Guide to the Papers of Guy and Phyllis Boyd

MS 7551

National Library of Australia


Date completed: April 2003
Last updated: October 2006


Table of Contents

Collection Summary

Introduction

Scope and Content

Arrangement

Access

Copying and Publishing

Preferred Citation

Provenance

Related Material

Biographical Note - Guy Boyd

Biographical Note - Phyllis Boyd

Series List and Descriptions

Series 1 Personal correspondence, 1918-2001

Series 2 General correspondence and papers, 1959-2001

Series 3 Guy Boyd, 1963-1989

Series 4 Phyllis Boyd, 1936-2001

Series 5 Exhibitions, 1947-2001

Series 6 Legal papers, 1976-1981

Series 7 Photographs, c1890-1990s

Series 8 Martin Boyd, 1953-2000

Series 9 Family papers

Series 10 Lindy Chamberlain Campaign, 1980-1992

Series 11 Women Who Want to be Women, 1980-2000

Series 12 Women Against the Ordination of Women, 1987-1994

Series 13 Australian Family Association, 1987-2000

Series 14 Subject files, 1962-2000

Series 15 Journals and papers, 1981-2000

Series 16 Newspaper cuttings, 1968-2000

Series 17 Miscellaneous papers, 1976-2000

Container List



Collection Summary

Creator: Boyd, Guy, 1923-1988, and Boyd, Phyllis, 1926-2001
Title: Papers of Guy and Phyllis Boyd
Date Range: c1890-2001
Collection Number: MS 7551
Extent: 9.00 metres (56 boxes + 3 folio boxes)
Repository: National Library of Australia
Abstract: This collection comprises correspondence, papers, exhibition catalogues, biographical material, photographs, subject files and newspaper cuttings which document not only the life and career of sculptor Guy Boyd but also the active role Phyllis Boyd played within organizations and bodies which focused on a range of issues relating broadly to social problems, feminism and religion. Guy and Phyllis Boyd were involved in a national campaign to free Lindy Chamberlain after she was charged with the murder of her daughter Azaria in 1982. Correspondence, papers and ephemera relating to the campaign are included in the collection. There are also papers relating to the administration by Guy Boyd of the estate of his uncle, the author Martin Boyd.

Introduction

Scope and Content

This collection comprises correspondence and papers which document not only the life and career of sculptor Guy Boyd but also the active role Phyllis Boyd played within organizations and bodies which focused on issues relating to social problems, feminism and religion. The large series of personal correspondence includes letters from Guy's parents, Doris and Merric Boyd, his uncle the author Martin Boyd, his aunt Helen á Beckett Read, his brothers David and Arthur and his sisters Mary and Lucy. There are also are a large number of letters from the children of Guy and Phyllis. The large series of general correspondence relates to Guy Boyd's work, to the many interests of Phyllis Boyd and to their day-to-day lives.

Originally a designer of pottery, Guy Boyd later had a successful career as a sculptor. Included in the papers are exhibition catalogues, biographical papers, correspondence with gallery directors and photographs which document his career from his initial decision to become a sculptor in 1964. Correspondents from art galleries include Philip Bacon, Ron and Betty Beaver, Kim Bonython, Eva Breuer, Andrew Ivanyi, Gisella Scheinberg, Max Stern and Ann von Bertouch.

Phyllis Boyd was a feminist with strongly held views on the role of women as homemakers. She was interested in a wide range of social, feminist and religious issues. There is correspondence, papers and subject files relating to her active involvement in a number of organisations related to these interests, including amongst others Women Who Want to be Women, The Australian Family Association and Women Against the Ordination of Women.

Guy Boyd was the literary heir and executor of the estate of his uncle, the author Martin Boyd. There is correspondence relating to the administration of the estate, and to the sale and distribution of Martin Boyd's books, the principal correspondent being Tim Curnow of the literary agents Curtin Brown. There are also typescripts of several stage and film adaptations of Martin Boyd's novels, together with typescripts of papers relating to him and his work by Dorothy Green, Anthony Bradley, John McLaren, Brenda Niall and Peter Smalley.

Together with Phyllis, Guy Boyd was amongst the first to be involved in what was to become a national campaign for a judicial enquiry into the 1982 murder conviction of Lindy Chamberlain. There is a large amount of material relating to the 'A plea for mercy' campaign which they initiated, comprising correspondence, campaign ephemera and newspaper cuttings.

Arrangement

The Library has imposed its own arrangement on the papers, grouping them into seventeen series. The papers were accumulated by Guy and Phyllis Boyd over a long period of time and comprised manila folders and a large quantity of loose papers, much of which was correspondence. The loose papers were grouped by the Library according to series and placed in folders in chronological order. The manila folders were kept intact and placed in the relevant series. Apart from those papers relating specifically to Phyllis Boyd's interests, it was not possible to isolate more than a small proportion of the papers into series which related solely to either Guy or Phyllis Boyd.

Access

Partly restricted: All of Series 1 and Folder 6 of Series 9 are restricted until the death of Ben Boyd; the remainder of the collection is available for reference.

Provenance

The collection has been acquired in three instalments. The first instalment, which comprised papers relating to the Lindy Chamberlain Campaign, was donated to the Library by the Boyds in 1989. The second instalment was acquired from Phyllis Boyd under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme in 1995. The third and largest instalment of papers was bequeathed to the Library by Phyllis Boyd and received in 2002, following her death.

