Guide to the Papers of David Tothill
MS 9261, MS Acc05.043, MS Acc12.003
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- David Tothill
- Title
- Papers of David Tothill
- Date Range
- 1987-2009
- Collection Number
- MS 9261, MS Acc05.043, MS Acc12.003
- Extent
- 1.53 metres (10 boxes, 3 folders)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- NLA
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The collection contains personal files created by him during his term as South African Ambassador to Australia, from 1988 to 1992. The files include general correspondence with the Australian public and various government departments, correspondence regarding Tothill's official visits and engagements, and an extensive collection of letters from the public commenting on his media interviews, speeches and column 'South African Opinion' in the Weekend Australian. There are also numerous requests for the three compilation volumes of his column, David Tothill's South African Opinion I (1990), South African Opinion II (1991) and South African Opinion III (1992).
The files contain correspondence with a number of Australian and New Zealand political and public figures, discussing such topics as media reports on South Africa, Australian - South African relations and political reforms. Among the correspondents are Sir Charles Court, Ian Sinclair, Kim E. Beazley, Michael Baume, Ross Meurant, Ric Smith, Michael Cobb, Richard Carleton and Gareth Evans.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2043081).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of David Tothill, National Library of Australia [class number, box number and series and/or file number]'.
Provenance
Dr David Tothill donated the bulk of the collection to the Library in August 1998. Further additions were made by Tothill in December 1999, July 2000 and January 2002.
Related Materials
The Library also holds Tothill's Ph.D. thesis South African-Australian Diplomatic Relations 1945-1961 (1995) at MSD 22, and Mastersthesis The 1943 General Election (1987) at MSD 239.
Biographical Note
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1936 | Francis David Tothill born 10 June, at Pretoria, South Africa |
| 1959 | Joined the South African Department of Foreign Affairs |
| 1959-64 | Head Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, Pretoria |
| 1964-70 | Member of South African Mission to the United Nations, New York |
| 1970-75 | Returned to United Nations and South West African Affairs Division, Department of Foreign Affairs |
| 1975-80 | Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geneva |
| 1980-84 | Ambassador to Argentina |
| 1984-88 | Returned to Head Office, Department of Foreign Affairs |
| 1988-92 | Ambassador to Australia |
| 1992-96 | Chief Director Americas, Asia and Oceania |
| 1995 | Completed Doctoral Thesis South African-Australian Diplomatic Relations 1945-1964 |
| 1996 | Retired from Foreign Service |
| 1998 | Awarded Harold White Fellowship, National Library of Australia |
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1936 | Francis David Tothill born 10 June, at Pretoria, South Africa |
| 1959 | Joined the South African Department of Foreign Affairs |
| 1959-64 | Head Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, Pretoria |
| 1964-70 | Member of South African Mission to the United Nations, New York |
| 1970-75 | Returned to United Nations and South West African Affairs Division, Department of Foreign Affairs |
| 1975-80 | Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geneva |
| 1980-84 | Ambassador to Argentina |
| 1984-88 | Returned to Head Office, Department of Foreign Affairs |
| 1988-92 | Ambassador to Australia |
| 1992-96 | Chief Director Americas, Asia and Oceania |
| 1995 | Completed Doctoral Thesis South African-Australian Diplomatic Relations 1945-1964 |
| 1996 | Retired from Foreign Service |
| 1998 | Awarded Harold White Fellowship, National Library of Australia |
Item Descriptions
Class MS 9261. Original consignment
Reaction to the Ambassador's column/speeches, 1988-92 Including correspondence regarding Tothill's speeches, media interviews and newspaper column 'South African Opinion' (File 1-13) - Box 1, 2, 3
Requests for David Tothill's South African Opinion, 1990-92 Comprising requests for copies of the three compilation volumes of Tothill's newspaper column 'South African Opinion' (File 14-19) - Box 4, 5
General contact, Mission/Australian public, 1988-93 Including correspondence regarding general matters, local events, media reports, South African affairs and public perceptions of South Africa (File 20-27) - Box 5, 6, 7
Correspondence regarding official visits and engagements, 1988-92 Including arrangements for visits throughout Australia and New Zealand, speaking engagements, and attendance at seminars and conferences, social functions and other events (File 28-31) - Box 7, 8
Contact with Australian and New Zealand Ministers and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 1990-92 Including correspondence regarding South African political reforms, statements and speeches made by F. W. de Klerk and other South African officials, statements made by Australian politicians including Gareth Evans, and other matters (File 32-33) - Box 8
Correspondence with Sir Charles Court, 1989-92 Including correspondence regarding Australian - South African relations (File 34) - Box 9
Incoming and outgoing faxes (File 35-36) - Box 9
Comprising copies of facsimiles, including correspondence, media releases, and statements by South African officials.