Guide to the Papers of Sir Frederick Wheeler

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MS 8096

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Sir Frederick Wheeler
Title
Papers of Sir Frederick Wheeler
Date Range
1924-1994
Collection Number
MS 8096
Extent
9.58 metres (42 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
National Library of Australia

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the papers in this collection comprise files which relate to Wheeler's time as Chairman of the Public Service Board (1960-71) and as Secretary of the Commonwealth Treasury (1971-79).

There are a large number of files of 'green' copies of Wheeler's outward correspondence, memoranda and circulars, created when he was Chairman of the Public Service Board.

There are also biographical and subject files maintained by Wheeler and containing material mostly accumulated after his retirement in 1979, appointment diaries (1961-94) and papers relating to Wheeler's association with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and the Commonwealth Club in Canberra.

There are very few personal papers in this collection. There are also no papers relating to Wheeler's early career and very few relating to his time with the International Labour Organisation in Geneva.

Correspondence in Series 1 comprises mostly short letters, either expressing support for Wheeler during a time of crisis in 1975 or congratulating him on his retirement in 1979. Correspondents include Sir Arthur Tange, Lady Violet Braddon, Sir John Bunting, H.C. Coombs, Sir Ernest Coates, Sir James Darling, Sir John Egerton, Bill Hayden, Bob Law-Smith, James McNeill, Sir Robert Menzies, Sir John Nott, Sir John Overall, Sir James Plimsoll, Ross Shelmerdine, Jim Short, Keith Sinclair, David Smith, Sir Geoffrey Yeend and Gough Whitlam. Series 2 also contains letters from Sir Douglas Copland, J.B. Chifley, Sir William Dunk and Norman Watt.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2340223).

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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Sir Frederick Wheeler, National Library of Australia, MS 8096, [box number and series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

The papers were acquired by the Library in two instalments. The first was received from Sir Frederick Wheeler in 1971 and the second from his son Philip Wheeler in 1995.

Arrangement

The files in this collection have been grouped into series by the Library. However, Wheeler's file titles have been retained and file descriptions in each series commence with this title.

The 'green' copies of Wheeler's outward correspondence, memoranda and circulars, created when he was Chairman of the Public Service Board have been arranged by Wheeler into several categories, and this arrangement has been retained.

Separated Materials

The family has retained two files consisting of memorabilia and news of ILO alumni, which are largely of family interest.

Biographical Note

DateEvent
1914Born 9 January, the son of A.H. Wheeler
1920-23Trinity Grammar School, Melbourne
1924-29Scotch College, Melbourne
1930-39Officer of the State Savings Bank of Victoria
1939Married Peggy Hilda Bell
1939Bachelor of Commerce, University of Melbourne
1939Seconded to the Commonwealth Prices Branch as Economic Assistant to the Prices Commissioner
1939Research Officer, Department of the Treasury
1941-47Secretary, Financial and Economic Committee
1944Member of Australian Delegation to the International Monetary Conference, Bretton Woods, USA and the British Commonwealth Conference, London
1946Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury
1947-49Secretary, Investment and Employment Committee
1948Delegation member, led by Prime Minister J.B. Chifley, Economic and Financial Discussions, London
1948Delegation member, led by Minister for External Affairs H.V. Evatt, to Prime Ministers' Conference, London
1948-51Treasury observer, Commonwealth Bank Advisory Council
1949First Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury
1949Delegation member, led by Prime Minister Chifley, to the Prime Ministers' Conference, London
1949Delegation member, led by Minister for Post-war Reconstruction John Dedman, to the British Commonwealth Conference of Finance Ministers, London
1949Delegation leader, General Economic and Trade Talks, New Zealand
1950Delegation member, led by Minister for External Affairs Percy Spender, to British Commonwealth Conference, Colombo
1950Delegation member, led by Prime Minister R.G. Menzies, to United Kingdom and United States of America
1950Delegation leader, negotiations for first contract with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
1952Acting Secretary to the Treasury
1952Appointed an Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
1953-60Treasurer-comptroller of the International Labour Office (ILO), Geneva
1960-71Chairman, Commonwealth Public Service Board
1962Promoted an Ordinary Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of outstanding public service
1967Created a Knight Bachelor for distinguished public service
1966-69President, Commonwealth Club, Canberra
1969-72Member, International Civil Service Advisory Board
1970Australian Government representative on the Joint Committee on the Public Service set up by the ILO Governing Body
1971-79Secretary to the Treasury
1975Death of Peggy Wheeler
1975Retired from the Commonwealth Public Service
1979Appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for public service
1979Presented the Robert Garran Memorial Oration
1979-84Director, Amatil Ltd
1979-86Director, Alliance Holdings Ltd
1981-82Member, Commonwealth Government Defence Review Committee
1984Appointed a Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Public Administration, in recognition of an outstanding contribution made to the achievement of the Institute's objectives
1991-94National President, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
DateEvent
1914Born 9 January, the son of A.H. Wheeler
1920-23Trinity Grammar School, Melbourne
1924-29Scotch College, Melbourne
1930-39Officer of the State Savings Bank of Victoria
1939Married Peggy Hilda Bell
1939Bachelor of Commerce, University of Melbourne
1939Seconded to the Commonwealth Prices Branch as Economic Assistant to the Prices Commissioner
1939Research Officer, Department of the Treasury
1941-47Secretary, Financial and Economic Committee
1944Member of Australian Delegation to the International Monetary Conference, Bretton Woods, USA and the British Commonwealth Conference, London
1946Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury
1947-49Secretary, Investment and Employment Committee
1948Delegation member, led by Prime Minister J.B. Chifley, Economic and Financial Discussions, London
1948Delegation member, led by Minister for External Affairs H.V. Evatt, to Prime Ministers' Conference, London
1948-51Treasury observer, Commonwealth Bank Advisory Council
1949First Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury
1949Delegation member, led by Prime Minister Chifley, to the Prime Ministers' Conference, London
1949Delegation member, led by Minister for Post-war Reconstruction John Dedman, to the British Commonwealth Conference of Finance Ministers, London
1949Delegation leader, General Economic and Trade Talks, New Zealand
1950Delegation member, led by Minister for External Affairs Percy Spender, to British Commonwealth Conference, Colombo
1950Delegation member, led by Prime Minister R.G. Menzies, to United Kingdom and United States of America
1950Delegation leader, negotiations for first contract with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
1952Acting Secretary to the Treasury
1952Appointed an Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
1953-60Treasurer-comptroller of the International Labour Office (ILO), Geneva
1960-71Chairman, Commonwealth Public Service Board
1962Promoted an Ordinary Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of outstanding public service
1967Created a Knight Bachelor for distinguished public service
1966-69President, Commonwealth Club, Canberra
1969-72Member, International Civil Service Advisory Board
1970Australian Government representative on the Joint Committee on the Public Service set up by the ILO Governing Body
1971-79Secretary to the Treasury
1975Death of Peggy Wheeler
1975Retired from the Commonwealth Public Service
1979Appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for public service
1979Presented the Robert Garran Memorial Oration
1979-84Director, Amatil Ltd
1979-86Director, Alliance Holdings Ltd
1981-82Member, Commonwealth Government Defence Review Committee
1984Appointed a Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Public Administration, in recognition of an outstanding contribution made to the achievement of the Institute's objectives
1991-94National President, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust

