MS 1924 Papers of Herbert (1867-1963) and Ivy Brookes
(1883-1970)
- Papers
- 1869-1970
- Available for reference
The papers of Herbert Brookes were presented to the National Library in
April 1967 by his widow Ivy Deakin Brookes. In October 1967 she deposited her
own extensive collection, and together they form the Brookes Papers.
Material in this large collections dates from 1869 until 1970, and
consists of correspondence, notes, diaries, photographs, certificates,
programs, invitations, publications, scrap-books and loose press cuttings.
A feature of the papers are the notes written by Herbert, recording
details of conversations and meetings, as well as his reflections on events,
drafts of letters and speeches.
There are minutes of meetings of almost every organisation to which
they belonged, but the only complete sets are contained in minute-books of the
Commonwealth Liberal Party and the Peoples' Liberal Party 1909-1914, and the
Brown Society 1907-1921.
The records of the National Council of Women of Victoria, 1904-54, the
Press, Arts and Letters Committee 1927-60, and the Federal Council of the
National Council of Women, 1924-31 were received in Mrs Brookes' papers. They
were microfilmed by the Library and are located at G7541-8. The original books
were returned to the Council in 1970.
The papers have been sorted into fifty four series, each of which has
been described. In addition all the correspondence has been indexed.
Herbert Brookes
Herbert Brookes, the second of the seven children of William Brookes
and his wife Catherine Robinson, was born in Sandhurst, Victoria on 20 December
1867. He was educated at Wesley College, and the University of Melbourne, where
he graduated B.E. in 1892. Sir Norman Brookes was a brother.
Herbert worked on the Victorian mining fields of Creswick and Omeo, and
in 1897 married Jennie, daughter of Rev. Charles Strong of the Australian
Church, Melbourne; Jennie died two years later.
In 1900 Brookes accompanied Alfred Deakin and
his family to Europe, and in 1905 married Ivy, the eldest Deakin daughter.
There were three children of their marriage, Wilfred, Jessie (Mrs A. Clarke)
and Alfred.
Brooks' business interests included Austral Otis Engineering Co.,
Australian Papers Mills, National Mutual Life Association, and pastoral
properties "Brookwood", "Westbury" and "Texas" in Central Queensland, and
":Granite Peak" Wiluna, Western Australia.
From 1913 until 1917 he was President of the Victorian Chamber of
Manufactures, and in 1917 was President of the Associated Chambers of
Manufactures. During this time he was a member of the State War Council, the
State Munitions Committee, the Electricity Supply Board, and the Australian
Protective League.
Both Herbert and Ivy Brookes were associated with the formation of the
Commonwealth Liberal Party in 1909 and the People's Liberal Party in 1911.
Herbert edited The Liberal from 1911 until it ceased publication in
1914.
He was an executive member of the National Union (Victorian Section) in
1917 and worked closely with W.M. Hughes during the
campaigns for the Referenda on Conscription in 1916 and 1917. The conscription
issue led to the sectarian climate of 1918 which produced firstly the Citizens'
Loyalist League, convened by Brookes, and later in 1918, the Royalist League,
and the Victorian Protestant Federation.
Brookes worked for the Commonwealth Government as a member of the Board
of Trade (1918-28) and the Tariff Board (1922-28), as Commissioner-General in
the United States of America (1929-30) and as the first Vice-Chairman of the
Australian Broadcasting Commission (1932-40). From 1933 until 1947 he was a
member of the Council of the University of Melbourne.
The Brookes also gave freely of their time and wealth to the cultural
and community life of Melbourne; they worked for the establishment of the
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra through the Lady Northcote Trust Fund, and in 1934
endowed the University Conservatorium of Music, with a new wing. The T.E. Brown
Society met regularly at their home "Winwick" from 1907 until it disbanded in
1921. They were executive members of the Chautaugua Association, the League of
National Union, the Bureau of Social and International Affairs.
Herbert Brookes died in Melbourne on 1 December, 1963.
Reference RIVETT, Rohan Australian Citizen : Herbert Brookes
1867-1963. Melbourne, M.U.P., 1965
Ivy Brookes
Ivy Deakin was born in Melbourne on 14 July 1883, eldest of the three
daughters of Alfred and Pattie Deakin. She
was educated privately, and at Merton Hall, before studying violin and singing
at the Conservatorium of Music, where in 1903, she gained a diploma; and in
1904 was awarded the Ormond Scholarship for singing.
After marriage to Herbert Brookes in 1905 she continued her musical
studies and played in Professor Marshall Hall's orchestra from 1903 to 1915.
Herbert shared her interest in music and together they worked as executive
members of the Lady Northecote Permanent Orchestra Trust Fund from 1908 until
the 1960's. Ivy became a foundation vice-president of the Ladies Committee of
the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 1925, and from 1926 until 1969 was a member
of the Faculty of Music, University of Melbourne.
Ivy Brookes held executive positions in the National Council of Women,
the International Council of Women, the Playgrounds and Recreation Association,
the League of Nations Union, the Empire Trade Defence League, the Housewives'
Association, the United Nations Association, and was, for fifty years on the
Board of the Women's Hospital, Melbourne.
She was a foundation member of both the Boards of Studies in Physical
Education (1938-70) and Social Studies (1941-67) at the University of
Melbourne.
In 1933 she founded the International Club of Victoria and was its
president until it disbanded in 1958.
Ivy Brookes died on 27 December 1970 and was survived by her children,
Wilfred, Jessie (Mrs Clarke) and Alfred, and by her two sisters Stella, Lady
Rivett, and Vera, Lady White.
