto be laid down and it will then be ready There is an administrative charge for having the for the road. exhibition and this will cover an associated ex The exhibition is largely based on information hibition kit which includes a banner, supply of contained in Pam Bargawanath’ s book, If the exhibition guides, leaflets, poster and launch Walls Could Speak: A Social History of the Me invitation masters, media releast and exhibition chanics’ Institutes of Victoria. guide. The borrower will also need to pay for the The exhibition highlights the role of MIs in forwarding to the next site. city and country Victoria with an overview of a typical country Institute based on Wallacedale in Western Victoria. The exhibition panels are also illustrated by a number of new photos, not in Pam’s book. There are also some enlarged ‘classic’ photos of some Mls. The 510mmx640mm panels of laminated board can either be hung on Velcro display screens or hung from strings or wires. The large laminated photos can be displayed as required. The aim of the Exhibition is to provide a fo The loan period for each venue will be around cus for local MIs, Historical Societies, CAE or two weeks and the MIV is calling for MIs and U3A Groups to gain more knowledge of the other groups who would like to stage the exhi district Mechanics’ Institutes which are still bition in their area. Please write or phone there standing or once existed in the area Secretariat. The Exhibition is being supported by a Public Page 4 MECHANICS’ INSTITUTES OF VICTORIA INC.
Confusion Between The Melbourne Athenaeum and Melbourne’s Athenaeum Club By Pam Baragwanath
a committee was formed and a ing the form of a lecture pro lease was taken on Fawkner’s gram and establishment of a Hotel, at the corner of Col library, which was available lins Street and Market Square. to the general public. Then The accommodation provided named the Melbourne Mechan a quiet and economical home ics’ Institution and School of for country people who had Ans it was established in 1839. no homes of their own in Mel The present site in Collins bourne. Street was purchased on 13 Au When the Athenaeum Club gust 1840 and the building be was formed it was for came an icon in Melbourne as ‘gentlemen of learning and a literary, educational, cultural substance’ and was not seen and social centre. In 1872 the as being in competition with name was changed to The Mel he Athenaeum Club was part the Melbourne Club. In 1855 bourne Athenaeum to reflect T cultural and social uses, rather of a group of ‘Gentlemen’ s clubs’ a building was obtained at 26 than educational. The Athenaeum Club established early in the colony of Collins Street East with JG Victoria. Elements of these clubs It took until 1912 for the wom at 87 Collins Street Knight, the builder of Parlia included comfortable reception ment House, being the first en’s club, the Lyceum, to be is not to be confused rooms, billiards, a bar, reading patron and entrepreneur. The established, stimulation and room, high standard accommoda next address was its present relaxation for the thought with The Melbourne ful woman.’ With Mrs Alfred tion and carefully selected mem one at 87 Collins Street, Mel- Deakin as its first President, Athenaeum at 188 bers. bourne. The Port Phillip Club and the Un the aims were philanthropic, Collins Street This is not to be confused with ion Club lasted only a short time, professional and artistic, usu what is now called the The whereas the Melbourne Club and ally against formidable criti- Melbourne Athenaeum at 188 the Athenaeurn Club survive to cism and opposition. this day. Collins Street, Melbourne. This Refs: John Pacini, Windows on institution was entirely differ The Melbourne Club was formed Collins Street (1991); Reginald ent in concept to the ‘exclusive’ in 1838 for squatters and pastoral Wilmot, History of the [Mel gentlemen’s clubs. The aim ists, gentlemen of the land. The bourne] Athenaeum [Library] and objectives were ‘the diffu following year on 1 January 1839 1839-1939 (1939). sion of useful knowledge’ tak- Thankyou all...
