MS 6634 Papers of John Molony
Summary
Creator: John Neylon Molony
Title: Papers
Dater range: 1930s-1997
Extent: 15.28 m (106 boxes + 1 folio box)
Reference number: MS 6634
Administrative Information
Access: Restricted, except for Series 1, folders 24 and 29, which are
closed until the deaths of Molony and his wife
Provenance
The bulk of the papers were acquired from John Molony in 1998, under
the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme (TIAS). Three earlier small
consignments were received from Molony - two donated in 1981 and 1985 and one
acquired under the TIAS in 1989.
Scope and Content note
The papers in this collection provide a comprehensive record of the
life and career of John Molony.
Molony's long career with the Australian National University is
reflected in the large amount of correspondence, lecture material, reports and
administrative papers he has accumulated. There are also papers relating to
much of Molony's published work and these include a large quantity of research
material, draft typescripts, correspondence, newspaper cuttings and reviews.
The extensive correspondence is a particular strength of this
collection. Molony is a prolific letter writer and has retained much of the
correspondence received over the course of his life and career. This
correspondence, particularly with family and friends, often provides very
personal glimpses of Molony at various stages during his life. In addition to
this, Molony's mother kept the very detailed letters he wrote from Rome while
studying for the priesthood. Combined with the correspondence relating to his
decision to leave the Church, they provide insights into life in the priesthood
in the 1950s and 1960s. Apart from family and colleagues, correspondents
include Ian Burns, Manning Clark, Dorothy Green, Bishop Bede Heather, Xavier
Herbert, Ken and Amirah Inglis, Archbishop Frank Little, Geoff Lloyd and Bill
Mandle.
Molony has been involved with many organisations over the years, mostly
as a committee member. The collection includes correspondence, minutes of
meetings and other papers relating to these organisations.
Organisation
The Library has arranged the papers into 32 series.
The papers were accumulated by Molony over a long period of time and, on
receipt, comprised mainly manila folders and a large quantity of loose papers.
The loose papers were grouped by the Library according to series and placed in
folders. The manila folders created by Molony were kept intact. Molony
allocated titles to many of the manila folders and these titles have been used
in the folder descriptions within each series. Where no title was available,
the description is based on the contents of the folder.
Related material
The Oral History Section of the Library holds the following related
recordings:
- ORAL TRC 2285 Interview with John Molony by Peter Biskup, 1988
- ORAL TRC 2275 Interview with Alex Jesaulenko, Australian football
player and coach, by John Molony, 1988
- ORAL TRC 2364 Proceedings of the 3rd National Folklore Conference
held in the National Library of Australia on 26-27 November, 1988 (Molony was a
participant at the Conference)
- ORAL TRC 435 'The Italian elections', an ANU Convocation luncheon
address given by John Molony on June 16, 1976
John Neylon Molony is an academic, historian and author. He was born in
Melbourne on 15 April 1927, the first son of Michael Joseph and Bridget Jane
(neé McInerney). Between 1933 and 1944, he was educated at Sea Lake
State School and St Patrick's College, Ballarat.
In 1945, Molony began studies for the priesthood at Corpus Christi
College, Werribee. His achievements at the College were such that he was
selected to undertake a six-year study program at Propaganda Fide College in
Rome. He left Australia in 1947 and was not to return until 1954. Molony was
ordained a priest in Rome in December 1950. He continued his studies at the
Propaganda Fide College and in 1952 completed post-graduate studies in Canon
Law. In 1953-54 he practised Canon Law in Boston, USA.
Molony returned to Australia in 1954 to take up duty as a priest at St
Patrick's Presbytery, Ballarat. During his time at Ballarat, Molony was a
chaplain and teacher at St Patrick's College. In addition, in 1955-63 he was
the Canon Lawyer for the Ecclesiastical Court of the Victorian Province and
Director of Catholic Action organisations.
In 1964, Molony decided to leave the priesthood and in a civil ceremony
in 1965 he married Denise Margaret Chandler, with whom he has four children. He
was granted a dispensation from the priesthood in 1966 and was married in that
same year in a private Catholic ceremony. In 1969, Molony and his wife agreed
to tell their story in an episode of the ABC-TV documentary series Chequer
Board.
Molony's long involvement with the Australian National University (ANU)
began in 1964, when he was employed as a Research Assistant in Medieval History
in the School of Social Science. He was to go on to become Head of the
Department of History and to hold the Manning Clark Chair of Australian History
from 1982 until his retirement from the University in 1990. On his retirement,
the ANU appointed Molony as an Emeritus Professor of History.
During the early years of his career as an academic at the ANU, Molony
also continued with his studies. In 1968 he was admitted to the degree of
Master of Arts with his thesis 'The Roman mould of the Australian Catholic
Church' and in 1971 to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with his thesis 'John
Hubert Plunkett in New South Wales, 1832-1869'. Both theses were subsequently
published.
Molony returned twice to Rome to study. In 1974, he was awarded an
exchange scholarship by the Italian Government to undertake one year of study
in Rome. He also lectured at the university there. In 1984 he took sabbatical
leave of one year to undertake research at the Vatican Library and
Archives.
Following his retirement from the ANU in 1990, Molony was appointed to
the Keith Cameron Professorship of Australian History at University College,
Dublin. He held this position until 1993.
In 1993, on his return to Australia, Molony was appointed to the
Foundation Research Professorship in History at the Australian Catholic
University in Canberra. He left the University in July 1996.
Throughout his life, as well as maintaining a close relationship with
the Catholic Church, Molony has played an active role in the community. He has
been a committee member of a number of organisations including the Australian
Labor Party, the Indo-China Refugee Association, the Eureka Stockade Memorial
Trust and several Australian Rules Football groups. He has also been a
long-standing member of the Dante Alighieri Society, holding the position of
President from 1976 until 1990. In 1990, in recognition of his contribution to
the interests of Italian culture, Molony was awarded the 'Onorifecenza
Cavaliere OMRI' by the Italian Government.
