MS 9409
Papers of Graham Gibson (1914 - 1987)
Scope and content note
Papers
1935-87
4.76 metres (34 boxes)
Available for reference
The papers were donated by Joan Gibson to the National Library in 1994.
The bulk of the papers comprise individually numbered research papers
and notes for Gibsons post-graduate studies. The collection also includes
miscellaneous research papers and lecture notes, a body of material on Papua
New Guinea education in the post-war years, numbered general correspondence and
copies of Gibsons theses. There are personal papers as well. Gibson kept
a diary for six months in 1946 and Joan Gibson wrote in a travel diary, 1949,
recording her impressions of the trip from Melbourne to Rabaul. There are also
copies of letters Joan Gibson sent to family and friends in Australia while she
was in Papua New Guinea in 1949-50.
Gibsons research interests were centred on education in Papua New
Guinea and the ideals that motivated schooling there, including the role played
by Christian missions. He wrote his doctoral thesis on the educational ideals
of William Charles Groves, an Australian anthropologist who was the foundation
Director of Education in Papua New Guinea from 1946 to 1958. Gibson had a
lifelong interest in education policy and administration in all colonial
countries and his research papers include comparative material on education in
African and Pacific countries.
Gibson was a meticulous record keeper who numbered and indexed his
post-graduate research papers and notes using two exercise books as numerical
and subject indexes. Individual papers and notes can be retrieved through the
indexes. The numbered research papers and notes consist of Gibsons
handwritten notes and copies of reference articles from various journals and
publications. Gibson also numbered and indexed general correspondence and
ordered it numerically rather than chronologically. Where Gibson has numbered
papers and correspondence the Library has maintained this arrangement.
The papers provide an insight into colonial life in Papua New Guinea in
the post-war years with a particular focus on the policy and administration of
education.
Biographical note
Graham Harrison Gibson was born in Cranbourne, Victoria on 13 December
1914. He died in Melbourne in March 1987.
Gibson was a teacher with the Victorian Education Department who first
went to Papua New Guinea in 1943 with the 4th Field Ambulance. He subsequently
joined the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) the special army
unit set up to carry out functions of civilian government. After discharge from
ANGAU Gibson resigned from the Victorian Education Department to join the
Territory of Papua New Guinea Education Department. He went to the central
training school at Sogeri near Port Moresby before becoming the District
Education Officer at Kavieng, the administrative centre of the New Ireland
district in January 1947. Gibson taught at the District School at Utu.
Education in post-war Papua New Guinea was hampered by some major
problems. It was a new Department; there had been no Department of Education
before the war. Many buildings in Papua New Guinea had been destroyed during
the war and accommodation was often temporary; schools were usually located in
improvised buildings. Gibson was one of the pioneer teachers in the Territory
spending a total of seven years there before his departure in 1950.
Gibson married Joan Hargreaves in December 1948.
On his return to Australia Gibson re-entered the secondary education
division of the Victorian Education Department where he taught until his
retirement at the age of fifty-nine. After retirement he studied for a masters
and doctoral degrees at Monash University. He attained his doctoral thesis in
1984 with his work: The Educational ideals of William Charles Groves.
Reference
Encyclopaedia of Papua and New Guinea, Volume 1, 1972
Series list
Series/Title
1 Correspondence series, numbered papers, 1-111, 1940-87
2 Personal letters and diaries of Graham and Joan Gibson, 1946-50
3 Numbered research papers and notes, 1-911, 1940s-87
4 Miscellaneous research papers and notes, 1940s-87
5 Papua New Guinea education papers, 1940s-60
6 Gibsons post graduate theses, 1949-84
7 Press cuttings, 1952-86
8 Miscellaneous materials, 1935-84
Series description
Series 1 Correspondence series, numbered papers, 1-111,
1940-87
Gibson numbered all items in this general correspondence series. There
are one hundred and eleven items of correspondence dating from 1940 to the
1980s. The numbers are recorded in an exercise book that indexes all items in
the series. Correspondence is filed numerically, not chronologically. Gibson
was a meticulous record-keeper and many of the items in this series were
retyped and photocopied to improve legibility of fading papers. The original
and the copies are fastened together. Many of the items contain explanatory
notes in Gibsons handwriting dated in February 1987. The series contains
everyday material from Kavieng, for example, notices of social events,
outfitting receipts, sketches of the District Education Office at Utu, an
exercise book containing handwritten recipes and so on. The series also
includes letters from Gibson to different educational bodies and individuals
about his research interests, copies of Mission and Church newsletters,
newspaper cuttings and letters sent to Gibson from students in the New Ireland
district.
