Guide to the Papers of Roger McDonald

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MS 5612

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
McDonald, Roger, 1941-
Title
Papers of Roger McDonald
Date Range
1954 - 2009
Collection Number
MS 5612
Extent
11.55 metres (1 poster tube + 1 medium phase box + 67 ms boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
National Library of Australia

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The papers in MS 5612 document Roger McDonald's activities as an editor, poet and novelist and his relations with publishers, film producers, the ABC and literary editors. The bulk of the collection comprises papers relating to most of McDonald's published works, dating from his first publication in 1968 up until 1994. Papers include research material, edited drafts, correspondence with editors and publishers and reviews he has written. They provide a good insight into the development of his published writings. During the course of his career, McDonald has corresponded with many other writers, including Murray Bail, Bruce Beaver, Bruce Dawe, Geoffrey Dutton, Gwen Harwood, Shirley Hazzard, David Malouf, Les Murray, Thomas Shapcott, R.A. Simpson and Judith Wright. Also included in the collection is research material for a number of McDonald's literary projects, business papers, papers relating to his work as literary editor for University of Queensland Press, photographs and newspaper clippings (67 boxes, 1 phase box, 1 fol. roll).

Conditions Governing Access

Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2623912).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Roger McDonald, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file number]'.

Provenance Note

The papers of Roger McDonald have been purchased by the Library in a number of instalments during the period October 1976 to May 1996. Further papers were added in 2011.

Finding Aid Source

Please note: This finding aid may comprise or contain descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.

Collection Retrieval Advice

Please note: each consignment in this collection has a separate box number sequence (i.e. there are multiple Box 1's). Please cite the relevant Class number as well as the Box number when requesting retrieval of material from the collection.

Biographical Note

Roger Hugh McDonald is an author, poet, screenplay writer, literary editor and literary reviewer. Born in Young, New South Wales on 23 June 1941, he married the poet Rhyll McMaster in 1967 and they have three children.

McDonald was educated at Temora and Bourke primary schools and The Scots College, Bellevue Hill, Sydney. He completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Diploma of Education at Sydney University in 1962. In 1970, McDonald completed a course in 'Indonesian Elementary Special' from the University of Queensland, Institute of Modern Languages.

After completing his degree, McDonald worked as a teacher with the New South Wales Education Department, before joining the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), where he trained as a producer and director of schools' radio and television. He went on to direct television, including studio, outside broadcast and film programmes with ABC Education in Hobart and Brisbane.

McDonald joined the University of Queensland Press in Brisbane in 1969 as poetry editor, a position he held until 1976. During his time there he was responsible for the Paperback Poets series. In 1977 he moved to Canberra in order take up writing full-time, but continued as part-time poetry editor until the early 1980s.

McDonald moved to a farm near Braidwood, NSW in 1981.

McDonald's first book, Citizens of mist - a collection of his poetry - was published in 1968. Since then, he has gone on to publish a number of works in a variety of genres including both fiction and non-fiction, poetry and short stories, as well as writing scripts for television mini-series and documentaries. Although the genres are varied, his works reflect his love of Australia, depicting as they do various aspects of Australian life, culture and history.

During the course of his career, McDonald has received a number of grants and fellowships from the Literature Board of the Australia Council. These have helped him to pursue his career as a full-time writer.

Item Descriptions

Class MS 5612. Original Consignments

Series 1. Correspondence, 1963-92

During the course of his career, McDonald has corresponded with many other writers. The correspondents in this series include Murray Bail, Bruce Beaver, Gary Catalano, Iain Crichton Smith, Bruce Dawe, Geoffrey Dutton, Jamie Grant, Gwen Harwood, Shirley Hazzard, David Malouf, Les Murray, Geoff Page, Peter Porter, Judith Rodriguez, Thomas Shapcott, R.A. Simpson, Ray Smith, Mark Strand, Andrew Taylor, Robin Thurston and Judith Wright. There are also a number of letters from McDonald's mother, the historian Lorna McDonald.

Also included is correspondence with Frank Thompson, manager and publisher of University of Queensland Press in 1958-83, who was an influential figure in McDonald's life.

Indexed personal and business correspondence, 1965-76 (File 1-4)

Correspondents include Murray Bail, Bruce Beaver, Bruce Dawe, Gwen Harwood, David Malouf, Les Murray, Geoff Page, Peter Porter, Thomas Shapcott, John Tranter, Robin Thurston and Judith Wright. (McDonald's index to this correspondence is found in File 1)

Correspondence, 1968-71 (File 5)

Correspondents include John Gleeson (ABC), Neil McPherson, Frank Thompson (UQP) and Michael Wilding (University of Sydney).

Correspondence, mostly from McDonald's mother, 1963-75 (File 6)
Letter from David Malouf, 1991 (File 7)
Miscellaneous correspondence, 1973-92 (File 8)

Correspondents include Geoffrey Dutton, Geoff Page, Judith Rodriguez and Thomas Shapcott.

Correspondence with Barbara Blackman and Scottish poet Iain Crichton Smith, 1976-77 and 1980-91 (File 9)
Correspondence with poet Gary Catalono, 1977-86 (File 10-11)
Correspondence with Jamie Grant, 1976-84 (File 12)
Correspondence with Gwen Harwood, 1976-77 (File 12)
Correspondence with Shirley Hazzard, 1984 (File 12)
Correspondence with poet R.A. Simpson, 1977-84 (File 13)
Correspondence with Canadian writer Ray Smith, 1986-87 (File 13)
Correspondence with American poet Mark Strand, 1977-79 (File 14)
Correspondence with Andrew Taylor, 1977-81 (File 14)
Correspondence with Judith Wright, 1977-82 (File 15)
Correspondence with Frank W. Thompson, 1984 (File 15)

Series 1. Business papers, 1964-92

This series comprises general business papers, mostly relating to McDonald's work as an author. They include correspondence with publishers and with the Literature Board of the Australia Council relating to applications for various grants and diaries and notes kept while on official overseas visits.

Correspondence with publishers, mostly relating to McDonald's poetry, 1964-75 (File 1)
General correspondence relating to employment, 1966-69 (File 2)
Application for an Australian Council for the Arts, Literature Board Grant, 1975 (File 3)
General correspondence, including with University of Queensland Press and the National Book Council, 1990-91 (File 4)
General correspondence, including with the Australia Council, Rosemary Creswell, Fremantle Arts Centre, Geelong College, Pan MacMillan Publishing, University of New South Wales and University of Queensland Press, 1975-92 (File 5)
Diary notes of a trip to Malaysia as a visiting writer, 1973 (File 6)
Correspondence with Craig Munro, University of Queensland Press, 1977-79 (File 7)
Correspondence relating to overseas literary agents, 1981-87 (File 8)
Correspondence with William Collins (Fontana) regarding paperback editions of 1915: a novel and Melba, the novel, 1983-87 (File 9)
Correspondence with Faber and Faber regarding the UK publication of 1915: a novel and Slipstream, 1982-84 (File 10)
Correspondence, papers and diary relating to McDonald's 1982 visit to Canada as winner of the Australia/Canada award, 1981-85 (File 11-12)
Royalty statements, 1980-90 (File 13)
Correspondence and papers relating to applications made by McDonald for grants from the Literature Board of the Australia Council, 1975-91 (File 14)
Correspondence, papers and diary relating to a trip to Europe to attend an International Conference on Australian Literature in Berne, Switzerland, 1984-85 (File 15)

McDonald received a grant from the Literature Board of the Australia Council for the trip.

