Guide to the Papers of Sir Harold White and Lady Elizabeth White
MS 7599
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2011
Collection Summary
- Creator
- White, Harold Leslie, Sir
- Title
- Papers of Sir Harold White and Lady Elizabeth White
- Date Range
- 1911 - 1992
- Collection Number
- MS 7599
- Extent
- 19.5 metres (116 ms boxes + 1 large folio box + 1 elephant folio)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and content
These papers document several broad areas of activity in the lives and careers of Sir Harold White and Lady Elizabeth White. Broadly, they encompass Sir Harold White's extensive career in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library and the National Library of Australia, his ongoing professional and community interests after retirement, shared papers of both Sir Harold and Lady Elizabeth of a personal nature, and papers associated with Lady Elizabeth White's community work and activities.
The papers on the professional aspects of Sir Harold's life represent both internal Library operations and its development as well as his external representation on outside bodies. Particularly well documented are his official overseas tours, offices he held in the Australian Institute of Librarians, representation on international bodies including UNESCO and IFLA, various government committees such as the National Film Board and Commonwealth Archives Committees, and external bodies such as the Canberra University College Council. There are also many papers concerning the development of the 1960 National Library Act and the construction and opening of the permanent Library building. His involvement after retirment on the editorial board of the Australian Encyclopaedia and the National Memorials Committee are also well represented.
Sir Harold's personal papers include school prize books and an extensive run of diaries. His papers from his roles with the Australian National Review and the Canberra Society of Arts and Literature provide insight into life in early Canberra.
The joint personal papers of Sir Harold and Lady Elizabeth include correspondence with family and a wide circle friends, photographs, and papers on their large garden at 27 Mugga Way, Red Hill. Of note is an extensive run of letters from their daughter Judith White (later Judith Robinson and Judith Robinson-Valery), extending from her schooling and university study and through her career as an academic in Cambridge, Sydney and Paris.
Lady Elizabeth's personal papers include personal appointment and travel diaries, speeches and writing, and papers from her work in the care of the elderly in Canberra, involvement in women's groups, and membership of public speaking organisations such as the Penguin Club and Rostrum. Of interest among her writings is a small series of lectures she gave on hospitality to the YWCA of Canberra in 1972.
Access conditions
Not available for research. Not for loan.
Copying conditions
Permission is required to copy Sir Harold White and Lady Elizabeth White's copyright material for research purposes.
Preferred citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Sir Harold White and Lady Elizabeth White, National Library of Australia, MS 7599, [series and/or folder number]'.
Provenance
The original consignment of MS 7599 was collected from the home of Sir Harold White by Library staff in 1988. A number of further instalments were subsequently received from Sir Harold and members of his family.
Related materials
Further papers of Sir Harold White are held in the National Library of Australia's Manuscripts collection at MS 2899 and MS 3665. Oral history interviews with Sir Harold White are held in the Library's Oral History collection at TRC 2261, TRC 2305, TRC 3065. The Library's Oral History collection also contains recordings of several speeches given by Sir Harold White. A recording of the 1988 memorial service for Lady Elizabeth White is held at TRC 2286.
Arrangement note
The core of MS 7599 was collected from the home of Sir Harold White and Lady Elizabeth White at 27 Mugga Way, Red Hill (ACT) by Library staff in 1988, including papers held in the house and a garden shed. Several additions were subsequently made by Sir Harold and his children. The collection was partly arranged and described by Library staff in 1995 and partly sorted and culled by White's daughter Katherine West in 1998. Prior to the 2011 arrangement and description project, intellectual control existed only at box level with a list created by the Library in 2004.
With little evidence to suggest how most of the papers were used and kept by Sir Harold and Lady Elizabeth, Library staff have arranged the papers into discrete series following the functions of their various roles and activities. Loose, unsorted papers were foldered and titled as 'general papers' and integrated in series with related material. Where any file groupings could be discerned, they have been retained.
Biographical chronology
Biographical note
Harold Leslie White was born on 14 June 1905 in Numurkah, Victoria, the third child of James and Beatrice White. He was educated at Invergordon State School, Wesley College (Melbourne) and the University of Melbourne and graduated with a Masters degree with first class honours in French. He was recruited to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library in 1923 at the instigation of his headmaster, a friend of the first Parliamentary Librarian Arthur Wadsworth. He was appointed deputy librarian in 1927.
On 18 October 1930 he married Elizabeth Wilson at the Chapel of Queen's College, Melbourne, where White had resided as a student. Harold and Elizabeth White were among the first residents of Red Hill, where they took up a three-acre block at 27 Mugga Way. They had four children, David (1931-2004), Judith (1933-2010), John (1935-2006), and Katharine (1937- ).
In 1939 White received a grant from the Carnegie Corporation to conduct an extensive study tour of libraries in the United States and Europe. He succeeded Kenneth Binns as Parliamentary Librarian in 1947, retaining this role jointly with that of National Librarian after the establishment of the National Library of Australia in 1960. He relinquished the former role in 1968, and retired as National Librarian in 1970. He was a member of the National Film Board and the Commonwealth Archives Committee (1947-1970) and chairman of the UNESCO Committee on Drama, Theatre and Literature (1951-1958). During the 1960s he undertook extensive travel to Asia to expand the National Library's collecting activities in that region.
White was active in the Canberra community promoting the arts and education through bodies such as the Canberra Society of Arts and Literature, University Association of Canberra, and the Humanities Research Council. He was a founding member of the Australian Institute of Librarians in 1937, and literary editor of the Australian National Review, a monthly magazine of the late 1930s edited by William Farmer Whyte. He was also an active member of the Rotary Club of Canberra.
Following his retirement he served as UNESCO Consultant advising on the establishment of a national library in Malaysia, the advisory board for the Australian Encyclopaedia, and the National Memorials Committee. He was appointed CBE in 1962 for service to government, and was knighted in 1970. The National Library of Australia's fellowship scheme was named in his honour in 1985. He died on 31 August 1992.
Elizabeth Ogilvie White (nee Wilson) was born in Melbourne on 16 December 1907, daughter of Richard and Annie Wilson, and was educated at Tintern Girls' Grammar School and Presbyterian Ladies' College Melbourne. Upon matriculation she worked as a teacher and governess.
She married Harold Leslie White on 18 October 1930 at Queen's College Chapel. They took up a three-acre block at 27 Mugga Way, Red Hill, where they established a large garden. They had four children, David (1931-2004), Judith (1933-2010), John (1935-2006), and Katharine (1937- ).
Elizabeth White was active in community affairs for most of her life, particularly in women's organisations and the care of Canberra's elderly. As a member of the National Council of Women she was involved in the establishment of the Thursday Club (later the Senior Citizens' Club) and the construction of its permanent building in Turner. She played an important role in the establishment of the Goodwin Homes in Ainslie. Active in public speaking societies, she was awarded life membership of the Penguin Club. She was also a member of the Women's International Club, the Inger Rice Foundation, and the Pan Pacific and South East Asia Association.