Item Descriptions

Series 1. Correspondence, 1959-94

This series contains non-official correspondence on topics which include job offers, Scotch College, retirement functions held for Wheeler (1979), personal references he wrote and disposition of his papers.

The files entitled 'Unsolicited testimonials' contain two main groups of papers. The first comprises letters expressing support for Wheeler when he came under attack from the Whitlam Government, which reportedly wanted to remove him from the Treasury in 1975. Correspondents include Lady Braddon, Sir John Bunting, Sir James Darling, James McNeill, Sir Robert Menzies, Sir John Nott, Sir John Overall, Ross Shelmerdine, Jim Short, Keith Sinclair and David Smith. The second group contains letters from well wishers on his retirement. Correspondents include Sir Arthur Tange, H.C. Coombs, Sir Ernest Coates, Sir John Egerton, Bill Hayden, Bob Law-Smith, Sir James Plimsoll, Sir Geoffrey Yeend and Gough Whitlam.

Jobs miscellaneous (1959-60, 1978-83): notes and correspondence, mostly relating to approaches from various organisations seeking Wheeler's involvement with them in some capacity (File 1) - Box 1

Unsolicited testimonials (1971-88) (File 2-3) - Box 1

Untitled file: guest lists and correspondence relating to functions held when Wheeler retired as Secretary to the Treasury, 1979 (File 4) - Box 1

Disposition of official papers (1979-1993): lists of official papers and correspondence with officers from the Department of the Treasury and the National Library of Australia regarding their disposal (File 5) - Box 1

Old Scotch (1981-93): correspondence and official memorabilia relating to the Old Scotch Collegians' Association, of which Wheeler was a member (File 6) - Box 1

References given (1984-92): correspondence related to personal references provided by Wheeler (File 7) - Box 1

Miscellaneous (1989-94): comprises mostly requests for interviews and invitations to attend functions (File 8) - Box 1

Series 2. Documents, 1924-94

The papers in this series relate to Wheeler's personal history and professional interests. Included are school reports from Scotch College (1924-29), a book of his university lecture notes and two letters Wheeler wrote to his parents (1952). Correspondents include Sir Douglas Copland, J.B. Chifley, Sir William Dunk (Wheeler's predecessor as Chair of the Public Service Board) and G.P.N. (Norman) Watt.