- General correspondence
- Diaries
- General newspaper cuttings
- General publications
- Programs, invitations
- Financial papers
- Notes and writings
- Photographs
- Certificates
- Family papers
- Pastoral interests
- Austral Otis Engineering Co.
- Australian Papers Mills
- National Mutual Life Association
- Chamber of Manufactures
- World War I
- Australian Protective League
- Liberal Party
- National Union
- Victorian Protestant Federation
- Loyalist League
- Board of Trade
- Tariff Board
- Overseas Trip 1923
- Commissioner-General U.S.A. 1929-1930
- Australian Broadcasting Commission
- University of Melbourne
- Orchestral music in Victoria
- Playground and Recreation Association of Victoria
- Brown Society
- Chautaugua Association
- British Immigration League of Australia
- Rotary Club
- Noojie Boys' Camp
- League of Nations Union
- Australian United Nations Association
- Empire Trade Defence Council
- Housewives' Association
- National Council of Women
- Women's Hospital
- Hospital Benefits Association
- Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria
- International Club of Victoria
- World War II
- Australian Group for Reconstruction
- Women Justices' Association
- Alfred Deakin
- T.E. Ruth
- Arthur H.S. Lucas
- Poetry
- Articles by Others
- Miscellaneous Manuscripts
- Tributes after the Death of Herbert Brookes
- Australian Citizen
1. General Correspondence
The general correspondence of Herbert and Ivy Brookes, dating from 1877
until 1969 has been placed together, and arranged chronologically.
The letters cover a wide range of subjects: Herbert's work on the
Victorian gold fields, his
marriage to Jennie Strong, and her death, his friendship with Alfred
Deakin, the courtship and marriage of Ivy Deakin and Herbert, family life and
events, business interests, politics, conscription, the loyalist movement,
women's affairs, the two World Wars, industry, broadcasting, music, art,
literature, Melbourne University, rural matters, international affairs,
conservation and religion. It should be noted that correspondence which refers
to, but does not deal exclusively with, the subject-matter of the other series,
has been placed in Series 1.
The principal correspondents are the Deakin and Brookes families, and
friends and associates from the political, musical, academic and business world
of Melbourne during the first half of the twentieth century.
2. Diaries
Herbert Brookes' pocket diaries for 1897, 1915-62, his journal
dedicated to Alfred Deakin, containing diary entries for 1900 and Jennie Strong
Brookes' diary for 1898 form this series.
3. General Newspaper Cuttings
There is a large collection of loose newspaper cuttings dating from
1895 until 1969. Where possible they have been arranged chronologically. In
addition ten scrap-books contain Ivy's cuttings, mostly relating to social and
cultural activities of the family. Many newspaper articles have been placed in
the series to which they refer.
4. General Publications
This series contains single copies of The American Standard, Les
Annales, Liberty and Progress, The Listener, New York Tribune, United Empire,
Science and Industry; publications of the English Speaking Union of the
United States; News bulletins of the Foreign Policy Association (U.S.);
political pamphlets and election dodgers; pamphlets on taxation and rating of
land values; copies of legislation; speeches by Joseph Cook and Thomas Ewing on
the Defence Bill of 1909, and David J. Gordon on the proposed transfer of
powers from State to Commonwealth in 1915; Labour in Power by W.M.
Hughes (1912) and the Official Report of the Fourth Commonwealth Political
Labour Conference, Brisbane 1908; reports of the Conference of
Australian Railways and Transport Authorities, Sydney 1932; and many travel
pamphlets and brochures collected during the Brookes' trips overseas.
5. Programs, Invitations
The programs and invitations in the collection have been arranged
chronologically, and reflect the interests of the Brookes in politics, civic
affairs, social and cultural activities. Of particular note is the large number
of programs for concerts; these date from 1895 to 1966. Further programs,
invitations and souvenirs of overseas trips were added to the collection in
September 2003.
6. Financial Papers
The financial papers contain account books 1897, 1902, 1905-6, savings
bank books 1904, and cheque butts 1896-98, and 1905-06, correspondence, maps
and share certificates dealing with miming affairs from 1893 until 1942 with
Mont Robinson, A. Harris and others; correspondence from 1941 until 1958 with
brokers, J.B. Were and Co., and James Dunlop and Co., concerning investments;
and accounts from solicitors, J.M. Smith and Emmerton from 1946 until 1959.
Also included in the series are papers dealing with the Brookes' family
interest in Nappee Wash Pty Ltd, including notices of meetings from 1950 until
1957, balance sheets, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1956 and 1957, and its annual report
for 1957.
7. Notes and Writings
The series contain notes written by Herbert Brookes, some of them in
five small books but mostly on loose paper. They record his childhood and years
working on the goldfields in Victoria; contain records of meetings, and
reflections on family and national events; drafts of speeches and typescript
articles, including those concerning the socialist journalist H.H. Champion and
the English lay-preacher Harry Drummond during the 1890's; notes on philosophy,
religion and mysticism. Many are undated. Many other notes have been placed in
relevant subject series.
8. Photographs
The photographs comprise both studio portraits and informal snap-shots,
ranging from portraits of the Brookes and Deakin families last century, to
snap-shots of their grand children. A number are unidentified. In addition
there are photographs commemorating family and official occasions, including
the first meeting of the Liberal Party in 1909.
9. Certificates
In this small series are the marriage certificate of Herbert Brookes
and Ivy Deakin (1905), Ivy's diploma from the Conservatorium of Music (1903),
Herbert's certificates of membership of the Australian Natives' Association
(1901) and the Victorian Institute of Engineers (1908) and Rolls of Honour
after World War I.