Elizabeth White was honoured by an OBE in 1962 for service to the community. She died on 18 June 1988.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Diaries, address books and official documents of Sir Harold White, 1939-1992 - Box 1, Piece 1/1-43, Box 2, Piece 1/ 44-50, Box 3, Piece 1/51-66
Personal and official journals and diaries, bank records, and passports of Harold White. Item 1 is a cheque book stub from February 1939. Items 2-43 are White's personal pocket diaries covering the period 1950-1988 and contain details of personal appointments and some notes. Items 44-48, which date from the years following Elizabeth White's death (1989-1992), are in a larger format and contain both appointments and notes about daily events. Items 49-55 are official appointments diaries from 1962-1970 and were probably maintained by his office at the National Library. Items 56-58 are address books. Items 59-60 are bank pass books (1943-1945 and 1949-1950). Items 61-66 are White's passports.
[66 items]
Series 2. Speeches, articles, broadcasts of Sir Harold White, 1939-1974 - Box 4, Piece 2/1-9, Box 5, Piece 2/10-18, Box 6, Piece 2/19-23
Texts, drafts and notes for speeches, articles, conference papers, radio broadcasts and addresses given by White in his official capacities as Parliamentary Librarian and National Librarian ; speeches given at the NLA opening ceremony (1968) ; texts of speeches given by others, including talk by C.A. Burmester to the ACT Branch of the Library Association of Australia ; journal articles and offprints of conference and seminar papers by White on topics including libraries, archives, publishing and history.
[23 folders]
Series 3. Papers of Sir Harold White from roles in Parliamentary Library and National Library of Australia, 1911-1970
This series consists of correspondence and subject files created, used or kept by White during the course of his career in the Parliamentary Library and the National Library from 1923 to 1970 variously as Assistant Librarian, Parliamentary Librarian, and National Librarian. It includes material on matters specifically concerning the Parliamentary Library and National Library and their operations, and White's representative activities in an official or professional capacity on outside bodies such as the Australian Institute of Librarians, Canberra University College Council, the University Association of Canberra, UNESCO, IFLA, and various government committees.
There is no evidence of the way in which these files were kept by White during his career, and so they have been left as a single large series. Where possible, similar files have been grouped together and, where appropriate, given new or revised file titles. The files have been arranged alphabetically by file title, and by rough date order in groups of files on the same subject.
[233 folders]
Acquisitions, 1948-1949 (File 2) - Box 7
Consists mostly of catalogues and lists of books, pamphlets and other publications from various Australian and overseas vendors and collecting institutions ; lists of books added to the Parliament and National Library ; also includes small amount of related correspondence with London liaison officer, and with H.P. Moss re. donation of stone tools.
Archives - Ian Maclean report, ca. 1950 (File 4) - Box 7
Includes report by Ian MacLean titled 'Interim notes on observations in England' re. records in various English insitutions such as the Public Record Office ; correspondence of White from his 1939 study tour ; information on the Library's Film Division ; handwritten draft memorandum re. staff use of records in the Library.
Archives, 1947-1956 (File 5) - Box 7
Librarian's subject file on archives, including relationship with International Council on Archives and Commonwealth Archives Committee Fifth Annual Report (1955-56). Note on file cover: "Contents: RG 6/1/16 and RG 12/1/1"
Archives, [195-?] (File 6) - Box 8
Includes 'A classification of archives' by K. Penny and I.A. Diamond
Archives - Commonwealth Archives Committee, 1955-1958 (File 7) - Box 8
Papers for meeting of Commonwealth Archives Committee held 17 June 1958 ; copy of paper 'Modern public records administration and the relations of records officers and archivists' by I. Maclean ; report by the Commonwealth Archives Committee on future control of the Commonwealth Archives System, December 1955.
Archives - Commonwealth Archives Committee, 1955-1956 (File 8) - Box 8
Includes agendas and minutes, correspondence with chairman C.E.W. Bean, and memoranda on the future control of archives.
Assistant National Librarian - appointment, 1962 (File 9) - Box 8
Correspondence with the Public Service Board re. appointment of an Assistant National Librarian.
Australian Institute of Librarians - formation, 1936-1937 (File 10) - Box 8
Correspondence on the establishment of the Australian Institute of Librarians, including draft constitution.
Australian Institute of Librarians - formation, 1937 (File 11) - Box 8
White's correspondence on the formation of the Institute in 1937, including organisational arrangements for the Canberra meeting, drafting of constitution, application forms for membership.
Australian Institute of Librarians - inauguration, 1937 (File 12) - Box 8
Includes invitations to lecture 'Libraries and Citizenship' by E. Salter Davies, 20 August 1937 ; papers from meeting to inaugurate the Australian Institute of Librarians, 20 August 1937 ; correspondence re. establishment of Institute and its constitution.
Australian Institute of Librarians - inauguration, 1937-1938 (File 13) - Box 8
Includes a copy of the draft constitution.
Australian Institute of Librarians - inauguration, 1937-1942 (File 14) - Box 9
Includes correspondence between White, John Metcalfe and A.B. Foxcroft re. draft constitution and 1937 conference ; Council and other committee papers, 1942.
Australian Institute of Librarians - General Treasurer, 1937-1938 (File 15) - Box 9
Includes a significant body of correspondence with John Metcalfe, General Secretary, on Institute affairs.
Australian Institute of Librarians - training and standards, 1938 (File 16) - Box 9
Includes a series of letters between 1938 A.I.L. Standards and Training Committee members Kenneth Binns and John Metcalfe.
Australian Institute of Librarians - Board of Examination and Certification, 1941-1942 (File 17) - Box 9
Includes reports from other Institute committees including Classification of Australiana.
Australian Institute of Librarians - Board of Examination and Certification, 1941-1947 (File 18) - Box 9
Board of Examination and Certification papers, 1941-44 ; Council papers, 1947. Also includes papers from A.I.L. Conference, 1947, and Riverina Regional Library Conference held in Griffith, NSW, in May 1947.
Australian Institute of Librarians - Board of Examination and Certification, 1941-1944 (File 19) - Box 10
Includes a significant body of correspondence with John Metcalfe, chairman of the board.
Australian Institute of Librarians - Board of Examination and Certification, 1942-1943 (File 20) - Box 10
Includes a significant body of correspondence with John Metcalfe, chairman of the Board.
Australian Institute of Librarians - Board of Examination and Certification, 1943-1944 (File 21) - Box 10
Australian Institute of Librarians - Classification and Cataloguing, 1939-194- (File 23) - Box 10
Includes assignments on classification submitted by candidates ; notes on classification and cataloguing and letters from John Metcalfe to White on this subject.
