MS 9227
Papers of Marian Eldridge (1936-1997)
- Papers
- 1954-96
- 4.06 m (29 boxes)
- Restricted until access is determined.
The Library purchased Marian Eldridges papers in May 1997 from her
husband Ken Eldridge.
Eldridge was a short story writer and novelist. The collection comprises
personal correspondence, financial papers, correspondence concerning the
writing and publication of her various works, handwritten drafts,
typescripts, copy-edit and page proofs, notes and research material, and
book reviews.
The personal and literary correspondence documents her relationships
with other writers, friends, and members of the Eldridge and Stockfeld
families. The principal literary correspondents include Geoffrey Dutton,
Judith Wright, Vance Palmer, Gwen Harwood, Ian R. Mathews, John Barnes,
Myra Roper, Edith Conley, Fairlie Apperly, Irene Summy, Anne Elder, and
Joan Mas. The personal correspondents include Eldridges mother, the
writer Gwen Stockfeld, her brother David Stockfeld, her children David,
James, Elizabeth, and Catherine Eldridge, various Eldridge and Stockfeld
relatives, and friends from Australia and overseas.
Eldridge kept her papers in good order and the Library has retained this
arrangement.
The Library holds the papers of Gwen Stockfeld (MS 9228). The Library
also holds the papers of several of the members of the Seven Writers (of
which Eldridge was one), including Margaret Barbalet (MS 5396), Sara Dowse
(MS 7365), Marion Halligan (MS 8460), and Dorothy Johnston (MS 8194).
Marian Eldridge (Marian Favel Clair Stockfeld) was born on 1 February
1936 in Melbourne, grew up near Lancefield, and later lived in Melbourne,
Traralgon and Canberra. Her parents, Brian and Gwen Stockfeld, ran a small
property The Gap, near Lancefield, from 1935 to 1972. Eldridges
early education was by correspondence at home followed by a year at St
Michaels, Melbourne, and then Kyneton High School. She then attended
Melbourne University, and attained a Bachelor of Arts in 1957. She was
married to Ken Eldridge, and had four children. She travelled extensively
in Australia and overseas.
Eldridge published three short story collections, Walking the Dog
(1984), The Woman at the Window (1989), and The Wild Sweet
Flowers - The Alvie Skerritt Stories (1994), and a novel, Springfield
(1992), all published by the University of Queensland Press. She also
edited the anthology Amongst the Leaves: prose and poetry from
students workshops at Darwin High School (1989), with stories
written by students from when she was writer-in-residence at Darwin High
School in 1989. Eldridge contributed her short story Capital Gains
to Canberra Tales (1988), an anthology of stories set in and about
Canberra and compiled by the Seven Writers. This group of Canberra writers
also included Margaret Barbalet, Sara Dowse, Suzanne Edgar, Marion
Halligan, Dorothy Horsfield, and Dorothy Johnston.
Eldridges short stories were featured in a number of newspapers,
journals, and more than 20 short story collections, including Muse,
Meanjin, Southerly, The Bulletin, The Canberra Times, Best
Short Stories 1986 (1986), Moments of Desire (1989), and
Personal Best 2: stories and statements by Australian Writers (1991).
In 1996 Eldridge wrote 12 poems which were published in the Senate Hansard
of 19 June 1997.
Eldridge won numerous writing competitions and awards, including 1st
prize in the Robin Hood Committee Annual Literature Competition, 1972;
equal 4th place in the 14th State of Victoria Short Story Award, 1977-78;
1st prize in The Canberra Times/Commonwealth Bank National Short
Story Award, 1981; and 3rd place in the Marcus Clarke Award, Syme
Community Newspapers Short Story Competition, 1983. In 1992 she received
two awards, the ACT Arts Bureau Literary Fellowship and an Australia
Council Literary Board Grant, Category B. In 1994 she won the
International Year of the Family Award in the NSW State Literary Awards.
Throughout her career Eldridge worked as a teacher in English and
History at Traralgon High School, as a relief teacher in Canberra
secondary schools, a tutor in literature courses for the Centre of
Continuing Education at the Australian National University, a book
reviewer for The Canberra Times and Australian Book Review,
and in 1986 as the first literature coordinator for the ACT Arts Council.