Series 3. Editorial work and reader's reports, 1967-93

McDonald was poetry editor for University of Queensland Press from 1969 to 1976 while living in Brisbane, and part-time poetry editor from 1977 to the early 1980s while living in Canberra. The bulk of this series comprises editorial correspondence and reader's reports relating to McDonald's work for University of Queensland Press. There are also reader's reports written by McDonald after this time, for Allen and Unwin.

Reader's reports and correspondence with University of Queensland Press and ANU Press, 1977-84 (File 1)

Included are reports on books by Jessica Anderson, Julian Croft, T.M. Couper and Philip Martin.

Correspondence, 1969-78 (File 2)

Included is correspondence relating to the start of the University of Queensland Press paperback poets anthology series, part one of which was edited by McDonald. There is also correspondence with Tom Keneally, Richard Packer, Grace Perry and Richard Walsh.

Correspondence with prison poet Robin Thurston (Believed dangerous, University of Queensland Press, 1975), 1976 (File 3)

'Enid' was a prisons visitor who took up Thurston's case. Correspondence and editing material relating to John Manifold's poetry collection, 1976-77

Correspondence with Bruce Beaver regarding the editing of his book of prose As it was (University of Queensland Press, 1979), 1977-79 (File 4)

Papers, 1976-79, regarding the editing of a Peter Kocan manuscript which eventually became The Treatment (Angus and Robertson, 1980) and The cure (Angus and Robertson, 1983)

Correspondence with Tom Shapcott regarding the editing of his book Selected poems, 1956-88 (University of Queensland Press, 1989), 1977-85 (File 5-6)
Correspondence with Rodney Hall regarding editing of his book Black Bagatelles (University of Queensland Press, 1978), 1977-78 (File 7)

Correspondence regarding the editing of a collection of Michael Dransfield's work, 1977-78

Correspondence and notes relating to Geoffrey Lehmann's writing, 1977 (File 8)

Correspondence regarding a proposed book by Judith Rodriguez, 1977

Correspondence regarding editing of work by Alan Gould, 1977 (File 9)
Correspondence regarding editing of work by Robert Gray, 1977-78 (File 10)

Correspondence, 1977-78, with Kevin Gilbert regarding editing of his book People are legends: aboriginal poems (University of Queensland Press, 1978)

Correspondence and papers relating to Seven Russian poets (University of Queensland Press, 1979) edited by Rosemary Dobson and David Campbell, 1979 (File 11)

Reader's report on an unpublished book by Maurilia Meehan entitled 'Shincracker', 1987

Reader's reports for Allen and Unwin, 1990 (File 12-13)

Included are reports for works by Lissa Benyon, Scott Bernard, Bob Brissenden, C. Inglis, Jeri Kroll and Renata Yates

Reader's report for James Scott's manuscript (medical student who was lost in Nepal), 1993 (File 14)

Reader's report on a book by Gabrielle Carey entitled 'Village of Veracruzana', 1993. Reader's reports for works by Kate Grenville and Sue Woolfe, David Dabydeen, Garry Disher and Gail Morgan, n.d.

Series 4. Citizens of mist, 1967

McDonald's first book of poetry, Citizens of mist, was published by University of Queensland Press, Brisbane in 1968. This series consists of drafts of poems for the book.

Series 5. 1915: a novel, 1975-88

McDonald's first book of prose, a semi-historical work entitled 1915: a novel, was published by University of Queensland Press, Brisbane in 1979. The book received much acclaim, winning the The Age Book of the Year Award and the South Australian Government Biennial Literature Prize. This series comprises manuscripts and typescripts, research notes, correspondence, publicity material and photographs relating to the book.

McDonald scripted a television mini-series based on the book for ABC-TV, which was released in 1982. Also included in this series is correspondence relating to the development of the series, contracts and a copy of the script.

Manuscripts and typescripts (File 1-27)

Included are bound notebooks, an early draft (100,000 words), 2nd draft (150,000 words), corrected typescript and 'final' typescript with revisions.

Research notes (File 28-37)
Correspondence relating to 1915: a novel, 1975-79 (File 38-39)

Included are research enquiries, correspondence with publishers, launch arrangements and letters of congratulation about the book.

Corrected manuscripts of two short stories which were later incorporated into the book: 'The scaffold', published in the National Times, and 'Pigs run', published in Makar: magazine of new writing, 1976 (File 40-42)

Also included is correspondence with the National Times

Photographs and publicity material (File 43)
Typescripts and page and galley proofs (File 44-51)
Typescripts and page and galley proofs (File [folio])
Earliest versions of ideas that led to the book, 1975-76 (File 52)
Letters of congratulation about the book, advertisements for the television series and photographs from the launch of the book in Canberra, 24 April 1979 (File 53)
Newspapers clippings and reviews of the book, 1979-87 (File 54-58)
Reviews of the television series, 1982 (File 59-60)
Correspondence, mostly with University of Queensland Press, regarding royalty payments, reprints of the book and the paperback edition of the book, 1980-88 (File 61)
Papers relating to an earlier abortive attempt to make a television series of the book, 1980 (File 62-64)

They include correspondence with various film companies, research notes, typescripts and a copy of the series treatment by McDonald and Ian Hart.

Papers relating to the ABC-TV mini-series, 1980-88 (File 64-66)

They include a copy of the contract and correspondence with the ABC, the Australian Film Commission, University of Queensland Press and William Collins.

ABC-TV script, 1981 (File 67)
Miscellaneous correspondence. Correspondents include George Braziller (US publisher), Geoffrey Dutton and University of Queensland Press, 1978-83 (File 68)
Correspondence, 1980-82, relating to the Swedish translation of the book and its publication by Forum, Stockholm in 1982, 1982 (File 69)

Research notes, 1976-77

Copies of two addresses given by McDonald on 'Sources of 1915: a novel': for a history seminar at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1982 and one at a conference in Switzerland in 1984 (File 70)

Series 6. Slipstream, 1981-89

McDonald's novel about aviation, Slipstream, was published by University of Queensland Press, Brisbane in 1982. The papers in this series include notebooks, typescripts, correspondence, reviews and photographs relating to the novel.

6 volumes of notebooks (File 1-2)

Notebook A contains background notes; B-C the first draft; D-E a redraft; F completely redrafted version.

Rejected typescript pages (File 3-4)
First typescript, with corrections (File 5)
First typescript with Geoffrey Lehmann's comments (File 6)
Versions of chapter 13 (File 7)
Photocopies of final typescript version, with corrections (File 8-9)
Final typescript version used by University of Queensland Press for typesetters (File 10)
Deletions (File 11)
Galley proofs (File 12)
Extract from Slipstream, which appeared in the National Times, Dec-Jan 1982 (File 13)
Correspondence, 1982-84 (File 14)

Correspondents include Elizabeth Riddell and University of New South Wales.

Reviews and press advertisements, 1981-83 (File 15-16)
Editorial correspondence and contractual dealings with University of Queensland Press, 1981-86 (File 17-18)
Correspondence with Little, Brown and Company regarding the American edition of the novel, 1982-83 (File 19)
Personal correspondence with novelist James Morgan, 1980-89 (File 20)

Morgan was the basis of the character Leonard Baxter in the novel.

Launch photographs, 1982 (File 21)

The novel was launched by Frank Moorhouse at the University Co-Op Bookshop, Canberra in 1982.

Series 7. Yacker 2: Australian writers talk about their work, 1986

An interview with McDonald was included in Candida Baker's book Yacker 2: Australian writers talk about their work, published by Pan MacMillan, Sydney in 1987. This series contains transcripts, with deletions and alterations, of McDonald's interview for the book.

Comprises 1 file.