Personal history (1924-79): includes letters from D.B. Copland (1939) and J.B. Chifley (1947), school reports (1924-29), a book of university lecture notes, official passport (1974-79), extracts from papers Wheeler wrote in 1942 and 1943 and certificates for his degree and official awards he received (File 1-2) - Box 2

The move to the ILO and back to the PSB (1952-60): handwritten notes relating to Wheeler's appointment as Treasurer to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), personal correspondence including letters to his parents (1952) and Norman Watt (1956) and correspondence relating to Wheeler's appointment as Chairman of the Public Service Board (PSB), including correspondence with Sir William Dunk about the position (1957-60) (File 3-4) - Box 2

Order of Australia (1979) and Order of the British Empire (1962): memorabilia relating to the two awards (File 5) - Box 2

AAFICS (1991-94): newsletters of the Australian Association of Former International Civil Servants (File 6) - Box 2

RIPA (1983-94): newsletters and annual reports of the Royal Australian Institute of Public Administration (File 7-8) - Box 3

Mat Group (1983-94): programs of speakers and attendance lists for meetings of the General Management Group (File 9) - Box 3

Series 3. Diaries and address books, 1961-94

The two principal elements in this series are correspondence with anthropologists and correspondence regarding changes in Chinnery's career. Includes some copies of Chinnery's letters.

Note: File 41 is not available for research until 1 January 2010.

Diary, 1961 (File 1) - Box 3

Diary, 1962 (File 2) - Box 3

Diary, 1963 (File 3) - Box 3

Diary, 1964 (File 4) - Box 3

Diaries, 1965 (File 5-7) - Box 4

Diaries, 1966 (File 8-9) - Box 4

Diary, 1967 (File 10) - Box 4

Diary, 1968 (File 11) - Box 4

Diary, 1969 (File 12) - Box 4

Diary, 1970 (File 13) - Box 4

Diaries, 1971 (File 14-16) - Box 4

Diaries, 1972 (File 17-18) - Box 4

Diaries, 1973 (File 19-20) - Box 5

Diaries, 1974 (File 21-24) - Box 5

Diaries, 1975 (File 25-29) - Box 6

Diaries, 1976 (File 30-33) - Box 7

Diaries, 1977 (File 34-37) - Box 7

Diaries, 1978 (File 38-40) - Box 8

Diary, 1979 (This file is not available for research until 1 January 2010) (File 41) - Box 8

Diary, 1980 (File 42) - Box 8

Diary, 1981 (File 43) - Box 8

Diary, 1982 (File 44) - Box 8

Diary, 1983 (File 45) - Box 8

Diary, 1984 (File 46) - Box 8

Diary, 1985 (File 47) - Box 8

Diary, 1986 (File 48) - Box 8

Diary, 1987 (File 49) - Box 8

Diary, 1988 (File 50) - Box 8

Diary, 1989 (File 51) - Box 8

Diary, 1990 (File 52) - Box 8

Diary, 1991 (File 53) - Box 8

Diary, 1992 (File 54) - Box 8

Diary, 1993 (File 55) - Box 8

Diaries, 1994 (File 56-57) - Box 8

Teledexes (File 58-59) - Box 9

Address book (File 60) - Box 9

Series 4. Commonwealth Public Service Board, 1961-71

In 1961, Wheeler returned from Europe to take up the position of Chairman of the Commonwealth Public Service Board (PSB). He left the Board in 1971 to become Secretary to the Commonwealth Treasury.

The bulk of this series comprises extensive files of 'green' copies of outward correspondence, memoranda and circulars. They have been organised by Wheeler into various categories, and these have been retained by the Library.

There are two additional files, which also relate to this period, and they are listed first in the series.

Subseries [unnumbered]. Additional files

Handwritten notes of conversations, mostly with 'EJB' [Bunting?], from 30 January to 11 March 1968. Also notes (19 March 1968) about the PMG Motor Driver Dispute (File 1) - Box 9
List of PSB Second Division staff, 1971 (File 2) - Box 9

Subseries [unnumbered]. Prime Minister

12 February 1961-18 December 1962 (File 3) - Box 10
18 January 1973-30 June 1964 (File 4) - Box 10
21 July 1964-18 December 1965 (File 5) - Box 10
6 January 1966-27 April 1967 (File 6) - Box 10
1 May 1967-9 January 1968 (File 7) - Box 10
10 January 1968-20 March 1968 (File 8) - Box 10
19 March 1968-30 April 1968 (File 9) - Box 11
1 May 1968-30 October 1968 (File 10) - Box 11
6 November 1968-28 July 1969 (File 11) - Box 11
29 July 1969-27 April 1970 (File 12) - Box 11
1 May 1970-31 December 1970 (File 13) - Box 11
1 January 1970-28 October 1970 (File 14) - Box 12

Subseries [unnumbered]. Prime Minister's Department

Sir John Bunting, 27 February 1962-29 April 1964 (File 15) - Box 12
Sir John Bunting, 30 April 1964-17 December 1965 (File 16) - Box 12
Sir John Bunting, 13 January 1966-30 June 1967 (File 17) - Box 12
Sir John Bunting, 23 June 1967-28 October 1971 (File 18) - Box 12
C.L. Hewitt, 3 July 1967-1 August 1968 (File 19) - Box 12
C.L. Hewitt, 2 August 1968-28 July 1969 (File 20) - Box 13
C.L. Hewitt, 4 August 1969-29 August 1969 (File 21) - Box 13
C.L. Hewitt, 1 September 1969-24 December 1970 (File 22) - Box 13
Sir Lennox Hewitt, 6 January 1971-5 March 1971 (see also file 64) (File 23) - Box 13