Eldridge died in Canberra on 14 February 1997.
| 1 |
Personal Correspondence, 1955-96 |
| 2 |
Letters of Gwen Stockfeld, 1958-95 |
| 3 |
Papers of David Eldridge, 1960-96 |
| 4 |
Papers of Elizabeth Eldridge, 1963-96
|
| 5 |
Letters of David Stockfeld and family,
1954-96 |
| 6 |
Family Letters, 1963-96 |
| 7 |
Walking the Dog (1984) |
| 8 |
Canberra Tales (1988) |
| 9 |
The Woman at the Window (1989)
|
| 10 |
Springfield (1992) |
| 11 |
The Wild Sweet Flowers The
Alvie Skerritt Stories (1994) |
| 12 |
Other writings, 1954-89 |
| 13 |
Financial papers, 1954-89 |
| Series 1 |
Personal and literary correspondence,
1955-96 |
|
Eldridge was a prolific correspondent with a wide network of
friends, colleagues, and family. The bulk of the series comprises
personal correspondence with various family members and friends. The
personal correspondents include Doris Brennan, Carol Young, Susan M.
Curry, Suzanne Edgar, Joan Dugdale, Carline Ashworth, Margaret Clark,
Mary Chandler, Jeanette Llewelyn, Gojko Raseta, Jean Galbraith, David
and Anne Danbury, Charles Hawkins, Ken and Liz Bullock, and Jeanne and
Bernie Barrett.
The literary correspondence documents Eldridges relationships
with other writers, and includes comments on the writing and
publication of her various works, congratulatory letters, and personal
news. The series includes single letters from or correspondence with
Judith Wright, Vance Palmer, Gwen Harwood, Ian R. Mathews, John
Barnes, Myra Roper, Edith Conley, Fairlie Apperly, Irene Summy, Anne
Elder, and Joan Mas. |
|
|
| Folder |
|
| 1-2 |
Literary correspondence, 1955-96 |
| 3 |
Letters of Doris Brennan, 1964-92 |
| 4-5 |
Letters of Carol Young, 1962-95 |
| 6-10 |
Letters from friends, 1957-95 |
| 11 |
Letters from friends at Wolfson College,
1981-96 |
| 12 |
Letters from friends in the United
Kingdom and France, 1974-95 |
| 13-14 |
Letters from friends in the United States
of America, 1971-95 |
| 15 |
Letters from friends in Germany and South
Africa, 1971-93 |
| Series 2 |
Letters of Gwen Stockfeld, 1958-95 |
|
Eldridge and her mother Gwen Stockfeld corresponded frequently for
over thirty years. This long sequence of letters contains mainly
personal and family news, as well as discussion regarding Stockfelds
memoirs Cream Puffs and Cow Pats. |
|
|
| Folder |
|
| 1-2 |
1958-75 |
| 3 |
1976 |
| 4 |
1977 |
| 5 |
1978 |
| 6 |
1979 |
| 7 |
1980 |
| 8 |
1981 |
| 9 |
1982 |
| 10 |
1983 |
| 11 |
1984 |
| 12 |
1985 |
| 13 |
1986 |
| 14 |
1987 |
| 15 |
1988 |
| 16 |
1989 |
| 17 |
1990 |
| 18 |
1991-92 |
| 19 |
1993-95 |
| Series 3 |
Papers of David Eldridge, 1960-96 |
|
The series comprises letters from Eldridges eldest son David
Eldridge to his parents and family, as well as newspaper cuttings,
school reports and notebooks, and various personal records relating to
David Eldridge. The letters discuss family news and travels overseas.
