Guide to the Papers of Robin Miller Dicks
MS Acc08.114
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: February 2025
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Dicks, Robin Miller
- Title
- Papers of Robin Miller Dicks
- Date Range
- 1943-1978
- Collection Number
- MS Acc08.114
- Extent
- 3.85 metres (5 ms boxes + 2 phase boxes + 1 binder + 3 folders + 1 audiovisual carrier)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice
Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this collection contains content that may be distressing and/or culturally sensitive, including names of people who have passed away, as well as language, terms and descriptions that could cause offence and may not be considered appropriate.
Content Advisory Notice
This collection contains content that may be considered distressing, including graphic descriptions of health conditions and medical procedures.
Content Summary
This collection comprises diaries and diary transcripts, photographs, correspondence, a nurse's uniform, awards and diplomas, flight plans and sheets, speeches, published and manuscript biographies, press cuttings, a paediatric handbook (annotated), and a video tribute.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn4456021).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Robin Miller Dicks, National Library of Australia, MS Acc08.114, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Finding Aid Source(s)
Please note that this finding aid contains biographical and descriptive information provided by Patsy Millet.
Biographical Note
Aviator and nurse. Robin Miller was born on 7 December, 1940, daughter of writer Dame Mary Durack and aviator Captain Horrie Miller. In 1967-1969, as a nurse, Miller administered 37,000 doses of the oral sabin vaccine in northern Western Australia, becoming known as the Sugarbird Lady for her work in combatting polio. She later flew with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. In 1973 she married Harold Dicks, director of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, becoming Robin Miller Dicks. In the same year Miller was sponsored to compete in the 1973 All Women's Transcontinental Air Race across the United States, finishing sixth. Miller was the author of, Flying nurse (1971), and, Sugarbird lady (with Harold Dicks, 1979). She was the recipient of a number of awards, including the Nancy Bird Walton Award in 1970, and posthumously, the Paul Tissandier diploma, and the Brabazon Cup of the Women Pilots' Association of Great Britain. Miller died on 7 December, 1975.
Item Descriptions
Class MS Acc08.114. Consignment received 2008, 1943 - 2007
Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice
Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this collection contains content that may be distressing and/or culturally sensitive, including names of people who have passed away, as well as language, terms and descriptions that could cause offence and may not be considered appropriate.
Content Advisory Notice
This collection contains content that may be considered distressing, including graphic descriptions of health conditions and medical procedures.
Content Summary
This consignment comprises diaries and diary transcripts, photographs, correspondence, a nurse's uniform, awards and diplomas, flight plans and sheets, speeches, published and manuscript biographies, press cuttings, a paediatric handbook (annotated), and a video tribute.
Series 1. Biographies, 1986 - 1999
Series 2. Flight sheets and plans, 1967 - 1968
Royal Flying Doctor Service flight sheets, 1967 - 1968 (Item 3) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes schedules while administering Sabin polio immunisation throughout north west and Kimberley districts; flying times and purpose of flight with general remarks.
Complete record of flight plans made during the Polio Immunisation years, 1967 - 1968 (File 4) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes full list of towns and stations to be visited (approx. 450), polio immunisation sheets for posting up prior to clinics and sheets for radio broadcast to areas prior to clinics.
Series 3. Diaries, 1961 - 1975
Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that these files may contain names and descriptions of deceased people as well as language, terms and descriptions that could cause offence and may not be considered appropriate.
Content Advisory Notice: These files may contain content that may be considered distressing, including graphic descriptions of health conditions and medical procedures.
Diary, 1962 (Item 6) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes notes on flying, interesting cases, overland trip with Horace Clive Miller (father of Robin Miller Dicks) and starting midwifery course.
Diary, January 1964 - June 1964 (Item 7) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.114)
Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this item may contain names and descriptions of deceased people as well as language, terms and descriptions that could cause offence and may not be considered appropriate.
Includes a typed account of a flight to transport Kitty, an Indigenous Australian, from the region of Wiluna (Little Sandy Desert WA SG51-09) for medical treatment and their funeral. Also includes general notes and notes on flying.
Diary, 1968, January 1969 (Item 8) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes activities as a flying nurse and USA ferry flights.