Series 8. Mike Willesee's Australians, 1986-89

In 1986 McDonald was approached by Roadshow, Coote and Carroll to write one of the episodes for a thirteen-part drama anthology series for the Australian Bicentennial, called Michael Willesee's Australians. 'Simpson and his donkey' was McDonald's contribution to the series. McDonald went on to compile a book of the series entitled Michael Willesee's Australians, which was published by Bantam Books, Sydney in 1988. This series comprises research notes, typescripts of the screenplay and correspondence, mainly with Roadshow, Coote and Carroll regarding McDonald's involvement in the project.

Typescript of McDonald's chapter for the book of the series (File 1)
Research notes (File 2-3)
Notecards (File 4)
Working drafts of the screenplay (File 5)
Typescript of 2nd draft of screenplay (File 6-8)
Typescript of 3rd draft of screenplay (File 9)
Typescript of final draft of screenplay (File 10-11)
Correspondence, mainly regarding a dispute with Roadshow, Coote and Carroll over outstanding royalty payments, 1988-89 (File 12-13)

Newspaper clippings about the book, 1989

Correspondence, 1986-87 (File 14)

Correspondents include Hilary Linstead and Associates and Roadshow, Coote and Carroll.

Series 9. Melba, 1983-88

With Sue Masters, McDonald co-wrote the script for a 4-part television mini-series on the life of Nellie Melba entitled Melba. The series, which screened in 1988, was based on the book Melba: a biography, written by John Hetherington. It was directed by Rodney Fisher and produced by Errol Sullivan for CB Films. Following on from his research for the television mini-series, McDonald also wrote a book entitled Melba, the novel, which was published by William Collins, Sydney in 1988.

The papers in this series include research notes, drafts of the script and the book, newspaper clippings and correspondence with CB Films and publishers. Also included is correspondence with Pamela Vestey, Nellie Melba's granddaughter.

Photocopies of music, articles and newspaper clippings relating to Nellie Melba (File 1-5)
Notecards and research notes (File 6-9)
3-part outline of the series, 1984 (File 10-12)
Miscellaneous edited manuscripts and typescripts for the mini-series (File 13-14)
Various draft versions of part 1 of the series, 1985 (File 15-24)
Various draft versions of part 2 of the series, 1985-86 (File 25-34)
Various draft versions of part 3 of the series, 1986 (File 35-45)
Various draft versions of part 4 of the series, 1986 (File 46-51)
Typescripts of the book (File 52-55)
Galley proofs of part 1 of the book (File 56)
4 VHS tapes, one for each part of the mini-series (File 57)
1 audio tape of Rodney Fisher's comments for part 4 of the mini-series. 1 copy of the book Melba, the novel (File 58)
Newspaper clippings relating to the television mini-series, 1988 (File 59)
Correspondence, financial records and research notes relating to the television series, 1983-88 (File 60)

orrespondents included Holding Redich & Co. (solicitors), Errol Sullivan and Pamela Vestey.

2 notebooks of research notes (File 61)
Notebook containing manuscript of the book, 1985 (File 62)
Correspondence regarding the American edition of the book, 1988 (File 63)

Series 10. Rough wallaby, 1989-1992

McDonald's novel about horse racing, Rough wallaby, was published by Bantam Books, Sydney in 1989. In 1990 he wrote a screenplay adaptation of the novel for Southern Star Sullivan Films, but the film was never produced. This series consists of drafts of the novel, research papers and correspondence with publishers and with the Canadian author Jack Hodgins.

Typescripts of versions 1, 2 and 4 of the novel (File 1-3)
Typescript, with major revisions, after comments by Jack Hodgins (File 4)
Typescript read by Jacqueline Kent (Transworld Publishers) (File 5)
Typescript of later revisions of the novel, following comments by Sally McInerny (File 6)
Sub-final typescript (File 7)
Final draft, edited by Jacqueline Kent (File 8)
Page proofs, 1989 (File 9)
Cuttings used for horse racing research (File 10)
Correspondence, editing notes and contractual papers, 1988-90 (File 11)

Correspondents include Transworld Publishers and Pan Books.

Correspondence with Jack Hodgins, 1989 (File 12)
Copy edited version of the novel, 1989 (File 13)
Typescript of McDonald's screenplay adaptation of the novel, 1992 (File 14)
Book cover and press advertisement for the book (File 15)

A copy of the 1963 novel The spurs are rusty by R.H Conquest, which contains a reference to the term 'rough wallaby'.

Series 11. Gone bush, 1988-90

McDonald edited a collection of stories by twelve Australian authors, who were asked to write on a part of Australia that held a special meaning for them. Entitled Gone bush: Australian writers take a walk, the book was published by Bantam Books, Sydney in 1990. Apart from McDonald, contributors to the book were Jack Davis, Geoffrey Dutton, Helen Garner, Elizabeth Jolley, Frank Moorhouse, Les Murray, Mudrooroo Narogin, Bruce Pascoe, Barney Roberts, Sue Woolfe and Judith Wright.

The papers in this series include correspondence with contributing authors, drafts of some contributions and reviews of the book.

Summary of a proposed ABC-TV documentary based on the book, 1991 (File 1)
Correspondence, mainly with contributing authors, 1988-89 (File 2-3)

Included are biographical details and drafts of some of the contributions.

Typescripts of McDonald's chapter for the book and his 'Editor's introduction' (File 4)
Proof of the cover for the book, 1990 (File 5)

Reviews

Series 12. Shearers' motel, 1989-93

In 1989 McDonald worked as a shearers' cook for a team of New Zealand shearers, travelling through New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. In 1990, he undertook a six-week outback trip with Canadian author Jack Hodgins, during which he interviewed many of the people he had worked with the previous year. McDonald recounted his experiences as a shearers' cook in his book Shearers' motel, published by Pan Macmillan, Sydney in 1992. This book was awarded the CUB Banjo Award for non-fiction in 1993. McDonald also wrote the television adaptation of the book for ABC-TV, entitled Cross turning over, which was screened in 1996.

The papers in this series include research material, notebooks, transcripts of interviews, audio tapes of the book, reviews, photographs and correspondence, mainly with Hodgins.

Jack Hodgins published a non-fiction book based on his trip with McDonald. Entitled Over forty in Broken Hill, it was published by University of Queensland Press in 1992. Included in this series are reviews and a copy of the book.

Early typescript of cooking chapter, 1989 (File 1)
Early drafts, 1991-92 (File 2-4)
Sub-final draft, 1992 (File 5)
Typescript incorporating comments made by Sally McInerney (File 6)
Typescript with alterations made after editorial discussions with Jane Palfreyman (Pan MacMillan), 1992 (File 7)
Final draft: includes notes and comments by Rhyll McMaster, 1992 (File 8)
Typescript, edited by Jane Palfreyman (File 9)
Page proofs incorporating author's and proof readers' comments and corrections (File 10-11)
Research material, comprising maps, newspaper articles and two notebooks of McDonald's 1990 trip with Jack Hodgins (File 12)
Photographs taken by McDonald while working as a shearers' cook (File 13-14)

Also included are publicity photographs of McDonald taken by Virginia Wallace-Crabbe.

Publicity material (File 15)

Included are a booklet of extracts from the book, a pre-publication copy of the book and a poster.

Typescript of an article McDonald wrote about New Zealand shearers for The Independent Monthly, November 1990 (File 16)

This article was used as the basis for 'A Kiwi shed', an ABC-TV documentary scripted by McDonald for the program A big country in 1991. Extracts from the article were also incorporated into the book.

