Useful Knowledge
The Magazine of the Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria Inc.
The first newsletter of the Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria Inc. was issued in 1999. Since then, it has developed and grown into more than just a newsletter, but the Magazine of the Mechanics’ Movement worldwide.
Each issue aims to not only cover the goings-on of Victorian Mechanics’ Institutes, but takes you on a journey around the world, giving updates on Institutes throughout Australia, America and the United Kingdom.
Useful Knowledge is issued four times per year and is included with MIV Membership. Additional copies and back issues are available for purchase (supplies limited), and some older issues are available for download from the Magazine Archive.
Click on the Newsletter Image to Download the pdf.
Useful Knowledge 64
Winter 2025
Useful Knowledge 63
Autumn 2025
Useful Knowledge 62
2024
Useful Knowledge 61
Summer 2024
Useful Knowledge 60
Spring 2023
Useful Knowledge 59
Winter 2023
Useful Knowledge 58
Autumn 2023
Useful Knowledge 57
Summer 2023
Useful Knowledge 56
Spring 2022
Useful Knowledge 55
Winter-Spring 2021
- Mechanics’ Institutes Worldwide 2021 - Edinburgh - Wrap Up
- Tallarook Mechanics’ Institute opened
- Ex-libris: Kalgoorlie Mechanics’ Institute
Useful Knowledge 54
Autumn 2021
- Mechanics’ Institutes Worldwide 2021 - Edinburgh
- Professor Philip Candy Archive
- MIV’s History and Architectural Drawing Competitions
- Stanley Tells ‘Her’ Story
Useful Knowledge 53
Spring-Summer 2020
Useful Knowledge 52
Autumn-Winter 2020
Useful Knowledge 51
Summer-Autumn 2020
Useful Knowledge 50
Sping 2019
- Alan Duffy Delivers Wesson Lecture
- It’s Happening at the Hall
- MIV’s History and Architectural Drawing Competitions
- Ex-Libris: Perth Literary Institute
Useful Knowledge 49
Autumn/Winter 2019
- Alan Duffy to Deliver Wesson Lecture
- Featured Institute: Seaview Mechanics’ Institute
- Launch of Frankston MI history
Useful Knowledge 48
Summer 2019
- Celebration and Survival - Mechanics’ Institutues 2018
- Christine Mackenzie delivered fourth Annual Wesson Lecture
- MIV Celebrates 20 years
Useful Knowledge 47
Winter-Spring 2018
Features:
- Minister Kairouz launches MIRC and MIV Library Directory
- Christine Mackenzie to deliver fourth Annual Wesson Lecture
- Halls SURVIVAL Workshop at MIA 2018
Useful Knowledge 46
Autumn 2018
Features:
- You're Invited to Mechanics' Institutes Australia 2018!
- Loss of a Tallarook Icon
- Ex-libris: Nhill Mechanics' Institute
- John Desmond Bernal
Useful Knowledge 45
Summer 2018
Features:
- Minister Hutchins signs off on grants
- Mechanics' Institutes in the Frame
- Ex-libris: Wonthaggi Workmen's Club
Useful Knowledge 44
Winter/Spring 2017
Features:
- Kate Torney to deliver 2017 Wesson Lecture
- Ex-libris: Foster North Mechanics' Institute
- Moonambel Mechanics' Institute
Useful Knowledge 43
Autumn 2017
Features:
- Putting Mechanics' Institutes in the Frame
- Farewell to the Emerald Mechanics' Institute
- Berwick to Briagolong Bus Tour
Useful Knowledge 42
Summer 2017
Features:
- Reinvention was a triumph
- Telangatuk East Hall
- Lake Marmal Mechanics' Institute
Useful Knowledge 41
Winter-Spring 2016
Features:
- Gideon Haigh to deliver Wesson Lecture
- *Unveiling of MIV Plaque at Ruffy Hall
- South-Eastern Surprise Bus Tour
Useful Knowledge 40
Autumn 2016
Features:
- Arthurs Creek Remembers Them
- Plaque No. 50 unveiled at Somerville
- Kellermeier's Queensland Institutes
- Mechanics'... and Proud of It!