During the course of his career, Molony has published a number of
scholarly works on subjects as diverse as the encyclical of Pope Leo XIII and
Ned Kelly, as well as numerous newspaper and journal articles, chapters in
books and literary reviews. His published works include:
- The Roman mould of the Australian Catholic Church,
Melbourne, Melbourne University Press, 1969
- An architect of freedom: John Hubert Plunkett in New South Wales,
1832-1869, Canberra, ANU Press, 1973 ·
- The emergence of political Catholicism in Italy: Partito
Popolare, 1919-1926, London, Croom Helm, 1977
- I am Ned Kelly, Melbourne, Allen Lane, 1980
- Eureka, Melbourne, Viking, 1984
- The Penguin bicentennial history of Australia, Melbourne,
Viking, 1987
- The worker question: a new historical perspective on Rerum
Novarum, Melbourne, Collins Dove, 1991
- A soul came into Ireland: Thomas Davis, 1814-1845, Dublin,
Geography Publications, 1995
- The Native-Born: the first white Australians, Melbourne,
Melbourne University Press, 2000
Series List
| 1 |
Family correspondence, 1939-97 |
| 2 |
Correspondence with friends, 1949-96 |
| 3 |
General correspondence and papers, 1963-96 |
| 4 |
Family papers, 1930s-1990 |
| 5 |
Financial papers, 1969-96 |
| 6 |
Diaries, 1951, 1976-94 |
| 7 |
Australian National University, 1964-90 |
| 8 |
Australian Catholic University, 1993-96 |
| 9 |
Lecture material, 1964-93 |
| 10 |
The Roman mould of the Australian Catholic Church,
1967-72 |
| 11 |
An architect of freedom: John Hubert Plunkett in New South
Wales, 1832-1869, 1969-74 |
| 12 |
The emergence of political Catholicism in Italy: Partito
Popolare 1919-1926, 1975-77 |
| 13 |
I am Ned Kelly, 1977-90 |
| 14 |
Eureka, 1980-84 |
| 15 |
The Penguin history of Australia, 1985-89 |
| 16 |
The worker question: a new historical perspective on Rerum
novarum, 1984-91 |
| 17 |
A soul came into Ireland: Thomas Davis, 1814-1845,
1993-96 |
| 18 |
Other published writings by Molony, 1955-92 |
| 19 |
Unpublished writings by Molony |
| 20 |
Speeches by Molony, 1969-96 |
| 21 |
Research material |
| 22 |
Newsletters, 1982-95 |
| 23 |
Australian Rules Football, 1971-95 |
| 24 |
Dante Alighieri Society of Canberra, 1971-95 |
| 25 |
CRIPAC Press, 1971-73 |
| 26 |
Australian Labor Party, 1973-96 |
| 27 |
Australian Bicentennial Authority, 1977-83 |
| 28 |
Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, 1979-95 |
| 29 |
Indo-China Refugee Association, 1979-95 |
| 30 |
Canberra History Project, 1984-86 |
| 31 |
Church papers, 1985-94 |
| 32 |
Eureka Stockade, 1988-97 |
Series Description
Series 1 Family correspondence, 1939-97
This series comprises correspondence between Molony and his immediate
and extended family. There are letters from his parents, brother Brian and
sister Margaret, his wife Denise, his children Damien, Michael, Leah and
Justine, his aunts and his parents-in-law. There is also a collection of
letters written by his aunt, Sister Mary Loyola, a Catholic nun, to both Molony
and members of the family.
In 1945, Molony entered the Seminary at Corpus Christi College,
Werribee, to train for the priesthood. In 1947, he travelled to Rome to
undertake further studies and did not return to Australia until 1954. Included
are the many letters Molony wrote to his parents during his time overseas. They
contain much detail about his life during this time, as well as expressing many
of his thoughts and ideas.
In 1964, Molony decided to leave the priesthood and marry. This was a
difficult decision and one which was not supported by either the church or his
family. The distress caused to both himself and his family by this decision is
reflected in the correspondence of this time. In 1969, Molony and his wife
appeared on a program of the ABC-TV documentary series Chequer Board.
Correspondence received from extended family and friends after the program was
aired expresses overwhelming support for them and a better understanding of
what they had experienced.
Folder/item
1 Childhood letters written by Molony to his parents, 1930s
2-4 Letters written by Sister Mary Loyola to Molony and his family,
1939-50
5 Letters written by Brian Molony to his family, 1940-58
6-8 Letters written to each other by members of Molony's family,
1940-65
9-10 Letters from Molony to his family while at the Seminary in
Werribee and while en route to Rome, 1945-47
11 Miscellaneous Christmas and birthday cards, 1946-64
12-16 Letters from Molony to his family while studying in Rome,
1948-53
17 Letters from Molony to his family from Rome and Boston, 1953
18 Letters from Molony to his family while en route from Boston to
Australia to take up his position at St Patrick's Presbytery, Ballarat, 1954
19-21 Condolence letters and cards, received on the death of Molony's
father, 1958
22-23 Letters from Molony to his family, 1963-67
24 Closed file (1964-65)
25 Letters to Molony from his mother, 1966-69
26 Correspondence between Molony and his wife, 1967-1970
27 Letters to Molony from his family 1968-70
28 Letters to Molony from his family, following the screening of the
ABC program Chequer Board 1969
29 Closed file (1969-70)
30 Correspondence, 1971-76
31 Correspondence 1977-83
32 Correspondence while Molony was on sabbatical in Rome, 1984-86
33 Correspondence 1988-89
34 Correspondence, 1990 35 Correspondence, 1991
36-37 Correspondence, 1992
38 Correspondence, 1993-94
39 Correspondence, 1995-97
Series 2 Correspondence with friends, 1949-96
Molony has been a prolific letter writer and has retained a large
collection of the letters received from friends during the course of his life
and career. This correspondence is contained in this series.