Copying and Publishing

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Related Material

Held in the Manuscript Section of the Library:

Papers of Martin Boyd are held at MS 6810, MS 6812 and MS 6813; and papers relating to Brenda Niall's book Martin Boyd are held at MS 7401.

Held in the Oral History Section of the Library:

Interview with Guy Boyd, conducted in 1977 as part of the Australia Radio cultural series, is held at ORAL TRC 412/1.

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Guy and Phyllis Boyd, National Library of Australia, MS 7551, [series and/or folder number]'.

Biographical Note - Guy Boyd

Date Event
1923 Guy Martin á Beckett Boyd born 12 June, at Murrumbeena, Melbourne, the second son of William Merric Boyd and Doris Gough
1937 Commenced work as a jeweller's apprentice and then worked at a number of jobs, including in a nuts and bolts factory and as a builder's labourer
1941-1946 Military service in the Army, firstly with a survey unit and later teaching pottery at the Convalescent Depot, Ingleburn, NSW
1946-1948 Following his discharge from the Army, studied sculpture at East Sydney Technical College under Lyndon Dadswell
1946 Founded Martin Boyd Pottery in Sydney, in partnership with Duncan Miller and Norma and Len Flegg
1948 Married Barbara Cooper. Marriage dissolved
1952 Married Phyllis Nairn, with whom he had seven children
1952-1953 Established the Guy Boyd Pottery
1962 Baptised into the Anglican Church
1964 Sold Guy Boyd Pottery in order to concentrate on establishing himself as a sculptor
1965 First solo exhibition at the Australian Galleries, Melbourne
1968 Awarded a Churchill Fellowship, which allowed him to travel outside Australia to study the sculptures of Europe and Asia
1970 Commission for mural relief, Melbourne Airport
1971 Commission for mural relief, Kingsford Smith International Airport, Sydney
1973-1976 President, Port Phillip Conservation Council
1976 Moved to Canada to take advantage of the greater opportunities offered to sculptors there than existed in Australia at this time
1981 Returned to Melbourne, having purchased his grand-parents' old home in Sandringham, which was of great sentimental value to him
1982 With Phyllis, was amongst the first to be involved in the campaign to free Lindy Chamberlain when he drew up his 'A Plea for Mercy' petition
1983 As a member of the Tasmanian Wilderness Society, was involved in lobbying against the Tasmanian State Government's plan to dam the Franklin River
1988 Appointed as Art Advisor to Deakin University
Guy Boyd died of a heart attack in Melbourne on 26 April

Biographical Note - Phyllis Boyd

Date Event
1926 Phyllis Emma Nairn, born Adelaide on March 6th, the daughter of Elwyn Nairn and his wife Beatrice (neé McNamara)
1931-1938 Attended West Croydon Primary School, Adelaide
1939-1942 Attended Adelaide High School and Elder Conservatorium of Music
1943 Studied French and German at the University of Adelaide
1944-1945 Worked as a coder in the WAAAF at RAAF Communications Headquarters, Camberwell, Victoria. Rose to the rank of Sergeant
1946-1947 Returned to the University of Adelaide and studied Social Work
1948 Graduated from the University of Adelaide with an Associate Diploma in Social Science. Worked as a Social Worker for the Crippled Children's Association, Adelaide
1949-1950 Social Worker at the Free Kindergarten Union, Melbourne
1951 Worked as a coder, External Communications, Department of External Affairs, Canberra
1952 Married Guy Martin á Beckett Boyd with whom she had seven children
1952 Worked briefly for Legacy, Parramatta, before leaving Sydney for Melbourne
1953 Formed legal partnership with Guy in the Guy Boyd Pottery. Managed accounts and wages of staff
1962 Baptised into the Anglican Church
1964 Continued business partnership when Guy became a full-time sculptor
With Guy, became involved in the conservation movement
1968 With Guy, formed the Brighton Foreshore Protection Committee. This led to the formation of the Port Phillip Conservation Council
Active in Church groups
1975 Joined the Women's Action Alliance and Right to Life
1976 Moved to Toronto, Canada
Joined Campaign Life
1979 Founding member of Women Who Want to be Women (WWWW)
1982 Returned from Canada to live in Australia
1982 Victorian Convenor of WWWW.
With Guy, started the campaign to free Lindy Chamberlain
Member of the Art Foundation of Victoria
1986 Joined REAL Women of Canada
1987 Joined the Australian Family Association
Founding member and National Secretary of Women Against the Ordination of Women
1989 Appointed Vice-President of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Family Association (AFA)
1993 Joined the Catholic Church
1996-2000 President of the Victorian Branch of AFA and its representative on the Family Council of Australia
2001 Phyllis Boyd died of cancer in Melbourne on October 12th


Series List and Descriptions

Series 1 Personal correspondence, 1918-2001

Correspondence with family and friends is contained in this series, with a large part comprising letters from the children of Guy and Phyllis Boyd, especially during the period 1976 to 1981 when Guy and Phyllis lived in North America. There are also numerous letters from Guy Boyd to his family during times when he was on extended trips overseas. There are letters from members of Guy Boyd's family, including his parents, his uncle Martin, his aunt Helen á Beckett Read, his brothers David and Arthur (referred to as 'Chooky boy' in his mother's letters) and his sisters Lucy (nicknamed 'Gibbie') and Mary. Letters from his nieces and nephews appear in later years. The letters of Doris Boyd include letters from the artist Jessie Traill (1962).