10. Family Papers
These papers include Ivy Brookes' reports from Merton Hall, and the
conservatorium of Music, an indenture dated 1921 between Pattie Deakin and Ivy
concerning "Llanarth" the Deakin home; Alfred Deakin's bible given to the
Brookes in 1919; one of Herbert's sketch books; and Ivy's address book. There
are also notes on the family tree of the Brookes and Robinson families, and a
note book dated 1869 belong to William Brookes.
11. Pastoral Interests
Herbert Brookes, with his brothers and sisters, inherited three
pastoral properties in central Queensland. They retained their ownership under
the name of William Brookes and Co. until their sale in 1964. This large series
includes business correspondence from 1921 until 1961 with the manager, E.
Bayliss, the solicitors Cannan and Peterson, and with Dalgety and Co. Ltd, and
the Queensland Primary Producers' Co-operative Association Ltd, all of
Brisbane.
In 1929 Brookes, in partnership with K. Mitchell, T. Lyle, and P.
Cresswell purchased Granite Peak Station at Wiluna, W.A., and this subseries
contains their business correspondence, monthly with K. Mitchell, the manager
from 1920 until 1963.
12. Austral Otis Engineering Company
This small series contains correspondence between 1906 and 1931,
concerning administrative, financial and technical matters of Austral Otis, as
well as letters written by Brookes on behalf of the Iron Trades Employers, in
1908 and 1909, notes, and the Annual Reports of the Company for 1919, 1927,
1928 and 1930.
13. Australia Paper Mill Company Ltd
This company formed a considerable part of the inheritance received by
the Brookes family from their father in 1910. Herbert was elected a director in
1913, and from 1915 until 1922 was Chairman of Directors. There are a small
number of letters concerning its management and policy during that time, as
well as letters until 1938 concerning the family interest in the Company which
later became Australian Paper Manufacturers Ltd. There are notes dated 1915 and
1917, printed material including memorandum and articles of Association of the
Australian Paper Mills Company Ltd (1910), and Rules of the Australian Paper
Mills Employees Mutual Benefit Society (1918), annotated copies of the annual
report of 1919. Reference to the families' interest in the Paper Mills appear
also in Series 1.
14. National Mutual Life Association
This small series contains correspondence with Sir Brudenell White,
P.G. White and others shortly after Brookes was appointed a director of
N.M.L.A. in 1928. However, most of the letters concern dealings between
N.M.L.A. and a client S.S. Appleby from 1947 until 1952. Brookes remained on
the board until his eightysecond year.
15. Chamber of Manufactures
There are notices of meetings, agenda and minutes from the Secretary
F.L. Ashby during the years from 1913 until 1917 when Brookes was President of
the Chamber of Manufactures of Victoria. During 1917 and 1918 he was President
of the Associated Chambers of Manufactures of Australia. Minutes of meetings,
reports, speeches, notes, printed matter and press cuttings are also included.
The series contains material on a number of issues which concerned the
Chambers. The include the coal strikes of 1916 and 1920, the moulders' dispute
of 1917, contracts of the Department of Defence during World War I, suggested
schemes for profit-sharing and co-partnership in 1919, and the Standard Hours
Case (44 hours) before the Arbitration Court in 1926.
16. World War I, 1914-1918
Papers concerning Herbert Brooks' involvement in official and patriotic
affairs during World War I have been organized into three small subseries; the
State Munitions' Committee, the State War Council, and the Australian Red Cross
Society. However, single letters refer to his membership of the Central Coal
Board, the Council of Defence and the Australian Patriotic Fund Committee
during this period.
Brookes' State Munitions' Committee correspondence during 1915 and 1916
deals with the establishment and organization of Munitions' works in Victoria.
There are papers of the State War Council from 1915 until 1918, many
concerned with the Finance Committee on which Brookes served, as well as
soldiers' repatriation; the proposed War Funds Control Board, reports of the
Council on the organization and control of patriotic funds, after the war,
together with pamphlets and press cuttings.
Included in the last subseries is a small amount of material dealing
with the Red Cross Society. (Brookes was a member of the Victorian Divisional
Committee in 1915.) There are letters, notes, the reports of the Red Cross
Hospitals' Committee and the Voluntary Aid Detachments for 1917.
17. Australian Protective League
This is a small series containing the letter from the Prime Minister's
Department dated 1918, inviting Brookes to join the Australian Protective
League, a voluntary league of citizens set up to serve the Government as an
auxiliary to the Bureau of Investigation; his notes of meetings between Sir
George Pearce, E.L. Piesse, F.C. Urquart and Sir George Steward, a report in
1915 by Urquart on "disloyal" organizations and their personnel, a report by
Piesse to Pearce containing a plan for a Federal Investigation Department and
notes on the Industrial Workers of the World and the One Big Union.
18. Liberal Party 1909-1914
The Brookes played important roles in the formation of the Commonwealth
Liberal Party which emerged in 1909 after the "fusion" of the Free Traders and
ex Protectionist Tariff Reformers, with the Deakin Protectionists. In September
1911 the Commonwealth Liberal Party and the People's Party combined to form the
People's Liberal Party. The series contains the minute book dating from its
first meeting on 8.2.1909 until 1914; the treasurer's cash book 1909-1913; the
ledger books 1911-1914; two minute books of the Central Women's sub-committee
of the C.L.P. and the Women's Provisional executive of the P.L.P. from 1909
until 1912; the minute book of the South Yarra branch of the P.L.P. from
September 1911 until June 1915; a typescript copy of the Inter-State Conference
of Liberal organisations held in Melbourne in November 1911; a report to the
President of the Tasmanian Liberal League, as to differences between members of
Leagues at the women's Conference in Hobart in January 1912, financial papers
including receipts from 1911 until 1914. The correspondence which is placed
next dates from 1909 until 1916, and discusses the "fusion", the internal
organization and finances of the Liberal parties, the referenda of 1911 and
1913, the elections of 1910, 1913 and 1914, the referendum, of 1916, and The
Liberal (the official organ of the Party, it was financed largely by
Brookes). There are also many articles and press cuttings assembled by Brookes
for use in The Liberal, together with cartoons by P. Huthrance and
"Bep". Pamphlets, election material and press cuttings for this period have
been placed at the end of the Series.