Friends with whom Molony has had a long and close relationship include
Ian Burns, Des O'Hagan (who was at the seminary with Molony in Werribee and
also left the priesthood), Archbishop Frank Little and Geoff Lloyd. Other
correspondents include Manning Clark, Bishop Bede Heather, Xavier Herbert, Ken
and Amirah Inglis, Bill Mandle and Gerald Walsh.
Correspondence with Des Hagan (1966-68), Manning Clark (1969-90) and
Xavier Herbert (1978-83) was filed separately by Molony and these files have
been retained and incorporated into the Library's arrangement of the
correspondence into chronological order by year.
Folder
1 Correspondence, undated Correspondence, 1949-54
2 Correspondence, 1964-70
3 Letters to Molony from colleagues in the church, 1965-66
Correspondence regarding Molony's petition for dispensation from the
Priesthood, 1965-66
4 Correspondence, 1966-67
5 Letters from Des O'Hagan, 1966-68
6 Correspondence, 1968
7-8 Correspondence, 1969
9 Letters to Molony from friends, acquaintances and strangers,
following the screening of the ABC program Chequer Board, 1969
10 Correspondence, 1970
11 Correspondence, 1971
12 Correspondence, 1972
13 Correspondence 1973
14 Letters and cards from Manning Clark, 1969-90
15 Correspondence, 1974
16 Correspondence, 1975
17 Correspondence, 1976
18 Correspondence, 1977
19 Correspondence 1978
20 Correspondence with Xavier Herbert, 1978-83
21 Correspondence, 1979
22 Correspondence, 1980
23 Correspondence, 1981
24 Correspondence, 1982
25 Correspondence, 1983
26-28 Correspondence, 1984
29 Correspondence, 1985
30 Correspondence, 1986
31 Correspondence, 1987
32 Correspondence, 1988
33 Correspondence, 1989
34 Correspondence, 1990
35-36 Correspondence, 1991
37-38 Correspondence, 1992
39 Correspondence, 1993
40 Correspondence, 1994
41 Correspondence, 1995
42 Correspondence, 1996
Series 3 General correspondence and papers, 1963-96
As well as correspondence with family and friends, Molony accumulated a
great deal of general correspondence, the bulk of which relates to his life
after he left the priesthood. Contained in this series is correspondence with
publishers, editors, clergy of the Catholic Church and community groups and
projects with which Molony was involved. Interleaved with these papers is a
large quantity of correspondence relating to Molony's time as the Keith Cameron
Professor of Australian History at the University College, Dublin (1990-93).
Much of this is from colleagues in Australia.
For a period of time from 1977 to 1983, Molony filed some of his
correspondence alphabetically. In some cases, he also filed correspondence with
certain organisations separately. These files have been retained and
incorporated into the Library's arrangement of the correspondence into
chronological order by year.
While there are separate series for Australian National University
(Series 7) and the Australian Catholic University (Series 8), papers relating
to both these institutions may be included in this series.
Interleaved with the correspondence are items such as news cuttings,
reports, invitations to functions and drafts of papers by Molony.
Folder
1 Undated correspondence
2 Correspondence, 1962-67
3 Correspondence regrading research in Ireland about Edward Butler,
1967-68
4 Correspondence, 1968
5 Correspondence with the Australian Society of Authors, 1968-70
6 Correspondence, 1969
7 Correspondence, 1970
8 Correspondence, 1971
9 Correspondence, 1972
10 Correspondence, 1973
11 Correspondence, 1974
12-13 Correspondence, 1975
14 Correspondence, 1976
15-16 Correspondence, 1977
17 Correspondence, 1977 (alphabetical order)
18 Correspondence, 1978
19 Correspondence, 1978 (alphabetical order)
20 Correspondence with the Australian Broadcasting Commission,
1979-81
21 Correspondence, 1979
22 Correspondence, 1979 (alphabetical order)
23 Correspondence, 1980
24-25 Correspondence, 1980 (alphabetical order)
26 Correspondence, 1981
27-28 Correspondence, 1981 (alphabetical order)
29-30 Correspondence, 1982
31-32 Correspondence, 1982 (alphabetical order)
33-34 Correspondence, 1983
35-36 Correspondence, 1983 (alphabetical order)
37 Correspondence, 1984
38-41 Correspondence, 1985
42 Correspondence with Monsignor Eric D'Arcy, Bishop of Sale relating to
the 'Non-belief Project', 1985-87
43-44 Correspondence, 1986
45-46 Correspondence, 1987
47 Correspondence with Oxford University Press regarding proposals for
an illustrative history of Australia, 1988-90
48-51 Correspondence, 1988
52 Correspondence with Penguin Books, 1989-90
53-55 Correspondence, 1989
56 Correspondence relating to appointment at University College,
Dublin, 1989-92
57-62 Correspondence, 1990
63-69 Correspondence, 1991
70 References written while at the University College, Dublin, 1991
71-76 Correspondence, 1992
77 References written while at the University College, Dublin, 1992
78-84 Correspondence, 1993
85 References written while at the University College, Dublin, 1993
86-90 Correspondence, 1994
91-95 Correspondence, 1995
96-100 Correspondence, 1996
Series 4 Family papers, 1930s-1990
Contained in this series is a miscellaneous group of papers and
memorabilia relating to Molony and his family. Included are papers about
Molony's parents, his studies for the priesthood, and his two study trips to
Rome. In addition, there is a transcript of an oral history interview with
Molony conducted in 1988, the certificate of Onorifecenz Cavaliere OMRI,
awarded to Molony by the Italian Government in 1990 and newspaper cuttings.