Transcript of a 1990 interview McDonald recorded with Paul and Marlene Rowe (Davo and Barbara in the book), 1990 (File 17)
Transcript of a 1991 interview McDonald recorded with Susie McIlveen, elements of whose character are incorporated into the cook Hazel in the book (File 18)
Miscellaneous material (File 19)

Included are McDonald's Australian Workers' Union membership ticket, Pastoral Award pay rates, a notebook of recipes and menus and a notebook containing interviews, some of which were incorporated into the book.

Correspondence, 1990-93 (File 20)

Correspondents include Jack Hodgins, Robin Lucas, the National Book Council and Tim Winton.

Typescript of a chapter entitled 'Good Places', which was dropped from early drafts of the book (File 21)
Third draft and final draft of Cross Turning Over (File 22)
Typescript of a talk given by McDonald at New Edition Bookshop in 1992 entitled 'The story of Rosie', 1992 (File 23)

A sequel to events in the book, it relates to the death of Erina Scia Scia, who was killed by her boyfriend in 1992. The character 'Rosie' in the book was based in Erina.

A copy of the speech by Eric Rolls at the launch of the book at the Brisbane Warana Writers' Festival., 1992 (File 24)

Reviews of the book

7 audio tapes of the book, narrated by Bill Conn for the Royal Blind Society, 1993 (File 25)
Photographs taken by McDonald in 1989, while working as a shearers' cook, and while on his 1990 trip with Jack Hodgins, 1989-1990 (File 26)
A copy of Jack Hodgin's Over forty in Broken Hill and a review of the book (File 27)

Series 13. Water man, 1989-93

A 1989 article in The New Yorker about water divining was the inspiration for McDonald's novel Water Man, which was published by Picador, Sydney in 1993.This series consists mainly of drafts of the novel.

Copy of the The New Yorker article (File 1)

McDonald has marked the passages used.

Early drafts of the novel 'Shelter', which later became Water man, 1990 (File 2-3)
Early drafts and notes for the final part of the novel, 1992 (File 4)
Typescript, 1992 (File 5)
Sub-final draft, 1992-93 (File 6)
Final draft, 1993 (File 7)
Edited typescript from Pan Macmillan, 1993 (File 8)
Reviews, 1993 (File 9)

Series 14. Australia's flying doctors: the Royal Flying Doctor service of Australia, 1993-94

In 1993 McDonald undertook several trips with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. These trips were the basis for his book Australia's flying doctors: the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, which was published by Pan Macmillan, Sydney in 1994. McDonald wrote the text, and the photographs were taken by Richard Woldendorp.

This small series consists of journals kept by McDonald of his trips, a journal article by McDonald about the Royal Flying Doctors and correspondence with the Royal Flying Doctor Service regarding a reader's complaint about the book.

Correspondence regarding a reader's complaint, 1994 (File 1)
Trip journals, 1993 (File 2)
A copy of the journal Good Weekend, September 1994, containing an article by McDonald, 1994 (File 3)

Series 15. Men love sex, 1995

McDonald contributed a story entitled 'Surrender' for a collection of short stories entitled Men love sex, edited by Alan Close and published by Vintage, Sydney in 1995. This series consists of typescripts of McDonald's contribution to the collection (1 file).

Series 16. To the islands, 1990

In 1990 McDonald prepared a film treatment of Randolph Stow's 1958 book To the islands for Titus Films. This series comprises research notes, typescript of McDonald's film treatment and correspondence relating to the project.

Research notes, 1990 (File 1)

Typescript of the film treatment

Correspondence with Titus Films and the Australian Film Commission, 1990 (File 2)
Application for funding submitted to the Australian Film Commission by Titus Films, 1990 (File 3)

Series 17. Australian Broadcasting Commission, 1967-73

In the 1960s McDonald joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), where he trained as a producer and director of schools' radio and television. He directed television, including studio, outside broadcast and film programs for ABC Education.

This series consists of drafts of scripts written by McDonald and correspondence relating to his work for the ABC.

Correspondence with the ABC regarding material McDonald scripted for ABC programs, 1967-76 (File 1)
Scripts written by McDonald for ABC broadcasts on poets, 1969-73 (File 2-3)
Drafts of McDonald's script and transcript of an interview with Gwen Harwood for an ABC program 'Meet the writer Gwen Harwood', 1968 (File 4-5)

Series 18. Drafts of McDonald's poetry, 1961-78

Poetry was the genre in which McDonald first established a reputation for himself, with his first two published books being collections of poetry. As well as this, he has had a number of his poems published in newspapers and journals and was poetry editor for University of Queensland Press for a number of years.

This series contains a large collection of drafts of poems by McDonald, mostly undated and many never published.

Early drafts, 1961-68 (File 1-5)
Drafts, late 1960s to early 1970s (File 6-12)
Drafts, 1970-76 (File 13-16)
Drafts, 1975-78 (File 17)
Unpublished poems, early 1970s (File 18)
Drafts, late 1970s (File 19)

Series 19. Drafts of McDonald's unpublished books and short stories, 1982-94

This series consists of drafts of unpublished books and short stories by McDonald.

Drafts of two stories, 1990 (File 1)
Notebooks containing drafts of unpublished books, 1980s (File 2-3)
Typescript for a work entitled 'Ballad novel', 1980 (File 4)
Outline for a book entitled 'Country blood', 1977 (File 4)
Outline for a book entitled 'Southern tooth', 1992 (File 5)
Drafts of an untitled book, 1982-83 (File 6-8)
Drafts of five stories, 1990-94 (File 9-11)

Series 20. Other writings by McDonald, 1962-94

As well as his published books, McDonald has had poetry, literary reviews and short stories published in a number of newspapers, journals and magazines. He has also written several screenplays and has appeared as a guest speaker at literary events.

This series comprises drafts of McDonald's writings and copies of newspapers, journals and magazines containing items written by him.

Newspaper clippings containing items written by McDonald, 1962-75 (File 1)
Drafts of reviews by McDonald and correspondence with literary editors of The Age, Allen & Unwin, Australian Book Review, Makar Press and The National Times, 1976-85 (File 2)
McDonald's proposal for the remake of the movie of Jon Cleary's book The Sundowners, prepared for CB Films, 1987 (File 3)
Copies of MDH magazine containing articles written by McDonald while acting editor, May-June 1991 (File 3)
Drafts of reviews of two books by Tom Cole, 1992 (File 4)
Proposals for television mini-series: 'Jackaroo', 1992 (File 5)
'Top end war', 1988 (File 5)
'Battle of Dien Bien Phu', 1989 (File 5)
Notes and drafts of speeches: The launch of Alan Gould's Momentum, 1992 (File 6)
'Restless writers', Brisbane Writers' Festival, 1992 (File 6)
'The use of myth in literature', Melbourne Writers' Festival, 1993 (File 6)
Typescripts of 'Super tree' and 'For life', tributes to McDonald's friend Wilf Crane, 1992 (File 7)
Transcript of an interview with Tom Wyatt and draft of an article about him, 1992 (File 8)
Typescript of an autobiographical essay 'The burnt-out chimneyplace', 1993 (File 9)
Copies of the Times Literary Supplement, National Times, and Nation Review (1976), and Quadrant and Good Weekend (1994) containing items written by McDonald, 1976 and 1994 (File 10)

Series 21. Scrapbooks and newspaper clippings, 1963-1975

McDonald compiled a collection of newspaper and magazine items, mostly works of other poets, which are contained in this series.

Scrapbooks, 1968-69 (File 1-2)
Newspaper clippings of poetry, 1965-75 (File 3)
Newspaper clippings of news items, 1963-74 (File 4)

Series 22. Personal papers, 1954-88

Personal papers and memorabilia accumulated by McDonald are contained in this series. They include McDonald's maternal family tree, school and university papers, travel diaries and newspaper clippings.

