MS 8294 Papers of Nene Gare (1919-1994)
- Papers
- 1939-1994
- 4.06 m. (29 boxes) + 1 folio package
The collection was purchased from Nene Gare in 1993. An addition was
received from Frank Gare in 1994.
The collection includes letters, correspondence, notebooks, personal
documents, invitations, photographs, newspaper cuttings, publications and
drafts of short stories and novels including The fringe dwellers, Green
gold, A house with verandahs, An island away, Bend to the wind and "Kate
Kempster".
Correspondents include Frank Gare, Manuela Cannatelli, Denise Gutteres,
Joan Long, Derek Van Abbé, Sue Haynes, Tim Curnow, Geoffrey Dutton, Suzanne Falkiner, Florence James,
Ursula Winant, Dale Spender, Bruce Beresford, Sue Milliken and Macmillan
publishers.
The collection has been largely arranged into the present series
structure by Library staff. The papers were received in disordered state with
the exception of the series of carbon copies of letters by Gare (series 1) and
parts of series 2. The contents of files maintained by Gare have been retained
in original order.
Other material held by the Library relating to Nene Gare includes an
oral history interview with Hazel De Berg held by the Oral
History Section at ORAL DeB 914 and a photograph of Gare held by the
Pictorial Section at PIC P178 LOC Q92.
Nene Gare (1919-1994) was born Doris Violet May Wadham, the daughter of
John Henry Wadham and Mary Wadham (nee Hounslow). She was brought up in
Adelaide and educated at Adelaide Art School and Perth Technical School. After
graduation, Gare worked as a typist in Adelaide from 1938-39. In 1939 she met
Frank Ellis Gare on a visit to Perth and married him in 1941. In 1939-42 she
worked as a typist with H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd in Perth.
In 1946-8 Gare accompanied her husband to Salamaua, Papua New Guinea,
where he was employed as a patrol officer. Later the couple moved to Carnarvon,
WA, where they managed a banana plantation. In 1952-54 Frank Gare was employed
as a district officer with the Native Welfare Department in Carnarvon, and
1954-62 in Geraldton.
Nene Gare's first published novel was The fringe dwellers (1961)
which fictionalised the interaction of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
communities in Geraldton. Later novels bore a strong biographical element
including Green gold (1963) which drew on her experiences when banana
growing in Carnarvon, A house with verandahs (1980) relating to the
childhood in Adelaide, and An island away (1981), on the life of a
patrol officer's wife in Papua New Guinea.
Gare also wrote numerous short stories, some of which were published in
Bend to the wind (1978) and in various anthologies. She also contributed
stories and reviews to the Bulletin, Meanjin, Overland,
the West Australian and the Canberra Times. Her novel The
fringe dwellers was filmed by director Bruce Beresford in 1986.
Gare worked as an artist and was awarded prizes in the Canning Art
Awards for 1971, 1972, 1976 and 1978. She was also involved in the People for
Nuclear Disarmament and was Programme Chair for the Geraldton Branch of the
Business and Professional Women's Association.
The Gares had three children, Leif, Arran and Shelley.
- Letters, 1945-93
- Family correspondence, 1940-87
- Business correspondence, 1957-93
- General correspondence, 1941-93
- Notebooks, 1940-88
- Personal documents, 1939-94
- Novels, 1953-93
(a) Fringe dwellers, 1961-93 (b)
Green gold, 1953-64 (c) A house with verandahs, 1975-80
(d) An island away, c. 1981 (e) "Kate Kempster" (f) "Are
husbands human?"
- Short stories, 1945-c. 1990
(a) Bend to the wind,
1977-79 (b) Other stories, 1945-c. 1990
- Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1961-90
- Art papers, 1964-93
- Course papers, 1980-82
- Invitations, 1939-87
- Photographs, 1956-68
- Newspaper cuttings, 1951-84
- Publications, 1961-86
- Family papers, 1943-83
- Other papers, 1947-81
Series 1: Letters, 1945-93
Mainly typescript carbon copies and some original letters to friends
and family, 1949-93. Also includes letters to her husband Frank, 1945-71
including letters written to him while he was in Papua New Guinea, from
Carnarvon and from Geraldton. The letters are very detailed and are mainly
personal and domestic in nature. The bulk of the letters document the years
1981-92.