Diary of activities as a flying nurse for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), 1972 (Item 9) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes accounts of accidents, disasters, emergency treatments, an entry on the 6th of April accounting Robin Miller Dicks' own emergency after a long and stressful day and was written the same year the book The Flying Nurse was published.
Additional diary accounting ferry flight to the United States of America (USA), January 1972 - February 1972 (Item 10) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.114)
Series 5. Publications, 1966 - 1979
Abbottempo, Book 4, 1966 (Item 14) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes an article by Dr Harold Dicks titled 'Wings over the Outback' on the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
Pashs' West by Frank and Brian Pash, 1979 (Item 17) - Folio-Box (Shared), Folder 1
Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this item may contain names, descriptions and depictions of deceased people as well as language, terms and descriptions that could cause offence and may not be considered appropriate.
Commissioned by the Perth Building Society in celebration of the 150th anniversary year.
Series 6. Badges, n.d.
Please note: These badges were originally housed in a small leather pouch. The pouch is now empty. Please do not open.
Series 7. Letters, 1967 - 1971
Letters from Robin Miller Dicks to family, 1967 (File 21) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes details while on the polio vaccine program. One letter is to Health Department officials describing repairs Robin made to her aircraft wing after hitting a tree on landing in a storm and highlighted that Robin did much of the standard maintenance and emergency repairs of her aircraft.
Letters from Robin Miller Dicks to Horace Clive Miller (father of Robin Miller Dicks), 1970 - 1971 (File 22) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.114)
Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this file may contain names and descriptions of deceased people as well as language, terms and descriptions that could cause offence and may not be considered appropriate.
Content Advisory Notice: These files may contain content that may be considered distressing, including graphic descriptions of health conditions and medical procedures.
Includes details on flying experiences and medical emergencies, brief accounts of visiting or transporting patients including Indigenous Australians, with references to the regions of Wiluna (Little Sandy Desert WA SG51-09), Meekatharra (WA Gascoyne / Murchison SG50-12), Wodgina (WA East Pilbara SF50-08), Dampier (WA West Pilbara SF50-02) and Shaw River (WA East Pilbara SF50-08, SF50-04), and an account of her last ferry flight. Most letters written on RFDS letterhead or Flight Information sheets.
Series 8. Press cuttings, 1962 - 1980
Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this series may contain names and descriptions of deceased people as well as language, terms and descriptions that could cause offence and may not be considered appropriate.
Newspaper articles, 1962 - 1970 (File 23) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes early flying days, Polio vaccine distribution ('Sugarbird' Lady period) with Horace Clive Miller (father of Robin Miller Dicks) and ferry flights.
Newspaper articles, 1970 - 1975 (File 24) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes Robin Miller Dicks' career as Flying Nurse for Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and overseas ferry flights with Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) aircraft.
Newspaper articles, 1973 (File 25) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.114)
Regarding Robin Miller Dicks' participation in the United States 'Power Puff Derby'.
Newspaper articles, 1970 - 1974 (File 26) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.114)
Regarding Robin Miller Dicks in Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) emergency flights.
Series 10. Correspondence, 1972 - 1977
Letters and brochures, 1976 - 1977 (File 32) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes letters regarding the Brabazon Cup, seminar room memorial at Royal Perth Hospital and the Memorial Foundation.
Sample of letters and cards (public and private) of condolence after Robin Miller Dicks' passing, 1975 (File 33) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Provides an idea of Robin Miller Dicks' wide-ranging career.
Many letters and cards were received from members of the public that only knew Robin vicariously, or from patients she had attended on Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) mercy flights.