19. National Union 1917-1925
Following the defeat of the Referendum on conscription in October 1916,
the National Labor Party, under W.M. Hughes merged with the Liberal
parliamentary groups to form the Nationalist Party in February 1917. Herbert
Brookes joined the executive committee of the National Union (Victorian
Section) in 1917 and the series contains correspondence concerning the
referendum 1917, the Australian Women's National League and the United National
Federation League in 1918, the National Campaign Council in 1919, the
Australian Liberal Union whose funds were paid into the National Convention of
the Union in 1921, the elections of 1922 and 1925. As well there are notes made
by Brookes of an interview with W.M. Hughes in 1920, a meeting between Earle
Page and Hughes at "Winwich" in 1921, and an interview with S.M. Bruce in 1924.
There is printed material used in the referenda campaigns of 1916 and 1917; the
platform constitution and rules of the United National Federation and its
annual conference in 1918; a note book containing mailing records and accounts
for the campaign in Victoria in the general election of 1925.
20. Victorian Protestant Federation
There is correspondence between the Federation's secretary Rev. W.
Albiston and Brookes from 1919 until 1957, mostly concerning the publication of
The Vigilant, the official organ of the V.P.F., financial statements,
notes, the constitution of the V.P.F. adopted in 1918, two pamphlets written by
Herbert Brookes, and issued by the V.P.F. in 1932, namely The Empire and the
Imperial Issue, originally delivered to the Royal Empire Society in 1932,
and A great colonial Englishman - George Washington, and single copies
of The Vigilant from 1920 until 1932.
21. Loyalist League
Herbert Brookes was convenor of the preliminary meeting at "Winwick" of
the Citizens' Loyalist Committee in March 1918. This committee was the
foreunnner of the Loyalist League formed later that year; its functions were to
prepare and publish literature to be distributed by means of its agents, mainly
through the branches of the Victorian Protestant Federation. Brookes was
treasurer of both groups, and the financial statements for the period
10.4.1918-10.9.1920 are in the series. There is a small amount of
correspondence with E.D. Patterson and A. Leeper during 1918, 1919 and 1921 and
copies of roneoed letters dated from 1921 until 1928 from M.J. McCarthy of the
Christian Defence Effort in London. There are notes by Brookes, printed
material, including the Loyalist Manifesto 1919, and press cuttings.
22. Board of Trade 1918-1928
Brookes represented the Associated Chambers of Manufactures on the
Board of Trade, set up in 1918 to act under the Minister for Trade and Customs.
The series has been divided into two parts, with the small amount of the
Board's correspondence between Brookes, W. Massy Greene, Sir John Elder and R.
MCK. Oakley, and typescript copies of minutes of many of its meetings between
1920 and 1928, being placed first.
The second subseries contains papers of the Bureau of Commerce and
Industry and the Board of Trade. It consists of correspondence with W. Leitch
and Stirling Taylor concerning the formation of the Bureau in 1918, a report on
its functions and activities in 1924, a report of a conference between W.M.
Hughes, the manufacturers and the State committees in 1920 concerning the
future development of the woollen manufacturing industry, a typescript copy of
an article The Commonwealth Fleet c. 1922, and printed material.
23. Tariff Board 1922-1928
Brookes was a member of the Tariff Board from its inception in March
1922 until 1928. The series is small but contains correspondence with S.M.
Bruce, W. Leitch, R. McK. Oakley, D. Masterton and others concerning
administrative and policy decisions of the Board, including the galvanized iron
industry, 1925, duties on iron and steel in 1926, power alcohol in 1926, trade
with New Zealand, with reference to dried fruits in 1926, and the Newnes State
Works in 1927. There are also papers concerning the unsuccessful libel writ
issued by Brookes in 1924 against R.G. Nial Ltd; an address by R.C. Mills in
1926 entitled The Tariff Board of Australia; printed material including
the Board's report of 1925 on Agricultural Implements, and press cuttings.
Reference to the Tariff Board is also made in Series 24 which deals
with Brookes' attendance at the Imperial Economic Conference in London as one
of the advisers to the Australian Delegation.
24. Overseas Trip 1923
Herbert and Ivy Brookes travelled to Europe and America in 1923; in
September Herbert was a member of the Australian delegation at the Fourth
Assembly of the League of Nations in Geneva, and in October and November, as a
member of the Tariff Board, was an observer at the Imperial Economic Conference
in London. The series contains a small amount of correspondence dealing with
travel arrangements, and official and social functions, printed material,
including a Record of Proceedings and documents of the Imperial Economic
Conference, together with a list of delegates at the Assembly in Geneva. There
are also travel brochures and press cuttings.
25. Commissioner-General USA 1929-1930
The series comprises messages received by the Brookes when Herbert was
appointed Commissioner-General to the U.S.A. in May 1929; copies of official
communications from Brookes to Prime Ministers Bruce (until October 1929) and
Scullin (from October 1929), semi-official and personal correspondence during
1929 and 1930, concerning arrangements for their official and social
engagements, world economic conditions, trade, music, art, medicine, education
and travel; notes on events, and places visited, speeches, Ivy's desk calendar
for 1930, lists of introductions, programmes, visiting cards, and many press
cuttings.