Folder
1-16 Letters from Nene Gare to Frank Gare, 1945-88
17 Letters, 1949-76
18 Letters, 1977-80
19 Letters, 1981
20 Letters, 1982
21 Letters, 1983
22-23 Letters, 1984
24-25 Letters, 1985
26-27 Letters, 1986
28 Letters, 1987
29 Letters, 1988
30-31 Letters, 1989
32 Letters, 1990
33-34 Letters, 1991
35 Letters, 1992
36 Letters, 1993 and undated letters
37-38 Letters to Frank Gare, undated
Series 2 Family correspondence, 1940-87
The correspondence includes telegrams and originals and photocopies of
correspondence from Frank Gare, 1940-87; Nene's parents, John and Mary Wadham;
her sisters, Thelma, Mona, Peg, Joan and Phyl; and from her daughters Shelley
and Leif.
Folder
1 Frank Gare, 1940-44
2 Frank Gare, 1945
3 Frank Gare, 1946
4 Frank Gare, 1947-54
5 Frank Gare, 1957-87 and undated
6-7 Thelma, 1971-87
8 Mary and John Wadham, 1943-59
9 Mona, 1946-77
10 Peg, 1943-87
11 Shelley Balme (nee Gare), undated
12 Leif Gare, undated
13 Other family correspondence, 1943-78 and undated
Series 3 Business correspondence, 1957-93
Files containing mainly correspondence with publishers, agents,
professional associations, universities and schools. The letters are primarily
of a professional nature although many also have personal elements. Most of the
files contain carbon copies of Gare's letters, and some also contain royalty
statements, cuttings, manuscripts and other papers. The correspondence spans
Gare's professional life and relates to the publication of books, short stories
and reviews by Gare as well as book readings, broadcasts, addresses and public
appearances.
Major correspondents include Sue Haynes of Macmillan, Methuen Haynes
and Allen and Unwin; Gare's agent Tim Curnow of Curtis Brown; Geoffrey Dutton;
Suzanne Falkiner; Florence James; Ursula Winant; Dale Spender; and Macmillan
publishers.
Folder
1 Allen and Unwin, 1988-90 (includes Gare's answers to interview
questions)
2 Allen and Unwin, 1982-91 (also Methuen Haynes)
3 Angus and Robertson, 1975-88
4 Antipodes, 1990-92
5 Australian Book Review, 1975-91
6 Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 1977-91
7 Canberra Times, 1976-78
8 Curtis Brown, 1978-93
9 Dent, 1988
10 Geoffrey Dutton, 1976-89
11 Suzanne Falkiner, 1983-93
12 Fellowship of Australian Writers, 1987-93
13 Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 1982-92
14 Film Australia, 1992 (includes transcript of 1976 interview with
Hazel De Berg)
15 Max Harris, 1962-80
16 William Heinemann, 1961-90
17 Florence James, 1957-92 (and Ursula Winant of Winant, Tower Ltd)
18 Macmillan, 1977-92
19 Meanjin, 1975-78
20 Pascoe Publishing, 1987-92
21 Penguin, 1981-90
22 Dale Spender, 1987-89
23 University of Queensland Press, 1976-84
24 University of Sydney, 1967-85
25 University of Western Australia, 1984
26 Vogue, 1986-87
27 Who's Who of Australian Women, 1973-85
28 Correspondence with students and teachers, 1978-82
29 Correspondence with writers and students, 1980-91
30 Public Lending Right, 1975-92
31 Miscellaneous business correspondence, 1943-79
32 Miscellaneous business correspondence, 1961-88
Series 4 General correspondence, 1941-93
Correspondence files (arranged alphabetically) and loose correspondence
(arranged chronologically) of a personal and general nature. The correspondence
files contain some carbon copies of letters by Gare and other papers. The
correspondence with Manuela Cannatelli and Denise Gutteres includes discussions
of Gare's novels and Aboriginal people. Other correspondents include film
producer Joan Long, Derek Van Abbé of the University of Adelaide,
Dymphna Cusack, and Helen Wechsler.
