Special collections relating to Joseph Benedict Chifley in the National Library of Australia


National Library of Australia

Manuscript Section
National Library of Australia
Parkes, ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6262 1250
Fax: +61 2 6262 1516
Email: manuscripts@nla.gov.au
URL: http://www.nla.gov.au/ms/

Date completed: June 2003

This guide was created in association with the National Archives of Australia for the Australia's Prime Ministers website.


Scope and Content

The Library holds several small collections of Chifley papers that were received from various sources. In addition there are a number of other manuscript collections that contain letters or other materials relating to Chifley. The manuscript collections in this guide are listed in alphabetical order.




Aitkin, Don. Papers, 1919-1972.
Catalogue Record: MS 7990

Academic and former Chairman of the Australian Research Grants Committee and Australian Research Council. Don Aitkin's research has focused on the Australian Country Party and his papers include reports, minutes, election material, press releases and correspondence relating to the Australian Country Party. Series 6 of the collection consists of leaflets criticising the 1949 Chifley Government's employment policies, as well as a motion by John McEwan to work with anti-socialist forces to defeat the Chifley Government. Series 10 contains Australian Country Party Press releases (1949-1950) covering topics such as the performance of the Chifley Government, the perceived communist threat and coal strikes.


Australian Federation of University Women ACT. Records, 1944-1985.
Catalogue Record: MS 2649

This association was formed in 1944 with the aim of facilitating 'inter-communication and co-operation between the women of universities of all nations'. The collection comprises correspondence, minutes of general meetings and the committee, a register of members, reports, conference proceedings, International Federation of University Women records and reports. Box 2 consists of copies of letters written by Chifley to the politician and feminist, Doris Blackburn (1949).


Ball, William Macmahon. Papers, 1921-1985.
Catalogue Record: MS 7851

Political scientist, diplomat, author and journalist. William Macmahon Ball was Advisor to the United Nations Conference in San Francisco (1945) and a member of the Allied Council for Japan (1946-1947). The material in this collection relates to most aspects of Ball's career and consists of typed diaries, drafts of articles, lectures and broadcasts, subject files, official reports, press cuttings and correspondence, including part of a letter written by Ball to Chifley.


Bennett, William Southan. Correspondence, 1943-1947.
Catalogue Record: MS 1779

This collection consists of 17 letters relating to political matters such as the Bretton Woods Monetary proposals (1943-1947) and the broadcasting of parliamentary debates. Correspondents include Chifley.


Benson, Clarence Irving. Papers, 1939-1970.
Catalogue Record: MS 7695

Sir Irving Benson was a Methodist minister and theologian. The papers include notebooks, photographs and correspondence. Box 2 contains Chifley correspondence.


Brady, Edwin James. Papers, 1890-1952.
Catalogue Record: MS 206

Edwin Brady was a journalist, author and editor. The papers include literary manuscripts, notes, cuttings, business documents and correspondence. Included in the correspondence are two letters to and one letter from Chifley.


Brookes, Herbert and Ivy. Papers, 1869-1970.
Catalogue Record: MS 1924

Herbert Brookes was a businessman and political activist and his wife, Ivy, was Alfred Deakin's daughter. The papers include notes, diaries, minute books, photographs, cuttings covering every phase of the careers of Herbert and Ivy Brookes. Correspondence with many political figures exist in the collection including Alfred Deakin, W. M. Hughes, S.M. Bruce, J.A. Lyons, R. G. Menzies and one letter to and from Chifley.


Calwell, Arthur Augustus. Papers, 1905-1973.
Catalogue Record : MS 4738

Federal parliamentarian and leader of the Australian Labor Party (1960-1967). The papers cover Calwell's entire career, including his early involvement in the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party, the Australian Public Service Association and the Melbourne City Council. The collection includes correspondence, reports, personal documents, minutes, cuttings, family documents, photographs, subject files, biographical files, invitations, speeches and publications, with extensive papers relating to the Curtin and Chifley ministries, particularly the Information and Immigration portfolios.


Cameron, Clyde Robert. Papers, 1913-.
Catalogue Record: MS 4614

Clyde Cameron has had a long and influential involvement in Australian Labor Party politics through the Australian Workers' Union, the South Australian Branch of the ALP and as a Federal Labor parliamentarian. The papers include correspondence, diaries, memoirs, a wide range of Australian Labor Party material, minutes, reports, articles, press releases and speeches. A copy of an ALP publication of the final speech of Chifley, dated 10 June 1951, is also included in the collection.


