MS 9648 Guide to the Papers of Veronica Flanigan
Summary
| Creator: |
Flanigan, Veronica M. |
| Title: |
Papers of Veronica Flanigan |
| Date range: |
1982-1992 |
| Reference number: |
MS 9648 |
| Extent: |
1.26 m (9 boxes) |
Administrative Information
Access
Available for reference
Provenance
The collection was acquired by the Library in 1997 from Veronica
Flanigan's family, following her death.
Scope and Content
The papers in this collection relate to
Flanigans involvement in the campaign to have the murder conviction of
Lindy Chamberlain overturned. Included is correspondence relating to
appeals by Flanigan to Members of Parliament and members of the judiciary and
with others supporting the campaign, drafts and final copies of a pamphlet and
booklet she wrote about the case, copies of court transcripts of the trial and
subsequent appeal, newsletters of numerous support groups, press cuttings and
ephemera. Much of the collection comprises photocopies of material which
was distributed widely amongst supporters. There is also a large quantity
of papers created by Robert (Birdie) Swift, another supporter of the
Chamberlains case.
The collection provides an insight into the passionate support that the
Chamberlain case engendered.
Arrangement
The papers were in disarray when received by the Library. Similar
papers have been grouped together by the Library and have been listed by box
and folder/packet number.
Related Material
The following collections in the Manuscript Collection relate to Lindy
Chamberlain:
MS
7400 Papers of Chamberlain
support groups
MS 7551 Papers of Guy
and Phyllis Boyd
MS 7845 Records of the
National Freedom Council
MS 8292 Papers of Norman
Young
MS 8424 Papers of Zillah
Williams
MS 9180 Papers of Lindy
Chamberlain
MS 9315 Papers of
Michael Ward
MS 9514 Papers of
Margaret Neale
MS 9573 Papers of Tony
Paynter
MS 9649 Papers of Liz
Noonan
MSD 100 Belinda Wilson, MA thesis
entitled The making of a modern myth: the Chamberlain case and the
Australian media
Biographical Note
Veronica Flanigan was one of many Australians who
devoted considerable time and effort in supporting attempts to have the murder
conviction of Lindy Chamberlain overturned.
Flanigan, who was retired and living in Yerrimbool,
New South Wales, corresponded with other supporters, petitioned Members of
Parliament, studied transcripts of the trial and undertook research to refute
evidence presented at the initial trial. She produced a pamphlet entitled
Guilty until proved innocent and a booklet entitled The
Azaria evidence: fact or fiction?, proceeds of the sale of which
were donated to the Chamberlain Appeal Fund.
Box List
Box 1
Folder
1-5 Correspondence, 1982-1991. Included are letters sent to
Flanigan by other supporters and drafts of many of her letters.
6-7 Acknowledgements by Members of Parliament of Flanigans letters
of appeal, 1983-1984
Box 2
Folder
8-9 Acknowledgements by Members of Parliament of Flanigans letters
of appeal, 1985-1986
10 Notes for and copies of Flanigan's pamphlet Guilty until proved
innocent
11-14 Notes, drafts and final copies of Flanigan's booklet The
Azaria evidence: fact or fiction?, c1984
Box 3
Folder/packet
15-16 Four cutting books and a folder of loose cuttings of articles
relating to the Chamberlain case
Box 4
Folder/packet
17-20 Notebooks and loose pages of notes relating to the
Chamberlain case, which were compiled by Flanigan. Some appear to relate
to her booklet The Azaria evidence: fact or fiction?
Box 5
Folder
21-23 Notebooks and loose pages of notes relating to the
Chamberlain case, which were compiled by Flanigan. Some appear to relate
to her booklet The Azaria evidence: fact or fiction?
24-25 Copies of government papers relating to the case.
Included are press releases, parliamentary papers, affidavits and
submissions.
Box 6
Folder/packet
26-27 Transcripts of High Court proceedings in the Chamberlains
Application for Special Leave to Appeal, 28 November 2 December 1983
28 Transcript of the High Court decision on the Chamberlains
Application for Special Leave to Appeal, 22 February 1984 Transcript of the
Reasons for Judgment, Northern Territory Court of Criminal Appeal, Darwin
delivered 15 September 1988
Box 7
Folder
29 Photocopy of handwritten notes of proceedings, compiled during
the Morling Inquiry, 6 March 19 March 1987
30 Newsletters written by Michael and Lindy Chamberlain, 1983-1986
31 Newsletters: miscellaneous, 1984-1986
"The Watchman Report", 1985-1987
"Intrasyd", 1982-1986
"National Freedom Council", 1984-1989
32 Newsletters: "Advertising news", 19874-1985
33 "Azaria Newsletter", 1984-1987
Box 8
Folder
34-39 A large quantity of newsletters produced by Robert (Birdie) Swift,
1986-1990. Mr Swift, who had a BA (Hons) in Jurisprudence from New
College, Oxford, was in his 80s when he commenced his campaign of
support. He died in 1995.
Box 9
Folder
40-41 A large quantity of newsletters produced by Robert (Birdie) Swift,
1991-1992. (continued from Box 8)
42 Ephemera relating to the campaign, comprising flyers, pamphlets and
membership forms for various support groups
43 Copies of papers written by George W. Rollo about the Chamberlain
case
44-45 Copies of miscellaneous papers written about the Chamberlain
case
46 Eight audio cassettes. Titles include Trial witnesses
speak out, Town Hall Rally, Azaria and
Chamberlain meeting, Wahroonga Church, 15 December 1984
One video cassette entitled Lindy Chamberlain, nd
July 2002 |