Correspondents from Phyllis Boyd's family include her aunts Agnes (nicknamed 'Lit' shortened from 'Littly') and her twin sister Leila (nicknamed 'Big' shortened from 'Biggy') McNamara, and her sister Dr Mary Hoyle.

There are letters from numerous friends of Guy and Phyllis in this series, many of them made while they lived in North America.

Folder 1-7 Personal correspondence, nd
Folder 8 Personal correspondence, c1930-1962

Letter of Emma Minnie Boyd, nd; letter of Merric Boyd, nd; letter from Guy Boyd to his mother, Doris, c1930; letters of Doris Boyd, 1951; letters of Jessie Traill, 1962

Folder 9 Letters of Martin Boyd, 1961-1972
Folder 10 Letters of Helen á Beckett Read, 1973-1995
Folder 12 Letters of David Boyd, 1950-1986
Folder 13-16 Letters of Mary Perceval, 1963-2001
Folder 17-18 Letters of Arthur and Yvonne Boyd, 1961-1998
Folder 19 Personal correspondence, 1918, 1952-1969
Folder 20-21 Letters of Guy Boyd to his family while on overseas on a Churchill Fellowship, 1969-1970
Folder 22 Letters of Phyllis Boyd and children to Guy Boyd while he was overseas on a Churchill Fellowship, 1969-1970
Folder 23 Personal correspondence, 1970-1976
Folder 24 Letters of Phyllis Boyd to Guy Boyd while she was on an overseas trip, 1973-1974
Folder 25 Personal correspondence, 1977-1978
Folder 26-28 Personal correspondence, 1979
Folder 29-31 Personal correspondence, 1980
Folder 32-34 Personal correspondence, 1981
Folder 35-37 Personal correspondence, 1982
Folder 38-39 Personal correspondence, 1983
Folder 40-41 Personal correspondence, 1984
Folder 42 Personal correspondence, 1985
Folder 43-46 Personal correspondence, 1986
Folder 47 Letters of Phyllis Boyd from Toronto to her daughter Kirsty, 1986
Folder 1948-1949 Personal correspondence, 1987
Folder 50-52 Personal correspondence, 1988
Folder 53-56 Condolence letters and cards received on the death of Guy Boyd, 1988
Folder 57-59 Personal correspondence, 1989
Folder 60-62 Personal correspondence, 1990
Folder 63-65 Personal correspondence, 1991
Folder 66-68 Personal correspondence, 1992
Folder 69-70 Personal correspondence, 1993
Folder 71 Personal correspondence, 1994
Folder 72 Personal correspondence, 1995
Folder 73 Personal correspondence, 1996-1998
Folder 74 Personal correspondence, 1996
Folder 75 Personal correspondence, 1997
Folder 76 Personal correspondence, 1998
Folder 77 Personal correspondence, 1999
Folder 78-79 Personal correspondence, 2000
Folder 80-82 Personal correspondence, 2001

Series 2 General correspondence and papers, 1959-2001

This series comprises correspondence and papers relating to Guy Boyd's work as an artist and to the many organisations and causes with which Phyllis Boyd was associated, as well as causes common to both of them such as the Brighton Foreshore Protection Committee and the Port Phillip Protection Society.

Phyllis was Guy Boyd's business partner and managed the administrative affairs associated with his art work. She maintained all the books and corresponded with art galleries relating to the exhibition and sale of Guy's sculptures. Correspondents from art galleries include Philip Bacon, Ron and Betty Beaver, Kim Bonython, Eva Breuer, Andrew Ivanyi, Gisella Scheinberg, Max Stern and Ann von Bertouch. (For a list of art galleries at which Guy Boyd exhibited, see series 5.)

Phyllis Boyd was actively involved with a number of groups relating to her social and religious interests and to her strong interest in issues relating to feminism. Papers relating to this involvement include agenda and minutes of meetings, reports and general correspondence. One of the main correspondents was Babette Francis with whom Phyllis served on the committee of the Endeavour Forum. (Correspondence relating to Phyllis Boyd's interests may also be found in series relating to specific organisations and in subject files in series 14.)

From the early 1960s onwards, Phyllis Boyd was an inveterate writer of letters to politicians, to editors of newspapers and magazines and to producers of television and radio programs. The letters invariable took issue with some political process or the content of an article or program and included in this series are copies of a large number of the letters she wrote.

Folder 1-3 General correspondence and papers, nd
Folder 4 General correspondence and papers, 1959-1963
Folder 5 General correspondence and papers, 1965-1970
Folder 6 General correspondence and papers, 1971
Folder 7 General correspondence and papers, 1972
Folder 8 General correspondence and papers, 1973
Folder 9 General correspondence and papers, 1974
Folder 10-11 General correspondence and papers, 1975
Folder 12 General correspondence and papers, 1976
Folder 13 General correspondence and papers, 1977
Folder 14 General correspondence and papers, 1978
Folder 15-17 General correspondence and papers, 1979
Folder 18-19 General correspondence and papers, 1980
Folder 20-21 General correspondence and papers, 1981
Folder 22-24 General correspondence and papers, 1982
Folder 25 Correspondence with solicitors regarding the estate of Phyllis Boyd's aunt, Agnes McNamara, 1982-1987
Folder 26-28 General correspondence and papers, 1983
Folder 29-31 General correspondence and papers, 1984
Folder 32-33 General correspondence and papers, 1985
Folder 34-35 General correspondence and papers, 1986
Folder 36-38 General correspondence and papers, 1987
Folder 88 General correspondence and papers, 1988
Folder 41-42 General correspondence and papers, 1989
Folder 43 General correspondence and papers, 1990
Folder 44-45 General correspondence and papers, 1991
Folder 46 General correspondence and papers, 1992
Folder 47 General correspondence and papers, 1993
Folder 48 General correspondence and papers, 1994
Folder 49-50 General correspondence and papers, 1995
Folder 51 General correspondence and papers, 1996
Folder 52 General correspondence and papers, 1997
Folder 53-54 General correspondence and papers, 1998
Folder 55-57 General correspondence and papers, 1999
Folder 58-61 General correspondence and papers, 2000
Folder 62 General correspondence and papers, 2001