School and University essays and exam papers, 1954-69 (File 1-3)
Miscellaneous memorabilia. Included are tourist brochures, church newsletters, newspaper clippings, theatre programs and correspondence and cards from family, 1959-75 (File 4-5)
McDonald's maternal family tree (File 6)
Travel diaries, European trip, 1971-72 (File 7)
Diary kept by McDonald while learning to fly, 1978-80 (File 8)
Travel diary and notes of a trip to the Kimberleys, 1988 (File 9)
Miscellaneous papers (File 10)

Included are a statement of McDonald's University results (1962), international driver's licence, program for the 1991 New South Wales State Literary Awards and newspaper clippings.

Series 23. Miscellaneous photographs, 1970s-1990

This series comprises mainly black and white publicity photographs of McDonald.

Black and white publicity photographs of McDonald, 1979-90 (File 1)
Proof sheet of photographs taken of McDonald at 'Jinglemoney', Braidwood in 1981, and two photographs of Judith Wright taken by McDonald in the 1970s (File 2)

Series 24. Miscellaneous papers, 1956-93

A miscellaneous collection of papers accumulated by McDonald are contained in this series.

Papers from the 1973 Hari Sastra Literature Congress in Sabah, which McDonald attended as an official Australian representative, 1973 (File 1-2)
Miscellaneous papers (File 3)

Included are copies of various journals (1956-69), papers from a conference on Teaching of Australian Literature (1971) and entry forms for various literary competitions.

McDonald's notes as a judge for the 1987 and 1992 Vogel Awards (File 4)
VHS video recording of an interview with McDonald conducted by Peter Ross for Book chat, 1993 (File 5)
Papers relating to an accusation of plagiarism against McDonald made by Gerard Lee, 1976 (File 6)
Correspondence and papers relating to trip to Europe to attend a conference on Australian literature, 1984-85 (File 7)
Judges notes relating to 1987 and 1992 Vogel awards, 1987; 1992 (File 8)
VHS recording of interview by Peter Ross, 1993 (File 9)
Papers relating to plagrism, 1976 (File 10)

Class MS Acc11.031. Consignment added 2011

Treatment drafts for 'Rough Wallaby' screenplay 5 November 1994, developed with Robert Klenner. Did not go ahead (File A/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 1

Draft with revisions, screenplay for episode of 'Naked' 18 August 1994 (producer Jan Chapman) 1994. This is an adaptation of 'Shearers' Motel' (File A/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 1

Early 1990s. Sample chapters, 'The Lion Ant' (became Mr Darwin's Shooter') and a projected novel, 'Southern Ape'. Other writing evolved eventually into 'When Colts Ran'. Through many false turns (File A/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 1

Review by Roger McDonald of 'Darwin's Ghost' by Steve Jones (Washington Post, 6 May 2000) (File A/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 1

Various drafts of 'Darwin novel' May 1996 - was provisionally called 'Gim' at one stage (File A/5/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 1

As above, Nov 1996 (File A/5/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 1

As above, August 1996 (File A/5/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 1

As above, June 1996 (File A/5/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 1

Storyline for script development, 'The Slap' 29 August 1996 (File A/6) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

'Rough Wallaby' (draft) screenplay, 1996 (File A/7) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

'Naked' near final draft with notes. See A/2, A/13 and B/11 (File A/8) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

Story of Rosie' follow-up to 'Shearers' Motel' (published in Antipodes, USA) (File A/9) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

Draft, typescript, and final publication of Good Weekend SMH article on men friends August 1997 (File A/10) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

Bookshop poster for 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' 1998 (File A/11) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

'Water Man' film treatment 1996 (File A/12/B) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

'The Slap' film treatment, 1996 (File A/12/A) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

'Naked', publicist's release 1995. See A/2 and B/11 (File A/13) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

Background note to 'The Slap' (File A/14) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

There is no A/15 (amalgamated) (File A/15) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

Poster, 1999 NSW Premier's Literary Awards, Fiction Award, 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (File A/16) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 2

Draft compilation of tree essays and stories called here 'With Men'; evolved into 'The Tree in Changing Light', with several long stories left over and either never published or published individually in magazines. Then brought in to the first drafts of 'When Colts Ran', and amalgamated there (File B/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Story, 'Normie's Father' by RMcD, 'Monthly' magazine, September 2005 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Another version of the same compilation, called 'Wild Man in Landscape', 7 August 2000 (File B/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Further version of same, titled 'Planting Out'. (File B/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Article by RMcD, 'Face to Face Justice', Good Weekend, SMH, 18 May 1996 (Restorative justice in NZ) (File B/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Corrections interview with Heather Rusden, NLA 1998 (File B/5) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

'Where novels come from' draft introduction to 2009 revised edition of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (took a different line in final) (File B/6) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Document headed 'Pages 32-34 'Mr Darwin's Shooter'' - these pages list the changes to 200th Darwin anniversary edition of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter', 2009. (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Article by RMcD for ACT Writers' Centre Newsletter (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Draft for 'Booktopia' blog, 'Ten terrifying Questions' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

'Treatment' of 'When Colts Ran', written by RMcD, to get the action of the novel clear in his head. Draft and 'final' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

'The Australians': an abortive Bicentennial documentary series, 1998. The American-inspired project broke off with RMcD. The series never happened. (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Talk given at Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, 21 May 2009 (adjunct to Sydney Writers' Festival) - 2 x working copies (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

'The Kendall Chronicle', 22 May 2009, RMcD guest Watermark Festival (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Watermark programme (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Letter from Geoff Page 18 May 2009, with questions for RMcD manuscript read-through of Geoff's ms '1953' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

RMcD response to Geoff's ms, email date 26 May 2009 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Drafts and final (the Australian Literary Review, August 2009) of review by RMcD, 'The Ghost at the Wedding' by Shirley Walker (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Various drafts of talks and articles, Ockham's Razor 17 Feb 1999, 'A Character from the Margins', to the Ian Potter Museum, 25 August 2008 (for RMcD chapter in 'Reframing Darwin: Evolution and Art in Australia', Miegunyah Press, Melbourne, 2009), 'Fictional truth? It's just common sense'. The Age 2 September, 2006 (see clipping from Age, C/1) and 'Writing 'Mr Darwin's Shooter'' for 2009 new edition of the novel (Random House Australia) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Australian Humanities Review article, 1998, 'Evolution of a Novel' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Andrew Antoniou catalogue, Introduction by RMcD (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Review of 'The Ballad of Desmond Kale' by the late R.G. Hay. "Idiom 23" magazine, Central Queensland University, 2006 or 2007? (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Review 'Darker Hearts' by RMcD in Australian Literary Review Dec 1997-January 1998, plus background notes (exercise book). Review of 'Exterminate all the Brutes' by Sven Lindqvist, 'Bringing Them Home' (report) Commonwealth of Australia, 'Reflections on the Politics of Remembering and Forgetting', Colin Tatz (File B/8) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Book review by RMcD, Tim Flannery 'An Explorer's Notebook', the Australian Literary Review', 6 February 2008. With critical letter from Dr David Smith and RMcD's reply (photocopy), plus material from Dr David Smith (File B/9) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Drafts March 1998 of review by RMcD, 'Invisible Men', for the Australian Literary Review, May 1998, with response by David Tacey. Review of 'Secret Men's Business' by John Marsden, 'Remaking Men' by David Tacey, 'Junk Male' by John Webb, 'Fathers in Writing', ed. Ross Fitzgerald and Ken Spillman (File B/10) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Television script by RMcD, 'Cross Turning Over', for ABC-TV series 'Naked', third draft with alterations, March 1995. Graeme Blundell played the RMcD character. Directed by Robert Klenner. (See A/2, A/13, B/11) (File B/11) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Fragments of ms draft 'Australia's Flying Doctors', Pan Macmillan, Sydney, 1994, text by RMcD, photographs by Richard Woldendorp, 1994. (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 3

