MS 5700

Papers of William Douglass Forsyth (1909-1993)



Scope and Content Note

Papers

1875-1993

15.3 metres (102 boxes and 2 folio boxes)

Available for reference, except for four folders from series 1 and one folder from series 15 which are CLOSED.

The papers were donated to the Library in several small instalments during the 1970s and 1980s and one large instalment after Forsyth’s death in March 1993. Forsyth made a particular point of collecting and keeping papers and other materials that he wrote and received throughout his life. The result is a large and varied collection of papers comprising a comprehensive record of his life and career.

Forsyth’s first job after post-graduate study at Melbourne and Oxford Universities was as a Research Secretary with the Australian Institute of International Affairs, Victorian Branch. He wrote reviews of Pacific affairs and edited the Austral Asiatic Bulletin published by the Institute. On the outbreak of the Pacific war, William Macmahon Ball, then in charge of radio for the Department of Information, asked Forsyth to take the position of officer-in-charge of the Department’s ‘background service’. Forsyth collected and compiled secret and confidential intelligence information from the three Service Intelligence Departments and External Affairs. Papers from this period of his life include articles on Pacific and international affairs, research papers on migration and population, copies of the Austral Asiatic Bulletin and correspondence and papers from the Department of Information.

In 1942 Forsyth joined the fledgling Department of External Affairs where he stayed until his retirement in 1969; his career effectively paralleling the growth of the Department and the associated development of Australian foreign policy. This period of his life is well documented by a large collection of general and personal correspondence as well as a substantial amount of reports, research and policy papers, despatches and other working materials. Forsyth’s correspondence is a lively mixture of official, personal and unofficial letters and gives a vivid first hand account of what was happening in the Department both officially and behind the scenes. He kept carbon copies of all his personal letters, typed and handwritten, as well as file copies of official memoranda, reports and so on. He was adept at the use of unofficial channels of communication via handwritten or personally typed letters marked ‘personal and confidential’ which were not usually destined to form part of the official record. Forsyth not only kept copies of his own ‘off the record’ letters, he also kept ‘personal and confidential’ letters he received from colleagues.

The Library has arranged Forsyth’s general and personal correspondence in a broad chronological order following his career in the Department. Correspondence starts with his first research papers on the Pacific, special assignments in the 1940s, through his long period as Australia’s Permanent Representative with the United Nations General Assembly, two terms as Secretary-General with the South Pacific Commission, and his Ambassadorial postings in Vietnam and Lebanon. Correspondents include Joy Forsyth, Russell Forsyth, Sir Ernest Scott, William Macmahon Ball, Sir Frederic Eggleston, T.W. Cutts, Brian Hill, Sir James Plimsoll, Sir Walter Crocker, Sir John Crawford, John Gunther, H.E. Maude, Guy Harriott and other journalists, academics and colleagues from the Department of External Affairs.

Family letters were usually but not always kept in separate sequences. Most family letters are included with Forsyth’s personal documents, however, some family letters can be found in personal and general correspondence. Sometimes Forsyth marked runs of correspondence ‘personal’ or ‘confidential’ or ‘general’. This marking is not always an indicator of the nature of the material; the Library has retained Forsyth’s markings noting that there is major overlapping between the categories.

After retirement in 1969 Forsyth wrote numerous magazine and newspaper articles on the Pacific Islands affairs. He worked as an occasional consultant to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Pacific islands issues (1973-74). From 1971-73 he wrote a book ‘Post Colonial Pacific’ for the Australian Institute of International Affairs. The unpublished manuscript was given to the Library in 1981 along with the associated research materials. There is a substantial and comprehensive body of material on the South Pacific Commission and the Pacific islands. The material covers the early history of the Commission, its expansion in the 1960’s and the ‘de-colonisation’ of the Commission in the 1970s.

From the late 1970s until his death in 1993, Forsyth’s major project was researching and writing his three-part autobiography: ‘Recollections of a maverick diplomat’. The first book, ‘In old Australia’, 1841-1941, was completed in 1982. It records Forsyth’s family history and the early part of his life in the Western District of Victoria. He drew upon his extensive collection of family and local history documents in writing this book. The second book, ‘The Evatt years’, 1942-51, was largely written although not completed before his death. His primary source material was the large correspondence and other materials he had accumulated during his career. He also obtained copies of additional source material from the Australian Archives and the Department of Foreign Affairs historical documents section. The third book ‘Pride and fall’, 1951-69 was not written apart from a draft introduction and a small collection of notes.

In the 1990s, Forsyth had difficulty in typing and writing and resorted to taping information for his autobiography. The tapes have been transcribed but not all have been edited. The tapes contain additional material for some chapters of ‘The Evatt years’. The introduction to the third book ‘Pride and fall’, 1951-69, exists only in a transcribed tape. Forsyth lodged the manuscripts, research materials, drafts, tape recordings and transcriptions of ‘Recollections of a maverick diplomat’ with the Library.

Forsyth’s remained interested in international, national and local issues during his retirement and post retirement correspondence reflects this range of interests. There is material on Pacific islands consultancy work and various writing projects undertaken in retirement. There are a number of requests for and referral of information used in the writing of ‘Recollections’ usually ‘The Evatt years’ which involved exchanges with academics and journalists on political and policy aspects of the ‘Evatt’ years. There is correspondence with former colleagues, friends and family and .

In retirement Forsyth accumulated many folders of press clippings (often annotating them extensively). He wrote many letters to newspapers, he jotted down notes and opinions, collected quotations, book reviews and copies of magazine articles or extracts from books. He wrote a number of newspaper articles many of which were published, these articles have been placed with associated papers and subjects, for example, writings on the Pacific Islands are with Pacific materials. There is a small series of writings comprising published post - graduate theses and miscellaneous writings.

This collection also features a sizeable and varied selection of official and personal photographs from Forsyth’s career including the United Nations, Vietnam, Lebanon, the South Pacific Commission and the Pacific islands. There are some early photographs from special assignments in the 1940s notably Japanese surrender at Timor and the Far Eastern Advisory Commission. The Library has integrated the photographs with their associated papers, for example, United Nations photographs are with United Nations papers.

Associated material

The National library holds an interview with Forsyth recorded by Mel Pratt in 1972 at ORAL TRC 121/27. A copy of this interview is in the Forsyth manuscript collection (324 pages). The interview is available for access with the exception of a few specified pages.


Biographical Note

William Douglass Forsyth was born in Casterton, Western Victoria, on 5 January 1909 and died in Canberra on 3 March 1993.

Early life

1915-1922 Coleraine Primary School and Coleraine Higher Elementary School
1923-26 Ballarat High School
1927-35 Melbourne University (MA, Dip Ed.) with first class honours in history and political science.
1935 Married Thelma Joyce (Joy) Sherry. They had one son and two daughters.
1936-40 Rockefeller Fellow in Social Sciences at Balliol College, Oxford, and a Research Fellow at Melbourne University.
1940-41 Research Secretary at the Australian Institute of International Affairs (Victorian Branch) researching Far Eastern and Pacific Affairs and editing the Austral-Asiatic Bulletin.
1941-42 Employed at the Department of Information coordinating war intelligence information for the national press and radio.
1942 His thesis: The myth of open spaces, for which he was awarded a B.Litt. (Oxon), was published.
1942 Forsyth joined the fledgling Department of External Affairs where he worked until he retired in 1969.
   
