Bill Rankine emigrated from Scotland to Wonthaggi after World War One, gaining employment at the State Coal Mine in 1923. As well as an active unionist, Rankine was a keen amateur historian and preserved material relating to politics and social life in Wonthaggi.
Files on the Miners' Federation (particulalry the Wonthaggi Branch), Wonthaggi Co-operative Society, C.P.A., A.L.P., the peace movement, Wonthaggi local government; rank and file job bulletins 1933- 1935; "Union Voice"; Australian Coal and Shale Employees' Federation bulletins/bradsheets, files, minutes, disputes; Wonthaggi Miners' Union theatre statements and notes; conference material; Trades and Labor Council pamphlets; Wonthaggi Hospital/Pensioners constitution; annual reports and balance sheets; peace movement material; newspaper clippings. Also copies of "Common Cause", "Midday Times", "Wonthaggi Sentinel".