Series 3 Guy Boyd, 1963-1989

This series contains papers relating specifically to Guy Boyd. There is biographical material, financial and other papers relating to his career as a sculptor and a copy of a thesis by Barbara A. Rothermel entitled 'The life and works of Australian sculptor Guy Boyd (1923-1988)'.

In 1976 Guy Boyd, with his wife and four youngest children, moved to Canada to live, becoming a Canadian citizen in 1981. He felt that opportunities for sculptors in Australia were limited and that by moving to North America he had a better chance of establishing a career for himself. In addition to this, he would not be associated with the Boyd family name and felt this would allow his art to be considered on its own merit and not in association with other members of his family.

In 1980, on a trip back to Australia, Guy Boyd discovered that his grand-parents' old home in Sandringham was for sale. The house had great sentimental value to Boyd, due to the many happy times he had experienced there as a child. He decided to buy the house and in 1981 returned to Australia with his family to live in it.

Note: a large collection of catalogues for exhibitions of Guy Boyd's work can be found in Series 5 and photographs of many of his sculptural pieces are in Series 7.

Folder 1 Biographical papers and typescripts of speeches

Typescripts of speeches; notes; certificate of Canadian citizenship, 1981; biographical papers; passports; 'Notable Americans Award' plaque, presented to Guy Boyd in 1979 by the Editorial Board of the American Biographical Institute

Folder 2 Biographical papers

Edited typescript of a biography of Guy Boyd (no date or author); typescript of autobiographical notes

Folder 3 Financial papers comprising order forms and invoices for sales of sculptures, 1976-1984
Folder 4-5 Lists of sculptures sent to various galleries for sale or exhibition, usually including prices, 1964-1984
Folder 6 Papers relating to the death of Guy Boyd on 26 April 1988. There is an obituary, a condolence book, the order of service at the funeral and an unsigned copy of his will, 1988
Folder 7 Miscellaneous notes
Folder 8 Copy of a thesis entitled 'The life and works of Australian sculptor Guy Boyd (1923-1988)' submitted for the degree of Master of Liberal Studies at the University of Oklahoma by Barbara A. Rothermel, 1989
Folio packet 1 Etched block containing 20 images of Guy Boyd's sculptures
Folio packet 2 Lease agreements and building contracts relating to a factory at Moorabin, 1963-1964

Series 4 Phyllis Boyd, 1936-2001

This series comprises papers relating specifically to Phyllis Boyd. In a letter written in 1972 to her sister, Mary, she describes herself as '...an ardent feminist but NOT the Women's Lib variety...'. This is reflected in her strong interest and active involvement in supporting issues which related to the traditional role of women as mothers, wives and home-makers. There are typescripts of articles, reports and book reviews she wrote, together with typescripts of speeches she gave. There are also biographical papers comprising certificates, early work and personal references, papers relating to Phyllis Boyd's time in the RAAF, an incomplete set of diaries (1982-2001) and a large group of notebooks, mostly containing notes relating to the various causes with which she was associated.

There is correspondence and drafts of a chapter by Phyllis Boyd on the ordination of women which was included in Women Priests in Australia?: The Anglican crisis, edited by David Wetherell and published by Spectrum Publications, Melbourne in 1987.

Note: other series in this guide relate to Phyllis Boyd's involvement with specific organisations and series 14 contains subject files that she accumulated on a number of topics in which she had an interest.

Folder 1 Biographical papers
Folder 2 Adelaide High School magazines, 1939-1941
Folder 3-4 Typescripts of speeches
Folder 5 Typescripts of articles
Folder 6-7 Typescripts of reviews and reports
Folder 8 Drafts of chapter for Women Priests in Australia?: the Anglican crisis,
Folder 9-10 Diaries: 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996, 2000 and 2001,
Folder 11 Address books and the journal of a trip to Mauritius, South Africa and Europe
Folder 12-14 Notebooks
Folio packet 1 Music certificates (AMus), 1936-1942

Series 5 Exhibitions, 1947-2001

This series comprises catalogues of exhibitions of work by Guy Boyd and other members of the Boyd family, together with catalogues of collections in which their works are held. Guy Boyd started his artistic career as a potter, establishing the Martin Boyd Pottery in Sydney in 1946 and the Guy Boyd Pottery in Melbourne in 1952. However, in 1964 he decided to devote himself to sculpture, which he continued with until his death in 1988. His work comprised mainly figures which reflected human movement and included many female nudes.