Cameron, Donald. Papers, 1917-1962.
Catalogue Record: MS 1005

Donald Cameron became Secretary of the Victorian Socialist Party (1919), was elected to the Senate (1937) and was Postmaster-General in the Curtin, Forde and Chifley Governments (1945-1949). Cameron's papers comprise of newspaper clippings, journals, pamphlets, typescripts of speeches and articles and some correspondence. Included in the collection is correspondence with Chifley.


Chambers, Cyril. Papers, 1943-1958.
Catalogue Record: MS 5235

MHR for Adelaide (ALP) (1943-1958), Minister for the Army (1946-1949) and Acting Minister for Transport and External Territories (1948-1949). These papers include correspondence (1957-1958), speeches, newspaper cuttings, documents, and photographs relating to World War II, the Chifley Ministry and the United Nations.


Chifley, Joseph Benedict. Letters, 1947-1949.
Catalogue Record: MS 1571

This collection consists of several typescript signed letters from Chifley to H. Gerard. The first three letters were written while Chifley was Prime Minister.


Chifley, Joseph Benedict. Letter, 1951.
Catalogue Record: MS 3716

This letter was written by Chifley to Jim Robson and was dated 13 June 1951, the day of Chifley's death.


Chifley, Joseph Benedict. Document, 1930.
Catalogue Record: MS 1275

The item in this collection consists of a document relating to information required in administering the Rules for the Conveyance of Members of Parliament and their families. It is filled in and signed by Chifley.


Chifley, Joseph Benedict. Signatures, 1949.
Catalogue Record: MS 2768

The collection consists of a photostat copy of signatures of members of the Chifley.


Chifley, Joseph Benedict. Text of broadcast, 1945.
Catalogue Record: MS 602

The three pages in this collection contain the text of a broadcast given by Chifley over national and commercial radio relating to the end of the Second World War (15 August 1945).


Clarey, Percy James. Papers, 1923-1959.
Catalogue Record: MS 2186

Percy James Clarey was ACTU President (1943-1949) and Labor MHR for Bendigo (1949-1960). As well as general correspondence (1923-1959), Clarey's papers consist of subject files, most of which deal with federal politics and trade unionism, including periods when J. H. Scullin, John Curtin and Chifley were Prime Ministers.


Coles, Sir Arthur William. Papers, 1937-1978.
Catalogue Record: MS 7296

Businessman and politician. Sir Arthur Coles was the Lord Mayor of Melbourne (1938-1940), MHR for Henty (1940-1946) and Chairman of the Commonwealth Rationing Commission (1942-1950). His papers consist of news cuttings, books, photographs, programmes, invitations and menus. The collection includes letters received from many public figures including Arthur Fadden, Sir Robert Menzies, Gough Whitlam and Ben Chifley.


Conelan, William. Correspondence and Scrapbook, 1940-1953.
Catalogue Record: MS 2029

William Patrick Conelan held the Brisbane federal seat of Griffith (1939-1949), as well as the position of Government Whip during the Curtin wartime government.


Cox, Harold. Typescript Reports, 1944-1964.
Catalogue Record: MS 4554

Harold Cox was the Canberra representative of the Melbourne Sun (1940-1944) and the Melbourne Herald (1944-1969). Cox's reports were designed to provide descriptions of the Canberra Parliamentary scene, including information on the Curtin, Chifley and Menzies Governments, World War II, the Cold War and the defeat of the Chifley Government (1949).


Crisp, Lesley Finlay. Papers, 1878-1984.
Catalogue Record: MS 5243

Crisp was an academic, Commonwealth public servant, author of numerous publications on federation and Australian politics and biographer of Ben Chifley. The collection comprises correspondence, diaries, journal articles, lectures, leaflets, manuscripts, memoranda, minutes, notes, newscuttings, reports, conference papers, speeches, talks, photographs, postcards, posters, menus and other ephemera. The bulk of the collection consists of subject files on a wide range of topics compiled mainly from newspaper cuttings and journal articles. There are files on all Australian Prime Ministers from Sir Edmund Barton to Malcolm Fraser. The papers include drafts of speeches written for Chifley and drafts of articles 1901-1983.