Department of External Affairs  
   
1942-44 Research on South East Asia and the Pacific
1944 Adviser at Australian /New Zealand Conferences (Anzac Pact)
First Head of Pacific Section
1945 Adviser at United Nations Conference on International Organisation (UNCIO) San Francisco
Political Adviser to Australian Force Commander, Portuguese Timor
Adviser at Far Eastern Advisory Commission (FEAC), Washington DC
1946 Leader of Australian delegation FEAC at Tokyo (consultations with General MacArthur)
First Secretary, Pacific Division
Assisted Dr Evatt in Washington DC in talks on Pacific Islands Bases negotiations
Australian Representative at United Nations Population Commission (New York) (September)
United Nations General Assembly, New Guinea Trusteeship Agreement
1947-48 South Seas Regional Commission (became South Pacific Commission)
Special Mission to Indonesia (May/June)
Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Washington DC
United Nations General Assembly
1948-51 First Secretary-General, South Pacific Commission, Noumea
1951-56 Australian Permanent Representative, United Nations, New York
Delegate to United Nations General Assembly and Representative on the United Nations Trusteeship Council
1955 Forsyth is made an Officer of the British Empire in 1955 for his services to international affairs.
1956-59 Assistant Secretary, Department of External Affairs
1959-61 Ambassador, South Vietnam, Minister, Laos (1959-60)
1962 Assistant Secretary, Department of External Affairs
1963-66 Second term as Secretary-General, South Pacific Commission
1967-68 Ambassador, Lebanon
1969 Canberra, sick-leave, retirement October 1969
   
Retirement  
1970s Travelled extensively in Europe, America and the Pacific and wrote a number of articles, reviews and manuscripts.
1973-74 Resumed direct involvement in the South Pacific region as a Consultant (occasional) with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
1975 Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University.
1970s-90s In his later retirement he researched and wrote his three-part autobiography: ‘Recollections of a maverick diplomat’. Book 1: ‘In old Australia’, 1841-1941, was completed, and Book 2:‘The Evatt years,’ 1942-51, was largely written. Book 3, ‘Pride and fall’, 1951-69, had not been started before his death in 1993.

Series List

Series Title
1 Personal documents, 1875-1990s
2 Diaries and appointment books, 1954-92
3 Early research papers and articles, 1938-41
4 Australian Institute of International Affairs, 1939-41
5 Department of Information, 1941-42
6 Department of External Affairs, 1942-48
7 South Pacific Commission, 1948-51
8 United Nations, 1951-56
9 Department of External Affairs, 1956-59
10 Vietnam and Laos, 1959-61
11 Department of Foreign Affairs, 1962-63
12 South Pacific Commission, 1963-66
13 Lebanon, 1967-68
14 Papers relating to the Pacific Islands, 1960s-90s
15 ‘Recollections of a maverick diplomat’, 1970s-93
16 Post retirement, 1969-93
17 Press clippings and opinions, 1969-92
18 Printed material, 1942-75
19 Miscellaneous papers

Series description

Series 1 Personal documents, 1875-1990s

This series includes birth, marriage and death certificates, original degree certificates, testimonials, collections of biographical information, school and university memorabilia, a transcript (324 pages) of the oral history interview recorded in 1972, souvenirs, medical notes, fragments of verses and personal writings and so on. Family letters dating from the 1930s, arranged in broad chronological order, include carbon and original copies of correspondence between Forsyth and various family members. Some family correspondence is also contained in general and personal correspondence. This series also contains local and family history documents dating from 1875 on the Forsyth Family and the Western District of Victoria.

Folder

1 Birth, marriage and death certificates, 1909-90
2 Family photographs, c1920s-30s
3 School reports,1921, 1923-24
4 School days: Coleraine, memorabilia, 1915-27
5 Donation of Forsyth Family memorabilia to Sovereign Hill Museum, Ballarat, 1978
6 Associated correspondence: academic, 1930-47
7 Certificates, testimonials, reference reports, 1930-40
8 Melbourne University memorabilia, 1927-35
9 Australian history notes: Ernest Scott’s lectures, Melbourne University, 1928
10 Biographical notes, curriculum vitae, c1930s-90s
11 Teaching and lecture notes, 1933-38
12 Balliol College, Oxford: memorabilia 1936-39
13 Personal health, 1937-71
14 Inquiry re military service, 1939
15 Souvenirs 1939-50s (invitations, certificates, letters, poems)
16 Honours, awards, including OBE, 1955-87
17 Will, 1956
18 Family correspondence, 1925-47
19 Family correspondence, 1945-51
20 Family correspondence, 1951-60s
21 Personal writings and verses, 1950s-80s
22 House purchase documents (Yarralumla), 1957-64
23 Education arrangements (Katherine Forsyth), 1961-62
24 Wedding arrangements (Katherine Forsyth and Emilio Ortiz), 1963-64
25 Valerie Forsyth, swimming, New Caledonia, 1965
26 Sale of car, 1984
27 Apologia and epitaph, c1989
28 Family correspondence, death notice of brother and funeral arrangements, 1984 and 1992
29 Correspondence with brother and sister, 1980-91
30 Scrapbook of father
31 Photocopied newsclippings of Western Victoria, 1920s-40s, family and local history papers, notes, clippings, collected 1970s
32 Forsyth Family history: ‘Betty’s notes’, collected 1970s
33 Forsyth Family history: (i) Mary Young’s copied notes, collected 1970s (ii) Harriet Forsyth (née Douglass)
34-35 Family history notes and papers, Rowchester branch (incl. birth/marriage certificates of father)
36 Family history including Sherry Family papers and correspondence
37 Family history notes and correspondence, collected 1970s-90s
38 Personal family letters, 1971 CLOSED
39 Confidential personal information from wallet (family) 1970s, 80s CLOSED
40 Personal information 1970s, 1980s CLOSED
41 Oral history transcripts. Confidential pages 244-45, 283-85, 319-321 CLOSED
42 Background briefing for oral history interview
43 Oral history transcript, tape 1, side 1
44 Transcript, tape 1, side 2
45 Transcript, tape 2, side 1
46 Transcript, tape 2, side 2
47 Transcript, tape 3, side 1
48 Transcript, tape 3, side 2
49 Transcript, tape 4, side 1
50 Transcript, tape 4, side 2
51 Transcript, tape 5
Folio Certificate (matriculation) and degrees, 1927-56

Series 2 Diaries and appointment books, 1954-92

This series of diaries and appointment books contain addresses, appointment notes, reminders and telephone numbers. There are gaps when presumably diaries were lost or kept elsewhere. They contain very little personal information.

Folder

1 Diaries, 1954-59
2-3 Diaries, 1963-66
4 Diaries, 1967-69
5 Diaries, 1970-79 (with gaps)
6 Diaries, 1980s (with gaps)
7 Diaries, 1990-92 (with gaps)

Series 3 Early research papers and articles, 1938-41

Forsyth prepared a number of research papers on demographic and social aspects of migration during his time as a Research Fellow at Melbourne and Oxford Universities and part-time Research Secretary at the Institute of International Affairs (Victorian Branch) in 1938.