There is one catalogue for a 1950 exhibition of work from the Martin Boyd Pottery. The remainder of the catalogues of Guy Boyd's work are for exhibitions of his sculpture. Galleries at which Guy Boyd exhibited include the Australian Embassy, Washington; Australian Galleries, Collingwood; Philip Bacon Galleries, New Farm (Brisbane); Beaver Gallery, Canberra; Kim Bonython's Hanging Horse Gallery, Paddington and his Bonython Art Gallery, North Adelaide; Dominion Galleries, Montreal; Greenhill Galleries, Perth; Holdsworth Galleries, Woollahra; Andrew Ivanyi Galleries, South Yarra; the Johnstone Gallery, Bowen Hills (Brisbane); Leicester Galleries, London; Manyung Gallery, Mt Eliza; Randall Galleries, New York; Shaw Rimmington Gallery, Toronto and Von Bertouch Galleries, Newcastle.

There are numerous catalogues relating to other members of the Boyd family in this series. There are also catalogues for exhibitions by John Perceval and Sidney Nolan.

Folder 1 Exhibition catalogues

Catalogue for exhibition of work by Doris Boyd and John Yule, 1947; exhibition catalogues - Guy Boyd, nd

Folder 2 Exhibition catalogues, 1950-1969

Exhibition catalogue - Martin Boyd Pottery, 1950; exhibition catalogues - Guy Boyd, 1964-1969

Folder 3 Exhibition catalogues - Guy Boyd, 1970-1973
Folder 4 Exhibition catalogues - Guy Boyd, 1974-1976
Folder 5 Exhibition catalogues - Guy Boyd, 1977-1979
Folder 6 Exhibition catalogues - Guy Boyd, 1980-1984
Folder 7-8 Exhibition catalogues - Guy Boyd, 1985-1991
Folder 9 Exhibition catalogues - Boyd family, nd
Folder 10 Exhibition catalogues - Boyd family, 1971-1985
Folder 11 Exhibition catalogues - Boyd family, 1986-1989
Folder 12 Exhibition catalogues - Boyd family, 1990-2001
Folio 1 Caufield Arts Complex catalogue of works from its permanent collection
Folio 2 Poster promoting an exhibition of work by Guy Boyd at the Philip Bacon Galleries, nd

Series 6 Legal papers, 1976-1981

Guy and Phyllis Boyd lived in North America from 1976 to 1981. They owned two properties in Toronto, Canada and one in Dallas, Texas. This series contains legal papers relating to their real estate dealings in both Canada and the United States.

3 folders

Series 7 Photographs, c1890-1990s

The bulk of this series comprises black and white photographs of the sculptures of Guy Boyd, together with proof sheets and a small number of negatives. There are also photographs of Guy Boyd with his works and of African dancers, possibly used as the inspiration for some of his pieces. A small number of family photographs can be found in this series.

Folder 1-2 Family photographs, c1890-1900s
Folio packet 1 Guy Boyd and his work
Folio packet 2 Negatives
Folio packet 3 Proof sheets
Folio packet 4-15 Sculptures by Guy Boyd, 1970s-1980s
Folio packet 16 Colour photographs of sculptures by Guy Boyd
Folio packet 17 Photographs of African dancers
Folio packet 18 Photographs, c1944-c1980

Group photograph of Phyllis Boyd's WAAAF unit, c1944; family photographs, c1980

Series 8 Martin Boyd, 1953-2000

The author Martin Boyd was Guy Boyd's uncle. On Martin's death in Rome in 1972, Guy Boyd became his heir and literary executor and most of the papers in this series relate to role. The bulk of the papers comprise correspondence with literary agents Curtis Brown (principally with Tim Curnow) regarding sales and distribution of Martin's books and various proposals to produce stage and film versions of some of his works. Also included are numerous royalty statements, contracts and correspondence regarding Martin Boyd's estate. There are typescripts of film and stage adaptations of Martin Boyd's books by Brian and Judith Bell, Howard Griffiths, Michael Cook, Michael Cove, Barry Lowe and Hamish McDonald. Also included are typescripts of writings about Martin Boyd by Anthony Bradley, Dorothy Green, John McLaren, Brenda Niall and Peter Smalley.

Earlier papers include Martin Boyd's 1971 appointment diary, copies of his contracts with Lansdowne Press (1965-1970) and Abelard-Shuman, New York (1962) and newspaper cuttings. There is also a photocopy of Martin Boyd's book Love gods, published by in London in 1925 and written under the pseudonym Martin Mills and photocopies of some of his poems, which were included in his books Verses by M. ÁB. B., published in London c1918 and Retrospect, published in Melbourne in 1920.

Folder 1 Correspondence and papers, 1962-1971
Folder 2 Correspondence and papers, 1972-1973
Folder 3 Correspondence and papers, 1974
Folder 4 Correspondence and papers, 1975-1977
Folder 5 Correspondence and papers, 1978
Folder 6 Correspondence and papers, 1979
Folder 7 Correspondence and papers, 1980
Folder 8 Correspondence and papers, 1981-1982
Folder 9 Correspondence and papers, 1983
Folder 10 Correspondence and papers, 1984
Folder 11 Correspondence and papers, 1985-1987
Folder 12 Correspondence and papers, 1988-1991
Folder 13 Correspondence and papers, 1992-2000
Folder 14 Appointment diary and papers

Appointment diary, 1971; photocopy of Love gods; photocopy of some of the poems from Retrospect; photocopy of Verses by M.Á B. B, published in London, [1918]