Folder
1 Family history research
2 Papers from the 1930s - memorabilia of Molony's parents Papers from
the 1940s relating to Molony's studies for the priesthood
3 Papers from the 1950s and 1960s - newspaper cuttings and a copy of
the will of Molony's mother
4 Memorabilia from Molony's study trip to Rome, 1974-75
5 Memorabilia from Molony's study trip to Rome, 1983-84
6 Transcript of an interview of Molony conducted by Peter Biskup on
behalf of the National Library of Australia, 1988
7 News cuttings and miscellaneous ephemera, 1990s A small packet of
photographs, mostly undated Certificate of 'Onorificenza Cavaliere OMRI', 1990
Series 5 Financial papers, 1969-96
This series contains a small amount of financial papers, which include
bank statements, royalty statements, pay slips, receipts, tax forms and cheque
butts.
Folder/item
1 Financial papers, 1969-75
2 Cheque butts, 1969-96
3 Bank statements, 1983-84
4 Income tax papers, 1989-90
5 Financial papers, 1990
6 Financial papers, 1991
7 Financial papers, 1991-92
8 Financial papers, 1993-96
Series 6 Diaries, 1951, 1976-94
The diaries in this series were maintained by Molony, apart for two from
1990, which were written by his wife, Denise. Some contain appointments only
and some are narrative in style and record his daily activities and his
thoughts.
Item
1 Narrative diary, 1951
2 Appointment diary, 1976
3 Appointment diary, 1977
4 Appointment diary, 1978
5 Appointment diary, 1979
6 Appointment diary, 1980
7 Appointment diary, 1981
8 Appointment diary, 1982
9 Appointment diary, 1983
10 Narrative diary, 1984
11 Narrative diary, 1985
12 Appointment diary, 1985
13 Appointment diary, 1986
14 Narrative diary, 1986-87
15 Narrative diary, 1988
16 Appointment diary, 1989
17 Narrative diary, 1989
18 Appointment diary, 1990
19-21 Narrative diaries, 1990
22-23 Diaries of Denise Molony, 1990
24 Appointment diary, 1990-91
25 Narrative diary, 1991
26 Narrative diary, 1992
27 Appointment diary, 1992-93
28 Narrative diary, 1993
29 Narrative diary, 1993-95
30 Appointment diary, 1994
Series 7 Australian National University, 1964-90
This series comprises a large group of papers relating to Molony's long
career as an academic at the Australian National University (ANU). Included is
correspondence, reports, administrative papers, research grant applications
submitted by Molony, references written by Molony for others and papers
relating to course work.
During the period 1975-83, Molony filed some of his correspondence in
chronological order within the year, and some in alphabetical order. These
files have been retained and incorporated into the Library's arrangement of the
papers into chronological order by year.
Correspondents include Geoffrey Fairbairn, Dorothy Green, Ian Hancock,
Ken Inglis Hector Kinloch, Bill Mandle, Bede Nairn and John Ritchie.
Summary of Molony's career at ANU:
1964 Research Assistant, School of Social Sciences
1965 Part-time tutor in British History, Department of History Part-time
lecturer in Australian History, Royal Military College, Duntroon
1966 Tutor in Modern History
1967 Senior Tutor in History
1968 Lecturer in History
1974 Senior Lecturer in History
1975 Professor of History
1977-85 Head of Department of History
1978-90 Manning Clark Professor of Australian History
1990 Emeritus Professor of History
Folder
1 Undated files
2 Employment history, 1964-84
3 Papers relating to Molony's PhD thesis, 1971
4 General papers, 1971
5 General papers, 1971-83 (included are letters of Geoffrey Fairbairn,
1978-79)
6 General papers 1972-85
7 General papers, 1972-73
8 General papers, 1974-85
9 Correspondence, 1975-77 (chronological)
10 General papers 1975-76
11-21 References written, 1976-84 (alphabetical)
22 Research grant applications, 1977-82
23 Correspondence, 1977-78 (chronological)
24 Reports of theses examined, 1977-89
25 Correspondence, 1979 (chronological)
26 General papers, 1979-80
27 Correspondence, 1980 (chronological
) 28 Correspondence regarding the appointment of a research assistant to
Molony, 1982-84
29 General papers, 1982
30 Correspondence, 1982 (chronological)
31 General papers, 1983
32 Correspondence, 1983 (chronological)
33 Correspondence and examiners' reports regarding a disallowed PhD
thesis, 1983-87
34 General papers, 1984
35 General papers, 1985-86
36 References written, 1985
37 Research grant applications, 1985
38 References written, 1986
39 General papers, 1987
40 References written, 1987-89
41 Correspondence and papers regarding a proposal for Sir Donald
Bradman to be offered an Honorary Doctorate and Bradman's subsequent refusal of
the offer, 1988
42-43 General papers, 1988
44 General papers 1989
45 Reports of theses examined, 1989-90
46-51 Papers relating to the proposed amalgamation of the ANU and the
Canberra College of Advanced Education (CCAE) and to an enquiry into the
administration of the ANU, 1989-90
52 Papers relating to an 'Academic Staff Questionnaire' regarding the
administration of the ANU, 1990
53-54 Responses to academic staff poll regarding the future role of the
ANU, 1990
56 References written, 1990
57 General papers, including notes for farewell speeches made by Molony
at functions for his retirement from the ANU, 1990
Series 8 Australian Catholic University, 1993-96
In 1993, Molony took up the appointment of Foundation Research
Professor in History at the Australian Catholic University in Canberra. He
resigned from the position in 1996. This series contains papers relating to
Molony's appointment to the position and his work at the University.