26. Australian Broadcasting Commission
Brookes was the first Vice-Chairman of the A.B.C. from 1932 until 1940.
The series is small, but includes correspondence with H.P. Brown, W.J. Cleary,
E.M.R. Couchman and others concerning administrative and policy decisions, as
well as much discussion of the Commission's taking over financial and
managerial responsibility for celebrity concerts in 1935 and 1940 respectively.
As well there are many loose notes made by Brookes after meetings of the
Commission, scripts for talks and press cuttings.
From 1943 until 1951 he was a member of the Victorian State Advisory
Committee of the A.B.C. and there is a small amount of correspondence for this
period.
27. University of Melbourne 1921-1969
Herbert Brookes was on the Council of the University of Melbourne from
1933 until 1947, and from 1934 served on the Orchestra Advisory Committee. From
1926 until 1969 Ivy Brookes was a member of the Faculty of Music, and served
with her husband on the Orchestra Advisory Committee of the University. In
addition Mrs Brookes was a member of both the Board of Studies in Physical
Education from 1938 until 1970 and the Board of Social Studies between 1941 and
1967. Two subseries have been formed; the first and larger contains Herbert's
papers, the second those of his wife.
The correspondence between Brookes, Sir James Barrett, Sir Douglas
Copland, R.E. Priestley and others concerns Priestley's appointment as
Vice-chancellor in 1935, the new wing of the Conservatorium in 1934, the
building and financing of Union House, opened in 1938, the Vice-Chancellor's
residence, made possible by a gift from the Brookes and George Nicholas, and
the conflict within the University Council during 1937 and 1938 which led to
Barrett being succeeded as Chancellor by Sir John Latham in 1939. Brookes has
loose notes on many of these issues, together with an incomplete set of minutes
of Council, and Finance Committee meetings from 1933 until 1944. There is also
a small number of papers concerning Herbert's association with Trinity College,
as a member of its Council from 1921 until 1924.
The few papers concerning Ivy Brookes' role at the University have been
divided into three parts. Placed first are copies of many of the meetings of
the Faculty of Music from 1964 until 1966, together with notes made by Ivy
concerning earlier days in the Faculty with reference to Sir Bernard Heinze.
The papers of the Board of Social Studies in Physical Education consist of a
folder of printed material dating from 1956, but mostly during 1965, dealing
with the Beaurepaire Physical Education Centre in 1956, and the proposed
establishment of a Chair of Physical Education in 1965.
At the end of the subseries is an incomplete set of minutes of meetings
of the Board of Social Studies between 1963 and 1966, printed material which
concerns student quotas in 1963, and reports of a sub-committee on field-work
in 1966.
28. Orchestral Music in Victoria
This series documents the history of orchestral music in Victoria from
1908 until 1968. It falls into three groups; the Lady Northcote Permanent
Orchestra Trust Fund, (1908-1968), the Ladies' committee of the Melbourne
Symphony Orchestra (1926-1966), and the Million Shilling Appeal (1927), each of
which has been arranged as a subseries.
The Lady Northcote Permanent Orchestra Trust Fund was established in
1908 with the purpose of setting up a permanent orchestra. Its correspondence
in this collection dates from 1915 until 1968, and is arranged chronologically.
Topics discussed include the Alberto Zelman and Marshall Hall Orchestras, the
Verburgghien Orchestra Guarantee Company set up in 1921, the appointment of
Bernard Heinze to the Ormond chair of Music in 1925, and the foundation of the
Faculty of Music in 1926, the inauguration of celebrity concerts by the
University Symphony Orchestra in 1929, and the amalgamation in 1932 at the
instance of Sidney Myer of both the University and Melbourne Symphony
Orchestras under the name Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Further correspondence
appears here, as well as in Series 26 (ABC) and Series 27 (University of
Melbourne) concerning the assumption in 1935 by the ABC of financial
responsibility for celebrity concerts. The Trust's deed, dated 1908, an
incomplete set of minutes of meetings from 1927 until 1966, typescript notes of
articles by J. Sutton Crow, and Bernard Heinze, and press cuttings complete
with subseries.
Placed next are the papers of the Ladies' Committee of the University
Symphony Orchestra, later known as the Ladies' Committee of the Melbourne
Symphony Orchestra. Ivy Brookes formed this committee in 1925 and was its
Vice-President and later President. Contained here are correspondence between
1925 and 1961, much of it concerning fund-raising, minute books (1926-1931),
notes including lists of members, a very incomplete set of minutes of meetings
and agenda until 1967, printed material and press cuttings.
The Million Shilling Appeal was launched in 1927 to obtain finance for
the nucleus of a
This association evolved in 1913 from the Guild of Play of the Women's
Division of the People's Liberal Party, Ivy Brookes was its foundation
Secretary, whilst her father, Alfred Deakin, was Vice-President. The
correspondence extends from 1910 until 1966 but most of it dates from the years
when Ivy was Vice-president (1936) and President (1952-1966). Minutes of
meetings from 1954 until 1966, an incomplete set of financial statements and
annual reports from 1922 until 1967, together with notes, invitations,
photographs,permanent Orchestra, and Ivy Brookes became its Vice-President.
Correspondence concerning the Appeal, agenda minutes, financial statements,
printed matter and press cuttings complete the series.