Folder 15 Typescripts

Typescript entitled 'Gentlefolk errant - the family writings of Martin Boyd' by John McLaren, nd; typescript entitled 'The later novels of Martin Boyd' by Anthony John Bradley, nd; 'Langton background notes', by Peter Smalley, 1983

Folder 16 Typescripts and proof pages

Typescripts by Dorothy Green and Brenda Niall of their introductions to reprints of Martin Boyd's books; proof copy of an essay by Dorothy Green entitled 'The fragrance of souls: a study of Lucinda Brayford'; several proof pages of Brenda Niall's book Martin Boyd a life

Folder 17 Script for episodes 2 and 3 of a television adaptation by Brian and Judith Bell of Martin Boyd's novel Outbreak of love, nd
Folder 18 Script by Howard Griffiths for a dramatised version of Martin Boyd's book Outbreak of love, nd
Folder 19 Film script by Michael Cove entitled 'The onion woman', based on Martin Boyd's book The cardboard crown, 1974
Folder 20 Dialogue treatment by Michael Cove entitled 'When blackbirds sing' based on Martin Boyd's novels When blackbirds sing and A difficult young man, 1979
Folder 21 Stage adaptation by Hamish McDonald of Martin Boyd's book Night of the party, c1992
Folder 22 Script by Barry Lowe based on Martin Boyd's book A difficult young man, 1995
Folder 23 Newspaper cuttings, 1953-1990

Series 9 Family papers

This series comprises papers relating to the family histories of both Guy and Phyllis Boyd. There are copies of the Boyd family tree, typescripts of poetry and writings by family members on both sides, a small amount of correspondence and biographical papers.

There are papers relating to Thomas and Evelyn Gough, Doris Boyd's parents. They comprise an edited typescript of chapters XVII - XXV of a book by Evelyn Gough entitled 'The eternal best', a booklet of her poetry entitled The epic of Bert Hinkler, the homing bird of Bundaberg, which was published in Melbourne by A.H. Massina in 1928 and a typescript entitled 'Boy's reminiscences of His Majesty the King's visit to Canada in 1860' by Thomas Gough.

Papers relating to the Nairn and McNamara families, from whom Phyllis was descended, include copies of the wills of her father, grandmother and aunts Leila and Agnes McNamara, travel diaries kept by Agnes, cuttings of poetry by E.R. Nairn and a copy of a booklet entitled 'The Kreuslers and their descendants, 1344-1989' which relates to the McNamara side of the family. Leila was a well-known South Australian artist and there is an exercise book of her anatomical sketches and a small reproduction of one of her paintings.

There are also miscellaneous papers relating to the children of Guy and Phyllis Boyd, including birth certificates, baby health care cards and school reports.

Folder 1-2 Family papers

Three typescript copies of a Boyd family history (no author, title or date - see also folio 2 below); photocopies of early letters relating to building at Murrumbeena, 1926; photocopies of pages from a family bible

Folder 3 Family papers

Bound typescript entitled 'Poems and stories for children' by Emma Minnie Boyd, with the dedication 'Doris Boyd with love from the author, Dec 1934'; two school reports [possibly for Merric Boyd], 1903; miscellaneous papers relating to the history of the Boyd family

Folder 4-5 Papers relating to Evelyn and Thomas Gough
Folder 6 Miscellaneous papers relating to the children of Guy and Phyllis Boyd
Folder 7 Papers relating to the Nairn and McNamara families
Folder 8 Travel journals of Agnes McNamara
Folder 9 Kreusler family history
Folio packet 1 Boyd family tree
Folio packet 2 Photocopy of an early typescript of a Boyd family history entitled 'A brief account of the Boyds of Kilmarnock...', with indistinct handwritten annotations (no author or date, see also folders 1-2 above)
Folio packet 3 Two rough sketches by Merric Boyd (dated 1943 and 1958) and a sketch by Matthew Perceval (1968)

Series 10 Lindy Chamberlain Campaign, 1980-1992

Following the return of a guilty verdict against Lindy Chamberlain in the trial over the disappearance of her daughter, Azaria, in 1981, Guy and Phyllis Boyd were amongst the first people involved in what was eventually to become a national campaign calling for a judicial inquiry into the case. Guy Boyd drew up a petition entitled 'A Plea for Mercy' and became involved in organising meetings and support groups and gathering signatures. In 1984, he edited Justice in Jeopardy: twelve witnesses speak out, a critical analysis of witness statements and forensic evidence presented at the trial.

This series includes correspondence and papers relating to the campaign. There are letters lobbying politicians and other public figures, newspaper cuttings and campaign ephemera. A large part of the correspondence comprises letters of support from people around Australia and there is one folder of correspondence with Professor B. Boettcher from the University of Newcastle.

Also included is a video cassette of a meeting held in Caulfield on 8 November 1983, cassette tapes of a meeting held at Melbourne Town Hall on 23 March 1984 and a copy of a self published work entitled The dark side of the law by Glenn Rosendahl, 1984, containing the dedication 'To Lindy and Michael'.