|
|
|
| Folder |
|
| 1 |
Letters of David Eldridge, 1976-96 |
| 2 |
Newspaper cuttings, 1971-82 |
| 3-4 |
Miscellaneous papers, 1960-1982 |
| Series 4 |
Papers of Elizabeth Eldridge, 1963-96 |
|
The series includes letters from Eldridges eldest daughter
Elizabeth Eldridge to her parents and family, as well as newspaper
cuttings, birth and school records, and notebooks. There is also a
cassette recording of Elizabeth Eldridge and Roger McDonald in a duet. |
|
|
| Folder/Piece |
|
| 1-4 |
Letters of Elizabeth Eldridge, 1970-96 |
| 5 |
Newspaper clippings, 1968-84 |
| 6 |
Miscellaneous papers, 1963-80 |
| 7 |
Cassette tape, Hitachi C-90, Side A Living
with clarity, a talk by Christopher Titmuss, Side B Duet,
Roger McDonald and Elizabeth Eldridge, 7 April 1980 |
| Series 5 |
Letters of David Stockfeld and
family, 1954-96 |
|
The series comprises letters to Eldridge from her brother David
Stockfeld and his family, including Margaret Murray, Sue Stockfeld,
and his children Rebecca, Simon, Sally, and Martin Stockfeld. The
letters discuss family news, Stockfelds business Billabong
Seed Supplies, farm management, and travels overseas. |
|
|
| Folder |
|
| 1-2 |
Letters of David Stockfeld and family,
1954-79 |
| 3-4 |
Letters of David Stockfeld and family,
1979-96 |
| 5 |
Letters of Margaret Murray and Rebecca
and Simon Stockfeld, 1979-95 |
| 6 |
Correspondence between Ken and Marian
Eldridge and David and Sue Stockfeld regarding Billabong Seed
Supplies |
| 7 |
Notebook kept by Ken and Marian Eldridge
recording transactions with Billabong Seed Supplies |
| Series 6 |
Family Letters, 1963-96 |
|
The series comprises letters from various relatives of Ken and
Marian Eldridge, including Eldridges cousins Iris Stockfeld and
Dick and Judy Dauncey, Ken Eldridges sisters Kathleen Trethewey
and Jenny Harapeet, and his cousin Nada Hunter. |
|
|
| Folder |
|
| 1-2 |
Letters of Kathleen and Gerry Trethewey,
1972-95 |
| 3-4 |
Letters of Jenny Harapeet and family,
1966-96 |
| 5 |
Letters of Nada Hunter and family,
1963-93 |
| 6-7 |
Letters of Iris Stockfeld, 1967-95 |
| 8-9 |
Letters of Dick and Judy Dauncey and
family, 1974-95 |
| 10 |
Letters of family, various, 1975-93 |
| Series 7 |
Walking the Dog (1984) |
|
Walking the Dog was Eldridges first anthology of short
stories. The work comprises stories written by her from 1964 to 1982,
many previously published in numerous journals and publications such
as Luna, Westerly, Muse, The Canberra
Times, and The Bulletin. The folder for each short story
includes handwritten drafts, typescripts (often dated), notes and
research material, and correspondence regarding submission of the
story to various journals and newspapers. The series contains
correspondence with the University of Queensland Press (publisher) and
Penguin (distributor) regarding compilation and publication of the
anthology. The series also includes reviews, a copy of the published
book, and a photocopy of Eldridges notebook recording details of
submission of each short story to various publications. |
|
|
| Folder |
|
| 1 |
Aubade, 1973-82 |
| 2 |
Maternity, 1964-65 |
| 3 |
Patersons Flats,
1965-68 |
| 4 |
Candlebark, 1970-77 |
| 5 |
Fragment, 1970-71 |
| 6 |
The Sea, 1961-74 |
| 7 |
A Family Story, 1972-74 |
| 8 |
Together, 1974-79 |
| 9 |
Adult Education, 1977-83 |
| 10 |
Nuclear, 1977-81 |
| 11 |
Chanson dAutomne,
1977-82 |
| 12 |
Cream Sponge on Sunday,
1977-89 |
| 13 |
Nature, 1975-81 |
| 14 |
Flight, 1981 |
| 15 |
Interior, 1981-86 |
| 16 |
The Ringbarkers Daughter,
1981 |
| 17 |
Antique, 1982 |
| 18 |
Wayside, 1982 |
| 19 |
Selling Out, 1982-83 |
| 20 |
Solitare, 1982 |
| 21 |
Walking the Dog, 1979-83 |
| 22-23 |
Correspondence regarding publication of
the anthology, 1978-91 |
| 24 |
Letters from friends and family regarding
the book, 1984-86 |
| 25 |
Reviews, 1984-88 |
| 26 |
Photocopy of notebook recording short
story submissions |
| 27 |
Copy of the book |
| Series 8 |
Canberra Tales (1988) |
|
Canberra Tales is an anthology of stories set in and about
Canberra, compiled by the Seven Writers group to which Eldridge
belonged. Her contribution Capital Gains was later
included in The Wild Sweet Flowers. The series comprises
correspondence with the Seven Writers, the Australian Bicentennial
Authority and Penguin, as well as notes and reviews. |
|
|
| Folder |
|
| 1 |
Correspondence and related papers,
including notes from the Seven Writers workshops, 1985-93 |
| 2 |
Reviews, 1988-93 |
| Series 9 |
The Woman at the Window
(1989) |
|
The Woman at the Window, Eldridges second anthology,
comprises stories written by her from 1981 to 1988. A number of these
were previously published in numerous journals and publications such
as Southerly, Moments of Desire (1989), Muse,
Luna, Kunapipi, and The Australian Literary
Magazine.