Mrs Bertty Pepworth of Croydon who do nated a set of books from the former Portar lington Mechanics’ Institute Library. These display the library stamps, are dated from 1845 and will be useful for display. Dorothy King of the Stawell Historical So Portarlington Memo- ciety Inc. for further information on the three rial Theatre with brick Mechanics’ Institutes in Main Street, Stawell, facade hiding a very old as well as the Stawell Literary· and Scien building. (Pam Baragwanath photo) tific Institute in Longfield Street, Stawell. Ken Cooper of Castlemaine for the Castle maine Mail article concerning recent grants The information keeps pouring in and we made available to the Maldon Athenaeum, would like to thank the following people for for renovations to the historic hall located at their correspondence. the rear of the library, library refurbishment Kevin and Cyd Shanley from Benjeroop for and also for a computer which provides an information on the Mystic Park Mechanics’ internet link with the North Central Goldfields Institute. Library in Bendigo. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Page 5
By Pam Baragwanath New Members
We welcome the following new members to the Mechanics’ Institutes of Vic toria Incorporated. It’s no longer Institutional Members: Narrawong Mechanics’ Institute, Post Office, Narra necessary wong, V 3285. Contact: June Lazelle. Telephone 5529 5495; Sydney Mechan ics’ School of Arts, Level 3, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Contact: to be lonely Carole O’Brien. Telephone (02) 9262 7300; Fax 9266 0778; E-mail www out there [email protected]. Individual Members: Barrie Brennan (Tamworth); Ellen Elzey (Sydney); Bruce Gibson (Kew) nominates his interests as buildings, libraries, continuing education, community development and local government and writes ‘As one of the many who try to protect the physical structures and the principles and standards on which the MIs were founded and it is our duty to preserve and protect the past for future generations to benefit’; Professor Wallace Kirsop (Armadale); and Michele Summerton (Travancore) ‘As a heritage consultant and historian, I am interested in buildings, libraries, heritage conservation and local history. Thank you for an excellent conference in Nov 2000.’
MIV Website
Listed on the MIV website are contacts for MIs in Victoria and further afield with links to several overseas Institutes. There’s also planed a bibliography of MI histories in print and those known to have been done. If you can add to the list or an entry please e-mail [email protected]
Bookshelf
If the Walls Could Speak: A Social History of the Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria - Pam Baragwanath. $55.00, plus $7 postage. Berwick Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library - Richard Myers. $38.50 Thankyou all... A Chance to Read: History of the State Library of South Australia - Dr Michael Talbot. $35.00 Going to the Mechanics’: A History of the Launceston Mechanics’ Institute - Dr Stefan Petrow. $16.50 A History of the Leongatha Mechanics’ Institute - John Murphy. $7.00 Nothing But Gold: The Diggers of 1854 - Robyn Annear. $7.00 Rediscovering Mechanics’ Institutes: Proceedings of the 2000 National Conference - MIV. $10.00 Calendar
2001 14 July - MIV Committee Meeting, Melbourne Athenaeum 10.30am 3 August - Copy Deadline for Next Newsletter 8 September - MIV Committee Meeting 10 November - MIV Committee Meeting 2002 September - National Conference, Sydney 2004 International Conference, Melbourne? Page 6 MECHANICS’ INSTITUTES OF VICTORIA INC.
Melbourne Athenaeum’s Welcome
with almost 1100 in Victoria. management committee a It is not known why the idea while to catch up with this of the Mechanics’ Institute principle as I am the first took such a strong hold in woman Vice-President in 160 this state. It has been sug years. gested that the wealth of Personally I have been a the Gold Fields and the fact member of the Athenaeum that there were so many gold Since I was a junior work diggings close to Melbourne ing in a Flinders Lane office and to each other; the num Melbourne Athenaeum and over the years each of Vice-President Wilma ber of clergy who migrated my children have come to Stubbs welcoming here; or it could even have the library from the age of a delegates to the First been the weather - a lot is month old and used it as a National Conference. attributed to the Melbourne (Kristina Holdaway venue to meet friends because weather. photo) their mother was a bit cranky ictoria’s oldest library Whatever reason, over 160 about them standing on street was a most appropriate years ago the Melbourne corners. place to hold the First Athenaeum was set up by The Athenaeum has served V our forefathers to provide a National Conference. We were the needs of many people welcomed to The Ath by Vice place of knowledge, culture and I know of a number of President, Mrs Wilma Stubbs. and entertainment. The Mel migrants who came to Mel bourne pioneers, who were On behalf of the Melbourne bourne from Europe after the foundation members, Athenaeum I would like to wel the Second World War who were a canny lot for they se come so many delegates from learned to read and write En lected