Guide to the Papers of Bruce Milliss
MS 8345
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Bruce Milliss
- Title
- Papers of Bruce Milliss
- Date Range
- 1880-1970
- Collection Number
- MS 8345
- Extent
- 2.98 metres (17 boxes, 1 folio box)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2037192).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Bruce Milliss, National Library of Australia, MS 8345, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Arrangement
The Papers had been listed by Roger Milliss before coming to the Library. Although part of the Papers have been roughly sorted, it was found that the bulk of the collection was in a state of great disarray and it was therefore necessary to rearrange them.
Wherever possible files on a particular activity have been kept together as separate series.
Biographical Note
Bruce Milliss, born in Cooyal, NSW, in 1899, began his working life as a shop assistant in Portland then became a businessman in Katoomba, NSW. He married Edith Milliss (née Clampett) in 1929 and they had two sons, David and Roger.
Bruce and Edith Milliss had a great interest in the welfare of Katoomba. They were active in several local community organisations, including Katoomba Primary School Parents' and Citizens' Association, Day Nursery School Association and School (Oslo) Lunch Advisory Committee. He was prominent in the Australian Labor Party in the 1930s and 1940s, and then joined the Communist Party. From 1952 to 1970 he was engaged in trade with China and the Soviet Union. He was a witness before the Petrov Commission in 1954.
Both Bruce and Edith Milliss died in 1970.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. General correspondence, 1934-70
The series comprises letters received by Milliss from friends and acquaintances, copies of some of Milliss' letters, correspondence with J.B. Chifley (including photographs of the anti-Chifley demonstration in 1949, during the miners' strike) and letters and cards of sympathy sent to David and Roger Milliss after the death of Bruce Milliss.
The correspondents include J.B. Chifley, A.S. Luchetti, Eleanor Dark, John Stewart, Allan Ashbolt and E.L. Davidson.
Series 2. Family correspondence, 1924-68
The series includes letters of Bruce to Edith Clampett (before their marriage), correspondence between Bruce and Edith Milliss (while Bruce Milliss was on a business visit to China in 1956/57), and correspondence with David and Roger Milliss.
Series 3. Financial and legal papers, 1952-70
The series contains taxation papers, papers relating to insurance policies, workers' compensation policy papers, correspondence with H.R. Griffiths, Grill, Love & Co. and wills of Bruce and Edith Milliss.
Series 6. Window dressing, 1917-22
As a young man Milliss worked as a shop assistant in Portland, NSW. This series contains photographs and copies of the Storekeeper and Art of window dressing by C.W. Vance.
Series 7. Milliss and Byron, 1927-39 - Box 1
In 1927 Milliss and Byron (a draper shop) opened for business in Katoomba. The series comprises business cards and letter head paper, a certificate of Registration and copies of their catalogues.
Series 8. New Dawn Films, 1952-69
Milliss was the Chairman of New Dawn Films. The series includes papers relating to the Sovexportfilm, financial and other papers.
Series 9. B.J. Milliss Pty. Ltd., 1952-70
Milliss had numerous business interests, including the importation of tea and films from China. The series contains correspondence and financial papers relating to China National Tea, Bushells Ltd., E.H. Harris & Co., Vadco Traders, Victor Dekyvere& Co., Embassy Theatre (See also papers relating to the Royal Commission on Espionage in Series 11), English Scottish and Australian Bank Ltd., Pearl Centre Shop, Australia-China Association, China Council, and a typescript by Milliss entitled 'Early China trade'.
Series 10. Visit to China: correspondence, 1959 and 1964
Bruce and Edith Milliss visited China in 1959 and 1964. The series contains correspondence with David and Roger Milliss, as well as related photographs, slides and travel documents.
Series 11. Community works, 1939-48
Bruce and Edith Milliss were active members of various local (Katoomba) community organisations. The series includes some correspondence, minutes of meetings, photographs, leaflets, roneoed material and cuttings concerning the following organisations: Katoomba War Agricultural Committee; Katoomba Primary School Parents' and Citizens' Association; School (Oslo) Lunch Advisory Committee; Wykehurst Guest House and Children War Evacuation Scheme; Citizen's T.B. League of New South Wales; Katoomba municipal elections and other municipal business; Children's Free Library Movement.
The correspondents include R. Lucas and J.G. McKenzie.
Series 12. Miscellaneous, 1914-63
The files contained in this series include the following:
Royal Commission on Espionage, comprising transcripts of the proceedings, cuttings, exhibit material relating to the Embassy Theatre, and copies of The Royal Commission on Espionage by Brian Fitzpatrick and 'Petrov conspiracy'.
Miscellaneous typescripts, notes and roneoed material, including 'Dollar devaluation and you' (by Milliss), 'Britain dances to the dollar: the Common Market and you', 'Indentured immigration', Katoomba Branch A.L.P.-Post War Reconstruction, Communist Party of Australia 22nd Congress, 'Origin of the presents developments in China'.
Miscellaneous personal items, including Roger Milliss' Baby Health Centre card and school report and Edith Clampett's R.S.L. certificates.
Series 14. Papers of William and Clara Clampett, 1834-1969
The series contains correspondence, diaries kept at Norseman by William Clampett, job references for Edith Clampett, school papers of Edith Clampett (including papers relating to Eisteddfod and Fort Street High School) , family photographs and photographic albums, Clampett's plumber licenses, and legal and financial papers.
The correspondents are Clara Clampett, Edith Clampett, Arthur Clampett, Ernest Clampett, and David and Roger Milliss.