Historical Plaques Program

 

The purpose of the MIV Historical Plaques Program is to inform the public of the history of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria and also give a snippet of history about the individual Institute. The idea of putting a plaque on Mechanics' Institute Halls was advanced by Committee member Alan Tonkin in 1999. Committee member Paul Permezel brought it to reality in 2003 and since then plaques have been installed to mark special occasions within Institutes all across the State. These plaques have been used to commemorate a significant date in the history of an Institute or town; be it an anniversary, or a significant renovation or restoration project.

Download MIV's Historical Plaques Program flyer for all the latest information

The plaques are oval in shape (~30cm wide x ~20cm high), with a blue baked enamel surface and white lettering. In consultation with Heritage Victoria, they recommended that they be the same blue colour as their plaques so as to be noticed from afar as marking an historic building. The plaque will carry the MIV logo, some standard text and a personalised space for details of the Institute, and also the plaque number. Pins on the plaque's reverse will enable fixing to stone, concrete or wooden buildings. The plaques have an expected life-span of about fifty years.

Click on the map for larger view.

 

Click on the year to jump:

| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | Unknown |

 | 2010 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017

 

 

2003

 

1.

Maldon Athenaeum

Unveiled by Dr Frank Hurley, MIV President, 21 April 2003. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

2.

Ballan Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled 6 December 2003. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

3.

Tallarook Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Sir Rupert 'Dick' Hamer, former Premier of Victoria, and Jim Lowden, MIV Secretary, 6 April 2003. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

4.

Taradale Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Graham Christie, President of the Taradale Historical Group, 2003. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, on the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2004

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5.

Lilydale Athenaeum

Unveiled by Richard Longmore, Chairman of Directors of the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company, 22 February 2004. This plaque is situated inside the Institute.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

6.

Berwick Mechanics' Institute and Free Library

Unveiled by Joyce Hayes, BMIFL President, and Jim Lowden, MIV Secretary, 17 March 2004. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

7.

Minyip Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Dr Frank Hurley, MIV President, 12 June 2004. This plaque is situated inside the Institute, in the main town meeting room.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

8.

Frankston Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled December 2004.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2005

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9.

Mount Eccles Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Cr David Lewis, Mayor, South Gippsland Shire Council, 12 June 2005. This plaque is situated inside the Institute on the western wall of the Hall.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

10.

Arthurs Creek Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Pam Baragwanath, 11 September 2005. This plaque is situated inside the Institute on the eastern wall of the Hall.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

11.

Prahran Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Ms Chris Gallagher, Heritage Council of Victoria Chair, 8 October 2005. This plaque is situated on the front of the old Institute (140 High Street, Prahran), to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

12.

Digby Mechanics' Institute

Erected 11 November 2005. This plaque is situated out the front of the Institute on the Digby Mechanics' Institute sign.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

13.

Melbourne Athenaeum

Unveiled by John Landy, Govenor of Victoria, 24 October 2005. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

14.

Benalla Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled October 2005. This plaque is situated to the left of the main entrance.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

15.

Jindivick Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by John Pretty, President of Jindivick Mechanics' Institute, 8 December 2005. This plaque is situated inside the Institute, on the east wall of the Hall.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

16.

Emerald Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled 2005. This plaque is situated inside the Institute, in the foyer, to the left of the hall entrance.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2006

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17.

Dean Hall and Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled 3 September 2006. This plaque is situated inside the Institute on the eastern wall of the Hall.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

18.

Oakleigh Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Cr Joy Banerji, City of Monash Mayor, 27 September 2006. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2007

 

19.

Newham Mechanics' Institute

Erected 2007. This plaque is situated inside the Institute, on the eastern wall of the Hall.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

20.

Nagambie Mechanics' Institute

Erected October 2007. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

21.

Mia Mia Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Mrs Beryl Ross, 27 Octobert 2007. This plaque is situated out the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2008

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22.

Mortlake Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled 2008. This plaque is situated out the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

20?? (Date Unknown)

 

23.

Kinglake West Mechanics' Institute

This plaque is currently missing.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2010

 

24.

Little River Mechanics' Institute

Erected 1 August 2010. This plaque is situated inside the foyer of the Institute, above the door to the main Hall.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

25.

