MS 9552
Papers of Arthur Groom (1904 - 1953)
Scope and Content Note
Creator: Arthur Groom
Title: Papers
Date range: c. 1930-1953
Reference number: MS 9552
Extent: 28 cm (2 boxes)
Administrative Information
Access: Available for reference
Provenance: The collection was donated to the Library by Grooms
children, Linda, Donn, Tony and Richard Groom.
The collection comprises the manuscript of an unpublished novel,
Flood waters, a 1932 confidential diary kept while Groom was
working at OReillys Guesthouse on the Lamington Plateau in
southeast Queensland, a diary of a 1952 trip taken in preparation for writing
Wealth in the wilderness (1955) and correspondence relating to the
trip. There are also newspaper cuttings, a manuscript for an article Beef
will be scarce and dear (1952?), Grooms honorary ranger badge and
an 1897 petition by Susan Grace Lambert regarding land in Tasmania held by the
Groom family.
Arrangement: The papers have been retained in the order in which they
were received.
Related Material: Photographs received with the collection have been
transferred to the Pictorial Section.
Apart from Grooms published works, the Library also holds his
Album of photographs of Central Australia (1947) in the Pictorial
Collection at PIC Album 284a and a hand-drawn map of walking tracks near Binna
Burra Lodge, Lamington National Park in the Map Collection.
Biographical Note
Arthur Groom was born in Caulfield, Victoria, on 11 December 1904, the
son of Arthur Champion Groom, the Member for Flinders in the first Federal
Parliament. Raised on the cattle station Rosabelle Downs , Queensland,
he worked as a jackaroo and journalist.
He published a novel Merry Christmas (1930), set in Queensland
in the late 1920s.
In 1930 he became the first honorary secretary of the National Parks
Association of Queensland and was active in the promotion of national parks and
environmental protection until his death. With Romeo Lahey, he established
Binna Burra Lodge, on the edge of the Lamington National Park, in southeast
Queensland, in 1933.
Though found medically unfit for service in World War II, he trained
soldiers from the Canungra Army base in jungle warfare.
After visiting Central Australia and the Hermannsburg Mission in 1946
and 1947, he wrote I saw a strange land (1950). He published One
mountain after another, on the history of the Lamington National Park and
the 'Scenic Rim' region in 1949. His last book, on the cattle industry of the
Northern Territory and Western Australia, was Wealth in the wilderness
(1955).
He was known for his almost legendary ability to walk long distances,
and his sense of humour. His published works reveal a great love for the
Australian landscape.
Arthur Groom died in Melbourne in 1953.
References
Biography supplied by Linda Groom.
P.A. Scherer. Camel treks in the outback, 1994, p.69+
Series List
Series/Title
1 Flood waters
2 Diary, 1932
3 Wealth in the wilderness, 1952
4 Correspondence, 1944-53
5 Newspaper cuttings, 1951-54
6 Other papers, 1897-1952
Series Description
Series 1 Flood waters
This series contains the typed manuscript of an unpublished novel
Flood waters, a romantic adventure set on a cattle station near the
Northern Territory and Queensland border. It was written in the late 1920s or
1930s. There is also a typed transcript of the manuscript.
Folder
1 Flood waters manuscript
2-3 Typed transcript of the manuscript
Series 2 Diary, 1932
A confidential diary, kept during the period Groom worked at O'Reilly's
Guesthouse, is held in this series. The O'Reilly family pioneered tourism on
the Lamington Plateau, southeast Queensland. There is also a typed transcript
of the diary.
1 folder
Series 3 Wealth in the wilderness, 1952
In this series is the diary of a 1952 trip to Northern Territory and
Western Australia in preparation for writing Wealth in the wilderness
(1955). The diary contains information on the cattle industry and reports
comments by station managers on the future of the cattle industry and the place
of Aborigines. There is also correspondence relating to the trip.
Folder
1 Diary, 1952
2 Typed transcript of diary
3 Correspondence relating to the trip, 1952
Series 4 Correspondence, 1944-53
In this series is correspondence, including a copy of a typescript
letter from Rev. F. A. Scherer, written on the 23rd November 1953, describing
the circumstances of Arthur Groom's death. The original letter is held by
Richard Groom, Arthurs youngest son.
1 folder
Series 5 Newspaper cuttings, 1951-54
Newspaper cuttings and book reviews, including reviews of I saw a
strange land (1950).
1 folder
Series 6 Other papers, 1897-1952
The series contains a typescript manuscript for an article Beef
will be scarce and dear (1952?), Grooms honorary ranger badge and
an 1897 petition by Susan Grace Lambert regarding land in Tasmania held by the
Groom family.
1 folder
Box List
| Box
|
Series
|
Folder/Piece |
| 1 |
1 |
1-3 |
| |
2 |
1 |
| |
3 |
1 |
| 2 |
3 |
2-3 |
| |
4 |
1 |
| |
5 |
1 |
| |
6 |
1 |
25 June 2001 |