Guide to the Papers of Sir Arvi Parbo
MS Acc09.045, MS Acc16.177
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Parbo, Arvi, Sir
- Title
- Papers of Sir Arvi Parbo
- Date Range
- 1933 - 2015
- Collection Number
- MS Acc09.045, MS Acc16.177
- Extent
- 22.8 metres (134 boxes + 4 large folio boxes + 1 medium folio box)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- NLA
Introduction
Scope and Contents
This collection comprises papers relating to Arvi Parbo's positions at Western Mining Corporation, Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP) and Alcoa of Australia. Other papers include correspondence, speeches and articles, desk diaries, pocket diaries and personal documents. The majority of the collection consists of 160 chronologically arranged lever folders (ca. 1949-2004) which start from Parbo's career and contain personal and business records, photographs and cuttings tabulated by month for each year. The collections also comprises the personal papers of Sir Arvi Parbo and papers relating to the history of Western Mining Corporation (WMC) and companies in the Western Mining group. They include correspondence, speeches, book drafts, personal recollections, newspaper cuttings and audiovisual material. The recollections of Sir Arvi Parbo describe his experiences as a migrant from Estonia to Australia, studying Engineering in Adelaide, and then working for WMC progressively moving into management roles in the company. WMC historical material includes published and unpublished papers on its mining operations and corporate activities. (28 boxes, 1 fol. box).
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn4583412).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Arvi Parbo, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.
Finding Aid Source(s)
Please note: This finding aid may comprise or contain descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.
Collection Retrieval Advice
Please note: each class in this collection has a separate box number sequence (i.e. there are multiple Box 1's). Please cite the relevant Class number as well as the Box number when requesting retrieval of material from the collection.
Item Descriptions
Class MS Acc09.045. Consignment received 2009, c 1949 - 2008
This consignment includes papers relating to Parbo's positions at Western Mining Corporation, BHP and Alcoa. Other papers include correspondence, speeches and articles, desk diaries, pocket diaries and personal documents. The majority of the collection consists of 160 chronologically arranged lever folders (c.1949-2004) which start from Parbo's career and contain personal and business records, photographs and cuttings tabulated by months for each year.
Series. Western Mining Corporation
This series contains papers relating to Sir Arvi's role in this corporation including addresses, speeches, photographs and memorabilia.
WMC Chairman's Speeches,1956-1999, 1956-1999 (File) - Folio 3
Chairman's addresses to Annual General Meetings.
Commemoration of 30 years' service with WMC, 1986 (File) - Folio 1
Photographs, clippings, memorabilia
WMC retirement dinner, Melbourne Club, 15 April 1999, 1999 (File) - Folio 2
Mainly photographs. Good quality album - ie no plastic over photographs.
Series. Overseas Visits
This series contains an index of visits as well as documentation. Also includes itineraries, correspondence, receipts.
Series. Desk Diaries
Series. Chronological Files
This series contains personal and business records.
Chronological files, 1949-1966 (File) - Box 1
Personal correspondence, photographs, Eg copies of Sir Arvi's naturalisation document; personal correspondence
Small semi-published item of photographs and recollections of the Bullfinch family, 1957-1961 (File) - Box 1
Talc Marketing - Visits, 1967 (File) - Box 2
Reports from marketing trip. Some photographs, postcards he sent to children.
Chronological files, 1971 (File) - Box 3
Tabulated by months from this point. Diary pages for the days are pasted into the days, with visits and notes have been included into the correct place.
Chronological files, 1972 (File) - Box 5
Includes correspondence federal politicians, including Frank Crean.
Chronological files, 1973-1974 (File) - Box 6
Tabulated month, WMC memos, work diary pages for each month.
Chronological files, 1974 (File) - Box 7
1974 Sir Arvi is made Chairman and Director. Many letters of congratulations about appointment. He is also made Chairman of the Trade Development Council.
2 lever arch folders: Messages on Knighthood, 1978 (File) - Box 10
Sir Arvi knighted. Deals with the actual process and large number of letters of congratulations.
