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 Flanigan’s 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 Chamberlain’s 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 Flanigan’s letters of appeal, 1983-1984

Box 2

Folder

8-9 Acknowledgements by Members of Parliament of Flanigan’s 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 Chamberlain’s Application for Special Leave to Appeal, 28 November – 2 December 1983

28 Transcript of the High Court decision on the Chamberlain’s 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