Australian Institute of Librarians - Cataloguing and Classification Committee - libraries in the ACT, 1943 (File 24) - Box 10
Summary table of data on departmental, university and institutional libraries in the ACT ; associated letters from librarians supplying information on their libraries to White, representative of the Cataloguing and Classification Committee
Australian Institute of Librarians - Council, 1943-1944 (File 27) - Box 10
Includes paper 'The Control of Education in Australia' read at Canberra, 15 November 1943 (Canberra University Association)
Australian Institute of Librarians - Council and Board of Examination and Certification, 1945-1946 (File 28) - Box 11
Australian Institute of Librarians - Council and Board of Examination and Certification, 1936-1947 (File 29) - Box 11
Includes White's correspondence with John Metcalfe re. proposed constitution for the Institute, 1936.
Australian Institute of Librarians - Board of Examination and Certification, 1946-1947 (File 30) - Box 11
Also includes reports from other Institute committees from the same period.
Australian Institute of Librarians - Board of Examination and Certification ; Council, 1946-1947 (File 31) - Box 11
Australian Institute of Librarians - Board of Examination and Certification, 1946-1947 (File 32) - Box 12
Also includes ephemera from International House and lists of books received in London by Le Service de Liaison et de Documentation Coloniale Scientifique, 1947
Australian Institute of Librarians - Council papers, 1947 (File 34) - Box 12
Set of papers for A.I.L. Council meeting 10 October 1947, addressed to Miss [Marjorie] Harry.
Australian Institute of Librarians - Committee on Standards and Documentation, 1946-1947 (File 36) - Box 12
Includes correspondence on relationship with the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA)
Australian Institute of Librarians - general, 1937-1947 (File 37) - Box 12
White's papers from his role as member of Board of Examination and Certification (1944-45) ; White's papers from his role in helping to establish the Institute in 1937 ; catalogues and book lists from various presses and sellers, 1946-47.
Australian Institute of Librarians - general, 1938-1946 (File 38) - Box 12
A.I.L Board of Examination and Certification letters and papers 1943-46 ; restaurant menu from New York, n.d. ; Notes on Professor Giblin's Talk on "A University for Canberra" delivered at Canberra University College on 15 August 1941 ; 1937-1938 Report of Activities from International House, New York ; catalogues from various vendors.
Australian Institute of Librarians - correspondence with R.C. Mills re. UNESCO, 1947 (File 39) - Box 12
Australian Institute of Librarians - correspondence re. UNESCO, 1947 (File 40) - Box 12
Correspondents include John Metcalfe (Institute president) and R.C. Mills.
Books and reading, ca. 1935 (File 41) - Box 13
Handwritten notes by White on reading and literature ; ephemera on books and reading from organisations such National Book Council, Book Society, Readers Union
Burmester, C.A. - notes for discussion with MPs on collecting Australian material, 1952-1953, 1958 (File 42) - Box 13
Memorandum from C.A. Burmester dated 18 March 1958 on collecting materials relating to Labor history from members of parliament. Also contains Commonwealth Archives Committee minutes and submissions 1952-53.
Cabinet - Library building, 1958 (File 43) - Box 13
Drafts and copies of correspondence between the Prime Minister and the President and Speaker concerning the new National Library building ; correspondence between White and C.E.W. Bean regarding the Commonwealth Archives Committee.
Canberra University College - Council, 1946 (File 47) - Box 13
Includes copy of National University Act, and copy of Fourth Report of Inter-Deparmental Committee re. National University.
Chief Librarian's visit abroad - report, 1934-1937 (File 51) - Box 14
'Interim report on Chief Librarian's visit abroad' by Kenneth Binns. Includes sections on many aspects of library operations in the USA and Great Britain around the time of the Great Depression. Also includes 'Secondary industries teaching and research - extension of activities of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research' (1937).
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and earlier state occasions, 1951-1953 (File 52) - Box 14
Includes ephemera from official functions White attended in Canberra, including a Combined Services Tattoo, State Banquet, Civic Ball, and Coronation Concert by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra ; ephemera from State occasions White attended in Canberra in 1951.
Correspondence - reports to Mr Binns and replies, 1934 (File 54) - Box 14
White's correspondence with Kenneth Binns during Binns's overseas travel in 1934 when White was acting as Librarian.
Correspondence - Kenneth Binns and John E. Burchard, 1939, 1952 (File 55) - Box 15
Carbon copies of letters from Kenneth Binns during White's tour of USA and Europe in 1939 ; originals and copies of letters from John E. Burchard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, on proposed National Library building (1952)
Correspondence - general, 1939-1942 (File 56) - Box 15
Notes on establishing a liaison office in Melbourne ; correspondence with C.L. Bouve, Library of Congress, re. copyright ; telegrams re. Tasmania visit ; letter from C.R. Badger, University of Melbourne Extension Board, re. war history.
Correspondence - general, 1948 (File 58) - Box 15
Includes letter from Gavin Long re. official war history, including copies of War Cabinet Agenda on official history of Australia in the war of 1939-1945 ; correspondence with Australian National University re. appointment of Reader in Sources of Australian History ; Australian Institute of Librarians correspondence ; circulars from Dr K.S. Cunningham, Australian Council for Educational Research ; delegation of White's powers to L.C. Key (deputy librarian).
Correspondence - general, 1949-1970 (File 59) - Box 15
Includes letters to White from Stanley Hawes, Xavier Herbert and Nancy Cato (photocopy) ; invitations ; news clippings and letter from Indonesian Acquisitions Office ; copy of Australian Library Journal August 1970.
Correspondence - L.C. Key, 1945-1950 (File 61) - Box 15
Includes many letters are addressed to/from L.C. Key, sometimes in his capacity as Acting Librarian. Subjects include the operations of the Film Division of the Commonwealth National Library, recruitment of staff, acquisitions of collection material.
Correspondence - Archibald Grenfell Price, Chair, National Library Council, 1960-1970 (File 63_65) - Box 15, Piece 3/55-63, Box 16, Piece 3/64-69
Correspondence - personal - H.L. White invitations etc., 1964-1978 (File 66) - Box 16
Consists mostly of guest lists for functions at 27 Mugga Way.
Correspondence - general, 1965-1970 (File 68) - Box 16
Includes general correspondence, news clippings, ephemera, invitations, press release and statements on 1970 Royal visit to Canberra.
Correspondence - general, 1965-1970 (File 69) - Box 16
Includes correspondence re. appointment of State Librarian, Victoria, 1966, photocopies of articles on publishing, and general news clippings.
Correspondence - general, 1966-1970 (File 70) - Box 17
Includes memoranda, handwritten notes, news clippings on a range of library-related and political subjects, ephemera including a Canberra Theatre Centre schedule Aug-Sept 1969, and speech notes for an graduation address at an unnamed university (n.d.)