Nickel buyers visit March 1979, 1979 (File) - Box 11
Tabulated: 8 days of visit. Includes labelled photographs
Chronological files, 1985 (File) - Box 18
Includes personal correspondence, e.g. postcards from daughter Ellen
Chronological files, 1986 (File) - Box 19
Includes records of Advisory Committee to Chase Manhattan Bank
Chronological files, 1988 (File) - Box 22
Includes invitations and addresses for Bi-Centennial Events
Chronological files, 1995-1996 (File) - Box 48
Many congratulatory letters from industrialists in Europe and others on turning 70. Some other correspondence
Chronological files, 2001 (File) - Box 65
Documents relating to Sir Arvi's 75th birthday. Birthday greetings and letters etc.
Publications: A Nation United (on the Centenary of Federation in Victoria). Second copy (different cover), unautographed., 2001 (File) - Box 66
Autographed by a number of significant Australians: Margaret Reid; Betty Churcher; Jenny Kee
Chronological files, 2001-2002 (File) - Box 67
Includes list of correspondents for Christmas 2001: Simon Crean, Henry and Nancy Kissinger etc.
Series. BHP Files
Series. Alcoa
Class MS Acc16.177. Consignment received 2016, 1933 - 2015
This consignment comprises the personal papers of Sir Arvi Parbo and papers relating to the history of Western Mining Corporation (WMC) and companies in the Western Mining group. They include correspondence, speeches, book drafts, personal recollections, newspaper cuttings and audiovisual material. The recollections of Sir Arvi Parbo describe his experiences as a migrant from Estonia to Australia, studying Engineering in Adelaide, and then working for WMC progressively moving into management roles in the company. WMC historical material includes published and unpublished papers on its mining operations and corporate activities.
Series. Speeches and writings
Series. Personal recollections
Personal recollections, 2007-2008 (File 42) - Box 12 (MS Acc16.177)
Part 1 - Introductions; Part 2 - On Estonia and the Estonians (2007), Parts 3-7 - manuscript Just Passing Through
Personal recollections, 2004 (File 43) - Box 12 (MS Acc16.177)
Part 8 - Migrant to Australia 1949; Part 9 - Mining student in Adelaide 1950-1956; Part 10 - In W.A. Goldfields 1956-1960 ; Part 11-Interlude in Melbourne 1960-1964; Part 12 - Back in the Goldfields 1964-1967
Personal recollections, 2004 (File 44) - Box 12 (MS Acc16.177)
Part 13 - With Western Mining 1967-1999, vol. 1-3
Personal recollections, 2004 (File 45) - Box 12 (MS Acc16.177)
Part 13 - With Western Mining 1967-1999, vol. 4-6
Personal recollections, 2004 (File 46) - Box 13 (MS Acc16.177)
Part 13 - With Western Mining 1967-1999, vol. 7-9
Personal recollections, 2004 (File 47) - Box 13 (MS Acc16.177)
Part 13 - With Western Mining 1967-1999, vol. 10-12
Personal recollections, 2004 (File 48) - Box 13 (MS Acc16.177)
Part 14 - The Alcoa involvement 1960-1998; Part 15 - The Big Australian 1987-1992; Part 16 - Overseas involvements; Part 17 - Notes on travel
Personal recollections, 2000-2015 (File 49) - Box 13 (MS Acc16.177)
Part 18 - In retirement, vol. 1 1999-2004; vol. 2 2005-2015; Part 19 - Reflections on Australia; Part 20 - Reflections on life; Part 21 - Appendices; Made to Order: a history of the Australian German Association - the first 25 years (Frank Unger, 2000)
Series. Recollections of Western Mining Corporation (WMC)
Book two, part A - Operations and projects, vol. 1 The golden thread, 2003 (File 61) - Box 16 (MS Acc16.177)
Book two, part A - Operations and projects, vol. 2 The shine of nickel, 2003 (File 62) - Box 16 (MS Acc16.177)
Book two, part A - Operations and projects, vol. 3 The brightness of aluminium; The burnish of copper, 2003 (File 63) - Box 16 (MS Acc16.177)
Book two, part A - Operations and projects, vol. 4 The glow of uranium; The whiteness of talc; The fertile rock; The treasure hunt; Discontinued business; Discontinued projects, 2003 (File 64) - Box 17 (MS Acc16.177)