Folder
1 Manuela Cannatelli, 1990-93
2 Charities, 1980-91
3 Victor France, 1989
4 Denise Gutteres, 1992-93
5 Joan Long, 1982-92
6 Derek Van Abbé, 1956-58
7 Correspondence, 1941-49
8 Correspondence, 1953-59
9 Correspondence, 1960-65
10 Correspondence, 1966-69
11 Correspondence, 1970-74
12 Correspondence, 1975-78
13 Correspondence, 1980-90
14-15 Undated correspondence
Series 5 Notebooks, 1940-88
Notebooks containing housekeeping accounts, 1964-76; historical notes
on Rottnest Island; French notes, 1940; accounts and rejection lists for short
stories, 1943-57; character sketches for stories; pencil sketches and other
notes (2 folders).
Series 6 Personal documents, 1939-94
Job references, 1939-42; literary agreements, 1960-87; and biographical
papers including a transcript of a 1986 interview and a biographical file
assembled by Frank Gare containing obituaries, letters of condolence on the
death of Gare, Who's who entries, copies of self portraits, a published
interview, photographs, publications and cuttings (3 folders).
(a) Fringe dwellers, 1961-93
Published by Sun Books, 1961. Filmed by Bruce Beresford, 1986.
Folder
1 Corrected typescript marked "original draft"
2-3 Corrected typescript
4 Cuttings and reviews of The fringe dwellers, 1961-66 and published
booklet entitled Fringe dwellers (1959)
5 Papers relating to the filming of The fringe dwellers including
cuttings; correspondence with Bruce Beresford, Rhoisin Beresford,
Virginia Beresford, producer Sue Milliken, Ursula Winant and others,
1977-93; crew list; and an account by Gare of her experiences with the
filming of the novel
6 Correspondence and legal documents relating to the film rights
for The fringe dwellers, 1978-85
7-8 Scripts for the screenplay
9 Notebook, autograph book and other papers
10 Cuttings relating to Bruce Beresford and the film of The fringe dwellers,
1984-92
(b) Green gold, 1953-64
Published by Heinemann, 1963. Working title "Green bananas".
Folder
1-6 Undated corrected typescripts
7 Cuttings used for researching Green gold, 1953-61
8 Cuttings and reviews, 1963-64
(c) A house with verandahs, 1975-80
Published by Macmillan, 1980. Working title "Barefoot days".
Folder
1-8 Corrected typescripts, one dated 12 Sept. 1975
9 Typescripts with typesetting annotations
10-11 Page proofs, 19 Sept. 1979 and 15 Nov. 1979
12 Cuttings, 1980 and paperback cover
(d) An island away, c. 1980-82
Published by Macmillan, 1981. Working titles "Help in the house" and
"Sangu".
Folder
1-2 Bound, corrected typescript entitled "Help in the house"
3-6 Corrected typescripts entitled "Sangu"
7 Corrected proofs; cuttings, 1982 and paperback cover
(e) "Kate Kempster", 1987-89
Unpublished novel. Other working title "The quintessential family".
Folder/piece
1 Possibly an early draft of "Kate Kempster"
2-7 Early corrected typescript drafts
8-15 Corrected typescripts. Folders 14 and 15 include correspondence
with publishers, 1987-89
(f) "Are husbands human?"
Unpublished novel.
Folder
1-2 Undated typescript drafts
(a) Bend to the wind, 1977-79
Published by Macmillan, 1978.