Folder
1 Correspondence and papers, 1993
2 Papers relating to Molony's visits to other Catholic University
campuses, 1993
3 References written, 1994
4 Correspondence and papers, 1994
5 Papers relating to Molony's visits to other Catholic University
campuses, 1994
6 References written, 1995-96
7-8 Correspondence, 1995
9 Correspondence, 1996
Series 9 Lecture material, 1964-93
The bulk of the papers in this series relate to Molony's academic
career at the Australian National University (1964-90). They comprise a large
group of lecture notes as well as student work and papers relating to
administrative matters. Also included are two folders of papers relating to
Molony's time at the University College, Dublin (1990-93).
Folder
1-12 Undated files
13-14 Lecture material, 1964
15-16 Lecture material, 1965
17 Lecture material, 1967
18-19 Lecture material, 1968
20 Lecture material, 1969
21 Lecture material, 1970-71
22-23 Lecture material, 1972
24-27 Lecture material, 1973
28 Lecture material, 1974-75
29 Lecture material, 1975
30 Lecture material, 1976
31 Lecture material, 1977
32 Lecture material, 1978
33 Lecture material, 1979
34 Lecture material, 1980-81
35 Lecture material, 1982
36 Lecture material, 1983
37 Lecture material, 1985-86
38-39 Lecture material, 1988
40 Lecture material, 1989
41-42 Lecture material, 1990-93
Series 10 The Roman mould of the Australian Catholic Church, 1967-72
Molony's book, The Roman mould of the Australian Catholic Church, is the
published version of his thesis completed for his MA studies at the Australian
National University. It was published by Melbourne University Press in 1969.
The papers in this series include research notes, reviews and
correspondence with Tony Gill, Monsignor C.J. Duffy and Melbourne University
Press regarding the publication of the book.
Folder
1 Research notes
2-4 Correspondence, 1967-72
5 Reviews, 1969-72
Series 11 An architect of freedom: John Hubert Plunkett in New South
Wales, 1832-1869, 1969-74
Molony's docotoral thesis, An architect of freedom: John Hubert
Plunkett in New South Wales, 1832-1869, was published by Australian National
University Press, Canberra, in 1973. The book details the life and work of
Plunkett, who was appointed Attorney-General in New South Wales in 1836, and
who was a leading figure throughout the period of transition from a penal to a
self-governing colony.
Included in this series are research notes, correspondence, a small
amount of typescript, galley proofs and reviews.
Folder
1 Research notes, 1969-73
2 Correspondence with publishers, 1970-73
3 Typescript of Chapter 4 (pp 1-37) Edited galley proofs
4 Reviews, 1973-74
Series 12 The emergence of political Catholicism in Italy: Partito
Popolare 1919-1926, 1975-77
In 1974, Molony was awarded an exchange scholarship by the Italian
Government to undertake one year of study in Rome. His book, The emergence
of political Catholicism in Italy: Partito Popolare 1919-1926, resulted
from research undertaken while in Rome. It was published by Croom Helm, London,
1977. Contained in this series is a small quantity of papers relating to the
book.
Folder
1 Edited typescript and manuscript of first draft
2 Correspondence with publishers, 1975-78
3 Reviews, 1977
Series 13 I am Ned Kelly, 1977-90
Molony's book, I am Ned Kelly, was published by Allen Lane, Melbourne,
in 1980. Molony undertook extensive research for the book, and this research
material makes up the major part of this series. Also included is
correspondence, an early manuscript and edited typescript drafts.
Folder/item
1-9 Research material: index cards
10-12 Research material: photocopies of Public Record Office, London,
records
13-18 Research material: photocopies of records from a variety of
sources
19 Research material: maps
20 Research material: notes on the Royal Commission into the Kelly
outbreak
21-22 Research material: photocopies of notes of evidence from the
trial The Queen-v-Edward Kelly,
28-29 October 1880
23 Research material: files on Constable Fitzpatrick and the township
of Avenel
24-26 Research notes
27-28 Research material: transcripts and photocopies of Kelly
correspondence, including the Jerilderie letter of 1879
29 Research material: newspaper cuttings
30 Research material: ephemera and booklets relating to Kelly
31 Copies of papers written/presented by others on topics relating to
Kelly
32 Research material used for Chapters 1 and 4 of the book 33 Research
material used for Chapter 7 of the book
34-35 Correspondence: research enquiries and with publishers, 1977-79
36 Early manuscript
37-39 Edited typescript
40 Notes and drafts of a paper on Kelly, presented by Molony at the
Third National Folklore Conference, Canberra, 1988
41 Copies of papers relating to Kelly by Bob Reece and Deborah Rose,
c1990
Series 14 Eureka, 1980-84
Molony's book, Eureka, is an account of the bloody uprising in 1854 of
200 gold diggers at the Eureka mine near Ballarat, in protest over government
taxes. It was published by Viking, Melbourne, in 1984. Papers relating to this
book are included in this series, and comprise correspondence, research
material and a small amount of draft manuscript.
Folder/item
1-7 Research material: index cards
8-13 Research material: photocopies of records from various sources
14-17 Research notes
18-19 Research material: copies of thesis papers on topics of relevance
to Eureka
20 Correspondence relating to research and with publishers, 1980-85
Reviews, 1984
21-22 Draft manuscript of Chapters 1-15
23-24 Fragments of draft typescript
25 Folio item: Research material: photocopies of records from various
sources
Series 15 The Penguin history of Australia, 1985-89
In 1985, the Australian Bicentennial Authority (ABA) commissioned
Molony to write a one-volume General History of Australia for the 1988
Bicentenary. In an arrangement with the Australian National University, Molony
resigned as Head of the Department of History, but retained his Chair of
History. The ABA funded the cost of a replacement lecturer and provided Molony
with a research grant. The book was published by Viking, Melbourne, 1987.
Papers relating to the project are contained in this series. They
include correspondence with publishers and the ABA, financial records relating
to the project, edited manuscript and typescript and reviews. Also included are
congratulatory letters on the publication of the book. Correspondents include
Ken Inglis, John Ritchie and Russel Ward.