Australia's uranium opportunities, Keith Adler, published by Pauline M. Adler, Sydney, 1996 (File 65) - Box 17 (MS Acc16.177)
Series. Seabright
Seabright-Cavalier court case in Halifax, 1990-1999 (File 72) - Box 18 (MS Acc16.177)
1. Chronology of main events; 2. Correspondence with Plaintiffs; 3. Plaintiffs' amended Statement of Claim; 4. WMC's amended Defence; 5. Your discovery evidence from the Seabright actions
Seabright-Cavalier court case in Halifax, 1987-1991 (File 73) - Box 18 (MS Acc16.177)
6. Colin Wise's memorandum to Hugh Morgan (and ultimately the WMC Board) (June 27, 1988); 7. Relevant documents from the Seabright actions; 8. WMC's Statement of Claim in the Ontario action; 9. WMC's written pre-trial argument in the Seabright actions
Seabright-Cavalier court case in Halifax, 1993-1994 (File 74) - Box 18 (MS Acc16.177)
10. Justice Nunn's judgement; 11. The Nova Scotia Appeal Court's judgement
Seabright-Cavalier court case in Halifax, 1994-2003 (File 75) - Box 18 (MS Acc16.177)
12. An article entitled "Prepping the CEO" published in the American Bar Association's Journal (October 1996); 13. The Settlement Agreement between Coughlan and the Ontario Securities Commission; 14. Peter Roy's letter of advice (June 29, 1994); 15. WMC's Pre-Trial Brief in Cavalier action (March 2000)
Seabright-Cavalier court case in Halifax, 1994-2000 (File 76) - Box 18 (MS Acc16.177)
16. Plaintiffs Pre-Trial Memorandum; 17. WMC Reply to Plaintiffs Pre-Trial Brief; 18. Further Submission by Plaintiffs
Seabright-Cavalier court case in Halifax, 1986-1988 (File 77) - Box 18 (MS Acc16.177)
19. Seabright 1986 Annual Report; 20. WMC Announcement (13 May 1987)
Seabright-Cavalier court case in Halifax, 2000 (File 78) - Box 19 (MS Acc16.177)
29. Arrangements for Halifax Court Hearing (June/July 2000); 30. Prepared for June 2000 evidence & October 2000 evidence
Witness preparation materials - Fraser v. Westminster, Defendants' Australian witnesses, vol. 1, 2000 (File 81) - Box 19 (MS Acc16.177)
Witness preparation materials - Fraser v. Westminster, Defendants' Australian witnesses, vol. 2, 2000 (File 82) - Box 19 (MS Acc16.177)
Series. Western Mining Corporation (WMC)
Series. Western Mining Corporation Historical material
WMC Historical file 1 - published papers, part A, 1984-2005 (File 96) - Box 22 (MS Acc16.177)
Milestones in WMC Group history - chronologically (1933 to 2004); Lalor JH "Discovery of the Olympic Dam Copper-Uranium-Gold-Silver Deposit" Case histories of mineral discoveries Vol.3; Ralph, Gilbert M "A brief history of Gold Mines of Kalgoorlie Limited" In GMK Annual Report (1984); Ralph, Gilbert M "A history of Central Norseman Gold Corporation" In CNGC Annual Report (1985); Ralph, Gilbert M "Sir Lindesay Clark an appreciation" In Technology in Australia (1988); Ralph, Gilbert M "The golden years of WMC" Second AusIMM Mineral Heritage Seminar (1988); Ralph, Gilbert M "The origins of Western Mining Corporation and some of the men who shaped it" Paper to AusIMM Centenary Conference (1993); Ralph, Gilbert M "Gold dredging in Central Victoria" Paper to Institution of Engineers Australia 9th National Conference in Engineering Heritage (March 1998); Ralph, Gilbert M "We did our dough in Bendigo" Paper to Australian Mining History Association (2005); Parbo, Arvi "Vale Western Mining Corporation" Article in Financial Review (June 2005)
WMC Historical file 1 - unpublished papers compiled by Arvi Parbo, part B, 2003-2011 (File 97) - Box 22 (MS Acc16.177)
References in books to WMC activities; WMC in Collins House in the 1960s; Uranium, Aborigines and Olympic Dam, notes written in 2003; Looking back at WMC (address to WMC Shared Services 2005); WMC Management, notes written in 2009; Looking back -and ahead, AusIMM Melbourne Branch Distinguished Lecture (8 February 2011); Comments on "Charles Court - I love this place" by Ronda Jamieson (12 October 2011); Reflections on Olympic Dam comments at JBWere lunch (6 December 2011)
