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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 53| October 2001


Graeme Powell—Distinguished Achiever

Graeme Powell

Graeme Powell in the Manuscript Collection stacks

The Council of the Australian Society of Archivists has recognised Graeme Powell, Manuscript Librarian at the National Library of Australia as a Distinguished Achiever of the Society.

A member of the Society since 1979, Graeme has participated in the Society at a number of levels, including as Convenor of the ACT Branch in 1991–1992. Committee memberships have included the Editorial Board of Archives and Manuscripts, the Executive Committee of the Australian Council of Archives and the editorial committee for the ASA ACT Branch publication, Debates and Discourses.

In the area of research and writing Graeme has influenced the debate in the area of Australian private recordkeeping, especially in the collecting, preservation, use and interpretation of this vitally important component of our archival heritage and documentary research infrastructure. These writings have made an enormous contribution to improved awareness of these archival sources and understanding of the issues and strategies associated with their management and use. Graeme is one of Australia’s leading, most experienced and knowledgeable practitioners in the private records field and has been a tireless advocate of the cause of private records.

Graeme has written extensively on private recordkeeping matters and has been a regular contributor of book reviews to Archives and Manuscripts. His writing is characterised by his attention to detail, graciousness of prose and his ability to conduct assiduous research and to report those research findings in a clear, stimulating and compelling manner.

His collection building efforts and associated accessibility initiatives pursued in his work at the Library are of immense importance. His efforts have helped build a varied, extensive and internationally renowned collection of significant private records at the Library. His leadership in this area has also elevated the Library’s handling and intellectual control of these holdings to new levels of professionalism and excellence.

For nine years as Australian Joint Copying Project Officer in London, Graeme was responsible for the identification, description and microfilming of an enormous body of archival sources from a large number of repositories relating to Australian history and Australia’s changing relationship with the United Kingdom. The availability of this extensive run of microfilm to scholars all over Australia is a great boon to researchers who otherwise would have to travel to Britain to view the records in question or, more likely, would have been completely unaware of the very existence of those records.

In addition, Graeme has always been a most supportive and encouraging mentor of new archivists entering the private records field. He has an admirable ability to encourage new professionals to strive for high levels of professionalism in their daily work and to gain an appreciation of the history and traditions of our endeavour. The private records field of endeavour in this country would be inestimably worse off without the dedication and service of Graeme Powell.

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Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: dthomas@nla.gov.au

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