Useful Knowledge 39
Summer 2016
Features:
- Upper Plenty Mechanics' Institute
- Inaugural Wesson Lecture
- These Walls Speak Volumes launch
Useful Knowledge 38
Spring 2015
Features:
- Inaugural Wesson Lecture
- Regional Halls Forum at Lilydale Athenaeum
- Melbourne Athenaeum
- Echuca Mechanics' Institute Ex-Libris
Useful Knowledge 37
Winter 2015
Features:
- Mechanics' On Show
- Prahran Mechanics' Institute
- Nurses Memorial Unveiled at Little River
- Army deployed to Walhalla
Useful Knowledge 36
Summer/Autumn 2015 (6.4mb)
Features:
- Independent Libraries and Mechanics' Institutes Worldwide Conference 2016
- Whroo Mechanics' Institute
Useful Knowledge 35
Spring 2014 (4.8mb)
Features:
- "Lest We Forget"
Useful Knowledge 34
Autumn/Winter 2014 (6.4mb)
Features:
- "We're Listening" - Kilmore Regional Forum
Useful Knowledge 33
Summer 2013/2014 (11.7mb)
Features:
- Performing arts
Useful Knowledge 32
Winter/Spring 2013 (12.2mb)
Features:
- Home is Where the Hall is.
- Dance
Useful Knowledge 31
Autumn/Winter 2013 (16.7mb)
Features:
- Markets
Useful Knowledge 30
Summer 2013 (15.7mb)
Features:
- Mechanics' Worldwide 2012
- Gobur Mechanics' Institute
- University of Huddersfield
Useful Knowledge 29
October 2012 (17.5mb)
Features:
- North Adelaide Mechanics' Institutes
- ADFAS
Useful Knowledge 28
March 2012 (0.4mb)
Features:
- Christchurch Mechanics' Institute
- Mechanics' Institute Libraries
Useful Knowledge 27
Spring 2011 (0.5mb)
Features:
- Committees of Management
- Mechanics' Institute libraries
Useful Knowledge 26
Winter 2011 (0.4mb)
Features:
- Ballan Mechanics' Institute
Useful Knowledge 25
Summer 2011 (0.5mb)
Features:
- Grants
- Bonnie Doon Free Library
Useful Knowledge 24
Winter 2010 (0.3mb)
Features:
- Carisbrook Mechanics' Institute
- From the archives of the Melbourne Athenaeum
Useful Knowledge 23
Summer 2009-2010 (0.2mb)
Features:
- Storing collection in high bushfire risk areas
- Tribute to Pam Darling
- Essential services safety measures
Useful Knowledge 22
Spring 2009 (0.5mb)
Features:
- Mechanics' Worldwide 2009
- Prahran Mechanics' Institute
- Classes in Mechanics' Institutes
Useful Knowledge 21
Winter 2009 (0.7mb)
Features:
- Burke Museum
- Prahran Mechanics' Institute
Useful Knowledge 20
Summer-Autumn 2009 (8.9mb)
Features:
- Kinglake West Mechanics' Institute
- Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre
- Victorian Railways Institute
Useful Knowledge 19
Spring 2008
Useful Knowledge 18
Winter 2008
Useful Knowledge 17
Autumn 2008
Useful Knowledge 16
Summer 2008
Useful Knowledge 15
Spring 2007
Useful Knowledge 14
Winter 2007
Useful Knowledge 13
Autumn-Winter 2006
Useful Knowledge 12
Spring-Summer 2005
Useful Knowledge 11
Autumn-Winter 2005
Useful Knowledge 10
Spring-Summer 2004 (8.8mb)
Features:
- Mechanics' Worldwide 2004 wrap-up
Useful Knowledge 9
Spring-Summer 2003 (also titled Vol. 2, No. 4) (5.5mb)
Features:
- Grants for Mechanics' Institutes
Useful Knowledge 8
Autumn-Winter 2003 (also titled Vol. 2, No. 3) (4.9mb)
Features:
- Forthcoming Mechanics' Worldwide Conference
Useful Knowledge 7
Newsletter 7 - coming soon
Spring 2002 (also titled Vol. 2, No. 2)
Useful Knowledge 6
Winter 2002 (also titled Vol. 2, No. 1)
Useful Knowledge 5
Summer 2001 (also titled Vol. 1, No. 5) (0.8mb)
Features:
- 'Remember the Mechanics'?' Travelling Exhibition launched
Useful Knowledge 4
Autumn 2001 (also titled Vol. 1, No. 4) (4.9mb)
Features:
- MIV AGM
- Northern Territory Mechanics' Institutes
Useful Knowledge 3
Summer 2000 (also titled Vol. 1. No. 3) (2.2mb)
Features:
- Launch of Pam Baragwanath's If the Walls Could Speak
- MIV's First Life Membership Awarded
Useful Knowledge 2
Winter 2000 (0.6mb)
Features:
- Rediscovering Mechanics' Institutes Conference
- Community Partnerships Program
Useful Knowledge 1
Spring 1999 (0.2mb)
Features:
- MIV’s objectives