one of the best sites all over Australia. It is a rare glish through the books they pleasure to be the host venue for but also ensured the Mel were able to borrow from “The Library for many this special occasion of the First bourne Athenaeum would the Library. The Art Gallery, stay viable with a commer years has been an oasis in National Conference of the Me- which is now used as a small Mechanics’· Institutes. cially proportioned theatre er theatre, features in a prov the city, with staff who call and art gallery, and small enance of many well known everyone by name and a The origins of Mechanics’ · In areas to be used as shops of stitutes go back to Scotland paintings sold in Melbourne. cup of coffee is always varying sizes. We are fortu when Dr George Birkbeck start nate we still have the records The Athenaeum does not lim available for those who ed teaching unskilled itinerant from the original meetings, it itself to Melbourne and its wish to browse through the people skills in order for them theatre programs, and other suburbs, for since its begin to earn a living. A household books or the morning material which gives a tinge nings they have been sending would often wait for a particu of the politics of the times. As books to country and house paper.” lar family to call as other roving you will appreciate we feel hold readers—and the simple Wilma Stubbs people would have indifferent that these documents which act of marking a quarterly ability. feature many famous names list can keep them in touch This idea grew until Dr Birk are historically precious but, with the latest fiction or other beck officially launched the better than that, they are a recreational reading. Many London Mechanics’ Institute in testimony of the continuity members have a lifetime loy 1823 to a crowd of 2000 people. of more than 160 years of alty to The Ath, and only dis It was dedicated to the educa ongoing service to the orig continue their membership tion of working people. The inal concept of education, when called to a higher place. new establishment flourished culture, and entertainment. The Library for many years from-· simply teaching people The policy of the Mechanics’ has been an oasis in the mid to read and write to more ad Institute was always politi dle of the city, with staff who vanced concepts in the physical cally correct—everyone was call everyone by name and a sciences and music. This more welcome with men and wom cup of coffee is always avail structured establishment moved en receiving equal help and able for those who wish to all over the world and Austra care. This was right from the lia proved to be a very fertile browse through the books or days when women were con the morning paper. area for the growth of this very fined to the kitchen to be seen necessary movement. Australia but rarely heard. But it took Thank you all and welcome to had 2400 Mechanics’ Institutes the Melbourne Athenaeum the Melbourne Athenaeum. scattered throughout the country VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Page 7
Around the Institutes
filiated). One plan was accepted Doncaster by the Council, and there followed The Doncaster Athenaeum is several meetings between Coun sadly said to be set for demoli cil and Library representatives tion. to adapt the plan to meet all pre But recently the Lions Club used requisites. However, no final plan it for free testing for children’s eventuated. ‘lazy eye’ syndrome and it was Then someone came up with the full to bursting during this use. Arthurs Creek idea of the Library funding be The Doncaster Athenaeum was Channel 7 used the beautifully ing ‘piggy-backed’ to enable a built by the dedicated pioneers maintained Arthurs Creek Ml for multi-media centre to be includ of the district and managed by a segment of The Mole program ed as a second storey to the new scores of succeeding commit which went 10 air on Wednesday. part of the Library. The people of tee members for community 7 March. Bright strongly objected, and as a use. Funding for it was raised Participants had to dress dummies consequence this proposal was re by donations and subscriptions with five pieces of clothing from jected by the Council, who decid from local people. Their goal of fellow contestants which could in ed that the Library was to stand self-improvement and the early clude top, bra or teashirt, under alone and that work would com provision of excellent library ser mentionables, pants or dress and mence on the Library extension vices was admirable. socks. ‘soon’. However, with a change in It provided a few laughs and quite the composition of the Council, the an opportunity to see parts of the multimedia proposal resurfaced, hall as the cameras panned around. and Council took the step of un Their fine old weatherboard build dertaking a feasibility study of the ing dates from 1887 and has served proposal. the community well. Finally, in October last, Council reconfirmed its original decision Berwick that the Library extension would MIV President Dr Frank Hurley at stand alone, and that the multime tended the Berwick Annual Meet dia centre would be investigated Is it too late to save the origi- ing on Wednesday, 21 March. further, at a site other than the Li