The folder for each short story includes handwritten drafts,
typescripts (often dated), notes and research material, and
correspondence regarding submission of the story to various
publications. The series contains correspondence regarding compilation
and publication of the anthology, primarily with the University of
Queensland Press and Penguin. The series also includes reviews, a copy
of the published book, and a photocopy of Eldridges notebook
recording details of submission of each short story to various
publications. |
|
|
| Folder |
|
| 1 |
Primavera, 1983-91 |
| 2 |
Outside the Silver Dory,
1982-84 |
| 3 |
Pietà, 1984-90 |
| 4 |
A Sea Story, 1983-88 |
| 5 |
At the Signoras,
1984-86 |
| 6 |
Harvest, 1984-85 |
| 7 |
A Sense of Place, 1980-86 |
| 8 |
Pieces of Furniture, 1985-86 |
| 9 |
Students, 1984-86 |
| 10 |
Tourist, 1985-88 |
| 11 |
Storm, 1987 |
| 12 |
A Love Story, 1985-89 |
| 13 |
Whats the Time, Mr Wolf?,
1985-87 |
| 14 |
The Woman at the Window,
1987-90 |
| 15 |
Settle Down Country, 1987-89 |
| 16-17 |
Capital Gains, 1987-88 |
| 18-19 |
Page proofs |
| 20-22 |
Correspondence regarding publication of
the anthology,1985-93 |
| 23 |
Reviews, 1986-90 |
| 24 |
Photocopy of notebook recording short
story submissions |
| 25 |
Copy of the book |
| Series 10 |
Springfield (1992) |
|
The series comprises drafts, notes and research material, and
copy-edit and page proofs relating to Eldridges only novel, Springfield.
Many of the drafts are heavily annotated with comments from the Seven
Writers, editors, and family members including David Stockfeld, Sue
Stockfeld, and Elizabeth Eldridge. The series also includes music
composed by Elizabeth Eldridge for use in the novel. |
|
|
| Folder |
|
| 1-2 |
Drafts, notes and research material,
including letters from the Seven Writers and family members suggesting
revisions, 1971-91 |
| 3 |
Heroin notes and research material,
1972-90 |
| 4-5 |
Vietnam notes and research material,
1982-92 |
| 6 |
Draft Penultimate Draft
Draft Workshopped by the Seven, early 1990 |
| 7-8 |
Draft Typed up 6.8.90 |
| 9-10 |
Draft Springfield 1 |
| 11 |
Draft Spr 1 revised |
| 12 |
Draft Spr 2, 10/90 |
| 13 |
Draft Spr 2, p. 157ff many gaps,
some Spr 3 |
| 14 |
Draft Spr 2, 2nd half |
| 15 |
Draft Spr 2, pp. 155-262, 24.12.90 |
| 16-18 |
Draft Printout 2, 24.12.90 |
| 19-21 |
Draft 2/91, workshopped by 7W and
read by Sue and DS |
| 22-24 |
Draft Final draft 30.5.91 |
| 25-27 |
Draft Printout 31.5.91 |
| 28-30 |
Draft Sent to UQP |
| 31-32 |
Page proofs |
| 33-36 |
Copy-edit and page proofs |
| 37 |
Songs for Springfield, 8
sheets of music composed by Elizabeth Eldridge |
| 38 |
Copy of the book |
| Series 11 |