Correspondence - general, 1967-1970 (File 71) - Box 17
Includes meeting papers for Social Science Research Council (1970), biographical material on White, NLA Council minutes (7 August 1970), copy of Cabinet Submission on Archives (1966), copy of submission by Keast Burke to Joint Committee on Canberra, copy of Australian Library News (July 1970).
Correspondence - opening of National Library building, 1968 (File 72) - Box 17
Note: Library registry file numbers appear on many of the folios, indicating location of originals.
Correspondence - general, 1968-1970 (File 73) - Box 17
Correspondents include the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, Ballet Theatre of Canberra, Qantas Airways, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, National Capital Development Commission and others. Also includes briefing for seminar on film censorship, press release and speech notes for the announcement of Ambassador Donald Mackinnon Memorial Award for Brazilian Studies,
Correspondence - general, 1969-1970 (File 74) - Box 17
Inclues programme of Asian Judician Conference.
Correspondence - general, 1970 (File 76) - Box 18
Includes correspondence on Commonwealth Club Library, with Dal Stivens on invitation to membership of Australian Society of Authors, and an exhibition of the Goulburn District Historical Society.
Correspondence - general, 1970 (File 77) - Box 18
National Librarian's official correspondence. Includes news clippings.
Correspondence - Royal visit, 1970 (File 78) - Box 18
Includes correspondence re. visit of Queen Elizabeth II to National Library and unveiling of model of H.M.B. Endeavour.
Council of the National Library of Australia - first meeting, 1960 (File 80) - Box 18
Includes correspondence concerning appointment of the Library's interim Council and its first meeting.
Council of the National Library of Australia - meeting papers, 1961 (File 81) - Box 18
Second and third meetings of Council, 1961.
Council of the National Library of Australia ; National Librarian correspondence, 1961-1969 (File 82) - Box 18
Includes Council meeting agendas from 1961-1968 ; Cabinet minutes, submissions and associated correspondence re. National Library building. Also includes a small amount of unrelated correspondence from 1968 with Bill Thorn, the Library's London liaison officer.
Early career, 1922-1923, 1970 (File 83) - Box 19
Correspondence (photocopies and some originals) of Arthur Wadsworth, Parliamentary Librarian, on the appointment of Harold White to the Parliamentary Library, including correspondence with L.A. Adamson, Headmaster, Wesley College, Melbourne. Also includes a short biography of Wadsworth, and a copy of the publication 'Shaping a Shire: the story of Numurkah' (1970).
Film Board - Rosenthal report, correspondence (File 85) - Box 19
Letters and recommendations re. Australian National Film Board from Professor Alan Stout, Ulrich Ellis, Norman Rosenthal. Also includes envelope containing notes from discussion course on ethics by Stout.
Film Board - reports, 1946-1947 (File 86) - Box 19
Includes reports on activities of the National Library as the central film library and distribution agency of the Australian National Film Board ; board publication 'Making films in Australia' by A.K. Stout, 1946 ; Commonwealth National Library list of 16mm films as at May 1947, and others ; report titled 'Acquisition and distribution of non-theatrical film in Australia' submitted to the Board by the Commonwealth Librarian, March 1946.
Film Board, 1947 (File 87) - Box 19
Australian National Film Board minutes, reports, White's notes, papers on co-operation with state advisory committees
Foundation stone ceremony, National Library of Australia, 1966 (File 88) - Box 20
Includes press release for Canberra Times, correspondence with Library Council chairman Archie Price, guest lists, notes provided for the Prime Minister for use in his address at the ceremony, correspondence with National Capital Development Commission re. official party and seating plans, copies of news clippings on 1934 foundation stone ceremony at Kingston, notes for Channel 3 telecast by National Librarian.
General papers, 1911-1939 (File 89) - Box 20
Includes correspondence relating to establishment of Australian Institute of Librarians ; Hansard reprint of House of Representatives debate on Petherick Collection Bill, 1911 ; article by Kenneth Binns titled 'Commonwealth Library' ; paper on coins at Mitchell Library ; list of recent Australian novels added to Commonwealth Parliament Library (ca. 1932) ; notes on artworks and exhibitions in Commonwealth National Library.
General papers, 1930-1947 (File 90) - Box 20
Copies of extracts from various publications on a number of topics including public libraries, Ayers Rock, film services, Australian history, "Forever Amber" case ; assistant librarian correspondence (1946) ; minutes from Commonwealth National Film Board, Universities Commission, and Documentary Film Committee ; Tariff Board's Report and Recommendation on Request for Increased Duty on Manufactures of Paper, Manufactured Stationery and Books (1930).
General papers, 1932-1952 (File 91) - Box 20
Includes notes on Cook's autograph journal ; correspondence on supply of packing cases for archives ; specimen ballot papers (Commonwealth, ca. 1946) ; ephemera including Christmas card from the Speaker (1932-33) ; pamphlet 'The "National" rose gardens of Canberra' by A.E. Bruce and A.G. Butler ; examination papers of Australian Institute of Librarians and correspondence with John Metcalfe (1944) ; Hansard extracts, 1952 ; itinerary for visit of Dr John Ely Burchard, 1951
General papers, 193-? (File 92) - Box 20
Pamphlet 'Sex education: a graded and classified list of approved literature for clergy, youth leaders, teachers and parents - prepared and endorsed by the Anglican Council of Youth Organisations in the Diocese of Melbourne'.
General papers, ca. 1933-1937 (File 93) - Box 21
Loose, handwritten notes by White, on a range of topics, along with a number of small publications including programme of the New Education Fellowship Canberra meetings [1937], Constitution of the Free Library Movement (Sydney, 1935), and a Christmas card of the Speaker of the House of Representatives (1933-34).
General papers, 1935-1945 (File 94) - Box 21
Includes publications and reports from the Free Library Movement (1937-38) ; report of the Libraries Advisory Committee on public library services to D.H. Drummond, NSW Minister for Education (1939) ; paper 'Public Library Systems in Australia' by John Metcalfe (1933-35) ; membership roll, 1938-39 annual report of University Association of Canberra ; Australian Institute of Librarians constitution (1938) ; report and catalogue of Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences (1945).
General papers, 1936-1970 (File 95) - Box 21
Includes letter from Maurice F. Tauber, copy of letter from Prime Minister Menzies to President of Senate re. Parliamentary and National Libraries, letter from John Metcalfe re. draft constitution of Australian Institute of Librarians ; copy of farewell speech given by Assistant National Librarian at White's retirement (1970) ; ephemera on development of Canberra ; 'Handbook of Services - Canberra ACT' (1952), 'The development of the Commonwealth Archives Programme' by H.L. White (1944), programme from first conference of Presiding Officers and Clerks of the Parliaments of Australia and the Territory of Papua and New Guinea (1968), 'UNESCO - its purpose and its philosophy' by Julian Huxley (1946), 'Source material for Australian Studies' by H.L. White (1957).