Folder

1 Information papers on pre-war Melbourne, Australian Institute of International Affairs group, 1937-38
2 Papers on migration and population, c1938-39
3 Memorandum: refugee migration to Australia, 1939
4-5 Population and international relations, c1940

Series 4 Australian Institute of International Affairs, 1939-41

In 1940-41 Forsyth was full-time Research Secretary at the Australian Institute for International Affairs (Victorian Branch) researching and writing on Far Eastern and Pacific Affairs and editing the Austral-Asiatic Bulletin. During this time he produced and published a number of papers for the Institute.

The series includes copies of Austral-Asiatic Bulletin and Digest, The Far East - a digest of periodicals, World Affairs - papers, Australian Institute of International Affairs Newsletter and Australian Home Front.

Folder

1 AIIA (Victorian Branch), 1938-42: personal recollections, 1974
2 AIIA Research Section reports, 1939-43
3-4 AIIA publications, 1940-42

Series 5 Department of Information, 1941-42

In 1941 Forsyth joined the Department of Information (Victorian Branch) where he collected and compiled intelligence information from the three Service Intelligence Departments and the Department of External Affairs. He provided daily background bulletins to the national press and radio. This series contains his handwritten and typed background notes and analysis, Departmental memoranda, cable summaries and External Affairs weekly intelligence summaries. Forsyth added 1972 press clippings covering the accelerated release of war documents and the de-classification of United Kingdom documents with these war time papers.

Folder

1 Lord Gort’s despatches, 1941
2 Department of External Affairs, information summaries, 1941-42
3 Netherland East Indies information, 1941-42
4 Daily notes, Dominion Office war cables, 1941-42
5 Press Conferences, 1942
6 Special Background letters, 1942
7 Background Service, confidential letters, 1942
8 Background notes, 1942
9-10 ‘This Week of War’, broadcasts, 1942
11-13 Press clippings: American attitudes in 1942, 1970s, release of British documents (1970s), ‘Hate’ broadcasts (1942) and other subjects (1942)

Series 6 Department of External Affairs, 1942-48

In December 1942 Forsyth joined the Department of External Affairs as a research officer studying Australian interests in South East Asia and the Pacific. He then moved into political work in 1945. From 1945 to 1948 he represented the Department on a number of special assignments. These included the United Nations Conference on International Organisation in San Francisco (1945), political adviser to the Australian Force Commander, Portuguese Timor, member of the Australian delegation to the Far Eastern Advisory Commission (FEAC) in 1945 and Leader of the Australian delegation to FEAC in Tokyo 1946. He attended a Population Conference in New York in 1946, the South Seas Regional Commission in February 1947 and undertook a special mission to Java in May 1947.

This series includes handwritten diary notes, draft reports, letters, photographs and miscellaneous notes. A full account and description of the special assignments can also be found in the relevant chapters and notes of ‘The Evatt years’ (Series 15). In August 1947 Forsyth was appointed Counsellor at the Australian embassy in Washington, but in practice he spent most of his time in New York at the General Assembly and other United Nations bodies. United Nations material from this period is included in series 8.

Correspondents include Sir Frederick Eggleston, Jawaharlal Nehru, Paul Hasluck, Mark Ridgway, W.J. Hudson and David Plant.

Folder

1 Career press clippings, 1930s-50s
2 Miscellaneous correspondence, 1942-47
3 Chungking: letters from Sir Frederic Eggleston to Forsyth, 1942-43
4 Chungking: letters from Forsyth to Sir Frederic Eggleston, 1940-48 (photocopies)
5 Chungking letters, copies and typescripts, 1942-43
6 Sir Frederic Eggleston, background info and correspondence with National Library 1978
7 Pacific area research report no.4, March/April 1943
8 Articles by Forsyth in Current Notes, 1943
9 Portuguese Timor, 1945: Japanese surrender arrangements
10 Portuguese Timor, 1945: photocopies of documents (1943-45)
11 United Nations, Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, 1945
12 Handwritten notes by Forsyth on Trusteeship for H.V. Evatt, May 1945
13 Trusteeship working documents, San Francisco, May 1945
14 Far Eastern Advisory Commission (Washington), photographs, Oct. 1945
15 Official papers, including credentials 1945-46
16 United Nations luncheon menu (Oct 1946), and issue of United Nations pictorial (n.d.)
17 Far Eastern Advisory Commission to Japan , Tokyo, Jan/Feb 1946
18 Population Association of America Conference, New York, Oct 1946
19 Trusteeship: United Nations draft report, 1946
20 Special assignment to Java, May/June 1947
21 Proceedings of the South Seas Commission Conference, including agreement to establish the South Pacific Commission, Jan-Feb 1947
22 United Nations Trusteeship speeches and papers, 1947-52
23 Correspondence on trusteeship with W. Hudson, W.L. Holland,D. Plant, 1948-74
24 Department of State publication, The inauguration of the Trusteeship System of the United Nations, 1947
25 Japanese peace settlement informal talk (top secret classification), 1947
26 Copies of official documents on international trusteeships, particularly in the Pacific and Israel, 1945-48

Series 7 South Pacific Commission correspondence and other papers, 1948-51

At the end of 1948 Forsyth became the first Secretary-General of the South Pacific Commission (SPC) which had been established under an agreement signed, at Canberra on 6 February 1947, by representatives of the governments which administered the territories in the Pacific. The Commission’s role was technical and research oriented with a focus on health, education, agriculture and economic developments. Papers in this series cover the establishment of the Headquarters at Noumea, the setting up of administrative machinery, the development of work programs and reporting mechanisms and the role of the Research Council. A full account and description of these years is contained in ‘The Evatt years’ (Series 15).

The correspondents include John Kerr, Laurence McIntyre, Guy Harriott, E.W.P. Chinnery, Ron Webb, K.C.O. Shann, J.K. Murray, Alfred Brookes, H.E. Maude, Howard MacMillan, E. Massal, Trevor Pyman, Baas Becking, Peter Heydon, John Burton, John Gunther, Felix Keesing, James Plimsoll, Sir Frederic Eggleston, Alistair McIntosh, J.G. Crawford and J.R. Halligan.