Cusack, Dymphna. Papers, 1937-1983.
Catalogue Record: MS 4621

Dymphna Cusack was one of Australia's most prolific and translated writers. Her papers include drafts of novels, plays, poems, broadcasts, travel books, an autobiography and short stories, press cuttings, diaries, photographs, invitations, programmes, notes and posters. Correspondence covers 1936-1974 and includes two letters from Chifley.


Daly, Fred. Papers, 1938-1995.
Catalogue Record: MS 9300

Federal ALP politician (1943-1975), author and public speaker. A large part of this collection consists of Daly's original chronological files as well as files on 'personalities'. The papers include a number of press cuttings, press releases, reports, campaign material, Hansard extracts, correspondence, notes and diaries. Series 4 contains newspaper clippings and a Readers' Digest article on Chifley, a Chifley Memorial, as well as folders relating to the 1949 Coal Strike.


Dedman, John Johnson. Papers, 1930-1954.
Catalogue Record: MS 987

Labor MHR for Corio (1940-1949), Minister for War Organisation and Industry (1941-1945) and Post War Reconstruction (1945-1949). Dedman's papers include official and semi-official correspondence, minutes, reports, speeches, pamphlets and press cuttings relating to his various Cabinet portfolios in the Governments of J. Curtin and Chifley. The collection includes an extensive correspondence between Dedman and Chifley, with 39 letters from and 79 letters to Chifley.


Dumas, Sir Lloyd. Papers, 1929-1971.
Catalogue Record: MS 4849

Lloyd Dumas was a journalist, managing editor (1929-1938) and managing director (1938-1961) of the Adelaide Advertiser. Series 2 of the collection contains correspondence on political subjects (1929-1948), with correspondents consisting of prominent public figures, academics, Federal and State Ministers and politicians, including Chifley (1942-1948).


Eggleston, Sir Frederic William. Papers, 1911-1954.
Catalogue Record: MS 423

These papers are concerned mainly with the official career and writings of Sir Frederic Eggleston. They relate to his activities as Minister in the Victorian Government (1924-1927), Australian Minister to China (1941-1944) and Advisor to the Department of External Affairs (1946-1949). The collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, notes, diaries, manuscripts and cuttings, dating mostly from 1919. Correspondence includes one letter from Chifley and one letter to Chifley.


Federal Parliamentary Labor Party (Caucus). Records, 1906-1990.
Catalogue Record: MS 6852

These ALP records include Caucus minutes (1906-1989) and cover Chifley's term as an ALP Federal parliamentarian.


Fitzpatrick, Brian. Papers, 1925-1965.
Catalogue Record: MS 4965

Author, historian, journalist and one of the founders of the Australian Council for Civil Liberties (1936). The papers consist of newscuttings, records, minutes (1935-1937) and correspondence relating to the Australian Council for Civil Liberties. Correspondence with Chifley is also included in the collection and consists of eight letters to and three letters from Chifley.


Fricke, Graham L. Papers relating to Profiles of power: the prime ministers of Australia, [198-]-1990.
Catalogue Record: MS 8248

Judge, Queen's Counsel, lecturer in law and author. The collection comprises notes, manuscript, typescript drafts and the final version (with editorial alterations and directions to the printer) of Profiles of power: the prime ministers of Australia. Ferntree Gully, Vic.: Houghton Mifflin, 1990.


Fry, Eric. Papers, 1947-1999.
Catalogue Record: MS 9691

Public servant, academic, labour historian and author, Fry's papers cover his early life as well as aspects of his career. The papers include correspondence, references, research notes and copies of documents, drafts of essays, articles and papers, reviews, newspaper cuttings and oral histories. Also included are notes for a lecture delivered by Fry on Chifley at Old Parliament House (1999).


Gaha, John Francis. Letters and notes, 1910-1948.
Catalogue Record: MS 2115

John Gaha was Minister for Health in Tasmania and a member of the House of Representatives (1943-1949). The papers include notes for a speech concerning Australian new states, as well as a letter to Chifley (1948).


Gowrie, Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven, Earl of. Papers, 1835-1987.
Catalogue Record: MS 2852

Governor of South Australia (1928-1934), Governor of New South Wales (1935-1936), and Governor-General of Australia (1936-1944). Gowrie's papers comprise official and private correspondence, cables, genealogical and biographical papers, speeches, broadcasts, photographs, newspaper cuttings and memorabilia relating to his life, military and public career. The collection also includes correspondence between Chifley and Lord and Lady Gowrie (Sub-Series 7/3).