General papers, 1937-1939 (File 96) - Box 21
Loose handwritten notes ; document 'Notes on extended library service to departments, international exchanges, etc.' ; library procedures on treatment of pamphlets, book accessions ; loose correspondence re. White's 1939 study tour to London.
General papers, 1938-1945 (File 97) - Box 21
Includes copy of 'Arranging and cataloguing manuscripts in the William L. Clements Library' by Howard H. Peckham (1939) ; 'The Periodical' Vol. XXVI No. 214, July 1946 ; council meeting papers from Australian Institute of Librarians (1942) ; papers on lantern slides, lecture halls, and librarian training ; general official correspondence of White.
General papers, 1939, 1949 (File 98) - Box 21
Correspondence and ephemera re. White's 1939 study tour to USA and UK ; notes and correspondence re. Australian Social Science Abstracts (1949)
General papers, 1939-1945 (File 99) - Box 21
Includes correspondence with John Metcalfe re. Board of Examination and Certification (Australian Institute of Librarians) ; lists of suggested books from Public Library of NSW (1945).
General papers, 1947-1949 (File 100) - Box 22
News clippings ; report from Preparation Division, August 1949 ; memoranda on Library matters ; report on proposed permanent administration offices, Canberra by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, 1947 ; material on efficiency rating charts ; report on loan of films to Nauru ; correspondence re. Australian books suitable for publication in Japan
General papers, 1953-1970 (File 101) - Box 22
Correspondence with Prime Minister John Gorton and Minister John McEwen (1970) ; copy of 'Time, place and the librarian' from Wilma Radford, UNSW (1969) ; papers from National Library Inquiry and Commonwealth Archives Committee (1950s).
General papers, 1959-1961 (File 102) - Box 22
Includes internal memoranda, notes and news cuttings on library operations, and illustrated pamphlet 'Careers in the Commonwealth National Library, Canberra ACT' (1959).
General papers, 1962-1965 (File 103) - Box 22
Includes press cuttings on topics re. White, the National Library and its collections, Australian libraries, literature, Business Archives Council, Tauber report. Also includes bulletins of Rotary Clubs of Canberra and Port Moresby, 'The Lion' (Wesley College, August 1963), 'The Salamander' (Lilydale High School, 1963), invitations, guest lists and menus for official luncheons and dinners, and correspondence on OBE.
General papers, 1965-1968 (File 104) - Box 22
List of American Fulbright Scholars 1950s-60s ; memoranda and correspondence on Library matters including provision of sound equipment for opening of National Library building.
Libraries in Australia, 1939-1946 (File 112) - Box 24
Correspondence, articles and reports, including summary of the Binns report on Tasmanian library services.
Libraries - departmental and international libraries, 1928-1937 (File 113) - Box 24
Includes discussion paper on 'Co-ordination and development of government departmental libraries', articles and news clippings on overseas libraries such as Library of Congress.
Library Association of Australia - Commonwealth Sub-Committee and Archives Committee, 1950-1951 (File 115) - Box 24
Reports on public library development in various states for Commwealth Sub-Committee, and Commonwealth Archives Committee reports.
Library Committee, 1952-1956 (File 116) - Box 24
Includes a copy of statement 'The case for a permanent building', and Archives Committee papers (1952).
Library Committee, 1959-1960 (File 117) - Box 24
Includes copy of transcript of Library Committee Sub-Committee - matters arising from the Paton Committee Report (1959).
Lists and Commonwealth Parliamentary Library Committee papers, 1964-1966 (File 118) - Box 24
Contains lists of permanent heads of Commonwealth departments, January 1964, ministerial telephone numbers, March 1966 ; Parliamentary Library staff rosters, 1965-66 ; members of Parliamentary Library Committee, 1965 ; meeting papers for Parliamentary Library Committee, 1965 ; list of Chinese and Japanese Publications donated to the NLA by Mr HL White ; Elizabeth White's expenses for January 1966.
Metcalf reports, 1950-1965 (File 120) - Box 24
Copies of correspondence between Library Committee and Prime Minister concerning the report of Dr Keyes Metcalf and the erection of a permanent library building ; letters from Prime Minister Menzies and Paul Hasluck, Minister for External Affairs.
Metcalf report, 1959 (File 121) - Box 25
Copy of Report on the Commonwealth National Library prepared by Dr Keyes D. Metcalf, former Director of Libraries at Harvard University ; copy of Metcalf's report submitted by the Librarian for the consideration of the Library Committee in April 1959 (report no. 431)
National Library Act, 1960 (File 122) - Box 25
Includes transcript of speech by Rt. Hon. R.G. Menzies on the bill.
National Library building, 1967 (File 124) - Box 25
Includes 'A new building for the National Library of Australia' by H.L. White ; further papers re. building prepared by C.A. Burmester.
News clippings, 1947 (File 127) - Box 25
Topics include Ruth Park's 'Harp in the South', National Film Board, and the British book import ban.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour - correspondence, 1938-1939 (File 133) - Box 26
1939 study tour to USA, Canada and England. Correspondents include the Carnegie Corporation of New York (sponsors of the tour), American and Canadian public and university librarians, publishers, professional associations such as the American Library Association.
Overseas travel - planning for 1939 study tour, 1938 (File 134) - Box 26
Tour of USA and Canada in 1939.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour, 1939 (File 135) - Box 26
Concerning White's official tour to USA, England and Europe in 1939.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour, 1939, 1945 (File 136) - Box 26
Includes letters addressed to White in New York, 1939. Also includes letters re. Australian Institute of Librarians Board of Examination and Certification, 1945.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour, 1939 (File 137) - Box 26
Includes official letters from Kenneth Binns on Library matters, letters re. G.A. Robinson papers ; also includes ephemera on photographic reproduction equipment for documents.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour - letters to Kenneth Binns, 1939 (File 138) - Box 26
Official and personal letters from White to Kenneth Binns (Librarian) during White's tour to USA and Europe in 1939. Includes letters written on board ship and others addressed from Australia House, London. Some of the letters report on the acquisition of the Gregory Mathews ornithological collection.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour - correspondence, 1939 (File 141) - Box 27
Visit to the USA, Canada, England and Europe.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour - loose papers, 1939 (File 142) - Box 27
Visits to libraries in the USA and London.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour - microfilm, 1939 (File 143) - Box 27
Copy of memorandum to the Librarian addressed from Australia House, London, re. copying of Australian records in London on microfilm ; ephemera on microfilming and equipment.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour - microfilm, 1939 (File 144) - Box 27
Includes correspondence with American libraries concerning White's visits during 1939 USA tour.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour - State Citizens' Library Committees and Conferences, 1939 (File 145) - Box 27
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour - University of California Library, 1939 (File 146) - Box 27
Ephemera from University of California Library, including floor plans, financial statement by the University's Library Committee for 1938-39.