Folder

1 Papers, including agreement to establish the South Pacific Commission, 1947
2 Correspondence with Trevor Pyman, 1948-50
3 Forsyth’s appointment, and leave from Department of External Affairs, 1948-51
4 Early organisational matters
5 Internal memoranda re Deputy Chairman Research Council, 1949-50
6 Photographs of 2nd session, Sydney, 1948
7 Personal correspondence, 1950
8 Copies of papers for Deputy Chairman Research Council, 1949-50
9 Correspondence with full-time members, 1949-50
10 Setting up the Pentagon at Noumea, 1948-49
11 Reconstruction of Pentagon building, 1949
12 Establishment of headquarters at Anse Vata, 1949
13 Appointment of a translator/interpreter, 1950
14 Termination of appointment, including evaluation of South Pacific Commission, 1951
15 Research Institute correspondence (Dr Baas Becking), 1948-50
16 Work of the Commission (first printed report of SPC, first meeting of Research Council, first Quarterly Bulletin), 1949-50
17-18 Work correspondence 1949-50
19 Personal correspondence, 1949-50
20-21 Report of the Research Council, 1st meeting, 1949
22 Report of the Research Council, 2nd meeting, 1950
23 Various documents, 1946-67
24 ‘First issues’: reports 1948, 1950, and Quarterly bulletins, 1951
25 Original staff circulars, May-June 1949
26 Papers: Proceedings of the South Pacific Commission, 1947-51
27 Report, 1948-49
28 Reports, 1949-52
29 Reports, 1950-55
30 Reports of the South Pacific Commission Conference, Canberra, 1947
31 Reports of the South Pacific Commission Conference, Fiji, 1950
32 Correspondence and copies of interim Secretariat papers, 1947-48
33-34 Research Council of the SPC - research program, reports and decisions of the Commission, 1949-50
35 Report on Carribbean Commission, 1946-47
36 Work program: progress reports and circulars, 1949-51
37 South Pacific Commission Quarterly Bulletin, 1951-52
38 List of participants and statements of first South Pacific Conference, Suva, 1950
39 Research projects reports
40-41 Reports and early documents
42-43 Supplements to progress reports, 1950
44 Early history of South Pacific Commission (notes and typed drafts) by Forsyth
45-46 Work program: reviews of projects recommended by the Research Council, 1949-50
47 Photographs, 1948-51

Series 8 United Nations: correspondence, addresses and other papers, 1951-56

In 1951 Forsyth became Australia’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations in New York, with the rank of Minister, a position he held until 1956. He had already worked at the United Nations on Trusteeship matters (New Guinea and Nauru) and attended the General Assembly. With the exception of the years 1949-50, Forsyth was adviser, later delegate, annually to the United Nations General Assembly from 1946 until 1958.

This series contains the most extensive runs of personal and general correspondence in the collection. There are also copies of speeches, papers and addresses given to the United Nations and a great deal of information about the workings of the United Nations. There is a small selection of newspaper clippings from Australian and American newspapers and a substantial collection of official black and white photographs. A full account and description of Forsyth’s Trusteeship work can be found in ‘The Evatt years’. (The time as Permanent Representative in New York was to have been part of ‘Pride and fall’).

Most of the correspondence is between Forsyth and officers of the Department of External Affairs. Major correspondents include Sir Alan Watt, Arthur Tange, K.C.O. Shann, Colin Moodie, James Plimsoll, Paul McGuire, Peter Aylen, R.G. Casey, Sir Brian Freeston, as well as members of Forsyth’s family.

Folder

1 Personal correspondence, 1948, New York, Paris
2-4 Personal correspondence, 1951-52, New York
5 Personal correspondence, 1951-52, Queen Mary trip
6 Personal correspondence, July-Dec 1952
7-10 Personal correspondence, 1953, New York
11-13 Personal correspondence, 1954, New York
14-17 Personal correspondence, 1955, New York
18 Personal correspondence, 1955-56, New York
19 UN appointment and termination, 1951-55
20 UN speeches and press clippings, 1948-57
21-22 UN speeches and addresses, 1956-58 (2 folders)
23 UN speeches and addresses, 1956-62, reflections on United Nations and correspondence,1957-58
24 Press clippings, notes and papers, 1952-55
25 UN miscellaneous papers, 1957-58
26-27 Speeches and addresses 1950s (2 folders)
28 Addresses for Weischoff Group, c1954-55
29-33 UN Trusteeship Council, 1950s
34 UN conversations - notes, 1956-58, and UN Trusteeship, West Iran,1950s-60s
35 UN press clippings: Yalta Conference and trusteeship, 1955
36 Photographs, 1945-48, and photographs and cuttings of UN 10th Anniversary, 1955
37-38 Photographs, 1951-56 (uncaptioned)
39-40 Photographs, 1951-56 (captioned)

Series 9 Department of External Affairs: correspondence and other papers, 1956-59

In 1956 Forsyth returned to the Department of External Affairs as an Assistant Secretary responsible for the United Nations and the Commonwealth. This small series of papers contains general and confidential correspondence and copies of various policy papers on the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

The correspondents include Russell Forsyth, Ralph Burgess Stewart, John Ryan and Gordon Greenwood.

Folder

1 Special matters: John Ryan, 1956
2 Personal correspondence, 1956-57
3 Policy papers and notes, 1956-58 (subjects include Cyprus, Commonwealth, United Nations and general foreign policy)
4 Confidential correspondence, 1957-59
5 Policy papers, Melanesia, 1958-59
6 Policy papers and notes, 1956-58
7 Policy papers, c1956
8 International Atomic Energy Commission, 1956-58
9-11 South Pacific Commission Review Conference (Canberra), May 1957, and SPC Conference (Rabaul), 1959
12 Commonwealth and United Nations papers, 1957

Series 10 Vietnam and Laos, 1959-61

In 1959 Forsyth was appointed Ambassador to South Vietnam and Minister to Laos. With this appointment the Australian legation in South Vietnam became an embassy. That the political situation in South Vietnam was complex and tense at this time is perhaps reflected by the number of political and technical reports, cables and despatches in this series. Much of the personal correspondence is marked as confidential again representing the difficulties of the times. There are a number of photograph albums containing black and white official photographs of Vietnam at that time. Some of the photographs have captions and notes typed by Forsyth. For preservation reasons, photographs from one album have been re housed in protective folders. Correspondents include Lord Casey, Sir Arthur Tange, Tran Van Lam (Ambassador of Vietnam), Sir John G. Crawford, F.J. Blakeney, David Hay and immediate family members.

Folder

1 Press clippings on appointments to Australian Embassy, Vietnam, Laos, 1959
2 Vietnam: press clippings etc 1960
3 Appointment diaries (sheets), 1960-61
4 Laos: despatch no.1, 1960, Vietnam: despatch no.5, 1961
5 Vietnam: draft despatch, notes, 1961
6-8 Vietnam and Laos: despatches, cables, notes, 1960-62
9 Vietnam and Laos: request for revision of terms of appointment, 1960-61
10 Correspondence concerning the Colombo Plan and general administration, 1960-61
11 Vietnam: personal correspondence, Vietnam, 1959
12-14 Vietnam: personal correspondence, 1960
15-18 Vietnam: personal correspondence, Vietnam, 1961
19 Laos: personal correspondence, 1959-60
20 Representation allowances, statements and correspondence, 1959-61
21 Ben Cat Experimental dairy farm, 1961-66
22-23 Vietnam: photograph albums, 1959-61
24 Laos: reflections, notes and other writings, 1959-80s
25 Vietnam: reflections and comments, notes, newsclippings 1970s-80s
26 ‘Two years in Vietnam and Laos’, manuscript by Forsyth, n.d.
27 Booklet, A taste for villages, by L.A. Crozier, 1988
Folio Photograph albums (5), Vietnam, 1959-61

Series 11 Department of External Affairs, 1962-63

This small series of personal and official correspondence and policy papers are from the period following Forsyth’s return from Vietnam where he resumed duties as Assistant Secretary of the Department of External Affairs responsible for relations with the Commonwealth and United Nations.

The correspondents include D.K.R. Hodgkin, Brian Hill, Sir John Crawford, Gordon Greenwood and T.W. Cutts.