Series 11 The Wild Sweet Flowers Alvie Skerritt
Stories (1994) |
|
The series comprises handwritten drafts, typescripts, copy-edit and
page proofs, correspondence, and notes and research material relating
to the publication of The Wild Sweet Flowers. A number of
these stories were previously published in Walking the Dog,
Canberra Tales, and The Woman at the Window, as well
as in various journals and other publications. The series also
includes a photocopy of Eldridges notebook recording details of
submission of each story to various journals, and a copy of the
published book. |
| Folder |
|
| 1 |
Something New, Aubade,
Nuclear, Walking the Dog, Primavera,
Harvest, and Storm, 1984-90 |
| 2-5 |
The Wild Sweet Flowers,
1984-90 |
| 6-7 |
Miss Lafferty Plays Scrabble,
1988-93 |
| 8-9 |
Nightshift, 1993 |
| 10 |
A Good Tidy Up and A
Love Story, 1989 |
| 11-12 |
Acid Rain, 1992-92 |
| 13 |
Mona Lisa, 1992-93 |
| 14 |
The Wild Eye of the Moon,
1982-93 |
| 15 |
Voice-over, 1992-93 |
| 16 |
Kiss a Thief, 1984-92 |
| 17-18 |
Something Old, 1992-93 |
| 19 |
Early notes and research material for the
collection, 1977-93 |
| 20-22 |
Copy-edit proofs |
| 23-26 |
Page proofs |
| 27 |
Photocopy of Eldridges notebook
recording short story submissions |
| 28 |
Copy of the book |
| Series 12 |
Other writings, 1954-89 |
| The series comprises drafts
of various writings, including short stories (mostly unpublished) and a
one-act play. The series also includes essays from history, philosophy
and English units completed by Eldridge at Melbourne University. |
| Folder |
|
| 1 |
Annette, James, The
Game, and Youth, 1955-62 |
| 2 |
Frankie and Johnnie (one-act
play), 1960-89 |
| 3 |
Love Thy Neighbour, Carnival,
and Boy on a Swing, 1964-73 |
| 4-5 |
Essays, 1954-57 |
| Series 13 |
Financial papers, 1954-89 |
| This series of financial
papers includes correspondence, receipts, bank statements and tax
returns for Ken and Marian Eldridge. |
| Folder/Piece |
|
| 1 |
Tax returns, 1954-88 |
| 2-4 |
Bank statements, 1964-89 |
| 5-6 |
Miscellaneous financial correspondence
and receipts, 1980-84 |
| Box |
Series |
Folder/Piece |
|
1 |
1 |
1-6 |
|
2 |
|
7-12 |
|
3 |
|
13-15 |
|
2 |
1-3 |
|
4 |
|
4-11 |
|
5 |
|
12-19 |
|
6 |
3 |
1-4 |
|
4 |
1-2 |
|
7 |
|
3-6 |
|
|
7 |
|
5 |
1-2 |
|
8 |
|
3-7 |
|
6 |
1-2 |
|
9 |
|
3-8 |
|
10 |
|
9-10 |
|
7 |
1-5 |
|
11 |
|
6-12 |
|
12 |
|
13-19 |
|
13 |
|
20-27 |
|
14 |
8 |
1-2 |
|
9 |
1-6 |
|
15 |
|
7-14 |
|
16 |
|
15-20 |
|
17 |
|
21-25 |
|
10 |
1-2 |
|
18 |
|
3-8 |
|
19 |
|
9-14 |
|
20 |
|
15-21 |
|
21 |
|
22-27 |
|
22 |
|
28-34 |
|
23 |
|
35-38 |
|
11 |
1-3 |
|
24 |
|
4-10 |
|
25 |
|
11-16 |
|
26 |
|
17-22 |
|
27 |
|
23-28 |
|
28 |
12 |
1-5 |
|
13 |
1 |
|
29 |
|
2-6 |
|