Folder
1 Index book to numbered correspondence
2 Correspondence, items 1-26
3 Correspondence, items 27-45
4 Correspondence, items 46-60
5 Correspondence, items 61-76
6 Correspondence, items 77-88
7 Correspondence, items 89-93
8 Correspondence, items 94-111
Series 2 Personal letters and diaries of Joan and Graham Gibson,
1946-50
This series includes a personal diary Graham Gibson kept from January to
December 1946. It covers his army service with ANGAU and his time at Sogeri
near Port Moresby. After Graham Gibson married Joan Hargreaves in December
1948, Melbourne, in January 1949 they travelled from Melbourne to Rabaul, and
then to Kavieng, New Ireland, where Gibson was District Education Officer. Joan
Gibson kept a travel diary describing the journey from Melbourne to Rabaul. The
original diary and a retyped and photocopied version of the diary are included
in this series. There are also carbon copies of letters Joan Gibson typed to
her friends in Australia together with a set of retyped and photocopied
letters. There is a large bundle of original typed letters she sent to her
family (the Hargreaves) while she was in Kavieng. These letters were also
retyped and photocopied. Gibson kept congratulatory notes and cards sent to him
on the conferral of his doctoral thesis in 1985.
Folder
1 Personal diary of Graham Gibson, 1946
2 Travel diary of Joan Gibson (original and copy), 1949-50
3 Letters to friends from Joan Gibson, 1949
4 Letters to family from Joan Gibson, 1949-50
5 Papers on conferral of doctoral thesis, 1985
Series 3 Numbered research papers and notes,
1940s-87
This series of research papers and notes were numbered by Gibson and
maintained in the numerical sequence. The numerical index to the papers is
contained in two exercise books. Items 1-707 are listed in the first book,
items 708-911 in the second book. A spiral notepad entitled Notes on W.
C. Groves consisting of handwritten notes on Groves under different
headings has been included with these papers.
The series comprises photocopies of articles from a range of journals,
books and reports and Gibsons own handwritten research notes. Gibson
allocated numbers to all his notes. Some are written in exercise books, others
in writing pads, others consist of brief jotting on single slips of paper or
envelopes. All notes were numbered for retrieval and most were kept in some
sort of covering, for instance, used envelopes or bags. The research notes and
papers are mainly about the policy and administration of education in Papua
NewGuinea. The Library has maintained Gibsons indexed numerical sequence.
For preservation reasons, the Library has placed groups of papers in special
folders.
The material appears to have been largely accumulated and numbered by
Gibson during the 1970s and the early 1980s, probably for the easy retrieval of
information for the doctoral thesis on William Charles Groves.
Folder
1 Index book to research papers and notes, 1-707
2 Index book to research papers and notes, 708-911
3 Note book on W. C. Groves
4 Research papers and notes, 1-36
5 Research papers and notes, 37-63
6 Research papers and notes, 64-74
7 Research papers and notes, 75-93
8 Research papers and notes, 94-101
9 Research papers and notes, 102-118
10 Research papers and notes, 119-140
11 Research papers and notes, 141-161
12 Research papers and notes, 162-170
13 Research papers and notes, 171-183
14 Research papers and notes, 184-202
15 Research papers and notes, 203-209
16 Research papers and notes, 210-220
17 Research papers and notes, 221-234
18 Research papers and notes, 235-275
19 Research papers and notes, 276-290
20 Research papers and notes, 291-307
21 Research papers and notes, 308-312
22 Research papers and notes, 313-319
23 Research papers and notes, 320-327
24 Research papers and notes, 328-342
25 Research papers and notes, 343-354
26 Research papers and notes, 355-360
27 Research papers and notes, 361-365
28 Research papers and notes, 366-375
29 Research papers and notes, 376-401
30 Research papers and notes, 402-418
31 Research papers and notes, 419-456
32 Research papers and notes, 457-480
33 Research papers and notes, 481-493
34 Research papers and notes, 494-496
35 Research papers and notes, 497-500