WMC Historical file 1 - unpublished papers compiled by Gilbert M Ralph, part C, 1995-2005 (File 98) - Box 22 (MS Acc16.177)
WMC Group history collection - handover letter to BHP Billiton (4 July 2005) and attached details (including list of entities for which significant histories have been written); List of registered companies in the WMC group with brief details (1998); Some events which made WMC history (1995); Some aspects of WMC history (articles which have appeared in One WMC); An illustrated history of WMC (comments to accompany a slide show); The making of WMC (1996) unpublished manuscript; Western Mining Culture; WMC Annual Reports, Chairman's addresses and other publications; History of public relations/corporate affairs in WMC; A short history of Western Mining Corporation; Influences on the gold mining industry in Australia
WMC Historical file 2 - unpublished papers, Part A: Sir Lindesay Clark, Transcript of Interview in 1974; A Chronological History of WMC (2005) Unpublished manuscript by Gilbert M Ralph, 1974-2005 (File 99) - Box 22 (MS Acc16.177)
WMC Historical file 2 - unpublished papers, compiled by Gilbert M Ralph, part B, 1933-2005 (File 100) - Box 22 (MS Acc16.177)
Correspondence between WS Robinson and Sir Colin Fraser (1933-1934); A history of Collins House (1999); The Broken Hill - Collins House connection (2003); The origins of Western Mining Corporation and some of the men who shaped it, address to the combined group of AusIMM and IEAust Christmas dinner at Roxby Downs (29/11/1996); Group photographic collection; WMC Group historical photographic collection; The old oak board table and chairs (the table was purchased by Arvi Parbo from BHP Billiton in 2005); maps and photos WMC Directors' residence, Kalgoorlie; photo and information Kambalda 25th Anniversary Reunion (19 September 1992)
WMC Historical file 2 - unpublished papers, part C, 1948-2014 (File 101) - Box 22 (MS Acc16.177)
Queensland Phosphate interview with G M Ralph by Richard M Morgan (16/12/96); Address to Australian Club by Richard M Morgan (10/8/12); Brief history of Belmont offices (1995) compiled by Gilbert M Ralph; WMC's Kalgoorlie offices; A farewell to Kalgoorlie office (1996), address to WMC Geoscientific Conference in Kalgoorlie (1/11/1996); History of Kalgoorlie Southern Gold Mines (1995) complied by Gilbert M Ralph; Central Norseman Gold Corporation history - Letter from G Lindesay Clark to W S Robinson (5/10/1948); Gold Mines of Kalgoorlie Limited history, Brief history of Mt. Charlotte by Gilbert M Ralph; Geologists, Alliances and Strategies: a history of Homestake Mining Company in the Australasia region (draft) by J J Gresham; Papers and addresses by Roy Woodall; profiles of William Baker Blown, John Oliver, Sir Arvi Parbo, Keith Francis George Parry; In The Woodall Class (address at Geoscientific Dinner, Kalgoorlie, 1995) by Gilbert M Ralph; Eulogy to Laurence Charles Brodie Hall by Arvi Parbo (Thanksgiving Service Perth 11/10/06); The Log, Quarterly journal of the Nautical Association of Australia Inc. Vol.47, No.3, Issue 197 - New Series (2014)
Central Norseman Gold Corporation Commemorative Booklet for General Manager Wojciech Ozga, 2001 (File 106) - Box 24 (MS Acc16.177)
E.L. & C. Baillieu Limited, Western Mining Corporation Holdings Limited (1986); A review of Western Mining Corporation Holdings Limited (1986); A critical review of WMC's exploration & gold mining activities in Victoria (1988); Brian W. Mackenzie and Michael D. Doggett, Exploration performance of Western Mining Corporation 1955-1994 (1996), 1986-1996 (File 107) - Box 24 (MS Acc16.177)
Expansion of Olympic Dam (Confidential briefing, 1996); Present Day Minerals Business (1998); Prospectus for 1 for 8 renounceable share issue (1994); Schemes of arrangement in relation to demerger (2002), 1994-2002 (File 108) - Box 24 (MS Acc16.177)