Overseas travel - 1939 study tour, 1939-1943 (File 150) - Box 28
Handwritten notes ; copy of paper 'Australian Library Development' given by White at IFLA Conference, The Hague, 1939 ; papers on microlfilming ; papers on disposal of records
Overseas travel - USA - correspondence, 1950 (File 151) - Box 28
Includes correspondence addressed to the Acting Librarian, L.C. Key from White and others during White's overseas visit.
Overseas travel - USA, Canada, 1950 (File 152) - Box 28
Note: file title is 'Matters to be dealt with at New York'.
Overseas travel - New Zealand, 1950-1957 (File 157) - Box 29
Includes ephemera and clippings on ANZAAS meeting in Dunedin, briefings for White on Library holdings from New Zealand. Also includes unrelated correspondence from 1950-55.
Overseas travel - Tokyo, 1957-1958 (File 160) - Box 29
White's papers re. official visit to Japan, 1957.
Overseas travel - Japan - East-West Symposium, 1957 (File 161) - Box 29
UNESCO Symposium on Cultural Contacts between East and West, Japan, 1957.
Overseas travel - France, 1961 (File 162) - Box 29
Relates to meeting of UNESCO Committee on Bibliography, Documentation and Terminology.
Overseas travel - Germany, 1961 (File 164) - Box 29
Notes and correspondence re. Vester Pharmaceutical Collection ; report to National Library Council on acquisition of publications from Germany ; ephemera
Overseas travel - United Kingdom, 1961 (File 165) - Box 29
Includes correspondence re. acquisition of papers of Andrew Fisher, also reports on Australian Joint Copying Project.
Overseas travel - USA, 1961 (File 167) - Box 30
Includes correspondence on planning of new National Library building, correspondents include Keyes D. Metcalf, Archibald Grenfell Price, and senior Library staff. Also includes official programme of the Dedication of the Dag Hammarskjold Library, United Nations, 16-18 November 1961.
Overseas travel - Washington, 1963 (File 173) - Box 30
Includes memorandum to White on 'Computers and the Serial Record', referring to University of California Serials Computer Project.
Overseas travel - correspondence for return, 1963 (File 174) - Box 30
Correspondence and memoranda to Harold White for viewing on his return to the Library from 1963 overseas trip. Also includes Qantas itinerary sheet showing White's route as Sydney-Rangoon-Beirut-Athens-London-Paris-London-New York-Washington-Sydney, and reasons for visit in each leg.
Overseas travel - Asia, 1964 (File 177) - Box 31
Includes briefings for White on the Library's Asian collections, catalogues from overseas book vendors.
Overseas travel - Tokyo, 1964 (File 178) - Box 31
Includes invitations, correspondence, clippings, notes, Library memos on Asian collections.
Overseas travel - Manila, 1964 (File 181) - Box 31
Correspondence, notes, press clippings and memoranda re. White's visit to Manila in 1954 for a UNESCO-sponsored conference of National Librarians of Asia and the Pacific, and for development of the Library's Asian collections. Also includes ephemera from White's visit to Rotary Club of Baguio and Manila.
Overseas travel - Manila conference, 1964 (File 182) - Box 31
Papers from UNESCO Regional Seminar on the Development of National Libraries in Asia and the Pacific Area, 1964.
Papua New Guinea - library services, 1965 (File 191) - Box 32
Copies of correspondence, extracts from Council meeting minutes, reports re. library services for Papua New Guinea.
Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 1960, 1967 (File 192) - Box 32
Covers debate on National Library Bill (1960) and retirement of Harold White as Parliamentary Librarian (1967).
Paton Committee, 1956 (File 196) - Box 33
White's working file of draft submissions, also includes statistics of operations from film, archives and preparation divisions
Paton Committee, 1956-1959 (File 197) - Box 33
Includes notes by the Librarian on the Paton Report for the Interdepartmental Committee, minutes of the Sub-Committee of the Library Committee on matters arising form the Paton Committee and Metcalf Reports, Library committee minutes
Paton report, 1955-1959 (File 199) - Box 33
Copy of report no. 438 'Further consideration of the Paton Report on the National Library Separation of National and Parliamentary Libraries', report no. 430 'Report of the National Library Inquiry Committee 1956-57 (the 'Paton' Committee), correspondence between C.E.W. Bean and K.E. Granger re. control of National Archives, copy of I. Maclean paper 'Modern public records administration and the relations of records officers' delivered at Sydney University Summer School in Archives, 1957.
Paton report et al, 1956-1959 (File 200) - Box 33
Includes submissions by the Librarian to Prime Minister's Committee on Future Control and Development of the National Library, minutes of the Sub-Committee of the Library Committee.
Press cuttings, 1954-1958 (File 202) - Box 34
Mostly on National Library and Harold White. Also includes ephemera from dinner in honour of the Right Honourable Harold MacMillan, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, given at Parliament House, Canberra (1958).
Prime Minister's Committee on the future control and development of the National Library, 1956 (File 205_206) - Box 34
Prime Minister's Committee on National Morale, 1942-1943 (File 207) - Box 35
White was a member of the Research Sub-Committee on National Morale. Includes correspondence with chairman of the Research Sub-Committee, A.K. Stout, A.A. Conlon, and Ian Hogbin. Also includes notes, bibliographies and other material on research and social survey mthods.
Procedures, 1937-1943 (File 208) - Box 35
Includes procedures for ordering and accessioning purchase material.
Procedures, 1943 (File 209) - Box 35
Copies of notes and documents on library procedures on subjects including binding, accessioning, maps, manuscripts, copyright, stamping, at least some of which were loaned to John Metcalfe, Public Library of NSW. Also includes notes on library examinations in NSW.
Public Libraries in Australia - McColvin report, 1947 (File 210) - Box 35
Copy of report 'Public Libraries in Australia: present conditions and future possibilities with notes on other library services' by Lionel R. McColvin, 1947, Australian Council for Educational Research.
Public Service Board reports, 1952-1955 (File 212) - Box 35
Copies of letter of W.E. Dunk (Chariman, Public Service Board) to the Speaker, review of orgnisation and classification, Parliamentary Library Department, table: Department of the Library, associated correspondence.
Royal tour ephemera, 1954 (File 213) - Box 36
Includes material from the opening of University House, Canberra.
School libraries, 1938 (File 215) - Box 36
Includes information on classification and correspondence with John Metcalfe, Public Library of NSW.
Social Science Research Committee - documents, 1943-1945 (File 216) - Box 36
Australian National Research Council Committee on Research in Social Sciences - committee papers and reports.
