MS 9553
Guide to the Papers of Shirley McKechnie
Summary
| Creator: |
MCKECHNIE, Shirley |
| Title: |
Papers of Shirley McKechnie |
| Date range: |
1938-1995 |
| Extent: |
42cm (4 boxes) |
| Reference number: |
MS 9553 |
Administrative Information
Access:
Available for reference, except for 1 folder which is closed until 2020.
Provenance:
The collection was acquired in three instalments in 2001 from Shirley McKechnie,
as part of the Library’s ‘Keep Dancing’ project.
Scope and Content
The bulk of the papers relate to McKechnie’s involvement in the development
of contemporary dance in Australia. Included is correspondence (1966-96), a
report of a 1974 study tour to investigate how dance is incorporated into the
education system and a subsequent submission to the State College of Victoria
Accreditation Committee (1977), papers relating to a Choreographic Workshop
at the University of New England (1976), copies of papers presented at a Dance
Education conference (1977), papers relating to Canon for four dancers
which was choreographed by McKecknie (1988), a report of a visit to China for
the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1992) and papers relating to the
first meeting of the Tertiary Dance Council of Australia (1996). There are papers
relating to McKechnie’s involvement in the Green Mill Dance Project (1991-94)
and to her long association with both Dame Peggy van Praagh and Peter Brinson.
Also included are posters, programs and brochures (1956-72), press cuttings
(1964-96) and photographs.
Correspondents include Werdon Anglin, Peter Brinson, Lenton Parr, Gordon van
Praagh, Peggy van Praagh, Ian Spink and Janet Vernon.
Arrangement
Although the general arrangement of the papers has been imposed by the Library,
all files created by McKechnie have been kept intact.
Related Material
The papers of Peggy van Praggh (MS 7223) and the records of the Green Mill
Dance Project (MS 9370) are held in the Manuscript Section of the Library.
The Oral History Section of the Library holds a sound recording of an interview
with McKechnie recorded in 1989 (ORAL TRC 2517)
Biographical Note
A dancer, teacher, choreographer and dance director, Shirley McKechnie is one
of the pioneers of contemporary dance in Australia. She founded the Australian
Contemporary Dance Theatre in 1963 and was the company’s artistic director and
main choreographer between 1963-1973. In 1975 McKechnie founded and directed
the first degree course in dance studies in an Australian tertiary institution
at Rusden College, now Deakin University. With Dame Peggy van Praagh she founded
the Australian Association For Dance Education (now Ausdance) in 1977. In 1986
McKechnie was founding chair of the Tertiary Dance Council of Australia, and
in 1991 was involved in the formation of the Green Mill Dance Project in Melbourne.
McKechnie has served on national and international panels for the accreditation
of dance courses, for symposiums on research into dance and as a consultant
to government on policies on dance education. In 1998 she was elected an Honorary
Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
Awards
1987 Order of Australia, in recognition of services to dance and dance education
1993 Kenneth Myer Medallion for the Performing Arts
1997 The National Award for contributions to dance education and training
1998 The Ausdance 21 Award for outstanding and distinguished service
Box List
Box 1
Folder
| 1 |
Correspondence: includes letters from Ian Spink and Janet
Vernon, 1971 |
| 2 |
Correspondence: letters to Peggy van Praagh, 1974 |
| 3 |
Correspondence: letters to Lenton Parr, 1974 |
| 4 |
Report of study tour to the United States of America, England and Europe,
1974 |
| 5 |
Photographs from the Summer School at the University of New England, Armidale,
1974 |
| 6-7 |
Choreographic Workshops, University of New England, Armidale, 1976 |
| 8 |
Canon for four dancers: choreographic notes and program, 1988 |
| 9 |
Miscellaneous posters, reviews and programs, 1964-1972 |
Box 2
Folder
| 10 |
Correspondence and papers relating to McKechnie’s career,
1966-1987 |
| 11 |
Correspondence re Victorian State Ministry issues, 1976-1984 |
| 12 |
Correspondence: Victorian Ministry for the Arts, the Benesh Institute
and various choreographers and companies, 1988-1992 |
| 13-14 |
Correspondence: Werdon Anglin, Peter Brinson, Marion North and various
choreographers, 1990-1995 |
| 15 |
Report and correspondence relating to a visit to China on behalf of the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 1992 |
| 16 |
Correspondence relating to Peggy van Praagh, 1990-1996 |
Box 3
Folder
| 17 |
Correspondence and papers relating to the death of Peggy van
Praagh, 1990-1993 |
| 18 |
Register of those who attended the funeral of Peggy van Praagh, 1990
Booklet from Van Praagh family reunion, 1996 |
| 19 |
Papers relating to the involvement of Peggy van Praagh and Peter Brinson
with the University of New England, Armidale, 1982-1997 |
| 20 |
Copy of ‘Submission for the introduction of dance as a major strand within
the Bachelor of Education Degree’, c1976 |
| 21 |
Dance Education conference papers, 1977
Report of a meeting between the artistic directors of major funded dance
companies and the National Council of Tertiary Dance Directors |
| 22 |
Green Mill Dance Project: historical background, 1991 |
| 23 |
Green Mill Dance Project: correspondence with Peter Brinson, 1992 |
Box 4
Folder
| 24 |
Green Mill Dance Project: reports of the 1993 festival |
| 25 |
Green Mill Dance Project: papers and reports, 1994 |
| 26 |
Agenda, minutes and papers for the first meeting of the Tertiary Dance
Council of Australia, 1996 |
| 27 |
Reviews and articles by McKechnie for Storm magazine, 1994-1995 |
| 28 |
Miscellaneous programs and brochures, 1956-1972
Press cuttings, 1964-1996
|
| 29 |
Personal papers, including high school and university reports and awards
for achievements in dance |
| 30 |
Photographs |
| 31 |
Copy of The arts in schools: principles, practice and provision,
researched and edited by Dr Ken Robinson, 1989 |
|