Great Britain. Dominions Office. Private Office Papers, 1924-1951.
Catalogue Record: Mfm PRO 6010-6015

Includes records of meetings between the Secretary of State for Dominions and the High Commissioner (1938-1947) and minutes from the Secretary of State to the Prime Minister. They refer to a telegram of Chifley about the withdrawal of U.K. forces from Japan, a draft letter to Chifley (1947) and the 1948 Prime Ministers' Conference which was attended by Chifley. Microfilmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held at the Public Record Office, London (DO 121/1-134).


Great Britain. Foreign Office. Private Secretaries' Papers, 1941-1945.
Catalogue Record: Mfm PRO 6333-6338

Papers of private secretaries of various Foreign Secretaries. Among the papers is a letter from Chifley to British Prime Minister C. R. Attlee (21 July 1945) on the formation of a British Commonwealth Force to participate in war against Japan. Microfilmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held at the Public Record Office, London (FO 800/401-418).


Great Britain. Foreign Office. Ernest Bevin Papers, 1945-1951.
Catalogue Record: Mfm PRO 6333-6338

Ernest Bevin was Secretary of Transport and General Workers Union (1922-1940), British Labor MP (1940-1951), Minister for Labour and National Service (1940-1945) and Foreign Secretary (1945-1951). Included in the papers is material relating to Chifley's visit to Britain (1947-1948), a letter from Bevin to British Prime Minister C. R. Attlee regarding a draft message to Chifley on Indonesia (1948) and notes taken by Bevin relating to a meeting with Chifley on Indonesia and the Italian colonies (1949). Microfilmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held at the Public Record Office, London (FO 800/434-522).


Harrison, Hector, Reverend. Papers, 1915-1978.
Catalogue Record: MS 6277

Hector Harrison was Minister at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Forrest, ACT (1940-1978), Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales (1950-1951) and Moderator-General of Presbyterian Church of Australia (1962-1964). Harrison's papers record his career and include personal and business correspondence, circulars, journal articles, brochures, leaflets, newscuttings, newsletters, notes, pamphlets, sermons and service sheets. Correspondents include Chifley's wife, Elizabeth.


Hoets, John. Specifications of shoe modifications for J. B. Chifley, 1945.
Catalogue Record: MS 1276

Printed sheet from Dr John Hoets' practice in Macquarie Street, Sydney. This item specifies shoe modifications for Chifley, and is dated 13 August 1945.


Hughes, Colin Anfield. Papers, 1966.
Catalogue Record: MS 5963

This collection consists of research papers compiled by Professor Colin Hughes. Hughes was an adviser and coordinator of the Australian Broadcasting Commission's television series, Mr Prime Minister (1966) and includes material relating to Chifley.


Hughes, William Morris. Papers, 1875-c.1979.
Catalogue Record: MS 1538

William Morris ('Billy') Hughes' papers include correspondence, diaries and notebooks, newspaper cuttings, photographs, and family and political papers. The political papers comprise official and personal records dating from his time as Prime Minister from 1915 to 1923. Hughes' collection includes extensive correspondence with Chifley, including 72 letters from and 58 letters to Chifley.


Ingram, Geoffrey. Papers, 1918-1993.
Catalogue Record: MS 7336

Ballet dancer, administrator and actor. Geoffrey Ingram danced with the Borovansky Company and the Melbourne Ballet Guild. He worked on the Australian Arts Enquiry (1959), and became the founding administrator of the Australian Ballet (1963-65). The collection, which was assembled by Ingram, consists of correspondence, photographs, programs, music scores and personal documents. Box 11 contains correspondence dealing with post-war reconstruction and the arts (1941-1955), and includes letters from Chifley.


Institute of Public Affairs (NSW). Records, 1943-1968.
Catalogue Record: MS 6590


The Institute of Public Affairs was officially formed in NSW on 18 February 1943 to act as a vehicle for informed public opinion on economic problems and the political and social welfare of Australia. As well as containing records relating to the early development and interests of the Institute, the collection includes subject files (mainly newspaper cuttings) on the proposed nationalisation of banks, State and Federal elections and communism in Australia. Biographical files (including some correspondence) on J. Curtin, A. W. Fadden, R. G. Menzies and Chifley are also included.