Subseries [unnumbered]. Heads of other Departments

Sir John Crawford, 10 November 1961-29 March 1962 (File 24) - Box 13
Sir Donald Anderson (Department of Civil Aviation), 26 January 1962- 8 October 1971 (File 25) - Box 13
Sir Henry Bland (Department of Labour and National Service), 26 January 1962-19 December 1966 (see also file 60) (File 26) - Box 13
A.S. Reiher (Director-General, Department of Works), 25 January 1962-3 September 1971 (File 27) - Box 13
T.A. Housley (Director-General, Posts and Telegraphs) 5 February 1962-10 December 1968 (File 28) - Box 13
A.S. Cooley (Department of Supply), 8 February 1962-22 October 1971 (File 29) - Box 14
D.H. McKay (Department of Trade and Industry), 19 February 1962-20 October 1971 (File 30) - Box 14
Sir Arthur Tange (Department of Defence), 22 February 1962-19 October 1971 (File 31) - Box 14
L.F. Bott (Department of National Development), 1 March 1962-27 October 1971 (File 32) - Box 14
A.T. Carmody (Department of Customs and Excise), 5 March 1962-21 September 1971 (File 33) - Box 14
L.B. Hamilton (Department of Social services ), 14 March 1962-17 June 1971 (File 34) - Box 14
D.O. Hay (Department of External Territories), 16 March 1962-12 October 1971 (File 35) - Box 14
Sir Keith Waller (Department of Foreign Affairs), 19 March 1962-28 October 1971 (File 36) - Box 14
Sir Frederick Chilton (Repatriation Commission), 26 March 1962-9 September 1971 (File 37) - Box 14
Sir Kenneth Bailey (Attorney-General's Department), 30 March 1962-31 January 1964 (File 38) - Box 14
S. Landau (Department of the Navy), 11 April 1962-17 June 1971 (File 39) - Box 14
G. Warwick Smith (Department of the Interior), 30 March 1962-22 October 1971 (File 40) - Box 14
Letters to Permanent Heads, 28 May 1963-25 September 1964 (File 41) - Box 15
Letters to Permanent Heads, 28 September 1964-12 May 1966 (File 42) - Box 15
E.T. Cain (Commissioner for Taxation), 23 April 1965-24 September 1971 (File 43) - Box 15
B. White (Department of the Army), 29 June 1972-20 October 1971 (File 44) - Box 15
F.J. Green (Department of the Air), 29 June 1964-17 June 1971 (File 45) - Box 15
Sir Roland Wilson (Treasury), 26 September 1963-29 June 1974 (see also file 53) (File 46) - Box 15
Sir Roland Wilson (Treasury), 2 July 1964-16 December 1965 (File 47) - Box 15
C.W. Harders (Attorney-General's Department), 19 February 1964-11 October 1971 (File 48) - Box 15
J.F. Nimmo (Department of Housing), 21 April 1964-26 July 1971 (File 49) - Box 16
Sir Peter Heydon (Department of Immigration), 24 May 1963-21 September 1971 (File 50) - Box 16
W. Ives (Department of Primary Industry), 21 November 1962-1 October 1971 (File 51) - Box 16
M.M. Summers (Department of Shipping and Transport), 23 July 1962-13 October 1971 (File 52) - Box 16
Sir Roland Wilson (Treasury), 3 April 1962-24 September 1963 (see also files 46-47) (File 53) - Box 16
Sir William Refshauge (Department of Health), 10 May 1962-18 October 1971 (File 54) - Box 16
Sir Richard Randall (Treasury), 4 January 1966-22 December 1966 (File 55) - Box 16
Sir Richard Randall (Treasury), 5 January 1967-31 July 1968 (File 56) - Box 16
Sir Richard Randall (Treasury), 29 August 1969-28 October 1971 (File 57) - Box 16
J.L. Knott (Deputy Australian High Commissioner), 23 May 1966-7 November 1968 (see also file 61) (File 58) - Box 16
Sir Hugh Ennor (Department of Education and Science), 27 September 1966-12 October 1971 (File 59) - Box 17
Sir Henry Bland (Labour and National Services), 3 January 1967-6 December 1967 (see also file 26) (File 60) - Box 17
J.L. Knott (Posts and Telegraphs), 20 January 1969-26 October 1971 (see also file 58) (File 61) - Box 17
P.H. Cook (Labour and National Service), 3 January 1968-23 October 1971 (File 62) - Box 17
J.Q. Ewens (Office of the Parliamentary Counsel), 11 September 1970-15 September 1971 (File 63) - Box 17
Sir Lennox Hewitt (Environment, Aborigines and the Arts), 18 March 1971-2 September 1971 (see also file 23) (File 64) - Box 17
Treasury, 1 August 1968-22 August 1969 (File 65) - Box 17