Social Science Research Committee - report, 1947 (File 217) - Box 36
Report of the Committee on Research in the Social Sciences of the Australian National Research Council 'The teaching of the social sciences in Australian universities'
Speaker's file, 1949 (File 218) - Box 36
Records of approval of Presiding Officers for redesignation of some staff positions in the Library.
UNESCO - committee documents, 1960-1961 (File 228) - Box 38
Concerns International Advisory Committee on Bibliography, Documentation and Terminology.
UNESCO - H.L. White trip, 1961-1963 (File 229) - Box 38
White's papers re. membership of UNESCO International Committee on Bibliography, Documentation and Terminology and related travel, including correspondence and itineraries
UNESCO - conference, 1963 (File 230) - Box 38
UNESCO International Advisory Committee on Bibliography, Documentation and Terminology report to 1963 meeting, White's notes.
Series 4. Publishing Industry Committee, 1941-1956
Seven files of official records of the Commonwealth National Library that were in the personal custody of Sir Harold White at the time of transfer to the Library in 1988. They consist of records of the Library's involvement in the Publishing Industry Committee and Inter-departmental Committee on Assistance to the Publishing Industry during the 1940s. White was involved in an official capacity in both of these committees.
[7 files]
Series 5. Invitations to official functions, ca. 1937-ca. 1990 - Box 41, Piece 5/1-4, Box 42, Piece 5/5-8, Box 43, Piece 5/9-11, 6/1
This series consists of over 1200 official and personal invitations to Harold and Elizabeth White covering a period of more than 50 years. The invitations are to a wide range of events mostly held in Canberra, and include dinners, luncheons, cocktail parties, receptions, openings, launches, at-homes, farewells, balls, galas, concerts, addresses, vice-regal occasions. The invitations were received from people and organisations such as the Governor-General, embassies and high commissions, universities, national institutions including the National Library of Australia and Australian War Memorial, universities and colleges, private companies, members of parliament and private individuals. Many of the invitations are annotated with decisions of acceptance.
[11 folders]
Series 6. Canberra Society of Arts and Literature, 1927-1937 - Box 43
White was involved in the Canberra Society of Arts and Literature in various capacities, including secretary, treasurer and committee member. This series includes material from his involvement in the Society, including annual reports, financial statements, syllabuses of monthly meetings and play readings, notices of lectures, a short history of the society, and playbills of Society productions. Also includes a small number of playbills of productions of the Canberra Repertory Society.
[1 folder]
Series 7. Australian National Review, 1937-1939 - Box 44, Piece 7/7
Letters from critics, academics, authors and publishers addressed to Harold White in his role as literary editor of the monthly magazine Australian National Review, edited by William Farmer Whyte (1877-1958) and published by the Canberra Publishing Company from 1937-1939. The letters concern the commissioning of literary reviews, and copies of publications sought for review from publishers and distributors. Individual correspondents include Miles Franklin, Mary Gilmore, E.L. Piesse, C.E.W. Bean, T. Inglis Moore, R.G. Howarth, Harold S. Wyndham, Robert D. Fitzgerald, W.B. Reddaway, E.M. Tildesley, A.R. Chisholm, George Mackaness, James Darling, Colin Badger, H.G. Seccombe, Flora Eldershaw, Kathleen Donovan, Frederick Macartney, Ida Leeson, Augustin Lodewyckz, Sir John Latham, C. Hartley Grattan, A.P. Elkin, Frank Wilmot, Frank Clune, P.J. Marks, R.G. Osborne, Tom Fry, Ernest Scott, K.S. Cunningham, Percival Serle, R.C. Mills, Michael Sharland, Ambrose Pratt, Vera Jennings, J.G. Cornell, L.C. Robson, F.R.E. Mauldon, Roy Curthoys and Enid Durham.
[1 folder]
Series 8. Knighthood, 1969-1989 - Box 44, Piece 8/1-13, Box 45, Piece 8/14-19
Letters, cards and telegrams of congratulations to White on his knighthood, announced in the New Year honours of 1970 and conferred at Government House, Canberra, by the Queen on 24 April 1970. Also includes a file of related press cuttings, and a file of official correspondence with Government House, the ACT Association of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, and the College of Arms.
[19 folders]
Series 9. Post-retirement papers of Sir Harold White, 1920-1992
This series consists of correspondence and subject files created or kept by Sir Harold White after his retirement as National Librarian in 1970 until his death in 1992. They reflect his ongoing interests in the National Library of Australia and the field of librarianship, his period as UNESCO consultant in Malaysia in the early 1970s, and his interest in the history of Canberra. Also includes some personal material from earlier in White's life.
There is little evidence of the way in which White kept this material and thus it has been left as a single large series, ordered alphabetically by title. Loose, unsorted papers were placed in folders and treated as 'general papers' when no subject could be identified.
[70 folders]
Archives and Freedom of Information, 1978-1981 (File 1) - Box 46
Includes but not limited to submission by Sir Harold White to Senate Standing Committee on Education and the Arts re. Archives Bill (1978) ; news clippings and Hansard extracts re. Freedom of Information bill.
Articles - Canberra Times, 1980-1988 (File 2) - Box 46
Articles and letters to the editor by White for the Canberra Times on topics including John Curtin, early Canberra, naming Canberra streets, cricket, and the Magna Carta. Also includes LAA citation, article on 50th wedding anniversary, and other news clippings.
Australian Library and Information Association - 50th anniversary of Australian Institute of Librarians, 1987 (File 3) - Box 46
Back to Numurkah, 1970 (File 4) - Box 46
Correspondence, programme, and news clippings from White's involvement in 'Back to Numurkah' celebrations, Easter 1970. Copy of 'Shaping a shire: the story of Numurkah'.
Canberra - history, ca. 1987 (File 5) - Box 46
Typescript copies of several chapters of a history of Canberra by Jim Gibbney ; White's notes re. early Canberra ; correspondence and other papers re. National Memorials ; government publications on Canberra street names and their origins.
Canberra - planning, 1987 (File 6) - Box 46
Includes 'Civic Centre Canberra : policy plan, implementation plan - draft for discussion' (NCDC, 1987); correspondence re. development of Canberra including Residents Rally for Canberra material
Canberra Repertory Society history, 1982-ca. 1992 (File 7) - Box 46
Draft of 'The cost of jazz garters' by Anne Godfrey-Smith (a history of the Canberra Repertory Society) and copies of associated news clippings.
Correspondence, 1980-1987 (File 13) - Box 47
Includes correspondence on Canberra National Memorials Committee.
Correspondence, 1984-1992 (File 14) - Box 48
Includes letters from National Library of Australia, papers re. Harold White Fellow talks, reviews of Andrew and Margaret Osborn 'The Commonwealth Parliamentary Library 1901-1927' R.L. Cope, Harrison Bryan, and David J. Jones, papers on ACT Association of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, news clippings, handwritten notes, and drafts of letters.
