An association of the Mechanics' Institute of Victoria was formed in April 1998 by a group of Mechanics' Institute representatives that met to exchange information and ideas on the future of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria. This conference was hosted by the Kilmore Mechanics' Institute and entitled ‘Mechanics' Institutes: The Way Forward, highlighted opportunities and difficulties experienced by the Mechanics' today’. The amalgamation of Shires across Victoria and the support of the Department for Victorian Communities have encouraged Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria to once again play a central role in their various communities; creating new opportunities for each Mechanics' Institute, Athenaeum, or School of Art, furthermore, exposing the importance of these adult education centres and their role in the districts’ social and cultural activities.
‘Mechanics Institute libraries in Victoria – Burke and Wills Mechanics Institute, Fryerstown’
The local inhabitants of the gold town of Fryerstown built a memorial for Burke and Wills and raised a total £300 in November 1861. The foundation stone was laid in mid 1863 and the Mechanics Institute was completed within four months. The ‘Burke and Wills Mechanics Institute: online digital archive’ website is very educational and covers a vast range of information. The website provides information on: Myth and Myth information, 19th Century Calendar 1853-1875, Burke & Wills Historical Society, Burke & Wills Walk 2008, Burke & Wills brief history, Brief history by Dave Phoenix and Lockhart Morton, information on the Government, Victorian Government, Governors, Chief Secretaries, Ministers, NSW, QLD & SA Colonial Governments, Imperial Government, The philosophical Institute, Royal Society of Victoria, The Exploration Committee, Mueller’s talk on exploration and equipment list, Gregory’s letter to the committee, exploration committee 1857-1873, history of committee, committee meetings, presidents address 1860-1864, explorers history and their graves, Wills last letter, Burke’s last notes, Diaries and much more. Also, visitors to the website can access online e-books e.g. ‘Melbourne to the Gulf; A Brief History of the Burke and Wills Expedition’ by Dave Phoenix, 2011.
Burke & Wills mechanics Institute - Fryerstown
‘Mechanics’ Worldwide Conference’
The local inhabitants of the gold town of Fryerstown built a memorial for Burke and Wills and raised a total £300 in November 1861. The foundation stone was laid in mid 1863 and the Mechanics Institute was completed within four months. The ‘Burke and Wills Mechanics Institute: online digital archive’ website is very educational and covers a vast range of information. The website provides information on: Myth and Myth information, 19th Century Calender 1853-1875, Burke & Wills Historical Society, Burke & Wills Walk 2008, Burke & Wills brief history, Brief history by Dave Phoenix and Lockhart Morton, information on the Government, Victorian Government, Governors, Chief Secretaries, Ministers, NSW, QLD & SA Colonial Governments, Imperial Government, The philosophical Institute, Royal Society of Victoria, The Exploration Committee, Mueller’s talk on exploration and equipment list, Gregory’s letter to the committee, exploration committee 1857-1873, history of committee, committee meetings, presidents address 1860-1864, explorers history and their graves, Wills last letter, Burke’s last notes, Diaries and much more. Also, visitors to the website can access online e-books e.g. ‘Melbourne to the Gulf; A Brief History of the Burke and Wills Expedition’ by Dave Phoenix, 2011.
Mechanics’ Institute Website links
Berwick Mechanics' Institute and Free Library Inc. http://www.cv.vic.gov.au/organisations/2923/berwick-mechanics-institute-free-library-inc/
Bethanga Soldiers Memorial Hall (Link not working)
Brunswick Mechanics' Institute
Charlton Golden Grains Museum (formerly Charlton Mechanics' Institute)
Malmsbury Mechanics' Institute (Malmsbury Historical Society)
Port Fairy Mechanics' Institute (Friends of the Library, Port Fairy)
Sorrento Mechanics' Institute - Nepean Historical Society
And
Process:
- I continued researching the history and photo gallery of the Mechanics Institute of Victoria (MIV) website - http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mivic/history.htm and researched the Institutes link - http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mivic/institutes.htm and the Publications link - http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mivic/publications.htm, opening up further research options for various Mechanics Institutes, history, photos and their publications in hardcopy and CD ROM.
- I really enjoyed browsing through these websites and found the Burke & Wills Mechanics' Institute, online digital archive - Fryerstown http://www.burkeandwills.net.au/Memorials/fryerstown.htm website really fascinating.
- The process of selecting information to be included in this blog post was very time consuming but extremely enjoyable.
- Looked through photo galleries of several Mechanics’ Institute websites and attached photos.
- Wrote the text, hyperlinked websites to Mechanics Institute website links for this post and updated blog.
My Reflection on the Research Process:
- I find that every time I research this topic I become more and more fascinated with the topic “Mechanics Institute libraries in Victoria’ and I get some what distracted at times.
- I am still a little confused with the citation.
Discoveries:
- That there is a Mechanics Institute named after Burke & Wills which has a website that provides the most information I have ever seen on Burke & Wills, ranging from e-books to letters and notes written by Burke & Wills etc... Burke & Wills Mechanics' Institute, Fryerstown - http://www.burkeandwills.net.au/Memorials/fryerstown.htm
- I am surprised with how much I am enjoying researching this topic.
References:
Sources
Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute, viewed 26 April 2011,
Baragwanath, Pam 2000, If the walls could speak : a social history of the Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria Mechanics Institute Inc, Windsor, Vic.
Bath royal literary and scientific institution, England, viewed 26 April 2011,
Burke & Wills Mechanics' Institute, Fryerstown, viewed 26 April 2011,
Mechanics Institute libraries in Victoria, viewed 26 April 2011, < http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mivic/history.htm >, http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mivic/institutes.htm, http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mivic/publications.htm,
Image
Briagololong Mechanics Institute, viewed 26 April 2011,
Burke & Wills Mechanics' Institute, Fryerstown, viewed 26 April 2011,