nal brick building, a beautiful Dating from 1862, Berwick is a brary. That was when you sent us ‘example of renaissance archi- busy Institute providing library ser your letter of congratulation. tecture’ with pioneer patterned vices to a rapidly growing area un However, the saga continues. brickwork, fireplace, fancy iron der the guidance of Librarian Pam A government grant, available ventilators and round headed Darling. to Libraries, was applied for on windows? the design which was previously Built in 1871, this building start Bright adopted by Council. The Friends ed the library services which The Friends of the Bright Library consulted a local Survey Engineer were only taken over by the have been busy in their determina who came up with a design which Council in 1961. This fine build tion to keep the Bright MI as their satisfied the requirements of both ing deserves respect and heritage Library. This is their story: the High Country Library Corpo recognition for continuing ser The Friends of the Bright Library ration and the Friends of the Li vice through the rapid growth thank you for your support over the brary, and which was felt also cov of the Doncaster area. Can past several months... ered all anticipated needs of such some thing be done to save it? Just to recap, our little Library, a building for many years to come. Please! built in 1910, was in sore need of Some time in the past two weeks It is a similar building to the expansion. We received advice Council received advice that the Shire Office and that has been about two years ago that our Coun government grant had been ap preserved and still in good usage. cil intended to grant us funds to proved. We have presented the new The Doncaster Athenaeum could enable the current historic build plan to Council and we are await surely be included in planning ing in the main street of Bright to ing a decision regarding the new for the future. be extended to meet current library design. requirements. We are grateful for your moral Elmore Council had two suggested plans support and hope to provide good At the Back-to-Elmore celebra drawn up, neither of which met the news in the very near future. tions on 13-l5 April 2001 an requirements of the High Country exhibition of local work and a Library Corporation (the Library Jan Wymond, Secretary, Friends of morning and afternoon tea was groups with which the Library is af- the Bright Library held in the beautifully restored Page 8 MECHANICS’ INSTITUTES OF VICTORIA INC.
Around the Institutes
building. young local musician being giv Port Fairy It was the work of well known en $750 towards the purchase The Port Fairy Mechanics’ In architect WC Vahland who was of a flute. The minor awards stitute is now occupied by the also responsible for designing went to a range of interesting Port Fairy Historical Society part of the Bendigo Mechan projects. and they have been supplied ics’ Institute building, the Ath Kilmore is gearing up for the this interesting article taken enaeum is now in first class fifth annual Kilmore Celtic Fes from the Banner of Belfast condition and is a credit to the tival to be staged on Friday/Sat and reprinted in the Argus of dedicated local committee of urday, June 29-30. 25 January 1856. management. The Elmore Me ‘We are glad to see a move morial Hall complex is note Maldon ment on foot to establish a worthy in that three institutes Mechanics’ Institute in this were built on the site and are town. The want of some place now all connected to allow for intellectual recreation is flexible usage, a unique situa “Knowledge is too well know to need any il tion in Victoria and perhaps in lustration from us. One great Power.” Australia. result of such an institution Henry, will be that it will collect to gether the thinking portion of Lord Brougham During the Easter holidays, the community and form a nu 2001, Mrs Liz Leneaux-Gale cleus for other useful organi kindly opened the Athenaeum zations. Heretofore ‘gold’ mo to explain the new changes to nopolized every institution in accommodate the considerable the colony, and if a grisly bear book collection. were possessed of it in suf The building is impressive with ficient quantity (provided he its collection of old paintings could talk) he would have no Over the years many improve and prints, furniture on loan difficulty in attaining a high ments have been made by the and assorted rooms, Maldon position in colonial society. Hall Committee, with the El was a recipient of the Depart No great achievement for the more Machinery Field Days ment of Infrastructure’s Part benefit of mankind was ever Committee also playing an im nerships Program, which was yet achieved by mere mon portant and supportive role. In launched by the Minister for ey-grabbers, and if we desire 1994 a public meeting was held Local Government, the Hon. a happy future for our colony to decide whether to retain con Bob Cameron at Maldon in we must look to other agen trol of the Athenaeum or hand it 2000. The effects of which cies. We have no doubt that back to the Crown. This meet have added considerably to there is a fair average of tal ing was unanimous in keeping the library and the library ent lying rusty amongst our control of the building