Subseries [unnumbered]. General external greens

18 January 1963-2 August 1963 (File 66) - Box 17
5 August 1963-5 May 1964 (File 67) - Box 18
5 May 1964-24 December 1964 (File 68) - Box 18
4 January 1965-16 August 1965 (File 69) - Box 18
17 August 1965-10 June 1966 (File 70) - Box 18
14 June 1966-28 February 1967 (File 71) - Box 18
1 March 1967-31 August 1967 (File 72) - Box 18
1 September 1967-22 December 1967 (File 73) - Box 18
1 January 1968-26 June 1968 (File 74) - Box 19
28 June 1968-30 May 1969 (File 75) - Box 19
19 May 1969-27 February 1970 (File 76) - Box 19
2 March 1970-3 December 1970 (File 77) - Box 19
15 December 1970-28 September 1971 (File 78) - Box 20
29 September 1971-28 October 1971 (File 79) - Box 20

Subseries [unnumbered]. Named correspondence files

President, ACTU, 17 March 1965-12 January 1971 (File 80) - Box 20
Colonel Stubbs (Commonwealth Club), 18 February 1965-26 October 1971 (File 81) - Box 20
Sir John Overall (National Capital Development Commission), 26 January 1962-1 October 1971 (File 82) - Box 20
Sir William Hudson (Commissioner, Snowy Mountains Authority), 12 February 1962-23 August 1971 (File 83) - Box 20
G. Polites (Australian Council of Employers' Federation), 25 August 1969-26 August 1971 (File 84) - Box 20
V.J.W. Skermer (Auditor-General's Office), 8 May 1963-19 August 1971 (File 85) - Box 20
M.C. Timbs (Australian Atomic Energy Commission), 27 September 1962-13 April 1970 (File 86) - Box 20
T.W. Swan (Australian National University), 5 February 1962-12 November 1963 (File 87) - Box 20
Sir John Crawford (Australian National University), 16 April 1962-21 May 1971 (File 88) - Box 20
Sir Frederick White (CSIRO), 5 March 1962-18 February 1971 (File 89) - Box 20
Chairman's Circulars (Public Service Board), 8 December 1970-14 December 1970 (File 90) - Box 20

Subseries [unnumbered]. Parliamentary correspondence

Members of Parliament, 22 February 1962-11 February 1966 (File 91) - Box 21
Senators, 23 January 1962-5 December 1966 (File 92) - Box 21
Parliamentary correspondence, 3 January 1967-21 December 1967 (File 93) - Box 21
Leader of the Opposition, 9 March 1961-5 December 1966 (File 94) - Box 21
Leader of the Opposition and Senators, 6 February 1967-20 October 1967 (File 95) - Box 21
Parliamentary correspondence, 29 December 1967-30 December 1969 (File 96) - Box 21
Members of Parliament, 9 January 1970-25 October 1971 (File 97) - Box 21

Subseries [unnumbered]. Public Service Board

(See also file 89)

Chairman's circulars and letters, 31 May 1966-26 May 1967 (File 98) - Box 22
Chairman's circulars and letters, 5 June 1967-21 March 1968 (File 99) - Box 22
Chairman's circulars and letters, 15 May 1968-16 December 1968 (File 100) - Box 22
Chairman's circulars and letters, 16 December 1968-11 June 1969 (File 101) - Box 22
Chairman's circulars and letters, 7 July 1969-23 September 1969 (File 102) - Box 22
Chairman's circulars and letters, 26 September 1969-13 April 1970 (File 103) - Box 22
Chairman's circulars and letters, 18 April 1970-29 June 1970 (File 104) - Box 23
Chairman's circulars and letters, 15 July 1970-16 October 1970 (File 105) - Box 23
Chairman's circulars and letters, 21 October 1970-7 December 1970 (File 106) - Box 23
Chairman's circulars and letters, 15 February 1970-29 January 1971 (File 107) - Box 23
Chairman's circulars and letters, 30 January 1971-22 October 1971 (File 108) - Box 24