Folder

1 Policy papers and notes, 1958-62
2 Personal correspondence, 1961-62
3-4 Policy papers and notes, 1962
5 New Guinea materials, 1962-63
6 Case for higher salaries, 1962-63
7 ‘The tempo of modern diplomacy’: paper by Forsyth, 1963
Folio Buka incident (Feb 1962) papers, press clippings; and Bougainville clippings, sketches, 1969

Series 12 South Pacific Commission, 1956-66

In 1963 Forsyth’s took a second term as Secretary-General with the South Pacific Commission. Forsyth saw this term as the fruition of his earlier work. It was during this time that changes were taking place with the move towards the ‘de-colonisation’ of the South Pacific Commission in the 1970s. Forsyth prepared policy papers on the future of the South Pacific Commission during this term, concluding that Pacific islanders would tire of the Commission if they were not given a direct share in decision making. This series contains personal and general correspondence, some Secretariat papers, review and policy papers and information bulletins.

The correspondents include Pat Ryan, Carlos Garcia Palacios, Carlton Skinner, John V. Scott, R.S. Swift, Gordon Greenwood and F.H. Corner.

Folder

1-3 Appointment as Secretary-General, 1962-63
4-5 Review of the South Pacific Agreement, 1962
6 Correspondence with Carlos Garcia Palacios, 1956-65
7 South Pacific Commission proceedings, 1956-65
8 History materials, 1957-65
9-10 Leave and superannuation entitlements, 1963-66
11 Correspondence, 1963
12 Correspondence, 1964
13 Personal correspondence, 1965-68
14 Retirement of Forsyth as Secretary-General, 1966
15 Miscellaneous materials, 1960s
16 Secretary-General’s annual reports, 1963-66
17 Weekly information circular, 1964-65
18 Weekly information circular, 1965-67
19 Papers on the future of the Commission, 1960s
20-23 Savingrams, 1966 and index
24 Secretariat papers, 1966
25-26 Photographs, 1963-66

Series 13 Lebanon, 1967-68

In 1967 Forsyth was appointed the first Australian Ambassador to Lebanon with the task of establishing the Australian Embassy in Beirut. He arrived in Lebanon just before the outbreak of the Six-Day War in 1967. This series contains official reports, cables, personal and official correspondence, political despatches from Beirut and a series of ‘crisis diaries’ documenting the Six-Day War. This was Forsyth’s last and most difficult posting with the Department of External Affairs. After returing to Canberra at the beginning of 1969 he took most of that year on sick leave before retiring in October 1969. Personal and official correspondence contained in this series shows the strain of ill health, the pressures of the war and the difficulties of setting up the Australian embassy.

The correspondents include Russell Forsyth, Joy Forsyth, Sir James Plimsoll, Peter Lawlor, D.J. Kingsmill, Francis Stuart, Torrance Doig and Keith Brennan.

Folder

1 Personal correspondence, 1967
2-4 Personal correspondence, 1968
5 Job applications, 1967-68
6 Retirement and superannuation, 1969-70
7-8 Middle East materials, press cuttings and an article by Forsyth, ‘The peril of Lebanon’, 1970
9 Beirut: miscellaneous papers, 1967-68
10 Lebanon and Middle East materials, 1967-83
11 Correspondence: representation allowance, 1967-68
12 Acquittal: representation allowance, Beirut, 1968
13 Accommodation, Australian Embassy, Beirut, 1967-68
14 Haster case, 1968
15 Correspondence re departure from Beirut and recreation leave, 1968-69
16-18 Lebanon: social, political and economic correspondence and notes, 1967-68
19 Working papers for ‘Australia’s interests in the Middle East’, 1960s
20-25 Crisis diary, 1967
26 Middle East materials, 1974-78
27 ‘Australia’s interests in the Middle East’, March 1967
28 Clippings, notes held by Kevin Kelly for Forsyth, 1968
29-30 Despatches from Beirut, 1967-68 (includes 1992 copies)
31 Album: interior decoration for Australian Embassy, Lebanon, 1967-68
32 Arabic newspapers and magazines, c1967-68
33 Correspondence re posting problems, 1967-68
34-36 Materials on the Middle East, 1967-68
37 Middle East travel brochures, maps, papers, 1967-68
38 Addresses, contacts, business cards (Lebanon), 1967-68
39 Photographs (Lebanon), 1967-68
Folio Photograph albums (3), Lebanon, 1967-68

Series 14 Papers relating to Pacific Islands, 1951-91

In the early 1970s Forsyth did consultancy work for the Department of Foreign Affairs on an occasional basis. He travelled the Pacific extensively both for the Australian government and for private interest, he attended South Pacific Conferences and wrote newspaper articles and books. From 1971-73 he wrote ‘Post-colonial Pacific’ for the Australian Institute of International Affairs, it was revised from 1973-75 and considered by a number of publishers. Forsyth lodged the unpublished manuscript with the Library in 1981. The manuscript and working materials are included in this series. Following the 1973 Guam resolution the South Pacific Commission was absorbed by the South Pacific Conference and the Commission met in new form. This series includes Conference and Forum papers from the 1970s and 1980s, papers and notes on the ‘de-colonisation’ of the Pacific, a sizeable quantity of research papers, articles on individual French territories, general Pacific issues and a wide range of printed material and press clippings.

The correspondents include Tom Davis, R.G. Crocombe, J.D. Legge, Norman Harper, T.B. Millar, Hedley Bull, Brian Beddie, E.G. Whitlam, Michael Costigan and Frank Mahony.

Folder

1-3 12th South Pacific Conference, Apia, Western Samoa, 1972 and 3rd Forum
4 Special meeting: Apia forum, 1974
5 South Pacific Forum, Apia: Australian delegation brief, 1973
6-7 13th South Pacific Conference, Guam and 36th session of South Pacific Commission, 1973
8-9 14th South Pacific Conference, Rarotonga, 1974
10-11 South Pacific Labour ministers’ conference, 1973
12 15th South Pacific Conference, Nauru, 1975
13 16th South Pacific Conference, Noumea, 1976
14 17th South Pacific Conference, Pago Pago, 1977
15 21st and 22nd South Pacific Conferences, Vanuatu 1981, Pago Pago 1982
16-17 Reports of the South Pacific Conference and proceedings of the South Pacific Commission, 1967-77
18-19 South Pacific Forum, early communiqués, 1971-73
20-21 5th South Pacific Forum, Rarotonga, 1974
22 14th South Pacific Forum, Canberra, 1983
23-24 America Samoa, information, 1969-74
25 Cook Islands information, 1970s
26 Articles (published and unpublished) on New Hebrides and New Caledonia, 1970-76
27-29 US Trust Territories, Micronesia: news sheets, information reports, 1971-74
30 Solomon Islands, information, 1973-74
31 Norfolk Island: views and opinions, 1973-79
32 South Pacific Commission miscellaneous papers, articles and letters, 1970s-80s
33 Photographs, South Pacific, 1971-73
34 Photographs, Cook Islands, 1991
35 South Pacific Commission tapes and photographs, 1970-75
36 Information on first Islander Secretary-General, and first South Pacific Commission flag, 1969-71
37 Press clippings, postcards, miscellaneous magazine extracts, 1951-91
38 ‘Lokalee pictures and slides’, 1971
39 Correspondence with Tom Davis (Cook Islands) and press clippings, 1957-79
40 Consultancy work for South Pacific Commission: regional projects, 1973
41 Indexing and microfilming project for South Pacific Commission records, 1980s-90s
42-44 New Caledonia research materials, 1970s
45-48 New Hebrides research materials, 1970s
49 French Pacific, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides - research materials, 1970s
50 Publication, Assemblée Territoriale, French Polynesia, 1971
51 New Caledonia, economic and demographic papers, 1976
52 French Pacific Territories, New Zealand international review articles, 1976
53 New Caledonia materials, 1976
54 French Polynesia nuclear testing: notes, reviews, press clippings, 1960s-70s
55 New Hebrides, French Polynesia: articles and materials, 1970s
56 France: post-war colonial policy, 1970s-80s
57-58 French Polynesia: research materials, 1971-76
59-60 French Polynesia: 2 draft constitutions, 1976)
   