and new service provided to the local population and a Mechanics’ appointments were made to as community of Maldon. Institute will help polish it.’ sist the existing committee. A lot of hard work had also been Melbourne Prahran done to find out who were the Athenaeum Following on John Leahy’s talk legal owners were and it was Change is in the wind at the on ‘Federation’, Prahran has re with great relief that the titles Melbourne Athenaeum with its cently had a ‘full house’ night were eventually received stat catalogue going on to computer for Andrew Ward who spoke ed that the legal owners are the and a second computer soon to on ‘Melbourne Metro Railway Committee of Management of be installed. Architecture’ which was illus the Memorial Hall. Heritage Week saw a talk by trated with slides. The complex is a credit to the Pam Baragwanath on MIs and a Prahran also hosted the Public town of Elmore. An informa memorable tour of the building Record Office Victoria Trav tive Back-to Elmore booklet by Leila Winchcombe. elling Exhibition ‘Victoria’s is available from the Elmore The Ath has also had author Buildings and Builders’ during Progress Association for $10. Christina Hindhaugh speak the month of April. on her book The Great Herb The Library Week Family His Kilmore Tour recently. Christina is cer tory Tutorials were most suc The recent annual distribution tainly a great ambassador for cessful and you can reserve you of the George Hudson Me- rural Australia. place for futher tutorials now morial Awards resulted in a on 9510 3393. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Page 9
Around the Institutes
Tarrawingee They then organised a work UNE and one of his plans is ing bee and the Warrandyte MI to encourage research and building now has a new roof. various sorts of publication Besides theatre, the hall is used on the ‘regional’ MIS— for music, pottery, painting, craft starting in the New England and tap dancing lessons. and North-West of NSW. He congratulates his Victorian cousins in setting up MIV! His contacts are: post: 54 New South Roderick Street, Tamworth, Located in the north-east. near NSW 2340; phone (02) 6766 Wangaratta, Tarrawingee Hall is Wales 3058: or on e-mail: www. relatively modern. Several local [email protected]. Several local farmers under the leadership of lifton farmers went Ogilvie Stewart went guarantor C Kathleen Bearfby advises that for the cost of the brick building guarantors for Clifton School of Arts received South in the early 1930s. Since then a NSW Heritage grant to restore the cost of the there has been two major addi the hall and they have also been Australia tions, a toilet block in the 1970s brick building at busy fundraising. South Australian Librarian. and a supper room in the 1980s. Hazel Hawke re-opened the Dr Michael Talbot has been Tarrawingee It is located behind imposing building with a gala occasion on out and about looking for entrance gates, at the front of a 21 April. MIs. He supplied the follow- sixty acre paddock which con ing information tains a nine-hole golf course and the hall serves as its licensed Queanbeyan club room. We understand the Queanbeyan Gawler It also serves as clubhouse for Mechanics’ Institute is still op The Gawler Institute is be the tennis courts. Various other erational but have been unable to lieved to be still occupied by community groups use the hall make contact. Can anyone help? a group that conducts an ar for meetings. including the local chives or museum. Any more CFA and CWA. information please? ydney Ken Stewart, Ogilvie’ s son, is S The Sydney Mechanics’ School President of the Committee of of Arts was established in 1833 Mitcham Management. and at its height had 1500 stu The Mitcham Village Insti tute was established in 1870. arrandyte dents doing a variety of courses W from art to minor surgery. Today it is a busy place host Their building was sold to Bond ing: bridge; classical ballet; Corp in 1987 and in 1996 they Flamenco Centre of South acquired a 10 storey building at Australia; highland dance; 280 Pitt Street which is being re Mitcham Historical Society; furbished. judo; MVAC Gallery; recrea In addition to their scholarships, tional gymnastics; Tae Kwon awards and grants program they Do; yoga; and the Heritage revived lectures in 1996. Dancers of SA. Their extensive Library is still a very busy place, with heavy use The Warrandyte Arts Associa Penola of the internet. tion amalgamated with the Me The Penola Mechanics’ Insti chanics’ Institute in 1986. Since tute building has multitudi then substantial funds have been Tamworth nous community uses and raised through theatre produc Barrie Brennan has had an in is soon to become the area’s tions. Their latest project has terest in Mechanics’ Institutes history centre, promoting lo been raising money to put a new since he began to work in the cal names like the founders roof on their MI and thanks to a Tamworth Mechanics’ Institute of the Australian St Joseph generous top up by the Manning for the University of New Eng Teaching Order Father Julian ham Council their goal has been land in 1973. Tenison-Woods and Mother met. Barrie has just retired from the Mary McKillop. Page 10 MECHANICS’ INSTITUTES OF VICTORIA INC.
