MS 9062
Papers of Millicent Preston-Stanley (1883-1955)
- Papers
- 1925-50
- 42cm (3 boxes)
- Available for reference
The papers of Millicent Preston-Stanley were donated to the National
Library by Ms Diana Pearce in 1996.
The collection contains New South Wales election campaign material of
Preston-Stanley, newspaper articles, biographical information, unpublished
novels written by Preston-Stanley (1930-50), as well as two copies of the
play, Whose Child, which was performed at the Criterion Theatre,
Sydney in 1932. A folder of correspondence regarding the establishment of
a film company, Quality Pictures Limited, is also included and a number of
manuscripts of Crawford Vaughan's novels, The last of Captain Bligh,
(1950) and Golden wattle time, (1942).
Millicent Preston-Stanley was a politician and feminist. She was born on
9 September 1883 in Sydney and lived there until her death in 1955.
Throughout her life she was involved in a number of women's organisations,
such as the Feminist Club of which she was President from 1919-34 and
1952-55.
In 1925 Preston-Stanley became the first female member of the NSW
Legislative Assembly, representing the Eastern Suburbs. During this time
she campaigned on maternal mortality, reform in child welfare, amendments
to the Health Act and better housing. She held her seat until
1927.
She was the Australian delegate to America for the British-American
Co-operation Movement in 1936 and undertook a lecture tour of America in
1937-38. In 1947 she was involved in the organisation, United Women
Citizens' Movement against Socialisation formed to oppose the Chifley
government's attempt to nationalise Australian banking.
She married Crawford Vaughan, company director and former Premier of
South Australia, in Sydney in 1934.
See: The Australian Dictionary of Biography, 1891-1939,
Vol. 11, pp. 285-286.
1. Political career, 1925-50.
File containing New South Wales election campaign pamphlets of Preston-
Stanley when she contested the 1925 state election, biographical
information regarding her career in politics, her involvement in women's
issues and the British-American Co-operation Movement.
Also includes an article written by Preston-Stanley in The United
Australia Review, March 1, 1939, "Carrie Chapman Catt: the great
suffrage leader of USA" and one letter from Mrs Dwight D. Eisenhower
(1952).
In addition, newspaper cuttings, pamphlets discussing the Chifley
Government's intention of nationalising the Australian banking system.
Manuscript of short story, 'The other woman', 15p. unpublished.
Newspaper cuttings, 1925-47.
2. Contains newspaper cuttings from 1925-30 written by Preston-Stanley
regarding women in parliament and notable women in history.
3. Contains press cuttings and election pamphlets, 1925-27. These
articles are predominantly about Preston-Stanley.
4-7. Writings, 1932-45.
Manuscripts of Preston-Stanley's play, Whose Child, 1931-32,
68p.
Two copies of the manuscript of 'Return to Carthage', 1943
(unpublished), 470p.
Synopsis and two copies of 'Husbands on parade' (unpublished), 274p.
Manuscript of 'Conquest' or 'Rivers of gold' (unpublished), 93p.
8. Correspondence, 1948-50 from the solicitors, Bell, Broderick and Gray
regarding the formation of the company, "Quality Pictures Limited"
and negotiations for the development of a cinema production of The
last of Captain Bligh, Golden wattle time, The inner voice
and a sea epic (no title mentioned).
9. Crawford Vaughan papers, 1935-47.
Contains an incomplete journalist record of Crawford Vaughan and
manuscripts of The last of Captain Bligh, published in London,
1950, Golden wattle time, published in Sydney, 1942 and one
unknown manuscript.
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