Folder
1 Financial records, 1985-88
2-3 Correspondence , 1985-89
4 Edited manuscript, 1986
5 Edited typescript
6 Edited proofs
7 Correspondence and reviews, following the release of the book,
1988
Series 16 The worker question: a new historical perspective on Rerum
novarum, 1984-91
In 1984, Molony spent one year in Rome, undertaking research in the
Vatican Archives. His book, The worker question: a new historical
perspective on Rerum novarum, about the encyclical letter entitled Rerum
Novarum issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, is the result of this research. It was
published by Collins Dove, Melbourne, in 1991.
The papers in this series include correspondence with publishers
(1990-91) and colleagues, including Charles Mayne (to whom the book is
dedicated), Bede Nairn and Tony Gill.
Folder
1 Research material
2 Correspondence, 1984-91
3-4 Edited manuscript and typescript
5 Typescript of a talk by Molony on Rerum Novarum, nd
6 Folio item: photographs used in the book
Series 17 A soul came into Ireland: Thomas Davis, 1814-1845,
1993-96
In 1990, Molony took up the appointment of the Keith Cameron
Professorship of Australian History at University College, Dublin. During this
time he undertook the research for his book A soul came into Ireland:
Thomas Davis, 1814-1845, the biography of the 19th century Irish patriot
Thomas Davis. It was published by Geography Publications, Dublin, in 1995.
The bulk of the papers contained in this series comprise research
material relating to the book. Also included is correspondence, mostly between
Molony and William Nolan of Geography Publications, regarding the writing,
editing and publication of the book.
Folder/item
1-4 Research material: index cards
5-7 Research material: photocopies of published sources
8-9 Research notes Photographs of a statue of Davis and his headstone
10-11 Research material: photocopies of unpublished theses on related
topics
12 Correspondence, 1993-96
13 Manuscript of Chapter 1
14 Papers relating to the book launch, 1995 Reviews, 1995
Series 18 Other published writings by Molony, 1955-92
As well as his books, during the course of his career, Molony has
published journal and newspaper articles, numerous book reviews and chapters in
books, mostly biographical dictionaries. Papers relating to these published
works are contained in this series.
Folder/item
1-2 Copies of the Ballarat Diocesan Journal, Light, to which
Molony regularly contributed historical articles, 1955-63
3 Review of a booklet written by Molony entitled Moral
re-armament, published by the Australian Catholic Truth Society, 1961
4-6 Typescripts and cuttings of book reviews, 1965-93 Correspondence
regarding reviews, 1971-89
7 Typescript copies of Letters to the Editor, 1988-89 Cuttings of
newspapers articles, 1966-79
8 Typescripts and cuttings of newspapers articles, 1981-91
9 Papers and drafts of chapters for books, 1967-92
Series 19 Unpublished writings by Molony
This series comprises a small group of mostly undated typescripts of
unpublished writings by Molony. Works include fictional short stories, chapters
of unidentified books and political writings. There are also religious
writings, including one piece with comments by Manning Clark, and a television
proposal for a history series.
Folder
1 Fictional short stories Short play
2-3 Book chapters
4 Religious writings
5 Political writings Television proposal, 1987
Series 20 Speeches by Molony, 1969-96
On numerous occasions over the course of his career, Molony has been
invited to give speeches at functions ranging from academic occasions,
political dinners, sports dinners, farewell dinners and as a guest speaker.
Contained in this series are manuscripts, typescripts and note cards relating
to these speeches.
Folder
1 Undated note cards and typescripts
2 Speeches, 1969-77
3 Speeches, 1980-83
4 Speeches, 1985
5-6 Speeches, 1987-89
7 Speeches, 1990-91
8 Speeches, 1992-94
9 Australian Catholic University Aquinas lectures, 1994
10 Speeches, 1995-96
Series 21 Research material
The research material in this series was accumulated by Molony and
covers a range of topics. It includes a large group of papers relating to a
project entitled The Colony of "Australia" and to Charles Gavan Duffy, Premier
of Victoria, who also published a biography of Thomas Davis in 1894. These
papers include photocopies of government records, newspaper cuttings,
photocopies of correspondence between Duffy and Parkes regarding Federation and
a letter from Duffy's grandson to Molony regarding his research (1984).
Folder/item
1-3 Copies of papers and journal articles written by others
4 Newspaper cuttings
5 Notes and index cards
6 Note cards relating to William Charles Wentworth
7-8 Material on the early Australian Police Force
9-10 Australian politics
11 The Wool Industry
12-16 Charles Gavan Duffy
17-26 The Colony of "Australia"
27-29 Miscellaneous material
30 Folio item: Duffy: photocopies of papers relating to Intercolonial
Conferences he attended
31 Folio item: Colony of Australia: photocopies of government
records
Series 22 Newsletters and other publications, 1982-95
This series contains a small group of newsletters and publications
accumulated by Molony.
Folder/item
1 Williamstown Historical Society Newsletter, 1987-95 NCRC
Newsletter, published by the National Catholic Research Council, 1988
2 Canberra and District Historical Society Newsletter,
1982-83
3-6 Miscellaneous newsletters, journals and publications
Series 23 Australian Rules Football, 1971-95
Molony has long been a keen follower and supporter of Australian Rules
Football, both in the ACT and nationally. Over the years he has been involved
with the Australian National University Australian Rules Football Club
(ANUARF), of which he was President, a committee member of the ACT Australian
Football League (ACTAFL), the Belconnen Australian Football Club (BAFC), of
which he has been President and Chairman, a committee member of the National
Football League of Australia (NFLA), Chair of the National Competition
Committee and a committee member of the ACT Academy of Sport.
The papers in this series comprise correspondence, minutes of meetings,
reports, submissions, discussion papers, financial statements and newspaper
cuttings relating to the various football organisations with which Molony has
been involved.