Includes letters or cards from Australian Federation of Air Pilots, Women Pilots' Association Western Australia, Australian Women Pilots' Association, Director and staff of Office of NW, Beech Aircraft Company, Trans West Airlines, United Air Services, Australian 99s Inc. (international organisation of women pilots), MMA, Hawker De Havilland, Westralian Aviation, Lyceum Club, St. John of God, The Bread and Cheese Club, Western Australia Ballet Company, Patch Theatre Guild, TV Channel 7 (with transcript of TV news of her death), Gordon and Gotch Aust. Ltd, Rigby Publishers, Zonta International, Air Force Association, Royal Aero Club Western Australia, Australia Women Pilots' Association, Royal Fed. Aero Clubs of Australia, Red Cross, West Australian Newspapers, Lang Hancock, Florence James (author), Nancy Bird Walton, Justice and Mrs Richard Blackburn, Prof. Geoffrey Bolton, Dr John Colebatch, Sir R and Lady Casey, Premier Charles Court, JK Ewers (author), Prof. Alan Edwards (UWA), Tom and Olive Quilty of Springvale Station, WA (among many from NW and Qld stations), Beatrice Darbyshire (artist), Vincent and Carol Seventy, Kylie Tennant (author), Leslie Rees (author), Catherine Arndt (anthropologist), Sean O'Luiing (Irish author), Olaf Ruhen (author), Dymphna Cusack and husband Norman Freehill, Mrs Hudson Fysh, Justice Furnell, Department. of Aboriginal Affairs, Department of Public Health, WA Historical Society, Fellowship Australia Writers, Nancy Keesing (author), Alix Hasluck (wife of Sir Paul), Tom Hungerford (author), Rev PS Schere and Sir Norman Brearley.
Series 11. Honours and awards, 1962 - 1976
Certificate of training for 'Beechcraft Duke' training program, 21 December 1971 (Item 37) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Certificate of training for Cessna Customer Care program, 30 July 1975 (Item 39) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Certificate of membership for The National Geographic Society, 1 January 1974 (Item 40) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Certificate of marriage between Dr Harold Dicks and Robin Miller, 4 April 1973 (Item 41) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Series 12. Documents, 1959 - 1991
Photocopies of letters from Robin Miller Dicks to Digger Smith of Warranambool (fellow aviator), 1976 (File 46) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
In the form of a diary and for the period September 1974 to October 1975.
Application to nominate Robin Miller Dicks for Roll of Honour - Outstanding Women, c. 1977 (Item 47) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Letter from the Department of Civil Aviation regarding proposed trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG), 9 September 1959 (File 49) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Royal Aero Club papers, 1960 - 1976 (File 50) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes Members Flying Club membership cards, booklet of rules, invoices and booklet announcing Robin Miller Dicks being awarded the Brabazon Cup posthumously.
Copy of address written by Robin Miller Dicks for at the Royal Aero Club's meeting 'Women in Aviation', 18 November 1975 (File 51) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Presented on behalf of Robin Miller Dicks due to being unable from her illness.
Copy of educational booklet People at Work, n.d. (Item 52) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes mention of Robin Miller Dicks.
Robin Miller Dick's copy of 'The Ninety-Nines Inc (International Organization of Women Pilots) membership directory, 1968 - 1969 (Item 53) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.114)
Series 13. Drafts, c. 1971 - 1979
Notebook of manuscript handwritten by Mary Durack, c. 1979 (Item 56a) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes transcript of Robin Miller Dicks' diaries for Sugarbird Lady.
Notebook of manuscript handwritten by Mary Durack, c. 1979 (Item 56b) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes transcript of Robin Miller Dicks' diaries for Sugarbird Lady.
Notebook of manuscript handwritten by Mary Durack, c. 1979 (Item 56c) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes transcript of Robin Miller Dicks' diaries for Sugarbird Lady.
Part of manuscript handwritten by Mary Durack, c. 1979 (File 56d) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes transcript of Robin Miller Dicks' diaries for Sugarbird Lady.
Notebook of manuscript handwritten by Mary Durack, c. 1979 (Item 56e) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes transcript of Robin Miller Dicks' diaries for Sugarbird Lady.
Series 14. Photographs, 1943 - 1967
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks, 1958 (Item 62) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Robin Miller Dicks was the head girl at Loreto Convent in Nedlands.
Julie, Robin and HC Miller with MMA DC3 in Broome, 1950 (Item 63) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
The early experience of her father's airline instilled a desire in Robin to become a pilot.
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks before her first solo flight with a passenger., c. 1962 (Item 64) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
The passenger was Horace Clive Miller (father of Robin Miller Dicks).
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks with her father, Horace Clive Miller, 1964 (Item 65) - Binder MS Cold Store 263
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks with Marie Rose and John Miller after flight over Perth., 23 April 1967 (Item 66) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks with her father assisting in refuelling the Mooney VH REM in Broome, n.d. (Item 68) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
During the polio vaccine program.