Subseries [unnumbered]. Internal memoranda

General internal memoranda, 5 September 1963-30 April 1964 (File 109) - Box 24
Assistant Commissioner (Arbitration), 2 April 1962-21 January 1963 (File 110) - Box 24
T.T. Colquhoun, 9 April 1962-4 October 1968 (File 111) - Box 24
Mr Whatman, 1 February 1963-26 October 1971 (File 112) - Box 24
R.G. Harvey, 27 February 1963-30 August 1965 (File 113) - Box 24
K.E. Grainger, 27 December 1962-24 August 1965 (see also file 136) (File 114) - Box 24
R.J. Young, 16 January 1963-24 December 1963 (see also files 132 and 141) (File 115) - Box 25
Secretary, Public Service Board, 23 January 1963-24 December 1963 (see also file 131) (File 116) - Box 25
A.B. McFarlane, 5 June 1968-3 September 1969 (see also file 139) (File 117) - Box 25
Assistant Commissioner, General Branch, 23 January 1963-8 July 1971 (File 118) - Box 25
Assistant Commissioner, Recruitment and Training, 21 January 1963-27 February 1970 (File 119) - Box 25
F.C. Nordek, 5 February 1963-5 December 1963 (see also file 134) (File 120) - Box 25
J.E. Collings, 27 December 1962-21 October 1968 (see also file 133) (File 121) - Box 25
F.C. Grey, 4 February 1963-28 September 1971 (File 122) - Box 25
E.E. Crichton, 4 February 1963-13 October 1971 (File 123) - Box 25
W.T. Gleeson, 25 February 1963-19 May 1971 (File 124) - Box 25
E.S. Lightly, 22 February 1968-16 February 1971 (File 125) - Box 25
G.H. Doyle, 4 February 1963-18 November 1963 (File 126) - Box 25
Mr Temme, 4 February 1963-1 April 1963 (File 127) - Box 25
Librarian, 20 February 1963-14 July 1967 (File 128) - Box 25
Mr Lawrie, 23 January 1963-12 February 1968 (File 129) - Box 25
A.H. Kaye, 24 January 1962-6 July 1962 (File 130) - Box 25
Secretary, 10 January 1964-13 October 1971 (see also file 116) (File 131) - Box 26
R.J. Young, 4 February 1964-19 December 1969 (see also files 115 and 141) (File 132) - Box 26
J.E. Collings, 29 October 1968-28 October 1971 (see also file 121) (File 133) - Box 26
F.C. Nordeck, 6 February 1964-31 October 1971 (see also file 120) (File 134) - Box 26
Assistant Commissioner, Project Services Branch, 20 March 1964-26 August 1971 (File 135) - Box 26
K.E. Grainger, 27 August 1965-26 March 1968 (see also file 114) (File 136-37) - Box 26
Arbitration Division, 5 February 1964-4 January 1965 (File 138) - Box 26
A.B. McFarlane, 18 December 1969-19 October 1971 (see also file 117) (File 139) - Box 26
B.R. Hamilton, 15 March 1965-8 September 1971 (File 140) - Box 26
R.J. Young, 9 February 1970-5 April 1971 (see also files 115 and 132) (File 141) - Box 26
J.C. Conway, 19 September 1969-10 September 1971 (File 142) - Box 26
Assistant Commissioner, Legislation Services and General Investigations Branch, 31 January 1969-13 October 1971 (File 143) - Box 26
B.G. McCallum, 8 February 1965-4 April 1968 (File 144) - Box 26

Subseries [unnumbered]. General internal correspondence

5 December 1962-3 September 1963 (File 145) - Box 27
1 May 1964-14 October 1964 (File 146) - Box 27
5 January 1965-17 December 1965 (File 147) - Box 27
6 January 1966-6 November 1966 (File 148) - Box 27
10 November 1966-9 February 1968 (File 149) - Box 27
9 February 1968-10 February 1969 (File 150) - Box 27
Minute papers, 23 December 1968-20 February 1964 (File 151) - Box 27
General internal, 10 February 1969-27 October 1971 (File 152) - Box 28

Subseries [unnumbered]. Inwards correspondence

These files comprise daily summaries of inward mail.

14 December 1962-28 October 1964 (File 153) - Box 28
2 November 1964-14 August 1967 (File 154) - Box 28
Notes for files, 13 January 1965-16 December 1966 (File 155) - Box 28
Notes for files, 18 January 1967-2 December 1968 (File 156) - Box 28
Inwards correspondence, 20 August 1967-20 June 1969 (File 157) - Box 28
Notes for files, 2 December 1968-27 February 1970 (File 158) - Box 28
Notes for files, 2 March 1970-27 October 1971 (File 159) - Box 29
Inwards, 3 July 1969-31 December 1969 (File 160) - Box 29
Inwards, 1 January 1970-30 June 1970 (File 161) - Box 29
Inwards, 1 July 1970-30 December 1970 (File 162) - Box 29
Unfiled copies of notes for files and correspondence, 29 October 1971 (File 163) - Box 29

Series 5. Commonwealth Treasury, 1951-88

In 1971, Wheeler was appointed to the position of Secretary to the Treasury. He had some difficult challenges to deal with while in the position, including the controversial Khemlani Loans Affair (1974-75) and reported plans of the Whitlam Government to replace him in 1975. Wheeler's reputation as a formidable bureaucrat proved well founded and he was able to weather these controversies, continuing as Secretary until his retirement in 1979.

This series comprises files of papers relating to Wheeler's time as Secretary. They contain Wheeler's personal notes (many brief and/or cryptic), press cuttings and copies of departmental minutes and reports.

See also Series 1 for related material.

Note: These files are available for research with the exception of two documents within Folder 14, which are not available for research until 1 January 2010.

