The MIV was formed in 1998.
It aims to foster the preservation and restoration of the social, cultural and physical heritage of MIs through the development of information exchanges and systems of mutual support.
Membership is open to groups and individuals with an interest in the MI movement, particularly in Victoria.

Since its formation the MIV has:

• Staged the first National Mechanics’ Institutes Conference in Melbourne in 2000 and published its proceedings
• Published the 350 page book If the Walls Could Speak: A Social History of the Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria
• Assisted the publication of The Libraries of the Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria
• Established a web site
• Secured a round of Government grants for some of Victoria’s MIs
• Produced a Travelling Exhibition Remember the Mechanics?
• Staged Regional Meetings in country Victoria
• Established a Mechanics’ Institutes Resources Collection (MIRC) at Prahran MI
• Staged the First International Conference Mechanics’ Worldwide in September 2004
• Launched a plaques scheme for MIs and
• Launched the Victorian MIs building and history database.

Wesson Mystery Photos

In the 1960’s photograper Alfred Wesson photographed all known Mechanics Institutes in Victoria. Many of his splendid photo’s can be seen in Pam Baragwanath’s book ’If the Walls Could Speak’.
Unfortunately, many of his photos were not labelled, and so remain a tantalising, if mysterious, record of what was then a dissapearing part of the urban and rural landscape.
In an effort to see if we can identify these institutes, MIV has loaded them on to Flickr so you can help us identify them.
If you recognise any of them, email the details, along with the number of the photo to Pam Baragwanath

Assistance Required - a message from Pam Baragwanath, MIV Historian

A large amount of material is in the process of being added to the PMI Library collection for the: Mechanics’ Institute Resource Collection - MIRC
This will be a unique and valuable addition to the Local History Collection.
I am in the process of sorting and photocopying the Victorian material for the collection but help is now required to photocopy material and scan photographs for the interstate, international and general research material.
If anyone could spare a few hours at the Prahran Mechanics’ Institute library each week, it would be much appreciated, please email Judith Dwyer at jad134@hotmail.com or Pam at pgbarag@alphalink.com.au if further information is required.

NEXT MIV MEETING DATES:

• The next General Meeting of the MIV will be on 14th November 2009 at 10 am at the Melbourne Athenaeum, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne. This will be the AGM followed by a committee meeting. All interested persons are welcome to attend

To RSVP, email Jim Lowden at theruralstore@bigpond.net.au. All welcome.