36 Research papers and notes, 501-512
37 Research papers and notes, 513-573
38 Research papers and notes, 574-585
39 Research papers and notes, 586-594
40 Research papers and notes, 595-605
41 Research papers and notes, 606-609
42 Research papers and notes, 610-628
43 Research papers and notes, 629-631
44 Research papers and notes, 632-640
45 Research papers and notes, 641-655
46 Research papers and notes, 656-667
47 Research papers and notes, 668-680
48 Research papers and notes, 681-707
49 Research papers and notes, 708-730
50 Research papers and notes, 731-737
51 Research papers and notes, 738-741
52 Research papers and notes, 742-747
53 Research papers and notes, 748-751
54 Research papers and notes, 752-760
55 Research papers and notes, 761-770
56 Research papers and notes, 771-791
57 Research papers and notes, 792-804
58 Research papers and notes, 805-822
59 Research papers and notes, 823
60 Research papers and notes, 824-840
61 Research papers and notes, 841-856
62 Research papers and notes, 857-877
63 Research papers and notes, 878-911
Series 4 Miscellaneous research papers and notes,
1940s-87
This series of research papers and notes includes a selection of 1940s
lecture notes from the University of Sydney and the Army (School of Civil
Affairs) on anthropology, agriculture, education and government in Papua New
Guinea. The series also includes copies of theses used by Gibson for reference
purposes, notes on the training of Missionaries (taken at the Mitchell Library)
and bundles of photocopied information on Papua New Guinea administration and
education obtained from the Australian Archives in 1987. There is a set of
papers marked by Gibson as early thesis notes for review. This
series of research papers and notes were accumulated over a considerable period
of time and would certainly have been used for reference in Gibsons
post-graduate studies. Gibson did not number these papers. The Library has
arranged them in chronological order where possible.
Folder
1 Lecture notes, Anthropology 1, 1940s
2 Thesis: Educational problems of the Methodist Mission in New Britain,
L.A. McArthur, 1940s (2 copies)
3 Allied geographical section: Area study of New Ireland, 1943
4 Lecture notes, HQ AMF, Law and Government in Australian New Guinea,
1945-46
5 Extract from Parliamentary debates (Colonial Affairs), 1946
6 Lecture notes, HQ AMF, Education, training, missions, c 1946-50
7 Lecture notes, HQ AMF, Department of District services, 1946-47
8 Lecture notes, HQ AMF, Notes on farming, stock and agriculture,
1947
9 Nigeria: principles of native administration, received 1947
10 Research notes and articles on education, 1948-73
11 Hand written notes on Missionaries (Mitchell Library), 1955
12 Notes about the training of Missionaries, 1967
13 Notes on training of Methodist Missionaries, 1972
14 Thesis: The work and influence of W.C. Groves, M. Duncan, n d
15 Report on work at Haddon Library (UK), 1981
16 Handwritten notes on Africa (education), n d
17 Handwritten notes Pacific (education) n d
18 Notes, early thesis, G.H. Gibson, n d
19 Notes, George Browns artefacts, 1986
20 Unpublished article on W.C. Groves, G.H. Gibson (two copies) 1987
21 Material from the Australian Archives, 1987
22 Material from the Australian Archives, 1987
Series 5 Papua New Guinea education papers,
1940s-60
This series comprises a body of information on education in Papua New
Guinea in the post-war years. It includes Territory of Papua and New Guinea
(TPNG) Department of Education policy and administration papers from the late
1940s, and material from Papua New Guinea from the 1950s. Gibson had obviously
arranged for information on education to be sent to him after he left Papua New
Guinea. The material from the 1950s came to Gibson from an education inspector,
G. Stanton Crouch, at Sogeri. These papers were bundled and described as the
Stanton Crouch papers. The papers consist of: students and
teachers notebooks, pupils exams, workbooks and essays, roneoed
circulars and teaching papers from the TPNG Education Department, copies of
school inspection reports, exam papers for the auxiliary division of the TPNG
public service, school broadcasts and some copies of Departmental
correspondence.