Drafts of a story, 'Family Radio', published in anthology 'Siblings', Allen and Unwin, 2009 (File C/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Article (clipping) by RMcD, 'Fictional truth? It's just common sense'. The Age 2 September, 2006 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Drafts and final of talk, 'The Turkish Cap', given to Braidwood Historical Society 25 July 2008 (File C/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Drafts and final of review for Australian Literary Review (ALR) of Denis Macintosh shearing memoir, 'Beaten by a Blow' (Penguin, 2008) (File C/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Drafts 'Wilderness Landscapes' (published title, 'Australia's Wild Places', National Library of Australia), with some ms comments by Bette Mifsud, photographer (File C/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Drafts, review of Tim Flannery, 'An Explorer's Notebook' 2008 (published in the Australian) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Photocopies of obituaries, Duncan McDonald (RMcD's father's cousin) and H.A. McDonald (RMcD's grandfather) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Final draft, 'The Bottle', published in the Bulletin, final issue, 16 November 2007 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Drafts of article for the 'Australian Author' on writing, 'The Song of the Pen', 2007 (File C/5) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Some Darwin's Shooter background, and Notes on an interview with Michael Deutsch, holocaust survivor, for SMH article in 1990s, MD died 1 December 2010. MD was Cantor at Temple Emanuel, Woollahra (File C/6) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Taped interview of RMcD by Linda Skates, ABC Radio National 1 April 1999 (File C/7) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from US paperback publishers (Penguin) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Clippings (photocopies) NZ reviews, 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Victorian Premier's Literary Award, 1999 (RMcD absent in USA, Rose Creswell, RMcD's agent, accepted the award on his behalf). (2 photos: one is Linda Funnell, Random House, the other is Rose - each with unknown person) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

'Age' interview of RMcD by Jason Steger (includes ref to 'To the Night Sky', later abandoned) 16 October 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Article by Lesley Walter on RMcD in NSW Society of Women Writers newsletter, October 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

NZ Sunday Star Times, review of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' by Paul Freedman 18 April 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

'Evolution of an Aussie' article about RMcD by Margie Thomson 'Weekend Herald', 17-18 April 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Dr John Ludbrook 28 December 2000 regarding factual error in 'Mr Darwin's Shooter'. RMcD's note: 'I was able to correct this error in 2009 with Darwin Bicentennial reprint of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter'.' Paper enclosed by Dr Ludbrook (written by A.C. McCarty) clarifies (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Robert Stemp, reader of 'The Tree in Changing Light' 10 October 2001 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Trevor Shearston re 'Tree in Changing Light' (dated Tuesday 23 [2001]) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Peter Rose 25 October 2001 re RMcD's letter to him about his memoir. (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from US ex-prisoner about 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter 11 August 2000 from Jim Morgan about our shared Libraries tour of Victoria (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Helen Ruby, reader, Toowoomba, 22 March 2000 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Jocelyn Wallerich, reader, Illinois, 12 June 2000 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from John Hooker re 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' 29 July 2000 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Covington descendant, Charlie Covington, 9 April 2001 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter and article from Elizabeth Stead (undated, 1999?) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Advertisement for US paperback edition of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter', New York Times Book Review, 20 February 2000 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from reader, Attunga, about 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Article by Jason Steger about RMcD and Melbourne Writers' Festival, The Age, 6 March 2000 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter about 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' from John Kerr, publisher, deceased, 23 December 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

NSW Premier's Literary Awards, 17 May 1999. Brochure/menu (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Article on NSW Premier's Award winner RMcD, 18 May 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Covington descendant, 14 June 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Rodney Hal about Mr Darwin's Shooter, 1 July 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Brian Turner re Mr Darwin's Shooter, 15 August 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Bob Carr re ad in New York, 4 August 1999. Plus the ad he refers to, New York Review of Books, 6/5/99 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Review of Mr Darwin's Shooter by Pearl Bowman, Antipodes, June 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Pearl Bowman, 8 June 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Card from Don Watson after he launched 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' at Sydney Writers' Festival, 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Letter from Pearl Bowman, 27 January 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Review (photocopy) of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' by Andrew O'Hehir, Washington Post, 28 February 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Review (clipping) of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter', by Walter Kirn, Time magazine, 1 March 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Other US reviews, faded fax copies, the 'original' photocopies are in another box (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

1999 Melbourne Writers' Festival participants (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 4

Wool proposal, 2000, and notes, ended as 'Wool: The Australian Story' photography by Richard Woldendorp, text by Roger McDonald. (File C/8) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

'Naked' booklet, see A/13 and B/11 (File C/9) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

'Mr Darwin's Shooter' Reviews and correspondence (File C/10) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

The Age (clipping) review by Jack Hibberd, 20 June 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Letter from Alan Gould, 9 June 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Review (clipping) by Andrew Riemer, SMH 23 May 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Review (clipping) by Brian Matthews, The Australian 30-31 May 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Review (clipping) by Stephen McInerney, Who magazine, 15 June 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Sydney Writers' Festival programme, 1998, RMcD participant (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Review (clipping) by James Bradley, The Australian's Review of Books, May (?) 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Interview (clipping) by Murray Waldren, The Australian 16-17 May 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Review (magazine) by Geoffrey Dutton, Australian Book Review, July 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Random House publicity poster, 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Letter from Tom Shapcott, 12 June 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Review (clipping) by Roger Hainsworth, The Adelaide Review, April 1999. (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Review (printout) by Michael Sims, The Weekly Wire, Nashville, 8 February 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Interview (clipping) by Angela Bennie, SMH 10 April 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Review (clipping) by Paul Quarrington, Toronto Globe and Mail, 13 March 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Two faded faxes, one from Tanja Graf regarding German trans of Mr D's S., other from Rose Creswell about performance of Mr D she missed (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Article (and photograph) about RMcD and Jonathan Besser performance at SWF, SMH 17 May 2000. See File D/17 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Article on IMAC prize, SMH, 25 November 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Articles by Gerard Henderson on 'Barry Humphries' Flashbacks', SMH 16 March 1999. Ref to RMcD. Then: a collection of photocopied reviews of the same title, Harper Collins, 1999, text by Roger McDonald (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Art Force magazine, ref to Mr D's Shooter promotion, Autumn 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

American reviews of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter', 1999 (letter plus reviews from Grove Atlantic publishers, New York) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Drafts of story, 'The Bullock Run', published in 'Manoa', Hawaii, then later won the O.Henry Prize and later recast and assimilated into 'When Colts Ran (File C/11) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

There is no C/12 (amalgamated) (File C/12) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Notes for speech, NLA National Treasures event at State Library of New South Wales (File C/13) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Spiral note book, notes for talk on 'The Ballad of Desmond Kale' and some draft earlier passages (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Notes for speech launching 'Luca Antara' by Martin Edmond at Glebe Books (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Letter from Mark Joffe re possible film of 'The Slap' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Faded fax from J. Galassi declining 'The Slap' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

File of letters from UK on 'The Tree in Changing Light' publishing prospects (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Letter from Alan Gould 28 May 1996 re 'The Slap' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

P/copy NZ review of 'Rough Wallaby' NZ Listener, 8 February 1996 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

Rough notes for talks about writing in general, and 'The Ballad of Desmond Kale', plus some background photocopies with notes (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 5

'The Slap' draft section 29 July 1994 (File D/1A) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 6