Post-colonial Pacific’:  
61-62 Correspondence, 1970s
63-64 Early version, 1972-73
65 Part I, General, 1971-75
66-67 Part II, Problems and plannings, 1971-75
68 Part III, De-colonisation and political development, 1971-75
69 Part IV, External interests and activities in the Islands, 1971-75
70 Manuscript - preliminary and notes, 1971-75
71 Part I, 1975
72-73 Part II, 1975
74 Part III, 1975
75 Part IV, 1975
76 Chapters from ‘Post-colonial Pacific’ loaned to Department of Foreign Affairs, 1973
77 Re-typed pages of manuscript (not inserted), 1975
   
‘De-colonisation of the South Pacific Commission’  
78 A. Documents and background, 1964-74 [81]
79 B. Personal papers, 1963-73
80 Correspondence with E.G. Whitlam, 1978-79
81 Background notes and personal correspondence,1981
82 ‘A Pacific Islands policy for Australia’ by Forsyth: lecture at Australian Institiute of International Affairs, 1973
83-88 South Pacific Commission, 40th Anniversary, 1987
89-90 Pacific Islands miscellaneous information, 1960s-70s
91 Miscellaneous papers: Salotte passes (1965), Old Caledonia (1964)
92 Population and migration, 1967-72
93 Pacific Islands miscellaneous. articles, 1970-77
94 Papua New Guinea: radio talks on Pacific Islands, 1975
95 Miscellaneous information on South Pacific Commission by Raymond Paull
96 ‘A measure of progress: the South Pacific Commission’, portion of unpublished manuscript by Raymond Paull, c1970
97-98 Information copies of South Pacific Commission reports sent to Raymond Paull, 1958
   
French Territories in the Pacific project:  
99 Correspondence, grants 1974--78
100 Report, 1975-76
101 French Polynesia manuscript, 1975-76
102 New Caledonia manuscript
103 New Hebrides manuscript, 1975-76
104 New Hebrides, 1970s
105 Wallis and Futuna
106 French Polynesia: chronology bibliography
107 Constitutional background
108 Drafts: New Caledonia c1970-76, including bibliography
109 Bibliography and notes
110 Papers on regionalism in the South Pacific, 1977
111 Notes on re-colonisation of Oceania, 1972-75 and Japan and Pacific Islands, 1970s
112 France and the South Pacific Commission, 1970s-80s
113 South Pacific Commission articles, 1970s-80s
114 Island contacts, notes and texts, 1971-76
115 Oceania: United Nations development program, 1972-73
116 South Pacific Commission letters, articles and press clippings, 1963-81
117 South Pacific memorabilia, miscellany: photographs, clippings, 1949-66
118 Articles on South Pacific regional bodies by Forsyth, 1949-73
119 South Pacific Commission articles, press clippings, reports, 1950s-60s
120 South Pacific Commission and Forum: articles by Forsyth on regional organisation, 1951-75
121-22 South Pacific Commission: miscellaneous articles and papers, 1951-
123 South Pacific Commission: various articles and talks by Forsyth, 1960s and 70s
124 Newspaper articles by Forsyth, 1970-77
125-27 Submissions to Senate Standing Committee on ‘The need for an increased Australian commitment in the South Pacific’
128 Senate Standing Committee: hearings, 1977
129 Senate Standing Committee: notes, clippings, evidence, 1977
130 Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence: return of Forsyth material, 1978
131 Senate Standing Committee: notes, papers, correspondence, 1977
132 Australia and the South Pacific, Senate Standing Committee 1977-78
133 New Hebrides press clippings, 1970s-80s
134 Press clippings, newspapers, Solomon Islands, 1970s
135-39 Pacific Islands: press clippings, 1970s-80s
140 South Pacific: press clippings, 1980s
141 French Polynesia: papers and press clippings, 1970s
142 French enterprise in Australia: press clippings, notes 1970s-80s
143-44 French Polynesia: press clippings and notes, 1975-77
145-46 French Pacific: press clippings and notes, 1976
147-48 New Caledonia: press clippings and notes, 1976-83
   
5 boxes of printed material
   
Folio Photograph album, New Caledonia, n.d.; article and two photographs (photocopies) of canoe, Hokule’a

Series 15 ‘Recollections of a maverick diplomat’, 1970s-93

Forsyth started writing and researching his three-part autobiography in the late 1970s. The first book, ‘In old Australia’, 1841-1941, was completed in 1982. The second book, ‘The Evatt years’, 1942-51, was largely written although not completed, and the third book, ‘Pride and fall’ exists only as a collection of notes, a sketched outline and a draft introduction. ‘The Evatt years’ includes chapters at various stages of completion: some have been reworked extensively, others have stayed as first drafts, yet others consist mainly of transcribed tape material. The introduction to ‘Pride and fall’ exists only on a transcribed tape. The overall book has a complex structure with three major books, part numbers within the individual books and some chapters containing four parts. Forsyth extracted original papers from his collection in order to refresh his memory or to reproduce as annexes to chapters reorganising correspondence into subjects matching chapters, for instance, ‘Dili’ or ‘Japan’. Where possible the Library has restored original papers to a chronological context.

This series contains all the manuscripts, drafts, working notes, tapes, transcribed tapes, research materials, letters and notes for the three-part autobiography ’Recollections of a maverick diplomat’.

