Papers of Sara Dowse, 1958-2007 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 1082236
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Dowse, Sara, 1938-
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item. MS 7365 copy
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Part available for research; part permission required for research (1 Folder in box 73). Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [1958-2007]
- 25.20 m. (168 boxes)
- Summary:
-
The bulk of the MS 7365 collection comprises papers relating to Sara Dowse's work as a writer, including research material, correspondence, newspaper cuttings and drafts of her novels, reviews and short stories. There are papers relating to her work as head of the Office of Women's Affairs, papers relating to grant applications, and personal correspondence with family and friends. There are extensive files on West Block, Canberra tales, Schemetime and Silver city, and also on the National Women's Advisory Council, Australian Labor Party, and Australian National Word Festival (150 boxes).
The Acc08.112 instalment comprises draft chapters of the unpublished manuscript "Bessarabia" based on a visit to Russia and Moldova in 1993; three poems, two unpublished, "The lady in the spoon" published in The Canberra times?; drafts and photocopies of articles by Dowse; and, articles about Dowse (1 box).
The Acc08.120 instalment comprises drafts and research material for articles, essays, stories, speeches and an unpublished novel. There are also papers associated with Dowse's chairmanship of the judging panel for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2006, and correspondence (2 boxes).
The Acc08.149 instalment comprises 19 boxes of 3.5 inch floppy disks, including, in various forms email correspondence; early drafts of Schemetime, Sapphires, Digging, and Reading the Pensinsula; current and "backburner" projects - Liza book/s, Hollywood essays, "Path to Fortune" thriller, Van der Velde novel; essays, stories, APA project, lectures, poetry, book reviews; transcripts of Russian, Israeli and US interviews; visual images. Two audio cassettes: one containing a recording of an interview of Dowse by Margaret Throsby, the other a recording of a talk given by dissident Chinese Dai Qing to Canberra PEN (1 box).
The Acc09.180 instalment comprises papers reflecting Dowse's career as a writer. They comprise diaries, correspondence, notes, research notes, newspaper cuttings, photographs and drafts of her writing, including fiction, biography, articles and early and unpublished stories. There are papers relating to a National Library of Australia Harold White Fellowship, grant and job applications, conferences and public appearances, and personal correspondence with family and friends. Literary papers include extensive files relating to a biography of Lisa Fitch; drafts of Hollywood, Sass, Border crossing, Sapphires and Fleeting; and, scripts of West Block. Some of these titles are accompanied by written comments from members of the Seven Writers' group (also known as "The Canberra Seven") and Penny Pollitt (14 boxes).
- Biography/History:
-
Dale Sara Dowse has worked variously as an editor, academic, journalist and public servant. She joined the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in 1974 as head of its newly created Women's Affairs Section (which under her leadership became the Office of Women's Affairs). She resigned from the public service in 1977 to work as a freelance writer. Dowse was one of a group of ACT-based women writers known as "The Canberra Seven". Dowse has written in a number of genres including fiction, non-fiction, short stories, reviews, journal articles, television mini-series and poetry. She has published six books, contributed to several volumes of short stories and her articles and reviews have appeared in a wide range of publications. Dowse's writing for television includes two episodes of the ABC-TV drama Relative merits, and a five-part adaptation of her novel, West Block, commissioned by the ABC and later cancelled.
- Notes:
-
- Manuscript reference no.: MS 7365, MS Acc08.112, MS Acc08.120, MS Acc08.149, MS Acc09.180.
- Some photocopies.
- MS 7365 copy Also available online https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-449787380
- Digital content preserved (MS 7365)
- Related Material:
-
- Interview with Sara Dowse, writer; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 3663.
- Interview with Sara Dowse, feminist writer; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 3801.
- Source of Acquisition:
- Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
- Cited In:
- Guide to collections of manuscripts relating to Australia ; E735.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Finding aid available online.
- Subject:
-
- Dowse, Sara, 1938- -- Archives
- Australia. Office of Women's Affairs -- Officials and employees -- Archives
- Authors, Australian -- 20th century -- Archives
- Women authors, Australian -- 20th century -- Archives
- Women public officers -- Australia -- Archives
- Feminists -- Australia -- Archives
- Women -- Employment -- Australia
- Australia -- Officials and employees -- Archives
- Australia -- Politics and government
- Time Coverage:
- 1958-2007
- Occupation:
- Terms of Use:
- Copying of Sara Dowse's copyright material permitted for research purposes.
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
If you wish to copy or order copies, contact us. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary, dramatic or musical work
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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