Folder
1-5 Annotated typescripts and notes
6 Typescript with typesetting annotations, 1978
7 Page proofs, 16 Dec. 1977
8 Cuttings, reviews and rejected design for book cover, 1977-79
(b) Other stories, 1945-c. 1990
Folder
1 Cuttings and publications containing early stories, 1945-56. Also
includes some typescripts, correspondence and other papers
2-6 Typescript short stories for "Kent Town stories" and others (to be
published as "The maid and magpie" by Wakefield Press at the time of
Gare's death).
7-10 Typescript of other stories, some reworked chapters from her
novels
Series 9 Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1961-90
Typescripts, notes, cuttings and other papers relating to reviews,
articles, scripts and other writings by Gare (3 folders).
Series 10 Art papers, 1964-93
Papers relating to Gare's career as an artist, including invitations,
catalogues, price lists, cuttings, leaflets, publications, prize certificates,
and correspondence. The papers relate to exhibitions held by Gare, the donation
of artworks to organisations and the donation of proceeds from exhibitions to
charities including the Dogs' Refuge Home, WA AIDS Council, Amnesty
International and People for Nuclear Disarmament.
Folder
1 Papers relating to exhibitions by Gare at Red Cross Art Show,
1969-71; the garden of Marianne and Ferry Korwill, 1976; and Gallery
Fifty Two, 1980
2 Canning Art Award, 1971-78
3 Canning Art Centre Exhibition, 1990
4 Miscellaneous art papers, 1964-81
Series 11 Course papers, 1980-82
Lecture notes, assignments, course results and other papers relating to
Gare's enrolment as an external student at Murdoch University, 1980-81 to study
French, literature and semiotics (3 folders).
Series 12 Invitations, 1939-87
Invitations received by Nene and Frank Gare (2 folders).
Series 13 Photographs, 1956-68
Photographs of Gare, social functions and other subjects (1 folder).
Series 14 Newspaper cuttings, 1951-84
Newspaper cuttings including articles on Gare, Bruce Beresford, and
other articles of interest collected by Gare (2 folders).
Reviews and other cuttings relating to Gare's novels and short stories
are in series 7 and 8.
Series 15 Publications, 1961-86
Publications including book reviews by Gare published in Australian
book review; book catalogues featuring titles by Gare; and articles on and
by Gare (2 folders).
Series 16 Family papers, 1943-83
Exam results, sketches, cuttings, personal documents, letters, school
work, graduation records and other papers relating to Arran Gare, 1943-83;
correspondence and artwork of Leif Gare; family correspondence of Frank Gare;
and correspondence of Shelley Gare, 1969-75 (4 folders and 1 folio package).
Series 17 Other papers, 1947-81
Includes papers relating to the Geraldton Business and Professional
Women's Club, 1955-61; travel papers, 1959-60; poetry and other writings by
other authors including Hal Colebatch, Fay Zwicky and Felix Twofold; and
miscellaneous papers including catalogues, notes, children's drawings,
sketches, and other papers, 1947-81 (4 folders).
Series Folder/piece Box
1 1-18 1
19-25 2
26-31 3
32-38 4
2 1-8 5
9-13 6
3 1-7 6
8-17 7
18-29 8
30-32 9
4 1-4 9
5-11 10
12-15 11
5 1-2 11
6 1-3 12
7a 1-3 12
4-9 13
10 14
7b 1-4 14
5-8 15
7c 1-2 15
3-9 16
10-12 17
7d 1-4 17
5-7 18
7e 2 18
1, 3-4 19
5-8 20
9-11 21
12-14 22
15 23
7f 1-2 23
8a 1-4 23
5-8 24
8b 1 24
2-7 25
8-10 26
9 1-3 26
10 1-4 27
11 1-3 27
12 1-2 28
13 1 28
14 1-2 28
15 1-2 28
16 1-4 29
17 1-4 29
Compiled June 1995. Last updated 4 April 1997 |