Folder
1 ANUARF papers, 1971, 1976-78, 1988
2-3 ACTAFL papers, 1980-82
4 National Competition Feasibility Study, 1985
5 ACTAFL papers, 1987
6-7 ACTAFL proposal to bid for the Sydney Swans AFL team, 1987-88
8 BAFC papers, 1987-90
9 NFLA papers, 1987
10-12 ACTAFL papers, 1988
14-19 NFLA papers, 1988
20 Newspaper cuttings and typescripts of a weekly column on Australian
Football, written by Alex Jesaulenko and published in the Canberra
Times, 1988
21-23 ACT Academy of Sport, 1988-89
24-25 BAFC papers, 1989-90
26-27 ACTAFL papers, 1989
28-32 NFLA papers, 1989
33-34 NFLA papers, 1990
35 Miscellaneous papers, 1991-95
Series 24 Dante Alighieri Society, 1971-95
Molony has had a long involvement with the Dante Alighieri Society in
Canberra, having been both a committee member and President. In 1990, the
Italian Government honoured Molony with the award of Onorificenza Cavaliere
OMRI, in recognition of his contribution to the interests of Italian
culture.
Correspondence and committee papers relating to Molony's involvement
with the Society are contained in this series, together with copies of the
Society's newsletter.
1 Papers, 1971-80
2-3 Papers, 1981
4 Papers, 1982-85
5 Papers, 1986-88
6 Papers, 1989-90
7 Papers 1991-95
8 Miscellaneous newsletters and newspapers relating to Italy
Series 25 CRIPAC Press, 1971-73
This series contains papers relating to the religious education
publishing company CRIPAC Press, of which Molony was a founding member. In
1972, during a time of legal problems, Molony was elected Chairman of Directors
and oversaw the transfer of the business operations to Dove Communications.
Papers include correspondence, legal documents, financial statements, minutes
of meetings and copies of the religious education journal Shalom,
which was published by CRIPAC Press.
2 folders
Series 26 Australian Labor Party, 1973-96
Molony has had a long involvement with the Australian Labor Party (ALP).
He has been a member of the ACT Branch, and has held the positions of Secretary
and President.
The papers in this series comprise correspondence, committee papers,
conference papers and newsletters relating to Molony's involvement with the
ALP.
Folder
1 Miscellaneous notes and note cards
2 Conference papers from Molony's participation in the 30th Federal
Conference of the ALP, Surfers Paradise, 1973
3 Conference papers from Molony's participation in the inaugural
conference of the ACT Branch of the ALP, 1973
4 Papers, 1973
5 Papers, 1976-96
Series 27 Australian Bicentennial Authority, 1977-83
Molony was Chair of the Australian Bicentenary Authority's History and
Political Democracy Task Force, which was set up to consider various projects
which could be undertaken to mark the Bicentenary.
Included in this series are minutes of meetings, correspondence,
committee papers and reports.
Folder 1-2 Papers, 1977-80
3-5 Papers, 1981-83
6-7 Minutes of meetings, 1982
Series 28 Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, 1979-95
The small group of papers in this series relate to Molony's involvement
with the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, of which he was a
committee member and President for many years. Included is correspondence,
minutes of meetings and copies of the Society's newsletter
Recorder.
2 folders
Series 29 Indo-China Refugee Association, 1979-95
Molony has been involved with the Indo-China Refugee Association for a
number of years as both a committee member and President (1988). Activities of
the organisation include the settling of newly arrived refugees and liaising
with Government authorities on their behalf.
The papers in this series comprise correspondence, minutes of meetings,
reports, Government publications, newspaper cuttings and copies of the ICRA
newsletter.
Folder
1-2 Correspondence and papers, 1979-87
3 Correspondence and papers, 1982-85
4-9 Correspondence and papers, 1988
10-12 Correspondence and papers, 1988-89
13 Correspondence and papers, 1989
14 Correspondence and papers, 1990-95
Series 30 Canberra History Project, 1984-91
Molony was one of the supervisors of a bicentenary project to produce a
three-volume history of Canberra, to be written by Jim Gibbney, Lyall Gillespie
and Eric Sparke. Sparke and Gibbney received scholarships from the Department
of Territories and Local Government to undertake the project. Two volumes,
Canberra 1913-1953 by Gibbney and Canberra 1954-1980 by
Sparke were published in 1988 and the third, Canberra 1820-1913 by
Gillespie, was published in 1991.
This series comprises correspondence, minutes of meetings and news
cuttings relating to the project.
1 folder
Series 31 Church papers, 1985-94
Since leaving the priesthood, Molony has continued to play an active
role within the Catholic Church. The papers in this series reflect this
involvement and comprise three groups. Firstly, papers relating to Molony's
involvement with the task force for the visit to Canberra of Pope John Paul II
in 1986. Included is correspondence, drafts of statements, addresses and
homilies and tour arrangements. Secondly, papers relating to the 1989 Diocesan
Synod, at which Molony was the appointed representative for the Archdiocese of
Canberra and Goulburn. And thirdly, papers relating to Molony's involvement in
the preparation of the 1994 Social Justice Sunday Statement on Unemployment on
behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops. The Statement was formulated
following an approach made to Molony, in 1993, by Michael Costigan, then
Executive Officer for the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council. Molony's
draft statement was subsequently rejected by the Council. Included is
correspondence, research material and drafts of the statement.
Folder
1 Papal visit, 1985-86
2-3 Diocesan Synod, 1989
4-9 Statement on Unemployment, 1993-94
Series 32 Eureka Stockade, 1988-97
The papers in this series relate to Molony's involvement as a committee
member of the group Eureka's Children, and with the Eureka Stockade Memorial
Trust of which he was both an historical consultant and a trustee. They
comprise papers relating to meetings of the Executive Committee of Eureka's
Children and correspondence, applications for funding, minutes of meetings,
design submissions and background material for the Eureka Stockade Memorial
Trust's project to redevelop the site of the Eureka uprising in Ballarat.