Kelly, John Henry. Papers, 1924-1983.
Catalogue Record: MS 8083

John Kelly was an agricultural economist. As well as being active in promoting the Snowy Mountains Scheme, Kelly was involved in the War Service Land Settlement Scheme (1945-1947) and worked at the Bureau of Agricultural Economics (1948-1960). The papers cover all aspects of Kelly's career including photos, newspaper cuttings, articles, interviews and writings on his life. A first draft for one of his writings, 'The Northern Australia Development Committee 1945-1948' (1973), includes a 1949 Chifley policy speech (Series 23).


Latham, Sir John. Papers, 1868-1964.
Catalogue Record: MS 1009

Latham was Deputy Prime Minister (1931-1934), Attorney-General (1925-1929, 1931-1934), Minister for External Affairs, Minister for Industry (1931-1934) and Chief Justice of the High Court (1935-1952). The papers include notes, speeches, diaries, minute books, account books, cuttings, photographs, pamphlets, official publications, invitations, menus and other material relating to his career. Correspondence is also included in the collection and contains 13 letters from Chifley and four letters to Chifley.


Luchetti, Anthony Sylvester. Papers, 1920-1983.
Catalogue Record: MS 7775

Politician and journalist. Luchetti was an alderman of the Lithgow City Council (1941-1952), Mayor (1942-1950) and ALP Member for Macquarie in the House of Representatives (1951-1975). The papers include letters, diaries, notebooks, pamphlets, election material, newspaper cuttings. Correspondents include Chifley.


Marks, Walter Moffitt. Papers, 1924-1949.
Catalogue Record: MS 3676

Walter Marks, a solicitor by profession, held the federal seat of Wentworth for the Nationalist Party (1919-1939) and was an active voluntary speaker for Chifley's War Loans Campaign during the Second World War. The collection comprises three scrapbooks of newspaper cuttings, letters, War Loans campaign papers, manuscript notes and photographs. Included in the papers are letters Marks received from Chifley (1944-1946).


Marshall, Melville. Papers, 1927-1971 (bulk 1940-1960).
Catalogue Record: MS 8502

Public servant and diplomat, Marshall worked in the Federal Tax Department (1942-1946), was Acting Australian High Commissioner in South Africa (1946-1952) and Consul-General San Francisco (1955-60). The bulk of the papers cover Marshall's diplomatic career and consist of scrapbooks, newspaper cuttings, letters, photographs, memorabilia and correspondence, including Chifley.


Martin, David. Papers, 1915-1997.
Catalogue Record: MS 6885

David Martin was an author, poet, journalist, editor, literary reviewer and playwright. Series 4 is concerned with correspondence relating to political activities (1951-1969) and includes correspondence with Chifley.


Mealey, Leonila. Papers, [ca 1800]-1946.
Catalogue Record: MS 2309

Mrs Leonila Mealey (formerly Mrs Leonila Richardson) worked at the Boomerang Club for Australian servicemen in London during the Second World War. Her collection includes a damask-banqueting tablecloth, which once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte at the Palace at Fontainebleau. Included in this collection is a letter, dated 6 December 1946, from Chifley to Mrs Richardson concerning the presentation of the tablecloth.


Menzies, Sir Robert. Papers, 1905-1978.
Catalogue Record: MS 4936

Robert Gordon (later Sir Robert) Menzies was MHR for Kooyong (1934-1966), Leader of the Federal Opposition (1943-1949) and Prime Minister of Australia, 1939-1941 and 1949-1966. This extensive collection of personal papers includes correspondence, press cuttings, speeches, diaries and research material. Series 1 of Menzies' collection includes several letters written either to or from Chifley (c. 1945-1951). Series 2 consists of a letter written to Menzies from Chifley's widow, Elizabeth (1959) and a letter to Elizabeth Chifley (c. 1962).


Milliss, Bruce and Edith. Papers, 1880-1970.
Catalogue Record: MS 8345

Bruce and Edith Milliss lived in Katoomba and Sydney, and were active in the local community welfare organisations, including Katoomba Primary School Parents' and Citizens Association and School (Oslo) Lunch Advisory Committee. Bruce was prominent in the Australian Labor Party in the 1930s and 1940s, and then joined the Communist Party. From 1952 to 1970 he was engaged in trade with China and the Soviet Union, and was a witness in the Petrov Commission in 1954. The collection includes photographs, printed items relating to Bruce's career as a window dresser, business papers, papers relating to community organisations and correspondence, including correspondence with Chifley.