29. Playground and Recreation Association of Victoria 1913-1967
This association evolved in 1913 from the Guild of Play of the Women's
Division of the People's Liberal Party. Ivy Brookes was its foundation
Secretary, whilst her father, Alfred Deakin, was Vice-President. The
correspondence extends from 1910 until 1966 but most of it dates from the years
when Ivy was Vice-president (1936) and President (1952-1966). Minutes of
meetings from 1954 until 1966, an incomplete set of financial statements and
annual reports from 1922 until 1967, together with notes, invitations,
photographs, a scrap book and loose press cuttings complete the series.
30. Brown Society 1907-1921
The Brown Society of Victoria, like similar societies in England, was
formed to commemorate the work of the Manx poet T.E. Brown (1830-97). The group
met from 1907 until 1921 at "Winwick", the Brookes' home, and the agenda
included musical and literary items. The series contains agenda and minutes of
meetings, copies of Brown's writings, correspondence between Brookes and
Brown's son Hugh, and daughters, Dora and Ethel, articles by Pattie Deakin, E.
Littleton Groom, Brookes and others, photographs, programmes and press
cuttings.
31. The Chautauga Association 1921-1924
Herbert Brooks, Meredith Atkinson and Sir James Barrett formed the
first committee of the Chautaugua Association in Australia in 1921. Its objects
were "to provide civic educational and social advancement throughout the
Commonwealth by organizing and conducting Chautauguas, the programmes
consisting of entertainment given by lecturers, entertainers and musical
artists of professional ability". There is correspondence dating from 1921
between Brookes, H.M. Lee, C. Callow, E.R. Peacock, concerning the formation
and administration of the association and Brookes' resignation in 1924 during
his term as President. There are also notes and printed material, including
programmes and Chautaugua News (N.Z.) No.1 July 1922.
32. British Immigration League of Australia 1909-1910
There is correspondence during 1909 and 1910 between Brookes and Rev.
R.L. Gwynne of the Kentish Colonisation Society concerning a scheme for
bringing British boys to Australia to work on training farms, together with the
report dated 1908-09 of the British Immigration League of Australia, circulars
of the Kent Colonisation Society 1910, and many press cuttings.
33. Rotary Club 1921
Brookes was a foundation member of the Melbourne Rotary Club when it
was formed in 1921, with thirty five charter members. There are a small number
of letters from W.A. Drummond, Sir John Monash, L.J. Mitchell and W.J. Rose
between 1921 and 1931, publications of Rotary, including the Official
Directory of Rotary International (1923), and the second annual report of
the Melbourne Rotary Club (1922-23).
34. Nojee Boys' Camp 1933
In 1933 Herbert Brookes and George Nicholas made a gift of 200 acres of
country near Noojee to the Victorian Government for the establishment of a
forest school settlement for unemployed youth. The series contains
correspondence between Brookes, A.V. Galbraith and the Forest Commission, and
others from 1933 until 1939, reports of the boys, typescript notes, two scrap
books, and loose press cuttings which include an article in the Herald
outlining the scheme.
35. League of Nations Union 1921-1944
This is a small series containing a typescript copy of the rules of
League of Nations Union (Victorian Division) adopted at its first meeting in
1921, a small amount of correspondence between 1923 and 1944, much of it with
secretaries Mark Gardner, Constance Duncan and Nora Collisson, notices of
meetings; a circular on the International Labour Organization (1923); financial
statements; papers concerning the Bureau of Social and International Affairs
which, after 1929, provided secretarial services for the Union and other
groups. There are also minutes of a small number of meetings during the 1930's,
the first annual report of the League of Nations' Youth Movement in 1933, and
the annual report and balance sheet of the League of Nations' Union for 1932-33
and for 1943-44. The printed material includes an article The League in
1933 by P.D. Phillips and a report entitled League of Nations, etc
presented to Parliament in 1921 by Senator E.D. Mullen, Australian
representative at the First Assembly of the League of Nations.
36. Australian Association for the United Nations 1945-1962
Ivy Brookes became Vice-president of the Australia Association for the
United Nations when it was formed in 1945, and was first chairwoman of the
Association's Status of Women Committee. On her resignation from the
Association in 1962 she was made a life-member. The series is small and
contains the constitution, an incomplete set of roneoed copies of agenda,
minutes and reports from 1950 until 1962, together with notes and press
cuttings.
37. Empire Trade Defence Council 1919
There is a small number of papers concerning the inaugural meetings of
the Council, at which Ivy Brookes presided in 1919. The constitution is
included together with correspondence with L.E. Goodisson, and the Australian
Industries Protection League, with which the Council was affiliated.
38. Housewives Association of Victoria 1913-1916
This small series contains notes written by Ivy Brookes outlining the
formation of the Housewives Co-operative Association in 1913, financial
statements, and correspondence in 1916 when she resigned as President.
39. National Council of Women 1912-1969
Ivy Brookes became an executive member of the National Council of Women
in 1912, and for the remainder of her life was involved in Council affairs.
This large collection of papers has been grouped into four subseries: records
of the Nation Council of Women; records of the International Council of Women;
records of the Consultative Committee on Import Policy and subject files
containing material collected through her involvement in the N.C.W.
The correspondence in the series commences in 1927 and continues until
1968, much of it concerning Ivy's activities as convenor of the Press, Arts and
Letters Standing Committee from 1935 until 1948, and her work as President of
the Australian National Council of Women from 1949 until 1952. Topics discussed
include the establishment of a Chair of Fine Arts at the University of
Melbourne in 1934, meetings of the N.C.W. in Canberra in 1939 and 1960, and in
Hobart in 1957, the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954, a submission to the
Commonwealth Government on the Australian content of television programmes, and
the listing of women in the professions and the arts. There is an incomplete
set of reports of the Press, Arts and Letters Committee, papers for the
Triennial Conference of N.C.W. in Melbourne in 1967, and the report by Ruth
Gibson of South Australia on the Commission on the status of Women, 10th
session, Geneva, in 1956.