McKinsey & Co., Successful management of minerals exploration in Australia: report to survey participants, 1975 (File 109) - Box 24 (MS Acc16.177)
Olympic Dam operations - brochure and environmental handbook, c.1993 (File 111) - Box 25 (MS Acc16.177)
They searched: a history of exploration within Western Mining Corporation Part II: the years of growth by Don Reid, 1998 (File 112) - Box 25 (MS Acc16.177)
Series. Audio Visual Material
WMC videos, part A, c.1960-2005 (File 115) - Box 26 (MS Acc16.177)
Program compile - Kambalda (late 1960s); Mining-their own business (mid-1970s, 19:00 min); Kambalda- it's my home (1994, 39:00 min); The giant awakens (OD Opening 5/11/1988) (Mar 1989, 49:00 min); WMC: Built on gold (1989, 1:07:00 min); The essential element (Nov 1994, 1:22:00 min); Mt. Keith: in harmony (Oct 1993, 1:39:00 min); WMC Video News episode one (Aug 1994, 1:50:00 min); The Olympic Dam story (Nov 1994, 2:07:00 min); Our growing edge (fertilizers) (Feb 2004, 2:21:00 min); An introduction to WMC Resources (May 2003, 2:30:00 min); Power Point presentation - An illustrated history of WMC by G M Ralph with accompanying notes; Talking Tours presents Olympic Dam and Roxby Downs; ATSE Clunies Ross Awards Brisbane 2011, award to Roy Woodall (DVD); Portland Aluminium Celebrating 25th Anniversary (DVD)
WMC videos, part B, 2012 (File 116) - Box 26 (MS Acc16.177)
From Tim Parsons (The Production Associates) - The find of '93, historical (circa 1950); Water and hold, historical (circa 1950); Gold mining in Australia, historical (circa 1950); Mining their own business (1970); Kambalda, historical (circa 1970)
WMC videos, part C, 2012 (File 117) - Box 26 (MS Acc16.177)
WMC Media Package (August 1989); Built on gold (November 1989); A natural concern (July 1990); Enviromine (February 1992); Against the odds (November 1993); Conservationist and miner (December 1993)
WMC videos, part D, 2012 (File 118) - Box 27 (MS Acc16.177)
Airborne particles - no surprises (February 1994); WMC Video News - EP 1 (August 1994); Nickel -the essential element (November 1994); A corporate profile (November 1994); WMC Video News release (January 1995); Exploring the future (January 1995); WMC Video News - 3 (April 1995)
WMC videos, part E, 2012 (File 119) - Box 27 (MS Acc16.177)
WMC Video News - 4 (August 1995); Partners in progress (August 1995); Creating the future (February 1996); South Australia's…Olympic Dam (May 1996); Olympic Dam expansion (July 1996); Olympic Dam - new evaporation ponds (August 1996); Olympic Dam - the next step (December 1996)
WMC videos, part F, 2012 (File 120) - Box 28 (MS Acc16.177)
Phosphate Hill managing our Aboriginal heritage (December 1997); Tampakan Project compile (1995 to 1998); Olympic Dam managing our Aboriginal heritage (March 1998); Tampakan Project inspection (1998); Transforming WMC (April 1999); WMC Video News release (December 2001)
WMC videos, part G, 2012 (File 121) - Box 28 (MS Acc16.177)
Emerge (May 2003); WMC VNR nickel mining & refining (2003); The Olympic Dam story (2004); Community relations & heritage management (2004); Our growing edge (February 2004); WMC Video News release (November 2004)
WMC audio recordings of archival cassette transfers, 1971-1999 (File 122) - Box 29 (MS Acc16.177)
Hail Creek (11/10/1971); Four Corners aluminium debate Canberra (14/3/1981); Radio interview excerpts with Arvi Parbo AIM Management Week (16/7/1986); Cassette 1 of 2 "On WMC" (1/8/1988); Cassette 2 of 2 "On WMC" (1/8/1988); Corporate briefing (March 1990); Debt Summit (March 1990); Sir Wallace Kyle Oration by Arvi Parbo (6/4/1992); 3AW interview with Arvi Parbo (10/10/1992); Interview 3LO Doug Aiton on immigration with Arvi Parbo (23/10/1996); Arvi Parbo retirement dinner Melbourne Club (15/4/1999)