O'Malley, King. Papers, 1888-1955.
Catalogue Record: MS 460

Member of House of Representatives (1901-1917), Minister for Home Affairs in the second Fisher (Labor) Ministry (1910-1913) and under W. M. Hughes (1915-1916). The O'Malley Papers include diaries, notes and drafts of speeches, photographs, newspaper cuttings and invitations. O'Malley corresponded with numerous prime ministers and the collection contains five letters from and two letters to Chifley.


Page, Sir Earle. Papers, 1908-1961.
Catalogue Record: MS 1633

Dr (later Sir) Earle Page founded and led the Country Party, and became Prime Minister (briefly) upon Lyons' death. His papers include subject files of correspondence, cables, cuttings, personal documents, reports and speeches. They cover such topics as primary industry, taxation and banking, foreign affairs, national insurance, industrial relations, social services, immigration, trade, new state movements, the formation of the Bruce-Page Government, and the Country Party. The correspondence includes eight letters to and eight letters from Chifley (c.1944-1948).

Pearce, Sir George Foster. Papers, 1909-1952.
Catalogue Record: MS 213, MS 1827, MS 1927

George (later Sir George) Pearce was WA Senator (1901-1937) and a Minister in the Fisher, Hughes, Lyons and Bruce-Page Governments. Pearce's papers are in three collections and consist of press cuttings, drafts of articles, reports, minutes, photographs and correspondence. MS 1927 includes two letters from Chifley.


Perkins, John Arthur. Papers, 1891-1954.
Catalogue Record: MS 936, Mfm G28200-28206 and G24,777-781

MHR for Eden-Monaro (1921-1926), Minister for Trade and Customs (1938-1939) and Chairman of the Joint Committee on Social Security (1941-1943). The papers include diaries and political material consisting mainly of newspaper cuttings. Correspondence includes three letters from Chifley.


Preston-Stanley, Millicent. Papers, 1925-1950.
Catalogue Record: MS 9062

Millicent Preston-Stanley was a politician and feminist. She was the first female member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (1925-1927), President of the Feminist Club (1919-1934) and Australian delegate for the British-American Co-operation Movement (1936-1938). The collection contains New South Wales election campaign material, newspaper articles, biographical information and unpublished novels (1930-1950). Folder 1 contains material discussing the Chifley Government's intention of nationalising the Australian banking system.


Queen Elizabeth II. Letter to Chifley Government, 1947.
Catalogue Record: MS 714

This letter, dated 21 November 1947, was sent from Buckingham Palace to Prime Minister Chifley. It acknowledges a wedding gift of silver fruit dishes and salvers sent by the Government and people of Australia following her marriage to Phillip.



Rischbieth, Bessie. Papers, 1900-1967.
Catalogue Record: MS 2004

Rischbieth was co-founder of the Women's Service Guild of Western Australia (1909) and co-founder and President of the Australian Federation of Women Voters (1921-1942). The collection includes press cuttings, pamphlets, articles and correspondence. The correspondence includes three letters from and two letters to Chifley.


Rodgers, Donald Kilgour. Papers, c.1930-1950.
Catalogue Record: MS 1536

Rodgers was John Curtin and Chifley's Press Secretary. The collection includes material relating to political figures of the 1930s and 1940s, most notably Curtin and Chifley. The papers consist of photographs, cuttings and pamphlets, correspondence, press passes and menus.


Ross, Lloyd. Papers, 1854-1986.
Catalogue Record: MS 3939

Teacher, trade unionist, journalist, historian and John Curtin's biographer. Ross was the State Secretary of the NSW branch of the Australian Railways Union in 1935-1943 and 1952-1959 and, on the recommendation of Chifley, was employed in the Department of Post-War Reconstruction as Director of Public Relations (1943-1949). The papers include correspondence, diaries, notebooks, books, circulars, conference papers, congratulatory messages, greeting cards, invitations and journal articles. Series 10 deals with the Department of Post-War Reconstruction (1944-1949). Series 11 consists of material relating to Ross' John Curtin: a biography (1907-1985), with Chifley being one of the main correspondents.