Folder/item
1 Undated papers and ephemera
2 Correspondence and papers, 1988-89
3 Correspondence and papers, 1992-94
4 Correspondence and papers, 1995
5 Submissions regarding the draft background text, which were received
by the Eureka Historic Content Sub-Committee, 1996
6-8 Correspondence and papers, 1996-97
9 Newspaper cuttings, 1993-97
10 Bound copies of the Interim Design Brief and accompanying background
material, 1995
11 Folio item: Design plans (1996) and copies of old sketches of the
site
Box List
| Box |
Series |
Folder |
| 1 |
1 |
1-7 |
| 2 |
1 |
8-14 |
| 3 |
1 |
15-20 |
| 4 |
1 |
21-23 |
| 5 |
1 |
25-27 |
| 6 |
1 |
27-28, 30-33 |
| 7 |
1 |
34-39 |
| 8 |
2 |
1-8 |
| 9 |
2 |
9-14 |
| 10 |
2 |
15-21 |
| 11 |
2 |
22-28 |
| 12 |
2 |
29-34 |
| 13 |
2 |
35-41 |
| 14 |
2 |
42 |
| 14 |
3 |
1-5 |
| 15 |
3 |
6-11 |
| 16 |
3 |
12-16 |
| 17 |
3 |
17-22 |
| 18 |
3 |
23-27 |
| 19 |
3 |
28-32 |
| 20 |
3 |
33-37 |
| 21 |
3 |
38-43 |
| 22 |
3 |
44-50 |
| 23 |
3 |
51-57 |
| 24 |
3 |
58-63 |
| 25 |
3 |
64-70 |
| 26 |
3 |
71-77 |
| 27 |
3 |
78-83 |
| 28 |
3 |
84-89 |
| 29 |
3 |
90-95 |
| 30 |
3 |
96-101 |
| 31 |
4 |
1-5 |
| 32 |
4 |
6-7 |
| 32 |
5 |
1 |
| 33 |
5 |
2-8 |
| 34 |
6 |
1-14 |
| 35 |
6 |
15-30 |
| 36 |
7 |
1-6 |
| 37 |
7 |
7-12 |
| 38 |
7 |
13-18 |
| 39 |
7 |
19-23 |
| 40 |
7 |
24-28 |
| 41 |
7 |
29-35 |
| 42 |
7 |
36-42 |
| 43 |
7 |
43-48 |
| 44 |
7 |
49-54 |
| 45 |
7 |
55-56 |
| 45 |
8 |
1-4 |
| 46 |
8 |
5-9 |
| 47 |
9 |
1-5 |
| 48 |
9 |
6-10 |
| 49 |
9 |
11-15 |
| 50 |
9 |
16-20 |
| 51 |
9 |
21-25 |
| 52 |
9 |
26-30 |
| 53 |
9 |
31-35 |
| 54 |
9 |
36-40 |
| 55 |
9 |
41-42 |
| 55 |
10 |
1-2 |
| 56 |
10 |
3-5 |
| 56 |
11 |
1-2 |
| 57 |
11 |
3-4 |
| 57 |
12 |
1-3 |
| 57 |
13 |
1-2 |
| 58 |
13 |
3-6 |
| 59 |
13 |
7-12 |
| 60 |
13 |
13-18 |
| 61 |
13 |
19-24 |
| 62 |
13 |
25-31 |
| 63 |
13 |
32-37 |
| 64 |
13 |
38-41 |
| 64 |
14 |
1 |
| 65 |
14 |
2-3 |
| 66 |
14 |
4-5 |
| 67 |
14 |
6-7 |
| 68 |
14 |
8-12 |
| 69 |
14 |
13-17 |
| 70 |
14 |
18-24 |
| 71 |
15 |
1-5 |
| 72 |
15 |
6-7 |
| 72 |
16 |
1-3 |
| 73 |
16 |
4-5 |
| 73 |
17 |
1 |
| 74 |
17 |
2-3 |
| 75 |
17 |
4-6 |
| 76 |
17 |
7-11 |
| 77 |
17 |
12-14 |
| 77 |
18 |
1-2 |
| 78 |
18 |
3-9 |
| 79 |
19 |
1-5 |
| 80 |
20 |
1-7 |
| 81 |
20 |
8-10 |
| 81 |
21 |
1-2 |
| 82 |
21 |
3-6 |
| 83 |
21 |
7-11 |
| 84 |
21 |
12-16 |
| 85 |
21 |
17-21 |
| 86 |
21 |
22-26 |
| 87 |
21 |
27-29 |
| 87 |
22 |
1-2 |
| 88 |
22 |
3-6 |
| 89 |
23 |
1-5 |
| 90 |
23 |
6-10 |
| 91 |
23 |
11-14 |
| 92 |
23 |
15-20 |
| 93 |
23 |
21-25 |
| 94 |
23 |
26-30 |
| 95 |
23 |
31-35 |
| 96 |
24 |
1-6 |
| 97 |
24 |
7-8 |
| 97 |
25 |
1-2 |
| 97 |
26 |
1-2 |
| 98 |
26 |
3-6 |
| 98 |
27 |
1 |
| 99 |
27 |
2-7 |
| 100 |
28 |
1-2 |
| 100 |
29 |
1-3 |
| 101 |
29 |
4-9 |
| 102 |
29 |
10-14 |
| 102 |
30 |
1 |
| 103 |
31 |
1-4 |
| 104 |
31 |
5-9 |
| 105 |
32 |
1-6 |
| 106 |
32 |
7-10 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Folio Box 1 |
14 |
25 |
| Folio Box 1 |
16 |
6 |
| Folio Box 1 |
21 |
30-31 |
| Folio Box 1 |
31 |
11 |
|