The original GFEP (with comparisons): lists of government officers and their salary progression over the period from 1951-1971 (File 1) - Box 30

The move to the Treasury (1971): official correspondence relating to Wheeler's appointment as Secretary and congratulatory notes from Billy Sneddon and Clyde Cameron (File 2) - Box 30

Treasury episodes, 1975: copies of departmental minutes, notes and correspondence relating to Economic Planning (File 3) - Box 30

Treasury episodes, 1st and 2nd halves of 1975: departmental minutes, press cuttings and a large collection of notes of phone calls, conversations, meetings, sequences of events and observations kept by Wheeler. Many of these papers relate to the reported plans of the Whitlam Government to remove Wheeler as Secretary in 1975 (File 4-6) - Box 30

Treasury episodes, 1976-84: departmental letters and minutes, notes by Wheeler (1976-78) and newspaper cuttings (1979-84) (File 7) - Box 30

Treasury to Coombs Commission: report on the Coombs Commission Seminar by John Stone (1975), a copy of the Treasury submission to the Commission (1974) and a draft of a Treasury paper entitled 'Formation and coordination of economic policy: possible models for Australia' (1975) (File 8) - Box 31

Untitled file, 1973-75: departmental correspondence, notes and cuttings, mostly relating to the Khemlani Loans Affair (File 9-12) - Box 31

Khemlani chronology (Prowse): report on the Khemlani loan proposals, 1975 (File 13) - Box 31

Untitled file, 1977-79: departmental correspondence and notes relating to the court case of Sankey-v-Whitlam (two documents from Folder 14 are not available for research until 1 January 2010) (File 14-15) - Box 32

Treasury staff: staff listings (1975-78), cutting (1988) (File 16) - Box 32

Data on Permanent Heads: listings of departmental Permanent Heads prepared during the period 1977-86, one of which covers the period 1946-76 (File 17) - Box 32

Data on Second Division officers: list of Second Division officers in Government Departments, 1978 (File 18) - Box 32

Press cuttings, 1973-77: a collection of cuttings relating to the Treasury (File 19-20) - Box 32, 33

Series 6. Speeches, 1962-91

This small group of papers consists of speeches, notes for speeches and related correspondence. Included are a bound copy of selected addresses and loose copies of speeches made during his period as Chairman of the Public Service Board for the period 1962-70, a speech presented as Secretary to the Treasury in 1972, notes for speeches made at functions for his retirement from the Treasury in 1978 and notes for occasional speeches made after his retirement.

There are also papers relating to Wheeler's presentation for the Robert Garran Memorial Oration in 1979, entitled 'The professional career public service: some reflections of a practitioner'. They include correspondence, notes and copies of the published text of his speech, which appeared in the Australian Journal of Public Administration.

Addresses and speeches by FW: bound copy of selected addresses, 1964-70 and loose copies of speeches, 1962-72 (File 1-2) - Box 33

Occasional speeches: farewell speeches made by Wheeler on his retirement and speeches made after retirement, 1978-91 (File 3) - Box 33

Garran Oration: correspondence, notes and copies of the published text of Wheeler's presentation, 1979-80 (File 4-5) - Box 33

Series 7. Biographical files, 1949-94

The biographical files in this series were compiled by Wheeler, and contain material relating to prominent people, mostly senior public servants. The bulk of the material was accumulated after his retirement in 1979. At the end of the series is a file of material relating to Wheeler himself, mostly cuttings, which he referred to as his 'Ego' file.

Note: These files are available for research with the exception of one document within Folder 26, which is not available for research until 1 January 2013.

H.W. Arndt, 1985-94 R.D. Beale and Graham Glenn, 1985-86 (File 1) - Box 34

M.A. (Tim) Beasely, 1989-92 , Sir Henry Bland, 1984-92 (File 2) - Box 34

Buttsworth Group [Anne Buttsworth], 1985-94 (File 3) - Box 34

Mike Codd, 1987-91 (File 4) - Box 34

Tony Cole, 1979-94, Alan Carmody, 1978 (File 5) - Box 34

Ian Castles, 1978-87 (File 6) - Box 34

Alan Cooley, 1975-89, Kenneth Davidson and Gay Davidson, 1992-93, Ted Evans, 1993 (File 7) - Box 34

Bernie Fraser, 1987-93, Sir Clarrie Harders, 1988 (File 8) - Box 35

Sir Paul Hasluck, 1979-93 (File 9) - Box 35

Sir Lennox Hewitt, 1979-81, Chris Higgins, 1984-90 (File 10) - Box 35

Michael Keating, 1988-94 (File 11) - Box 35

Sir Anthony Mason, 1989-94, Sir Leslie Melville, 1990-94 (File 12) - Box 35

John Nethercote, 1989-94 (File 13-19) - Box 35, 36

R.S. [Bob] Parker, 1981-88, Don Sanders, 1992-93 (File 20) - Box 36

Sir Keith Shann, 1978-79 (File 21) - Box 36

Sir Keith Shann, 1978, 1988-89, Edward Shann, 1986-93 (File 22) - Box 37

R.N. Spann, 1975 (File 23) - Box 37

R.N. Spann, 1977-81 (File 24) - Box 37

John Stone, 1973-78, 1982 (one document from Folder 26 is not available for research until 1 January 2013) (File 25-26) - Box 37