A Letter the number of mentions to the Me News Roundup chanics’ Institutes. from Boston It was Linda Barraclough who orig Spreading the Word inally drew our attention to this THE DIRECTOR-LIBRARIAN fact. Now we’ve been sent some PAM BARAGWANATH has been a of the Boston Athenaeum Richard notes on the author. very busy lady out on the hustings sell Wendorf, has recently responded to Alexander Sutherland was born in ing the word of the Mechanics’. his receipt of the Conference Pro Glasgow in 1852 the son of George Pam’s appearances in 2001 to date ceedings. He describes them as a who was a carver of ship’s figure reads: Croydon U3A Australian Stud ‘new installment in our joint institu heads and a skilled draughtsman. ies Group; The Melbourne Athenae tional history’ and ‘I look forward to He migrated to Sydney with his um, Heritage Week Lecture; Monash hearing more of your conference in family in 1864 and in 1870 he came down to Melbourne and became a Library Service, Monash Federation Melbourne in 2004’. teacher. Centre; Warragul Historical Society; Boston is Melbourne’s Sister-City In 1877 he wrote, with his broth Croydon Probus Ladies Club; and an and the Melbourne Athenaeum re er George, A History of Australia interview on air on 96.5FM. cently posted off copies of its news 1606-1876, a textbook which sold Then there is the extensive travel letter. over 120,000 copies. He followed around the country following up leads this up with A New Geography in and photographing new ‘finds’. Government 1885. We are all very much indebted to Pam Interest in MIs He married Elizabeth Jane Ballan and George and we thank them for all tyne in 1879 who collaborated with their efforts. HISTORlAN PAM BARAG him in his various projects. An Archive on the WANATH has recently met with His landmark work, Victoria and its the Hon. Lyn Koske’ s Ministerial Metropolis came next in 1888. This adviser Jeff Malley to discuss con had involved him in a lot of travel Americas through country Victoria. cepts of MIs in relation to the Victo In 1890 he published his Thirty rian Government’s Kirby Review LAST YEAR Catherine Milward- Short Poems, followed by Growth on post-compulsory secondary edu Bason went on a tour of the North of the Moral Instinct and with HG American Mechanics’ Institutes— cation. Turner Development of Australian Boston (established 1807), New York It’ s very interesting given the tenets Literature, both in 1898. (1785), San Franciso (1854) and Mont of the movement and its apparent He was a remarkable man whose real (1840). The result was a very valu success in achieving literacy and the ‘devotion to scholarship and edu able exchange of information and the education of the working class. cation had led him in 1883 to head accumulation of quite a lot of data on the campaign for a science degree’ these Institutes. Exhibiting Your MI at the University of Melbourne, where he had been a brilliant de This material along with a large collec EREDITH FLETCHER of the M bater with Deakin. Pearson, Hig tion of material on Australian Mechan Centre for Gippsland Studies at gins and Hodgson. ics’ Institutes is available for use at the Churchill Campus of Monash Uni His interests were multidisciplinary Prahran Mechanics’ Institute Library at versity has an interesting web page. and discursive in the William Ed 140 High Street, Prahran. Meredith organised an exhibition ward Hearn style. He was an asso Prahran also a large collection of on The Mechanics’ Institutes of ciate of HG Turner the Melbourne family and Victorian local history re Gippsland in 1998 and chose the Review, and interested in evolution sources for use. Bairnsdale, Briagolong, Leongatha, ary theory. It may pay to ring ahead on (03) 9510 Rosedale and Seaview Institutes for ‘With his wife’s help he gave 3393 to book the material at a mutually her project. popular lectures on Shakespeare convenient time. The display is available for view and other literary subjects at Me ing at Churchill or you can access chanics’ Institutes’. Grant Application and view this very interesting page In 1892 he retired to ‘Heronswood’ on www.mugc.cc.monash.edu.au/ at Dromana to study literature and for Clean Up gss/chist/TOPICS/Topic_Six/t6_ science, but later returned to the casetudy/t6_cases COMMITTEE MEMBER Alan University of Melbourne as Regis Tonkin and our Secretary Catherine Alexander trar and lecturer. Milward-Bason recently spent some He was an exemplar, and in his en time puttng together a grant application Sutherland - Man thusiasm and enlightenment a typi for Volunteering Australia. cal Mechanics’ Institute man. If successful, it may see MIV members of the Mechanics’ He died in Adelaide in 1902 and tripping into the country for weekends was buried in the Boroondara Cem F ONE READS Alexander Suther etery. He was 50 years old. to work on some of the country MIs. I land’s two-volume Victoria and Its Thank you Alan and Catherine for your Metropolis you will be surprised at efforts. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Page 11