Folder

1 Book 1, chapter 1, draft, c1978-79
2 Book 1, chapter 2, draft, c1978-79
3 Book 1, ?chapter 2, draft, c1978-79
4 Book 1, chapter 3, draft, c1978-79
5 Book 1, chapter 4, draft, c1978-79
6 Book 1, chapter 5, draft, c1978-79
7 Book 1, chapters 1 and 2, first typescript (and notes) 1980-82
8 Book 1, chapters 3-7, 1980-81
9 Book 1, chapters 8-11, c1981
10 Book 1, chapters 12-14, c1981
11 Book 1, chapters 15-17, c1981
12 Book 1, chapters 18-19, illustrative material, c1981
13 Book 1, chapter 1 and notes, 1980s
14 Book 1, chapters 2-3, 1980s
15 Book 1, chapters 4-8, 1980s
16 Book 1, chapters 9-12, 1980s
17 Book 1, chapters 13-15, 1980s
18 Book 1, chapters 16-19, 1980s
19 Book 1, amendments, notes, comments from readers, further details, 1980s
20 Personal information (material exempted from Book 1 by Forsyth) CLOSED
21 Application to Australia Council for grant, 1982
22 Book II, introduction + chapters 1-3, as at Oct 1992
23 Book II, chapters 4-8, 1992
24 Book II, chapters 8-9, 1992
25 Book II, chapters 10-11, 1992
26 Book II, chapter 12, 1992
27 Book II, chapter 13, 1992
28 Book II, chapters 14-15, 1992
29 Book II, chapter 16, 1992
30 Book II, part I, chapter 17, 1992
31 Book II, part I, chapters 18-19, 1992
32 Book II, part I, chapters 1-3, 1992
33 List of Book II pieces held in DFAT Historical Documents Branch, 1991
34 Book II, The Evatt years, tapes 1-23
35 Book II, transcript of sound tape to disk (Apple Mac)
36 Transcript of tapes recorded in 1992-93
37 Transcript of tapes made in 1992-93
38 List of tape recordings by Forsyth (including contents), January 1993
39 Instructions to solicitor on manuscript, February 1993
40 Outlines of Books 2 and 3, 1987-92
41 Transcript (tape 9), Book III, draft introduction, 1992
42-43 Book II, part I, introduction + chapter 1, and notes, c1985
44 Book II, part I, notes (early chapters)
45 Book II, part I, chapter 2, drafts and notes, c1985
46 Book II, part I, chapter 3 + annexures, c1985
47 Book II, part I, chapter 3, notes and material, c1985
48 Book II, part I, chapter 4, notes, c1985
49 Book II, part I, chapter 5, drafts and notes, 1987
50-51 Book II, part I, chapter 5, materials collected 1970s-80s
52 Book II, part I, chapter 6, research and materials
53-54 Book II, part I, chapter 7, draft and revision, 1987-90
55-56 Book II, part I, chapter 8, 1991
57 Book II, part I, chapters 8 and 9, notes and materials c1980s-90s
58-61 Book II, part I, chapter 9, drafts and materials, 1991-92
62 Book II, part I, trusteeship materials
63 Book II, part I, chapter 10, drafts, 1988-89
64-66 Book II, part I, chapter 11, drafts, c1989
67-68 Book II, part I, chapter 11, materials 1980s, 90s
69 Book II, part I, chapter 12, drafts and materials (tapes 5 and 6 form the main part of chapter 12)
70 Book II, part I, Trusteeship materials (chapter 13)
71 Book II, part I, Trusteeship notes and materials
72 Book II, part I, Nauru, Trusteeship and publicity (see chapter 15)
73-74 Book II, part I, chapter 14, materials and research
75-81 Book II, part I, chapter 16, drafts and materials
82-84 Book II, part I, chapter 18, notes and drafts
85 Book II, part I, chapter 19, drafts and final copy, 1992
86-91 Book II, part I, materials, notes and research (Evatt and Vietnam)
92 Book II, part I, notes on Timor
93 Book II, part I, comments by David Dexter, 1980s-90s
94 Book II, part I, Anzac Pact, miscellaneous notes
95-96 Book II, part II, chapter 3, drafts
97 Book II, part II, chapter 4, drafts
98 Book II, part II, chapter 5, drafts
99-100 Book II, part II, chapter 6, drafts
101 Book III, notes and clippings on Sir Arthur Tange, 1970s
102 Book III, notes and clippings, miscellaneous, c1970s-80s
103 Book III, notes and clippings on Sir William Crocker, 1970s-80s
104 Book III, notes and clippings on Sir Robert Menzies, 1970s-80s
105 Book III, notes and clippings on Sir Percy Spender, 1950s-80s
106 Book III, ‘Queen Mary papers’ (see also correspondence), 1951-53
107-8 Book III, notes and press clippings on Sir John Kerr, 1970s (2 folders)
109 Book III, ‘Friends’, notes and materials, 1950s-80s
110 Book III, Suez Canal source materials and notes, c1970s
111 Book III, ‘Pride and fall’ notes, including notes on colleagues and acquaintances
112 Book III, notes on Sir Keith Shann
113 Book III, notes, 1960s-70s
114 Book III, notes and materials, 1970s-80s

Series 16 Post retirement correspondence and papers, 1969-93

This includes correspondence with family, friends, former colleagues, exchanges with academics and journalists, particularly on the Evatt years, there are segments of letters on different hobbies or projects ranging from opals to tour guides, correspondence about family and local history projects, and an extensive correspondence with National Library.

The correspondents include Joy Forsyth, Katherine Forsyth, Christopher Forsyth, Russell Forsyth, Sir Walter Crocker, W.J. Hudson, Guy Loison, I.J. Fairbairn, G.F.D. Betham, Brian Hill, John Hood, Sir Albert Henry, Macu Salato, T.W. Cutts, Frank Mahony, Peter Hastings, W. Macmahon Ball, Ralph Harry, Francis Bugotu. John Ryan, W.R. Louis, J.A.C. Mackie, Malcolm Booker, Frank Poyes, Stanley Ryan, Roger Dingman, Garry Woodard, Stuart Macintyre, Ken Inglis and Catherine Santamaria.

Folder

1-3 Travel leave in Greece, 1968, includes photographs
4 Travel correspondence, 1979 and travel in Europe, 1985
5 Travel in Australia, 1986-89
6-7 Travel in South Pacific, 1990-93
8-9 Opal export exploration (Exopal): correspondence, certificate, 1969-70
10 Opals at Lightning Ridge: clippings and notes, c1970
11 Opal information compiled in 1970 by Forsyth
12-13 Correspondence with the National Library, 1970s-90s
14-17 Typescript summary, lecture ‘Tamar to Wannon: 1826-48’, including notes and research extracts, 1970s
18 Duplicate summary and correspondence re lecture ‘Tamar to Wannon’, 1975
19 Bibliography and notes, ‘Tamar to Wannon’ lecture, 1970s
20 Correspondence, 1970-71
21 Correspondence, 1972-73
22 Correspondence, 1973
23 Correspondence, 1974
24 Correspondence, 1975
25 Correspondence, 1976
26 Correspondence, 1977
27 Correspondence, 1978
28 Correspondence, 1979
29 Correspondence, 1980
30 Correspondence, 1981-82
31-32 Correspondence, 1983-85
33 Correspondence, 1986-88
34 Correspondence, 1989-92
35 Correspondence, 1993
36 Correspondence on Imperialism at bay by W.R. Louis, 1975-81
37 Correspondence with Stanley Ryan, 1977-80, Roger Dingman and Grant Stillman, 1978-85
38 Correspondence on the Pacific, Indonesia and miscellaneous, 1970s
39 Statement of service records, 1956-78, Department of External Affairs (1956) and Foreign Affairs (1978)
40-42 Correspondence about H.V. Evatt with Garry Woodard, 1987-92
43-44 Correspondence with Stuart Macintyre and others on academic matters, 1990-92
45 Correspondence with Warren Osmond, 1981-86, Ken Inglis, Amirah Inglis and David Lowe, 1984-88)
46-47 Correspondence with Department of Foreign Affairs (historical documents) and the National Archives, 1987-92
48 Correspondence with W.J. Hudson regarding trusteeship matters, 1990-92

Series 17 Press clippings and opinions, 1969-92

The series includes cuttings on various subjects, including East Timor, the Pacific, Bougainville and book reviews.