Sawer, Geoffrey. Papers, 1854-1986.
Catalogue Record: MS 2688

Constitutional lawyer, academic and journalist. Sawer held the position of Foundation Professor of Law, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University (1950-1974) before becoming Pro-Vice-Chancellor in 1975. His weekly column, "Between the lines", appeared in The Canberra Times for over twenty years. The Sawer Papers include diaries (1953-1993), correspondence (1951-1991), draft legal opinions and autobiographical writings. Series 19 of the collection consists of oral history transcripts recorded by Sawer and includes reflections on Chifley.


Shedden, Sir Frederick. Correspondence, 1947-1949.
Catalogue Record: MS 3928

Sir Frederick Shedden was Secretary of the Department of Defence (1937-1956) and Secretary of the War Cabinet (1939-1946). He accompanied the Prime Minister overseas for defence discussions in 1941, 1944, 1946, 1951 and 1955, and visited the U.S., Canada and the U.K. for defence discussions in 1949. The collection consists of correspondence concerning Shedden's term as Secretary of the Department of Defence and consists primarily of correspondence between Shedden and Chifley.


Souter, Gavin. Papers, 1959-1991.
Catalogue Record: MS 8604

Journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald (1948-1987), historian and author of a number of books including New Guinea: the last unknown (1963), The Lion and the kangaroo (1976) and Acts of Parliament (1988). Series 4 of the collection consists of correspondence, photographs and research material for Acts of Parliament: a narrative history, and includes a file on Chifley.


Stephens, David. Interviews, 1972.
Catalogue Record: MS 4625

As part of the research for his Maser of Arts thesis tentatively titled "Federal Labor in Government and Opposition, 1945-1951", Stephens conducted interviews with J. Dedman and A. Calwell. The interviews include references to J. Curtin and Chifley.


Storey, Henry Mackintosh. Papers, 1929-1987.
Catalogue Record: MS 8539

Lawyer and political activist, Storey worked for the Commonwealth War Loans Organisation in the 1940s and the NSW Crown Solicitor's Office until his retirement in 1971. During 1945-1946 he was President of the Constitutional Association of New South Wales. The papers include handwritten drafts of articles, published articles, papers on the Constitutional Association of New South Wales, a letter from W. M Hughes and a typescript of a broadcast talk on Chifley entitled The Robin Hood of Canberra (c.1949).


Street, Jessie. Papers, 1914-1968.
Catalogue Record: MS 2683

Feminist and social activist. Street was the founder of the NSW Social Hygiene Association (1915) and Co-founder (1928) and President of the United Associations of Women, which lobbied governments on equal pay and other women's issues. Her papers contain speeches, broadcasts, printed material, diaries, minutes of meetings, financial records, passports, photographs and correspondence. The collection includes six letters from Street to Chifley and four letters from Chifley to Street.


Tonkin, Eric, W. Papers, 1922-1958.
Catalogue Record: MS 3668

Eric Tonkin was private secretary to Prime Ministers Curtin and Chifley from 1941 until 1949, when he was appointed a Commonwealth Conciliation Commisioner. Subject files, consisting of newspaper cuttings (1939-1945), make up the bulk of the papers. The files cover such topics as primary and secondary industries, social services, defence, the Labor Party's attitude to conscription, referenda (1936, 1945), Commonwealth powers of deportation (1925) and the regulation of banking. Also included are speeches, broadcasts, A.L.P. newspapers and bulletins and A.L.P. federal conference agendas (1940, 1943, 1945). A file on Chifley also forms part of the collection.


Ward, Edward John. Papers, 1914-1963.
Catalogue Record: MS 2396

Ward was the Australian Labor Party MHR for East Sydney (1931-1963), Minister for Labour and National Service (1941-1943) and Transport and External Territories (1943-1949). Papers include miscellaneous and confidential papers on a variety of subjects, including the ALP Hobart Conference in 1955 and Ward's bid for party leadership in 1959 and deputy leadership in 1960. Correspondence includes 27 letters from and 15 letters to Chifley.


Wheeler, Sir Frederick. Papers, 1914-1994.
Catalogue Record: MS 8096

The bulk of the papers in this collection comprise files that relate to Wheeler's time as Chairman of the Public Service Board (1960-1971) and as Secretary of the Commonwealth Treasury (1971-1979). Wheeler was a member of two delegations led by Chifley - the Economic and Financial Discussion and the Prime Ministers' Conference, held in London in 1948 and 1949 respectively. Series 2 of the collection contains a letter to Wheeler from Chifley (1947).