Notes taken at Bombala with Robert Campbell, 1994 (some became background to 'The Tree in Changing Light') - the tree notes are Robert's, and there is a chapter about him in that book. But really this was the take-off point for 'The Slap', location, and Robert telling RMcD the story of the man who blew up the police station (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 6

'The Slap' draft section 16 December 1994 (File D/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 6

'The Slap' draft section 12 January 1995 (File D/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 6

'The Slap' draft section 5 February 1995 (File D/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 6

'The Slap' draft section 13 February 1995 (File D/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 6

'The Slap' draft section 10 March 1994 (File D/5) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 6

Draft of 'The Slap' 11 July 1995 and revisions from 18 July onwards (File D/6) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 6

'The Slap Book 2 drafts 22 July 1995 to 20 August 1995 (File D/7) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 6

'The Slap' (called 'first draft revised') 5 November to 18 November 1995 (File D/8) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 7

Letter from Linda Kaye (NZ) about draft of 'The Slap' October 1995. Immensely useful letter, though whether RMcD took enough notice of it, he doubts. (File D/9) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 7

Editorial report on 'The Slap' (perhaps by Linda Funnell, but may have been an outside reader at Pan Macmillan). RMcD's handwritten arguments with the report are on pp 2-4 (File D/10) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 7

'The Slap', some pages of draft with changes following 18 Nov 1995 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 7

'The Slap' up to 1996; correspondence with editor, Linda Funnell (2 January 1996) and publisher, Nikki Christer; the yellow post-it notes are Linda's - Nikki not editorial (File D/11) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 7

'The Slap' page proofs with corrections and additions, 19 February, 1996 (File D/12) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 8

Two reviews of 'The Slap' (File D/13) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 9

NZ Herald 10 August 1996 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 9

Courier Mail 8 June 1996 (p/copy) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 9

'The Slap' ms (presumably a near-final draft) as first read by Pan Macmillan (notes on post-its from Linda Funnell). RMcD not quite sure where this fits in the sequence as it is undated, but must be about here in relation to next file (File D/14A) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 9

'The Slap' - 'Third draft' with handwritten changes 14-24 December 1995 (File D/14) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 9

'The Slap' near final revised draft, undated but is editor's marked-up copy, so date would be following D/14 of which this is an added-to version (File D/15) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 10

'The Slap' corrected galley proofs (RMcD corrections and notes) January 1996 (File D/16) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 10

Miscellaneous correspondence 1995, 1996, 1997: 'The Slap', the Demidenko affair (RMcD's, as a judge, his reflections on the judging process), notes on, article on restorative justice, by RMcD, 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (File D/17) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 10

Manuscript of 'Hotel de Wheels', opera; libretto by RMcD, composed by Jonathan Besser, November 2003 (File D/18) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 10

Print-out of Janet Hawley article 'Hotel de Wheels', Good Weekend magazine, SMH, 24 June 2002 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 10

Canterbury Regional Opera (see blank contract) produced it once (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 10

Jonathan Besser CV (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 10

Performance text of an adaptation of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter', performed by RMcD with Jonathan Besser on piano at Sydney Writers' Festival, 2000. (See C/10) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 10

i) Notebook containing reading and planning notes for 'Mr Darwin's Shooter'. In the back portion, notes on trees for 'The Tree in Changing Light'. Drafts of parts of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (Book 6) dated from 28 May 1997 (File E/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 11

ii) Preliminary notes on a 'book of the river' (with Huka Lodge, NZ) not pursued past discussion phase. (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 11

'Mr Darwin's Shooter' drafts of parts of Book 6 dated from 1 May 1997. (File E/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 11

'Mr Darwin's Shooter': drafts of parts of Book 6 dated from 28 May 1997 (File E/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 11

'Mr Darwin's Shooter' draft dated 30 November 1996 with note: 'decided to recast entire novel', 1 December 1996. Numbers of text changes indicative of many changes (File E/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 11

Draft (more just a print-out) of some sections of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' when RMcD called the main character 'Gim' (which was a working title briefly). Dated 27 December 1996, but this date (and other dates further in to the text) overlap with the date of File E/4 which is 30 November 1996. That they are correct dates RMcD has no doubt (this is a problem with computer print-outs unless the author at the time of writing is thinking of archiving the drafts, which he is only thinking of now, 14 years later). (When RMcD says he 'decided to recast the entire novel' he was in NZ, and spoke to Rose Creswell who calmed him down: but he did make some structural changes. Successive print-outs show what he did) (File E/5) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 11

(there is no E/6, deleted and amalgamated while boxing) (File E/6) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 11

'Mr Darwin's Shooter' draft dated 1 June 1997, with notes of changes (File E/7) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 12

'Mr Darwin's Shooter' 2nd page proofs (dated 16 April 1998) Australian printing April 1998. (1st page proofs dated 25 May 1998 are in FOLDER F/2). With notes but very few correction (I was not sure about including this - can be thrown out but perhaps keep the 'check circled notes' page) (File E/8) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 12

Various 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' publishing correspondence and consultative notes, Linda Funnell, Derek Johns, John Saddler, David Malouf. (File E/9) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 12

'Mr Darwin's Shooter' draft (with alterations in pen) of 10 February 1998, responding to Linda Funnell's report of 7 January 1998 (in FOLDER F/1) (File E/10) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 13

This file contains photocopies (with my under linings and notes) of several articles used for detailing (reading or 'research') aspects of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter'. The Sulloway papers answered questions about plot aspects (e.g. who shot the birds on what islands, and when did Darwin cease being a creationist). Field Ornithology extracts and the Ferguson booklet on Covington used to detail Covington's character and his work for Darwin in South America (File E/11) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 13

'Mr Darwin's Shooter', marked-up manuscript for publication, 1998 (Random House Australia). Plus editorial notes, Linda Funnell, 7 January 1998. Linda worked for Pan Macmillan up to and including 'The Slap' (1996), then moved to Random House Australia following Jane Palfreyman's move from Pan Macmillan to Random House (pre-1998) (File F/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

'Mr Darwin's Shooter', author's set of page proofs (with corrections) 2 April 1998. Also draft blurb (File F/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

Miscellaneous cuttings, notes, reviews and news items (File F/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

NZ review of 'Shearers' Motel' 1993 with note from Lorna McDonald, Rockhampton (my mother) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

Letter (p/copy) from Keri Hulme 1993. She launched 'Water Man' at Melbourne Writers' Festival 1993 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

Some background reading notes for the writing of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

Sydney Morning Herald notice and notes for RMcD's on-stage conversation with Don Watson at Sydney Writers' Festival, 2007 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

SMH stories about funds for film development including Penny Chapman's production of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (Fred Schepisi, director) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

'Mr Darwin's Shooter' Revised Second Draft screenplay by John Alsop, 2005 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

SMH Miles Franklin shortlist winners (RMcD absent for the photo) 1996 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

RMcD review of book on Tasmanian Tiger (The Australian, 20-21 August 2005) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

Catalogue, 'Wool Away', Goulburn. RMcD opened this exhibition (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

'Mr Darwin's Shooter' interview with Murray Waldren, The Australian 16-17 May 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

Photocopies of US reviews of 'Mr Darwin's Shooter' (published by Atlantic Monthly Press, New York, 1999) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

Card from Robert Dessaix regarding 'Mr Darwin's Shooter', 1998 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

'Evolution of a Novel' draft and final of talk, 'Ockham's Razor' segment of ABC Radio National Science Show, 14 March 1999 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

Notes for a forum on national identity at Byron Bay Literary Festival, 2006 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

'Braidwood Times' report on Miles Franklin prize, 28 June, 2006 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 14