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks repairing her Mooney aircraft, 1968 (Item 71) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks tending to an air ambulance patient, 1968 (Item 73) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks and Horace Clive Miller (father) in Adelaide, September 1969 (Item 74) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks and her father prior to her leaving on the USA 'Power Puff Derby' for women pilots, 1973 (Item 75) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks and her Power Puff Derby partner, Rosemary de Pierres before the event, June 1973 (Item 76) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks and her Power Puff Derby partner, Rosemary de Pierres leaving for the event, June 1973 (Item 77) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks and her Power Puff Derby partner, Rosemary de Pierres, 1973 (Item 78) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks and her father in Broome, February 1971 (Item 79) - Binder MS Cold Store 263
Photograph of Dr HG Dicks of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) at the time he met Robin Millers Dicks, 23 June 1962 (Item 80) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Dr HG Dicks of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) at the time he met Robin Millers Dicks, c. 1960s (Item 81) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Harold Dicks and Robin Miller on a ferry flight, c. 1970 (Item 82) - Binder MS Cold Store 263
Photograph from Bellevue Avenue occasion to celebrate the marriage of Robin and H. Dicks (married in Canberra at a private ceremony), 1973 (Item 83) - Binder MS Cold Store 263
Includes Robin and Harold, MDM, her Aunt Elizabeth Durack. Durack, sisters Patsy and Marie Rose and niece and nephew, Naomi and Yagan Millett.
Photograph from Bellevue Avenue occasion to celebrate the marriage of Robin and H. Dicks (married in Canberra at a private ceremony), 1973 (Item 84) - Binder MS Cold Store 263
Includes Robin and Harold, MDM, her Aunt Elizabeth Durack. Durack, sisters Patsy and Marie Rose and niece and nephew, Naomi and Yagan Millett.
Photograph from Bellevue Avenue occasion to celebrate the marriage of Robin and H. Dicks (married in Canberra at a private ceremony), 1973 (Item 85) - Binder MS Cold Store 263
Includes Robin and Harold, MDM, her Aunt Elizabeth Durack. Durack, sisters Patsy and Marie Rose and niece and nephew, Naomi and Yagan Millett.
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks and Dr Harold Dicks on their last ferry flight to the USA together, September 1975 (Item 86) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks and Dr Harold Dicks beside Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) aircraft, 1973 (Item 87) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Robin Miller Dicks and Dr Harold Dicks with a group of their faithful fans from the farming community of Warranambool, 1974 (Item 88) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes Digger Smith who was met on a ferry flight.
Photograph of memorial at Robin Miller Dicks' gravesite in Broome, May 1976 (Item 91) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes her Warranambool friends that flew over to lay a wreath, her mother and other family are also visible.
Photograph of Harold Dicks at the unveiling of memorial to Robin Miller Dicks at the Royal Perth Hospital Seminar Room, 14 March 1977 (Item 92) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Photograph of Harold Dicks speaking at the unveiling of memorial to Robin Miller Dicks at the Royal Perth Hospital Seminar Room, 14 March 1977 (Item 93) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes Robin Miller Dicks' parents in the background.
Photograph of gathering at Bellevue Avenue after the unveiling of the memorial plaque to Robin Miller Dicks at the Royal Perth Hospital, 1977 (Item 94) - Binder MS Cold Store 263
Includes Dr H. Dicks and his sister Norah Shepherd, Audrey Jordan, HCM, Elizabeth Durack, Bess Durack and Merle Glass. Audrey Jordan was a nurse who often accompanied Robin on air ambulance flights. She was killed when hit by the propeller of an air ambulance aircraft in 1977.
Photograph of Governor Sir Wallace Kyle at the opening of the Mooney aircraft memorial to Robin Miller Dicks, 21 May 1978 (Item 95) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.114)
Includes her parents on the dais.
Series 16. Diary transcripts, 1972 - 1975
Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that these files may contain names and descriptions of deceased people as well as language, terms and descriptions that could cause offence and may not be considered appropriate.
Content Advisory Notice: These files may contain content that may be considered distressing, including graphic descriptions of health conditions and medical procedures.
Includes details of emergency flights, activities including Powder Puff Derby, Duke Ferry Flight across Atlantic, Pacific Ferry Flight in Beechcraft Baron, Robin's Geophysics charter to Dili, Pacific Ferry Flight of Cessna 421B and account of test flights.