In 1938, as President of the N.C.W. of Victoria, Ivy Brookes led the
Australian delegation to the International Council of Women's Golden Jubilee
Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, and there is correspondence, conference
papers, minutes, reports and printed material relating to this Conference.
There are also bulletins of I.C.W. (1940-1941), the constitution and standing
order of I.C.W. dated (1888 and revised in 1936), programmes and an article
entitled Highlights on the history of the I.C.W. by Louise Van Eeghan
(1959).
As the representative of the N.C.W. Ivy Brookes was appointed to the
Consultative Committee on Import Policy in 1952, and there is a small amount of
correspondence from 1951 until the committee was disbanded in 1960, together
with minutes of some meetings held between 1952 and 1959.
The last subseries contains subject files on the Refugees from Europe
Committee (1940), Save the Forests Campaign (1944), Exhibition Youth Centre
(1946), Pioneer Women's Memorial (1953-57), National Fitness Council, Council
of Social Services, and the Pan-Pacific Women's Association.
(The Library contains the minutes of the NCW of Victoria 1906-60 on
microfilm G7541-7548)
40. Women's Hospital 1921-1970
Ivy Brooks was a member of the Board of Management of the Women's
Hospital, Melbourne, from 1921 until 1970, and its President in 1927-29 and
1934-36. The series is large, with the correspondence, arranged chronologically
from 1927 until 1967, concerning administrative and policy matters, the Royal
Victorian College of Nursing, the Victorian State Council of the Australian
Hospital Association, the Brookes-Gillespie Nursing Home opened in 1960, and
the building appeal in 1967. Following the correspondence, are placed loose
notes made by Ivy, financial statements from 1933, circulars from 1947 until
1967, minutes of meetings of the Board from 1964 until 1969, statistics and
almoners' reports in 1935, and annual reports from 1921 until 1968. These are
all incomplete sets, and have been arranged chronologically within each group.
Finally there is printed material including news bulletins and press releases
during the 1960's, programmes and press cuttings.
41. Hospital Benefits Association 1936-1938
Ivy Brookes represented the Women's Hospital on the executive committee
of the Hospital Benefits Association when it was formed in 1936. There is
correspondence in 1936 concerning its formation, regulations, financial
statements 1936-38, memorandum and articles of association, pamphlets,
application forms and press cuttings.
42. Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria 1936-1966
When the Anti-cancer Council of Victoria was constituted in 1937 Ivy
Brookes became its Vice-president. The series contains correspondence from 1936
until 1966 with executive members; the Anti-cancer Act 1936; an incomplete set
of minutes of meetings from 1936 until 1967; plans for the Central Cancer
Institute (later Peter MacCallum Clinic) 1945; reports and financial statements
from 1938 until 1966; pamphlets and press cuttings.
43. International Club of Victoria 1932-1958
Ivy Brookes founded the International Club of Victoria in 1932, and was
assisted by Jane McMillan, the organising secretary. The series contains
correspondence dating from 1932 until 1958 dealing with the formation and
administration of the Club, the Centenary Pageant in 1934, the Pageant of
Nations (1945), note-books of committee meetings (1946-47), account books
(1947-51), financial statements for the periods 1938-41 and 1948-51, an
incomplete set of reports and minutes of meetings. In addition, there are
papers concerning the disbanding of the Club in 1958 and the sale of the Club
building in East Melbourne. Four scrap-books contain cuttings from 1932 until
1958.
44. World War II 1939-1945
During the War Ivy Brookes was an executive member of the Australian
Comforts' Fund, the Women's Voluntary National Register, the Fighting Forces'
Welfare Service and the Australian Women's Land Army Committee. There are
subseries for each of these organizations.
Ivy Brookes was Deputy Chairwoman of the Australian Comforts Fund
(Victorian Division) and convenor of the Branches and Functions Committee from
1939 until 1945. Included in the subseries is her correspondence with branches
throughout Victoria, a list of branch office-bearers, circulars, copies of
broadcasts from 1940 (mostly undated) and minutes of meetings from 1940 until
1945. In addition there is a book containing minutes of meetings of the
Branches and Functions Committee from October 1939 until February 1945, notes
and itineraries, and printed material, including the annual reports of the
A.C.F. (Victorian Division) from 1941 until 1945.
The next subseries contains a small amount of material concerning the
Women's Voluntary National Register which was set up in 1939, with Ivy as
convenor of what became known later as the Women's Australian National
Register. There are notes, a small number of letters, publications and press
cuttings.
The Fighting Forces Welfare Service was formed in 1942 to coordinate
all welfare activities for men and women on, or discharged from, active
service, and their dependants. Ivy Brookes was Chairwoman of the provisional
executive and later was one of its Vice-Presidents. The series is small, but
contains some correspondence, the constitution and minutes of some meetings
from 1942 and 1944. (In that year its work was taken over by the Australian Red
Cross Society (Victorian Division).
There is a small collection of papers of the State Advisory Committee
for the Land Army, including lists of members, agenda for meetings in 1944, and
reports of trips of the Australian Women's Land Army mobile canteen during 1944
and 1945. Arranged next are financial papers and reports of the Victorian
Amenities Committee for the Land Army, for the period 1944 until 1947. In 1948,
the Australian Women's Land Army Ex-members' Association was formed and its
trust deed, constitution and some financial statements and a small amount of
correspondence up to 1962 is included.