Folder
1 Territory of Papua New Guinea, Department of Education, policy papers,
1947-54
2 Programme of work for Native Teachers, Catholic Mission,
Yule Island, 1949
3 Teachers notebook, 1950s
4 Folders of teaching papers (examinations, syllabuses, correspondence),
1950s
5 Folders of teaching papers (pupils exercises, reports, exams),
1953-60
6 Department of Education, syllabuses, 1954-58
7 Know your Territory, school broadcasts, 1955-57
8 Department of Education, exam papers, 1955-58
9 Roneoed notes Teachers refresher course, 1956
10 Department of Education, exam papers, 1956-57
11 Department of Education, education papers, 1956-57
12 Pupils and teachers exercise books, c 1957
13 Pupils exams, work and stories, 1957-59
14 Territory of Papua New Guinea, Department of Education, Staff
Report on Native Teachers, 1958
15 Exam papers for the public service, 1958-59
16 Pupils essays (Sogeri), c 1959
17 Teachers and students workbooks, c 1959-60
18 Papuan legends, n d
Series 6 Gibsons post-graduate theses,
1949-84
Gibsons lifelong interest in education in Papua New Guinea is
reflected in the subjects of his post graduate theses. He undertook four
theses. The first two were with Melbourne University: Native education in
New Ireland (Bachelor of Education) 1949 and Native education by the
Methodist Mission in the New Britain District 1875-1950 (Master of
Education), 1962. At Monash University he did a Master of Arts thesis in 1973:
The educational preparation of Australian Methodist Missionaries
1855-1970 and a Doctor of Philosophy thesis in 1984: The educational
ideals of William Charles Groves.
Folder
1 Native education in New Ireland, 1949
2 Native education by the Methodist Mission in the New Britain
District 1875-1950, 1962
3 The educational preparation of Australian Methodist Missionaries
1855-1970, 1973
4 The educational ideals of William Charles Groves, 1984
Series 7 Press cuttings, 1952-86
This small series consists of press cuttings Gibson collected on Papua
New Guinea and Pacific countries. The series comprises four exercise books
containing press cuttings and a bundle of sheets of photocopies. The cuttings,
mostly taken from The Age and Church (mission) journals, are glued
into exercise books or glued onto sheets of paper. There is a bundle of press
cuttings from 1979-84 mainly about Papua New Guinea, but also containing
material about the Pacific.
Folder
1 Press cuttings, 1952-61
2 Press cuttings, c 1961-65
3 Press cuttings, c 1979-86
Series 8 Assorted printed materials, 1935-84
This series contains printed material about Papua New Guinea ranging
from pamphlets, various booklets, magazines, for example, Walkabout
and The Bulletin, miscellaneous handbooks from the Australian School
of Pacific Administration, monthly newsletters of the Pacific Manuscripts
Bureau and reports from the Papua and New Guinea University of Technology.
Gibson accumulated this material over a long period of time for its reference
value and personal interest. Three black and white photographs of Port Denison,
Sydney, received by Gibson in 1965 have been placed in this series.
Folder
1 Pamphlets and booklets, 1935-70s
2 Publications on Papua New Guinea, 1935-49
3 Specialised handbooks and Government brochures, 1945-64
4 Miscellaneous published handbooks, c 1949-77
5 Magazines, 1955-64
6 Photographs (Port Denison) c 1965
7 Monthly newsletters, Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, 1968-81
8 Papua New Guinea University of Technology reports, 1978-82
Box list
| Box |
Series |
Folder |
| 1 |
1 |
1-8 |
| 2 |
2 |
2-5 |
| 3 |
3 |
1-6 |
| 4 |
3 |
7-10 |
| 5 |
3 |
11-15 |
| 6 |
3 |
16-19 |
| 7 |
3 |
20-23 |
| 8 |
3 |
24-26 |
| 9 |
3 |
27-29 |
| 10 |
3 |
30-32 |
| 11 |
3 |
33-37 |
| 12 |
3 |
38-41 |
| 13 |
3 |
42-45 |
| 14 |
3 |
46-49 |
| 15 |
3 |
50-54 |
| 16 |
3 |
55-57 |
| 17 |
3 |
58-61 |
| 18 |
3 |
62-63 |
| 19 |
4 |
1-5 |
| 20 |
4 |
6-10 |
| 21 |
4 |
11-13 |
| 22 |
4 |
14-15 |
| 23 |
4 |
16-17 |
| 24 |
4 |
18-22 |
| 25 |
5 |
1-4 |
| 26 |
5 |
5-7 |
| 27 |
5 |
8-13 |
| 28 |
5 |
14-18 |
| 29 |
6 |
1-2 |
| 30 |
6 |
3-4 |
| 31 |
7 |
1-3 |
| 32 |
8 |
1-3 |
| 33 |
8 |
4-5 |
| 34 |
8 |
6-8 |
May 2000 |