Croydon Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Pam Baragwanath, 23 February 2010. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2012

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26.

Elmore Athenaeum Hall

Erected 14 June 2012. This plaque is situated outside the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

27.

Malmsbury Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Cr Rob Guthrie, 26 April 2012. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

28.

Laen Mechanics' Institute site

Unveiled by Ivan Landwehr at the site, 18 November 2012. This plaque is erected on an old tractor tyre frame and marks the site of the former Institute.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

29.

Stanley Athenaeum and Public Room

Unveiled by Jim Lowden, former MIV Secretary, 25 August 2012. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

30.

Leongatha Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Cr Jim Fawcett, 14 November 2012. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

31.

Bonnie Doon Free Library

Unveiled by Bill Maxwell and Steve Arbuthnot, 24 November 2012. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

32.

Spring Creek Mechanics' Institute and Free Library (Fawcett Hall)

Unveiled by Mayor John Walsh, 24 November 2012. This plaque is situated inside the Institute on the southern wall of the Hall.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2013

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33.

Olinda Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Joan Zavan on 20 October 2013. This plaque is situated inside the Institute on the northern wall of the Hall, to the right of the stage.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

34.

Narre Warren Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Judith Graley MLA on 24 November 2013. This plaque is situated inside the Institute, in the foyer, beside the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

35.

Tarwin Lower Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Cr Kieran Kennedy and John Classon on 5 September 2013. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

36.

Footscray Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Keith O'Brien, Footscray Mechanics' Institute Vice-President and Judith Dwyer, MIV Secretary, 29 November 2013. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

37.

Kallista Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Gwendolen DeLacy and Viv Benton, 21 December 2013. This plaque is situated inside the Institute, on the east side of the Hall, over the mantlepiece.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

38.

Whorouly Library Hall*

Erected 30 December 2013. Yet to be unveiled. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

39.

Alexandra Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Cr Margaret Ray, Mayor of Murrindindi Shire , 25 March 2015. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front doors.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2014

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40.

Lardner Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Cr Peter Kostas, 27 April 2014. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

41.

Rushworth Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Jeff "Chief" Perry, 10 May 2014. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

42.

Acheron Mechanics' Institute

Erected 16 June 2014. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

43.

Barfold Mechanics' Institute

Erected 2014 to commemorate the opening of Regional Arts Victoria's Home Is Where the Hall Is month by Ms Amanda Millar MLC, 27 October 213. The Plaque is situated inside the Institute, on the south wall of the main hall.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

44.

Christmas Hills Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled 2014. This plaque is situated on the south side of the Institute, to the right of the courtyard-facing doors.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

45.

Wallan Free Library & Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Mrs Kerry Page, 8 November 2014. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

46.

Barwon Heads Community Hall

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2016

 

47.

Ruffy Public Hall

Unveiled by Cr Colleen Furlanetto, Mayor of Strathbogie Shire, and Henry Noye, President of Ruffy Public Hall, 22 May 2016. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2015

 

 

48.

Jeffcott North Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Ken James, 20 November 2015. This plaque is erected on an old header tyre frame and marks the site of the former Institute.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2016

 

49.

Kyneton Mechanics' Institute

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

50.

Somerville Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Cr Lynn Bowden and Cr Graham Pittock, Mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire, 12 February 2016. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

51.

Rhyll Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled by Cr Pamela Rothfield, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council, 20 November 2016. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the right of the front door.

Full wording and photos at Open Plaques >>>

 

 

2017

 

52.

Moonambel Mechanics' Institute*

To be unveiled in November 2017.

 

53.

Merton Mechanics' Institute*

Unveiled. This plaque is situated on the front of the Institute, to the left of the front door.

 

54.

Amphitheatre Mechanics' Institute*

 

 

55.

Inverleigh Mechanics' Institute*

 

 

56.

Ararat Mechanics' Institute

Unveiled 8 December 2016.

 

57.

Sea View Mechanics' Institute*

 

 

58.

Romsey Mechanics' Institute*

 

 

 

*Yet to be unveiled.

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MECHANICS' INSTITUTES OF VICTORIA INC.

PO BOX 1080, WINDSOR, VICTORIA 3181 AUSTRALIA

Reg No. A0038156G      ABN 60 337 355 989

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