45. Australian Group for Reconstruction 1943
This small series contains correspondence between Ivy Brookes and
R.J.F. Boyer druign 1943 when the Group was being formed, a list of interested
persons, and a draft statement on Dunbarton Oaks Proposals for World
organization.
46. Women Justices' Assocation 1953-54
This is a small series containing correspondence during 1953 and 1954
between Ivy Brookes, the Honorary Justices' Association and the Women Justices'
Association concerning their differences, together with printed material
including the constitution of W.J.A. of Victoria.
47. Alfred Deakin
This series contains papers collected by the Brookes for the use of
biographers of Ivy's father, Alfred Deakin. Theye were made available to Walter
Murdoch for his Alfred Deakin - a sketch published in London in 1923; to
J.A. La Nauze for Alfred Deakin : a biography, published by Melbourene
University Press in 1965, and were used by Herbert Brookes when he edited
Deakin's own The Federal Story; the inner history of the federal cause,
1880-1900, which was first published by Robertson and Mullens in 1944, (a
second edition, edited and introduced by J.A. La Nauze, was published by
Melbourne University Press in 1963).
The papers include letters received by Brookes in 1919 and 1920 in
response to requests in the press for personal reminiscences of Deakin, a
scrap-book containing typescript notes by Brookes, manhy press cuttings, and
entries in the Grand Eisteddfod (South Street Ballarat) in 1920 for an essay
entitled Alfred Deakin, his life and work.
The series also contains correspondence with Murdoch (1919-1936) La
Nauze (1951-61), Robertson and Mullens, and Melbourne University Press.
Placed at the end of the series is a small amount of correspondence in
1966 between the Australian Broadcasting Control Board and Ivy Brookes
concerning the ABC television series "Mister Prime Minister" which included a
program devoted to Alfred Deakin.
48. T.E. Ruth
Rev. T.E. Ruth, born in England in 1875 came to Melbourne in 1914 as
minister at the Collins Street Baptist Church. In 1923 he was invited to be the
minister to Pitt Street Congregational Church, Sydney. He retired in 1939 and
died in Sydney in 1956. He and the Brookes became close friends after 1914, and
shared a common interest in the Conscription Referenda of 1916 and 1917. The
series contains their correspondence from 1923 until 1956. There is also a
collection of Ruth's writings comprising typescript copies of sermons,
pamphlets issued by the Loyalist League of Victoria, and cuttings of his
articles in the press.
49. Arthur H.S. Lucas
Arthur Lucas taught science and mathematics at Wesley College Melbourne
from 1883 to 1892 and among his pupils was Herbert Brookes. In 1893 he moved to
Sydney to become headmaster of Newington College, and later, in 1921, of Sydney
Grammar School. During this time he became a recognised authority on sea-weeds.
In 1924-25 he was Acting Professor of Mathematics at the University of
Tasmania. There are a small number of letters from Lucas during the period 1921
to 1936; most concern his work and his interest in sea-weeds. The series also
contains the manuscript of the autobiography A.H.S. Lucas : his own
story, published posthumously by Angus and Robertson in 1937, Brookes'
correspondence with Angus and Robertson, and Lucas' poems and articles,
including The Caulerpas of Victoria (1931) and The marine algae of
Lord Howe Island (1935).
50. Poetry
The series contains poetry by Herbert Brookes on loose notepaper and in
exercise books. These poems were often written to commemorate family and
national occasions. Placed after his own poems are many that he transcribed, by
Kipling, Shelley, Masefield, O.W. Holmes, A.T. Woodward, Florence Hagelthorn
and Henry Van Dyke.
51. Articles by Others
In this series are typescript and printed articles on international
affairs, politics, religion, art, literature and philosophy by Sir Douglas
Copland, R.S. Conway, Norman Carter, A. Boyce Gibson, B. Hubert Cooper, F.H.
Bunker, Huston Smith and others; radio scripts by C.H. Peters, W. Bottomley and
E.R. Power; a typescript copy of Walter Barrett's autobiography A Drover on
the Downs (1940), the handwritten memoirs of articles issued by the Round
Table group in 1920 entitled White Australia, Australia's record in
Papua and the Western Australian Public Service Strike, addresses by
George Fairbairn, D.A. Swanson, Clements Langford, H.T. Braddon, and Stirling
Taylor on industrial relations; and typed extracts from books by Arnold
Toynbee, F. Cumont and others, and from the New York Times, The
Atlantic and The Manchester Guardian.
52. Miscellaneous Manuscripts
This small series includes minutes of meetings in Australia in 1913 and
1914 of the British Association for the Advancement of Science; a small number
of papers of the Australian Society of New York Inc., including the first two
editions of The Coo-ee-Clarion 4 Jan. 1940 and 18 Jan. 1940; and a
portrait, notes and an obituary of Sir David Orme Mazsson, Emeritus Professor
of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, who died in 1937.
53. Tributes After the Death of Herbert Bookes 1963
The series contains Herbert Brookes' instructions concerning his
funeral service, together with the messages of condolence received by his
family after his death on 1 December 1963.
54. Australian Citizen
Herbert Brookes' biography by his nephew Rohan Rivett was published by
Melbourne University Press in 1965. Included in this series are letters which
Rivett received from Ivy Brookes, Walter Murdoch, John La Nauze, the National
Library of Australia, and members of his family, notes, the outline of the book
for the publishers, and Murdoch's foreward. There are press copies of reviews
which appeared in the daily newspapers, the Catholic Worker, Business
Archives and History, Nation, and the Bulletin, during
December 1965.
Guide prepared in 1975. Last updated 4 April 1997 |