Folder

1-6 Selected readings, book reviews and notes c1970s-80s
7 Jottings, quips and quotes, 1970s
8 ‘Americanisation of Australia’, c1980s
9-10 Australian Broadcasting Commission clippings and notes, 1970s-90s
11-12 Portuguese Timor: press clippings and articles by Forsyth and Jim Dunn, 1974-92
13-14 Aboriginal affairs: clippings and correspondence, 1979-84
15 Timor: Peter Hastings’ seminar papers and correspondence, 1974-79
16-20 ‘Fraserina’, 1978-82 (5 folders)
21-22 ‘New world order’, cuttings, letters to the Canberra Times, notes, 1990s
23 ‘Opinions’, 1980s
24-25 Letters to the editor by Forsyth, 1980s
26-27 ‘Universities and the promotion of knowledge’, 1989-90s
28-29 Press clippings, notes on various topics, and copies of the United Nations newsletter, Unity, 1980s-90s
30 National Library: general notes, clippings and call slips, c1980s-90s
31 ‘Curiosities’, press clippings and notes
32 ‘Recollections’, Timor materials, 1989-91
33 ‘Reflections’, 1970s-80s
34 ‘Remarks’ scrapbook (mainly political clippings), 1978-79
35 ‘Remarks’ postscript, 1978, cuttings and notes, 1979-91, extracts from ‘selected opinions’, 1978 (scrapbook)
36-37 ACT self-government and local issues - notes, letters and opinions, 1970s-90s
38-39 Opinions, letters, clippings and notes 1970s-80s
40-41 Letters to the editor, 1970s-80s
42 Letters, notes and clippings on ANZUS, c1980-86
43 Letters re ‘Power in the Pacific’ (ABC), 1989
44 ABC correspondence and views, 1981-85
45-46 Miscellaneous press clippings and notes, c1989-92
47 Miscellaneous press clippings, notes and reviews, c1980s-90s
48 Miscellaneous: hobbies, memorabilia, clippings, notes, letters, c1980s
49 Miscellaneous press clippings, notes, reviews, c1988-91
50 Miscellaneous press clippings, notes, reviews, 1970s-80s
51 Miscellaneous press clippings, notes, letters, 1980s
52 Miscellaneous press clippings, notes, letters and reviews, 1970s-90s
53 Press clippings, notes on Wilfred Burchett and Bougainville, c1970-92

Series 18 Printed material, 1942-75

The series comprises extensive notes, cuttings, reviews, pamphlets andcorrespondence about the research for and publication of Forsyth’s three books. There are also copies of some of the articles that he wrote.

The correspondents include Sir Ernest Scott, Ida Leeson, Malcolm Titt, Peter Ryan and J.F. Foster.

Folder

  Governor Arthur’s convict system, 1935 (reprinted 1970):
1 Original typescript, c1930s
2 Notes, reviews, correspondence, 1935 ed.
3-4 Notes, reviews, correspondence, 1970 reprint and 1975 addenda
5-6 Photographs and illustrations, c1930s
   
  The myth of open spaces, 1942:
7 Correspondence, reviews, notes
8 Outline for ‘The Future of open spaces’ - projected sequel to Myth
   
  Captain Cook’s Australian landfalls, 1970:
9 Distribution pamphlet, 1970
10 Newspapers (used as background for pamphlet), 1970
11 Sketches and maps, 1970
12-13 Pamphlets, 1970
   
14-15 Various articles by Forsyth, 1939-74

Series 19 Miscellaneous papers

Folder

1-3 Photocopies of Japan and Batavia diaries of William Macmahon Ball (from a book edited by Alan Rix, 1988)
4-16 Historic newspapers, 1941-93. Includes The Canberra Times, 1945-93, (including 3 folders of 1988 material) and other newspapers such as The New York Times, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Fiji Times, The Tahiti Bulletin, Le Journal De Tahiti etc
17 Inscribed copies of printed material, 1949-83
18 Parliamentary report on admin of Papua & New Guinea territories, 1939
19 Subscriptions, notices, oddments, c1980s
20 Beauty spots, Coleraine, n.d., and Broulee, 1982
21 Magazines
   
Folio Framed page from The Australian women’s weekly, 1951; black document wallet, ceramic tile, metal ruler, Swiss coin

Folio List

Folio box 1  
   
Series 10/1-5 Photograph albums, Vietnam, 1959-61
   
Folio box 2  
   
Series 1/1 Certificate (matriculation) and degrees, 1927-56
   
Series 11/1 Buka incident (Feb 1962) papers, press clippings and Bougainville clippings, sketches, 1969
   
Series 13/1-3 Photograph albums, Beirut, Lebanon, 1967-68
   
Series 14/1 Photograph album, New Caledonia, n.d.
   
Series 14/2 Article & two photographs (photocopies) of canoe, Hokule’a
   
Series 19/1-3 Framed page from The Australian women’s weekly (1951), black document wallet, ceramic tile, metal ruler, Swiss coin

Box List

Box Series Folder/bag
1 1 1-8
2 1 9-15
3 1 16-21
4 1 22-29
5 1 30
6 1 31-37
7 1 38-41
8 1 42-51
9 2 1-5
10 2 6-7
10 3 1-5
11 4 1-4
11 5 1-5
12 5 6-13
13 6 1-8
14 6 9-15
15 6 16-22
16 6 23-26
16 7 1-4
17 7 5-12
18 7 13-19
19 7 20-26
20 7 27-34
21 7 35-41
22 7 42-47
23 8 1-6
24 8 7-13
25 8 14-20
26 8 21-27
27 8 28-35
28 8 36-40
28 9 1-4
29 9 5-12
30 10 1-8
31 10 9-16
32 10 17-22
33 10 23-27
34 11 1-7
35 12 1-8
36 12 9-16
37 12 17-23
38 12 24-26
38 13 1-5
39 13 6-14
40 13 15-25
41 13 26-31
42 13 32-39
43 14 1-7
44 14 8-14
45 14 15-21
46 14 22-29
47 14 30-37
48 14 38-44
49 14 45-51
50 14 52-58
51 14 59-65
52 14 66-73
53 14 74-81
54 14 82-90
55 14 91-98
56 14 99-106
57 14 107-113
58 14 114-120
59 14 121-127
60 14 128-134
61 14 135-141
62 14 142-148
63-67 14 printed material
68 15 1-8
69 15 9-15
70 15 16-20
71 15 21-28
72 15 29-34
73 15 35-38
74 15 39-46
75 15 47-54
76 15 55-62
77 15 63-69
78 15 70-77
79 15 78-85
80 15 86-93
81 15 94-100
82 15 101-109
83 15 110-114
83 16 1-3
84 16 4-10
85 16 11-17
86 16 18-25
87 16 26-33
88 16 34-39
89 16 40-47
90 16 48
90 17 1-7
91 17 8-14
92 17 15-22
93 17 23-30
94 17 31-34
95 17 35-41
96 17 42-47
97 17 48-53
98 18 1-8
99 18 9-15
100 19 1-7
101 19 8-14
102 19 15-21
folio box 1 10 1-5
folio box 2 1 1
folio box 2 11 1
folio box 2 13 1-3
folio box 2 14 1-2
folio box 2 19 1-3
June 2000