John Stone, 1978-93. Includes a tape of an interview of Stone by Doug Aiton of ABC Radio 3LO, August 1993 (File 27-28) - Box 38

John Stone. 3LO. Doug Aiton Program [cassette tape], 3.6.93 (Item) - Piece NLA.MS-SAV000363
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Trevor Swan, 1974-76 (File 29) - Box 38

Trevor Swan, 1971-89 (File 30) - Box 38

Sir Arthur Tange, 1979-89 (File 31) - Box 38

Sir Harold White, 1979-93 (File 32) - Box 38

Bob Whitelaw, 1975-86 (File 33) - Box 38

Bob Whitelaw, 1975-86 (File 34) - Box 39

Greg Whitwell, 1984-87 (File 35) - Box 39

Peter Wilenski, 1981-92, Sir Roland Wilson, 1986-92 (File 36) - Box 39

Sir Geoffrey Yeend, 1978-93 (File 37) - Box 39

Sir Frederick Wheeler, 1949-94 (File 38-40) - Box 39, 40

Series 8. Subject files, 1950-93

Wheeler maintained a small number of subject files, which contain papers and cuttings. The files are listed in this series, alphabetically, by title.

CPS reform: John Block, 1987, CPS reform: John Dawkins, 1983-84 (File 1) - Box 40

Data etc on CPS, 1984-91, Data on Permanent Heads and Departments, 1993 (File 2) - Box 40

Journalists think-tank etc, 1989-93 (File 3) - Box 40

On Treasury, 1989-91 (File 4) - Box 40

Reference data, 1989-93, The service UK USA, 1950-80 (File 5) - Box 40

Series 9. Commonwealth Club, 1977-94

Wheeler had a long association with the Commonwealth Club in Canberra. In 1966-69 he was President and from 1984 to 1993 was on the Election Committee, which was in charge of assessing applications for membership.

This series contains papers relating to Wheeler's involvement with the Club, dating from 1977. They include correspondence, newspaper cuttings, agenda papers for Annual General Meetings (1977-94) and lists of candidates for membership (1984-92).

Note: Permission is required in order to view the contents of this series.

Correspondence and cuttings, 1981-93 (File 1) - Box 41

Agenda papers for Annual General Meetings, 1977-94 (File 2) - Box 41

Papers relating to the Election Committee, 1984-92 (File 3-4) - Box 41

Series 10. Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, 1987-94

Wheeler's association with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust dated from 1965, when he was appointed as a Director. In 1991 he was elected National President and had been re-elected to this position shortly before his death in 1994.

Papers relating to Wheeler's association with the Trust are contained in the series. They include reports of Annual General Meetings and lists of applicants for fellowships.

Papers relating to 1992 and 1994 Annual General Meetings (File 1) - Box 41

Reports of Annual General Meetings, 1987-92 (File 2) - Box 41

Lists of applicants for fellowships, 1992-93 (File 3) - Box 41

Series 11. Miscellaneous, 1945-91

This series comprises miscellaneous material accumulated by Wheeler.

Official mailing list, n.d (File 1) - Box 42

Papers relating to a Post-war Reconstruction Seminar, held at the Australian National University in 1981. Included is correspondence, a copy of Full employment in Australia: the genesis of a white paper by Selwyn Cornish and a 1945 copy of a government paper entitled Full employment in Australia. (File 2-3) - Box 42

A copy of 'Chaos, Keynes or Controls? Drafting the Australian white paper on full employment, 1945', a BA Honours thesis by Craig Wilcox, 1989 (File 4) - Box 42

Four cassette tapes: Before the Senate, 1975, The Geneva 78's, Interview with Sir Frederick Wheeler and Geoff Hyles, 1991 and The Ennor tape, n.d (File 5) - Box 42

On cover: Before the senate 1978? On tape: Tape 6 Senate 16/7. Side 1 Afternoon session, FHW. Side 2 Blank. [1 of 4] [cassette tape], c.1978 (Item 1) - Piece NLA.MS-SAV000364
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The Geneva 78s. MS8096-s11-5-cassette1 [2 of 4] [cassette tape], 1978 (Item 2) - Piece NLA.MS-SAV000365
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On cover: The Error Tape. On tape: Error G? This side (in pencil). [3 of 4] [cassette tape] (Item 3) - Piece NLA.MS-SAV000388
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On cover (spine): 15 Jan 91. Sir Frederick Wheeler's and Mr Geoff Hyle's Interview. On cover (additional info): Sir Frederick Wheeler's Copy. Present: Gen Alan Morrison, Mrs Joan Hyles, Mrs Jean Marie Ledger, Mr Ken Davies, Colonel John Stubbs. [4 of 4] [cassette tape], 15.1.91 (Item 4) - Piece NLA.MS-SAV000389
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