Folder 1 Papers, 1983-1992

Notes of a public meeting of 'A Plea for Mercy' campaign held at Caulfield, November 1983; letters of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, 1983-1985 and 1992; citation presented to the Boyd family by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, nd

Folder 2-6 Correspondence, 1980-1986
Folder 7 Correspondence, 1987-1996
Folder 8 Correspondence with politicians, 1983-1984
Folder 9 Correspondence with Professor B. Boettcher, 1984
Folder 10-18 Letters of support for the campaign, 1982-1986
Folder 19-20 Correspondence and papers relating to the Chamberlain Innocence Committee, 1985
Folder 21 Correspondence and papers relating to the National Freedom Council, 1987-1990
Folder 22 Papers

Negative responses to the 'A Plea for Mercy' petition, 1984; campaign advertisements

Folder 23-25 Papers relating to the campaign
Folder 26 Petitions, newspaper cuttings and papers relating to the campaign, 1984-1987
Folder 27 Copy of The dark side of the law by Glenn Rosendahl, 1984
Packet 28 Cassette tapes: 22 commercially produced copies of 'Six trial witnesses speak out', recorded at Melbourne Town Hall, 23 March 1984 and one tape annotated 'To Babette from Liz', 26 October 1981
Packet 29 Video tape of the public meeting held at Caufield, 8 November 1983

Series 11 Women Who Want to be Women, 1980-2000

Phyllis Boyd was a founding member and Victorian co-ordinator of the organisation Women Who Want To Be Women (WWWW), the aim of which was to enhance the status of uniquely female roles under the precept that men and women are equal but different. This series contains correspondence and papers relating to the activities of WWWW. There are numerous letters from politicians, often containing quite detailed replies in response to WWWW's lobbying on issues such as the Sex Discrimination Bill 1984, the Equal Opportunity Bill, the Embryo Experimentation Bill and the In-Vitro Fertilisation Programme. There are also reports, submissions, copies of government press releases, ephemera and correspondence with Babette Francis, the organisation's National and International Co-ordinator.

Folder 1 Correspondence, 1980-1983
Folder 2 Correspondence, 1984
Folder 3 Correspondence, 1985-1987
Folder 3 Cassette tape with the title 'Mrs M. [Marianne] Crowe - True Advancement of Women' which was a paper she presented at the United Nations Decade for Women, WWWW information seminar, 23 June 1985

Series 12 Women Against the Ordination of Women, 1987-1994

In 1987, Phyllis Boyd was approached by Sandra McColl about joining her in the formation of an Australian equivalent of the British Anglican Church group Women Against the Ordination of Women (WAOW). Phyllis Boyd was appointed as the National Secretary. In 1993, after the vote by the General Synod in Melbourne in 1992 to allow the ordination of women, it was decided to dissolve the group and for members to join the Association for Apostolic Women. In 1993, Phyllis Boyd decided to join the Catholic Church.

Contained in this series are papers relating to the campaign run by WAOW, which involved the lobbying of members of the Anglican clergy and church bodies, promoting the cause and preparing submissions for presentation at Synod meetings. They comprise correspondence, papers written by Phyllis Boyd, Synod papers, reports, agenda and minutes of meetings, submission papers, promotional flyers and brochures, copies of the WAOW newsletter, newspaper cuttings and copies of journal articles.

Most of the papers were contained in files created by Phyllis Boyd and these have been kept intact. Related unfoldered papers have been listed chronologically.

Folder 1 Unfoldered papers, nd
Folder 2 Letters to Sandra McColl, 1988
Folder 3-6 Correspondence and membership forms, 1987-1988
Folder 7 Unfoldered papers, 1987-1988
Folder 8 Correspondence and papers, 1987-1988
Folder 9-11 Correspondence and papers, 1987-1992
Folder 12 Correspondence and papers, 1987-1994
Folder 13 Correspondence and papers, 1988-1993
Folder 14 Unfoldered papers, 1989-1993
Folder 15-16 Correspondence and papers, 1990-1993
Folder 17 Correspondence and papers, 1991-1993
Folder 18-20 Newspaper cuttings, 1982-1991

Series 13 Australian Family Association, 1987-2000

In 1987 Phyllis Boyd joined the Australian Family Association (AFA), which was founded in 1978 by a group of Christians concerned that traditional family values were being eroded by various groups in western society. In 1989 she was elected Vice-President of the Victorian Branch and from 1996 to 2000 was its President. Dr Joe Santamaria was the Association's National President.

Through her role in the AFA, Phyllis Boyd was involved in lobbying government bodies and organisations about issues which it was felt impacted on the role of the family. Such issues included the rights of the child, drug addiction, euthanasia, family allowances, homosexuality and pornography.

Contained in this series are papers relating to Phyllis Boyd's involvement with the AFA. They include correspondence, minutes of meetings, AFA press releases, copies of the AFA bulletin Family Update, pamphlets and other ephemera. Most of the papers were contained in files created by Phyllis Boyd and they have been kept intact. Related unfoldered papers have been listed chronologically.

Folder 1 Correspondence and papers, 1987-1994
Folder 2 Correspondence and papers, 1987-1999
Folder 3 Papers, 1987-1993

Unfoldered papers, 1987-1992; Geelong, Colac and Ballarat mailing lists, 1992-1993

Folder 4 Correspondence and papers, 1991-1994
Folder 5-6 Unfoldered papers, 1993-2000
Folder 7 Correspondence and papers, 1994-1995
Folder 8 Correspondence and papers, 1999-2000
Folder 9 Copies of Family Update, 1987-1994

Series 14 Subject files, 1962-2000

Phyllis Boyd had a keen interest in a broad range of social, feminist and religious issues. In this series are a number of subject files she accumulated relating to these interests. They contain correspondence, newspaper cuttings, booklets, minutes of meetings and newsletters.