'My Start in Publishing' : ms of article by RMcD about working for University of Queensland Press, 1969-1976 (File F/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

I wrote the text for 'Barry Humphries' Flashbacks' (publ. 1999, Harper Collins). Letter to producer John McLean and captions (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

'The Tree in Changing Light' (2001) (File F/5) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

Review in Australian Book Review November 2001 by Peter Steele (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

Article (interview) in Canberra Times 27 October 2001 by Christopher Bantick (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

Article (interview) by Phil Brown 'Brisbane News' 7-13 November 2001 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

Review in Sydney Morning Herald 13-14 October 2001 by Andrew Riemer (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

Article (interview/profile) by Janet Hawley 'Good Weekend', SMH, 29 September 2001 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

Article (interview) by Murray Waldren, The Australian 29-30 September 2001 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

Background reading ('research') notebook for 'The Tree in Changing Light' and photocopies of interest. The title of this book was coined by Jane Palfreyman, based on an observation in the chapter on Tom Carment (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 15

'The Ballad of Desmond Kale 2005, reviews and 2006 Miles Franklin Prize material (File G/1A) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Photocopies, clipping from Random House publicity department (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Shearer's Bookshop, Leichhardt, NSW, promo material for RMcD talk (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Miles Franklin dinner cards and menu, 22 June 2006 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Draft of RMcD's MF award speech (blue paper) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

MF winner's media schedule, 2006 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

TV Guide about First Tuesday Book Club ABC-TV inaugural programme featuring 'Ballad of Desmond Kale' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Clipping 'Your Time Starts Now', Good Weekend questionnaire 27 May 2006. Mentions 'The Slap' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Clipping 'What am I Reading' RMcD quote, Weekend Australian 27-28 May 2006 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Brisbane Writers' Festival Sept 2006 programme, RMcD a participant (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

SMH clipping on 'Ballad of Desmond Kale' winning MF Award, Friday 23 June 2006 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Central Western Daily 27 July 2006, RMcD in Orange (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

'The Guide' SMH July 31-Aug 6 2006, report on First Tuesday Book Club and 'The Ballad of Desmond Kale' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Canberra readers and Writers Festival programme, 24 Aug 2006 RMcD participant (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Australian Literary Review, Issue 1, Volume 1, September 2006, article by Deborah Hope 'On Reading Roger McDonald's 'The Ballad of Desmond Kale'' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Yass Tribune about RMcD talk in Yass, 13 September 2006 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Article on wool industry by Daniel Lewis, SMH 23-24 Sept 2006, pens with 'The Ballad of Desmond Kale' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

'The Ballad of Desmond Kale' (at one point called 'The Spanish Thousand'): sub-final draft with extensive changes by RMcD (notes at start by Sue Fisher). May 2005 (File G/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

'The Tree in Changing Light', galleys and editing manuscript. (File F/6) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 16

'The Ballad of Desmond Kale': edited final draft manuscript and first page proofs (File G/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

'The Ballad of Desmond Kale': letters, reviews, and interviews 2005 (File G/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Email from Charlie Massy (see acknowledgment to him in the novel back pages) (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Lucy Lehmann (2 cards) author of 'The Showgirl and the Brumby' (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Bob Reece, card (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Articles on fiction/history debate by Stella Clarke and Mark McKenna in The Australian (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Reviews of 'The Ballad of Desmond Kale': Peter Pierce, The Age, 1 November 2005 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

James Bradley, The Bulletin, 8 November 2005 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Andrew Riemer, Sydney Morning Herald, 12-13 November 2005 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Stella Clarke, The Australian, 12-13 November 2005 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Interviews with RMcD by Diana Stubbings, Canberra Times (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

Susan Wyndham, Sydney Morning Herald, 5-6 November 2005 (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

'The Ballad of Desmond Kale': internet posting, M/C Reviews, by Luise Toma (File) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

'The Ballad of Desmond Kale': draft opening and reviews (photocopies) plus Random House Australia promotional material. (File G/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 17

(there is no file H/1, amalgamated with H/2) (File H/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 18

Draft of a novel called 'Goats', which had several earlier titles including 'The Hack Generalissimo' and 'Orion's Belt' recorded by RMcD as 'another version of this bloody novel that never did feel right to me'; see notes on cover of file in relation to dates, 1998-2000 (File H/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 18

Spiral notebook with background on reading 1999 for 'Orion's Belt' including 'End of an Era' by Len Beadall, 'A Bushman's Life' by Bill Harney. Also notated: 'Curtin's Cowboys' by Richard Walker (File H/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 18

Draft of unpublished novel 'Orion's Belt' 1 June 1999 (File 1) Worked on this until November 1999 (File H/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 18

Draft of unpublished novel 'Orion's Belt' 17 November 1999 (File 2). Notes by Jack Hodgins, which, while encouraging, helped me to see that I should drop it; notes by Linda Funnell, then finally note by RMcD: 'novel abandoned after meeting with Linda Funnell and Jane Palfreyman, Random House (24 November 1999)' (File H/5) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 18

'Orion's Belt'(File 3): drafts worked on in Canada November 1999 during travel for Vancouver and Calgary Writers' Festivals and Harbourfront, Toronto (File H/6) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 19

Ring binder containing background reading ('research', though that word is not appropriate to the bower-bird activity of collecting detail for fiction) for all branching versions of what started as 'Munja' novel, and became 'To the Night Sky, 'Goats', 'Orion's Belt', etc., and finally is absorbed into 'When Colts Ran'. The original of photocopy in section D of the binder is part of RMcD's 1990s deposit of material with National Library (see No. 97 in that listing: RMcD's diary of trip to Kimberleys 1988) (File H/7) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 19

'Munja' book proposal 14 May 1998 that became 'To the Night Sky' (unpublished, 2000) and finally became part of 'When Colts Ran' (File H/8) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 19

'Munja' book proposal May 1998 that became 'To the Night Sky' (unpublished, 2000) and finally became part of 'When Colts Ran' (File H/8) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 19

Manuscript of what started as 'Munja' novel following on from 'Orion's Belt' drafts, see H files (sequentially it would be after H/8) title changed to 'To the Night Sky' 2000; this is the version RMcD withdrew from publication in the final editorial stages; see Jane Palfreyman and Linda Funnell references (File I/1) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 20

Next draft, 'To the Night Sky' (File I/2) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 20

Draft called 'The Amazing Room' (see title page for other titles) 24 January-8 March 2003; this version became 'When Colts Ran' (through various drafts following) (File I/3) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 20

Draft called 'Goats and Kings' 11 May 2009 (File I/4) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 21

Draft 'Goats and Kings' sent to Sophie Hamley (Cameron Creswell, my agent) 18 August 2009. Sue Fisher's notes at head of file. Further draft passages 8 August and 2 September 2009 (File I/5) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 21

'Goats and Kings' draft of 16 September 2009, with changes from then on, after being read by Trevor Shearston. Trevor's email 30 September 2009 (File I/6) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 21

'Made in Australia' first editing draft, sent to Random House, Meredith Curnow, 26 January 2010. ('Made in Australia' used until just before advance copies printed September 2010) (File I/7) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 22

Marketing proposals, Random House, 'Made in Australia' (to be 'When Colts Ran') (File I/8) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 22

Author's Pages, 'Made in Australia' (soon to be 'When Colts Ran'. Note on cover page reads: Title changed to 'When Colts Ran' when RMcD learned from Peter Hennessey that a scriptwriter, Chris Kennedy, had published a novel called 'Made in Australia' (it had not shown up on the internet when he made my searches). See I/10 for more background (File I/9) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 22

The Random House Blog, by Roger McDonald, draft and final (File I/10) - Box MS Acc11.031 Box 22


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