The Northern Territory MIs - Pam Baragwanath
A site was formally gazetted, FROM 1863, the Northern was seen as ‘an antidote to the but there is little information Territory was under the control bane which caused the impris about the activities of the In of the South Australian govern oned ones to fail’. stitute. ment until 191l when the Com At that time the population con In 1926 the building was re monwealth took responsibility sisted of l30 Europeans and 300 paired after being damaged in for it. Chinese. Darwin was so named a cyclone. A plaque has been The story of the early libraries in in 1901, but the Palmerston In suggested for the Pine Creek Institute Library and Institute the Territory is one of extremes stitute retained its name and its site This Institute may have and difficulties in mote re situ library function has been con operated at the hospital site ations. Problems of a suitable tinuous ever since for a time. building, staffing, reaucraticbu To illustrate the financial diffi culties of these Institutes, the The remote town of Bor changes, funding, the difficul roloola on the Macarthur Riv ties of trying to supply books subsidies paid by the Com monwealth Government in er was a thriving centre for the to inaccessible areas such as cattle and copper industries. 1911-12 to: the Palmerston In the Flying Boat base on Groote The Macarthur River Institute ‘The vast distances stitute, 12 pounds 14 shil1ings; Eylandt railway fettling centres, was established on 29 October the Macarthur River Institute. 9 that the books missions and station properties. 1895. The libraries were blown down pounds 7 shillings and 6 pence; had to travel... It was renamed the Borroloola by cyclones, including cyclone and Pine Creek Institute, 7 Institute and was set up in the either by steamer Tracy, termites who attacked the pounds 15 shillings and these Court House, administered by subsidies were paid on the ba from Adelaide or buildings and the books, silver the Resident Magistrate. fish, cockroaches, mildew and sis of 15 shillings for each 20 Bill Harney and Douglas overland...’ damp, lack of trained staff and shillings raised! Lockwood wrote of this fa the problem of staff training, e.g. During the 1930s the Institute mous library in their books. having to go to the National Li was taken over by the Darwin Convicts could access the li brary in Canberra. The vast dis Town Council, which in turn brary and the story is told that tances that the books had to trav was taken over by the North Bill Harney learned toread el before arriving at the Library ern Territory administration in there while ‘doing time’. in Darwin, either by steamer 1937. Members of the local police from Adelaide or overland and By 1960, the Institute had and their wives worked in the library and other members of events such as the bombing of evolved into the Darwin Public the Borroloola community. Darwin in February 1942 during Library. By the next year. there Ted Egan, Australian folk World War II, which seriously were over 6000 registered bor singer and writer has written damaged the Darwin Institute rowers. In 1980 it became the State Reference Library, with two songs about Roger Jose, and destroyed all the books that a colourful character who were out on loan at the time. a stock of 15,000 books and a staff of one. Since 1990 it has worked as a librarian there. Against all these odds, three ‘Rum and Johnny cake for his been known as the State Li colourful Institutes were estab tea, he said Borroloola was the brary of the Northern Territory lished in the Northern Territory place to be’. He had an Ab and it continues to contribute during this period. original wife, lived in an up Darwin (then Palmerston), es enormously to the Territory turned water tank, liked a spot tablished the Palmerston Insti- with increasing bookstock and of arsenic and always wore a modern services. long coat. Pine Creek was a settlement By 1927 there were 2091 of galvanised iron, tin shanties books in the well stocked li and bark humpies. The gol brary. drush occurred in the 1870s In 1937 the Court House/ Li thus launching the mining in brary was blown over by a cy dustry. By l874 a Telegraph Of clone and the books had to be fice was opened and the Palm stored in the police cell . erston to Pine Creek railway The Historical Society house line was completed. An active an information display in the Institute in Pine Creek was es nearby building as the stumps Darwin Mechanics’ Institute building after tablished by l9l3 after an initial of the Court House/Library being blown down by Cyclon Tracy. attempt in l904. are all that remain.