Folder 1 Abortion, 1971-1979
Folder 2 Affirmative action for women, 1977-1987
Folder 3 All Souls Anglican Church, Sandringham, 1982-1987
Folder 4 Anglicans for Unity, Peace and Control, 1986-1988
Folder 5 Call to Australia, 1984-1987
Folder 6-10 Canadian right to life organisations (see also Right to life), 1973-1994
Folder 11-12 Child abuse, 1984-1998
Folder 13 Child care, 1982-1998
Folder 14 Christian Pro-Family Forum, 1983-1987
Folder 15 Constitution [Australian], 1986-1987
Folder 16 Drugs, 1993-2000
Folder 17 Education, 1974-1987
Folder 18 Endeavour Forum, 1980-1987
Folder 19 Euthanasia, 1976-1998
Folder 20 Family Council of Victoria, 1994-1999
Folder 21 Family Law Act, 1985-1994
Folder 22 Family Tax, 1989
Folder 23 Feminist articles
Folder 24 Festival of Light, 1983-1989
Folder 25-26 Homosexuality, 1988-1998
Folder 27 Law, 1971-1990
Folder 28 Mailing lists
Folder 29 National Council of Women of Victoria, 1980-1984
Folder 30 Pornography, 1981-1996
Folder 31 Pro-Life Victoria, 1983-1993
Folder 32 Prostitution, 1983-1994
Folder 33 REAL Women of Canada, 1993-1998
Folder 34 Religion, 1993-1994
Folder 35-39 Right to life (see also Canadian right to life organisations), 1980-1997
Folder 40 Thomas More Society, 1989-1996
Folder 41 Women's Action Alliance Victoria, 1975-2000
Folder 42 Women's issues, 1962-1997

Series 15 Journals and papers, 1981-2000

Contained in this series are journals and miscellaneous papers written by others, which were accumulated by Phyllis Boyd. They mostly relate to her broad interests in social issues, the role of the family and feminism. Journals include Family Forum, Light, The Horizon, The Phyllis Schlafly Report and Contentions

Folder/packet 1-5 Journals, 1984-2000
Folder/packet 6-9 Papers, 1981-2000

Series 16 Newspaper cuttings, 1968-2000

This series comprises newspaper cuttings relating to Guy Boyd and his work, to the Boyd family in general and to the interests of both Guy and Phyllis Boyd such as the arts, social issues, conservation and religion.

Folder 1-3 Newspaper cuttings relating to Guy Boyd, 1968-1988
Folder 4-5 Newspaper cuttings relating to the Boyd family, 1966-2000
Folder 6-9 Miscellaneous cuttings, 1977-2000
Folio packet 1 Cutting books
Folio packet 2 Copies of The Advocate newspaper, 1981-1982

Series 17 Miscellaneous papers, 1976-2000

A small group of miscellaneous papers accumulated by Guy and Phyllis Boyd are contained in this series. There are typescripts of interviews conducted by Colin Smith as research for a proposed publication on the Boyd family of Murrumbeena and the local history of Murrumbeena. They comprise interviews with Phyllis Boyd, David Boyd, Margot and Robert Beck and other residents of Murrumbeena. There are also several booklets and tourist brochures, a cash journal and a deposit book, a bound typescript of a novel (no title, author or date) and plans for renovations of their Sandringham home.

Folder/packet 1-2 Typescripts of interviews conducted by Colin Smith, 1988-2000
Folder/packet 3 Papers, 1976-1991

Cash journal, 1989-1991; deposit book, 1976-1979; miscellaneous booklets

Folder/packet 4 Bound typescript of a novel, (158pp)
Folio packet 1 Plans and proposed renovations of Guy and Phyllis Boyd's home at 5 Edward Street, Sandringham


Container List

Series Folder/Item Box
1 1-6 1
1 7-12 2
1 13-18 3
1 19-24 4
1 25-31 5
1 32-39 6
1 40-47 7
1 48-54 8
1 55-59 9
1 60-68 10
1 69-75 11
1 76-82 12
2 1-7 13
2 8-14 14
2 15-21 15
2 22-38 16
2 29-35 17
2 36-42 18
2 43-50 19
2 51-57 20
2 58-62 21
3 1-2 21
3 3-8 22
3 1-2 Folio box 1
4 1-5 23
4 6-10 24
4 11-14 25
4 1 Folio box 1
5 1-6 26
5 7-12 27
5 1 Folio box 1
5 2 Map drawer HW 19
6 1-3 28
7 1-2 28
7 1-3; 9-18 Folio box 2
7 4-8 Folio box 3
8 1-7 29
8 8-14 30
8 15-18 31
8 19-23 32
9 1 32
9 2-7 33
9 8-9 34
9 1-3 Folio box 1
10 1-6 34
10 7-13 35
10 14-20 36
10 21-27 37
10 28-29 38
11 1-2 38
11 3 39
12 1-6 39
12 7-11 40
12 12-17 41
12 18-20 42
13 1-2 42
13 3-9 43
14 1-4 44
14 5-10 45
14 11-15 46
14 16-19 47
14 20-26 48
14 27-30 49
14 31-36 50
14 37-41 51
14 42-43 52
15 1-3 52
15 4-9 53
16 1-7 54
16 8-9 55
16 1-2 Folio box 1
17 1-3 55
17 4 56
17 1 Folio box 1