Correspondence, 1977-1992 (File 15) - Box 48
Includes letter from Andrew D. Osborn re. history of National Library (1977). Also includes NLA staff bulletins, ephemera re. Wesley College, and copy of 'Parliamentary Libraries and the Future' (NSW Parliamentary Library, 1988).
Correspondence, 1968-1992 (File 16) - Box 48
Includes copy of 'The National Library of Australia in the "New Age" : Fantasies on a Theme' by R.L. Cope (1992), news clippings, typescript of an article on Harold and Elizabeth White by Lois Barns.
Ephemera, published material, 1985-1989 (File 18) - Box 49
Covering bicentennial historic records search, Friends of the National Library, Australian National Gallery Association, Australian Encylopaedia, Kenilworth Gardens, Parliament of Victoria, Library Association of Australia ; National Library annual report 1985-86 ; Canberra Historical Journal, 24 September 1989.
Film collections, 1975-1984 (File 19) - Box 49
Includings general papers on film collections, including National Library of Australia National Film Lending Collection, separation and opening of National Film and Sound Archive, National Film Board, Canberra Film Centre.
Film collections - National Film and Sound Archive Advisory Committee report, 1985 (File 21) - Box 49
General papers, ca. 1920-1990 (File 22) - Box 49
Includes but not limited to correspondence from Sir Frank Francis, Keyes Metcalf, Archibald Grenfell Price ; news clippings on or by White ; school reports from Wesley College ; certificate of appointment as Honorary Vice-President of Library Association (1970) ; papers on Canberra Repertory Society ; correspondence and cuttings re. Numurkah.
General papers, 1946-1990 (File 23) - Box 50
Includes papers on Harold White Fellow lectures (late 1980s) ; materials from Library Association of Australia ; National Library of Australia Staff Bulletin ; programme of Presentation of the Qantas/Sir Harold White Film Collection to the National Library, Canberra by Sir Roland Wilson (1973).
General papers, 1955-1988 (File 24) - Box 50
Includes news clippings, ephemera on Parliament Houses in Canberra and Melbourne, papers on John Wallace Metcalfe, Canberra University College SRC revue programme 'Jubilee Vit' (1955), copies of articles on libraries, NLA staff bulletins
General papers, 1961-1983 (File 25) - Box 50
Includes Summary of Report of Committee of Inquiry into Public Libraries (nd) ; series of information sheets from National Library of Australia (1977-78) ; ephemera from State Library of NSW ; C.A. Burmester 'The collection of Australian historical records' (1961) ; K.S. Cunningham 'The Australian Council for Educational Research and Library Services in Australia' (1961) ; working paper of Australian Libraries and Information Council (1983).
General papers, 1965-1988 (File 26) - Box 50
Includes but not limited to news clippings, Rotary 50th anniversary dinner (1978), NLA staff bulletins, articles on libraries, menu for luncheon for the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (1965), ephemera from opening of Parliament House (1988).
General papers, 1965-1988 (File 27) - Box 50
Includes but not limited to invitations, papers on Harold White Lectures at National Library, newsletter of Canberra and District Historical Society, National Library press release on Mategot tapestries, statement by Senate President Alister McMullin re. appointments of National Librarian and Parliamentary Librarian, bibliography of White's writings (1979), transcript of oral history interview with Kenneth Binns, news clippings.
General papers, 1968-1988 (File 28) - Box 51
Includes Sir Harold White 'Parliamentary libraries and the future: an introduction' (1988) ; Harold White Lecture materials ; copy of will of Sir Rex de Cherembac Nan Kivell ; notes on the life of Arthur Wadsworth by Diana Lamb ; articles, news clippings, newsletters.
General papers, 1975-1983 (File 29) - Box 51
Includes obituaries on L.C. Key, nominations of Harrison Bryan and others for Orders of Australia, correspondence and clippings on general library matters, obituary for Lady Ella Knowles, news clippings on Canberra Repertory Society and Canberra Society of Arts and Literature, funeral orders of service, general correspondence and news clippings.
General papers, ca. 1983-1987 (File 30) - Box 51
Includes National Library announcement about review of serial holdings, Report of the Committee on Libraries to the Council of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, meeting papers for Australian Academy of Humanities AGM 1987, letter to the editor of National Times on Sunday from White re. collecting of literary archives by Australian Defence Force Academy, photocopy of 'Looking back form 1981' by A.P. Fleming, NLA Council report on relations between the Council and the Australian Libraries and Information Council (1983), ephemera on National Library.
General papers, 1983-1989 (File 31) - Box 51
Includes photograph of Larry Lake, NLA staff bulletins, notes, press cuttings, correspondence on Heritage 200.
General papers, 1985-1989 (File 32) - Box 51
Includes papers on Harold White Fellows ; invitations ; history of legislative research ; Governor-General's address for setting of ALIA foundation stone (1989)
General papers, 1968-1992 (File 33) - Box 52
Includes ephemera from Wesley College, Library Association of Australia, papers on Harold White Fellows, critiques of National Library by Humphrey McQueen and Stuart Macintyre, clippings of news articles on White, Peter Biskup interview with Harrison Bryan published in AARL (June 1990), obituaries on Clifford Amandus Burmester by John Thompson, transcript of interview with White by Pacita Alexander, correspondence with Alec Bolton and Peter Biskup re. oral history interviews, correspondence with National Library re. commissioning history of the Library, scripts for a university graduation address (nd) and ABC 'Guest of Honour' broadcast (1970).
General papers, 1986-1990 (File 34) - Box 52
Includes correspondence with organisations including National Library of Australia, Parliamentary Library, National Film and Sound Archive, Australian Academy of the Humanities ; ALIA newsletters ; news clippings.
General papers, 1970-1992 (File 35) - Box 52
Includes general correspondence including letters from NLA, articles on library matters, and 'Notes on a visit to the United States' by C.A. Burmester (May 1970).
General papers, 1988-1992 (File 36) - Box 52
General notes, letters, correspondence. Includes 'As it was in the beginning: Parliament House in 1927' by Greg Macintosh (1988).
General papers, 1968-1990 (File 37) - Box 52
Includes assorted photographs of White at various functions, Inger Rice Foundation Triennial Report 1985-88, list of publications issued or edited by H.L. White, Canberra Rotary Bulletin August 1968, papers on Parliamentary Library and National Library.
General papers, 1947-1989 (File 38) - Box 52
Includes but not limited to notes, letters, clippings on topics including libraries and White family members, Rotary Club Bulletin (Jan. 1962), NLA Council Annual Report 1962, handwritten notes titled 'Powers of the Library Committee' (nd), summary of White's recreation leave 1947-1970.
Honours and awards, 1983-1985 (File 40) - Box 53
Papers on naming of National Library fellowships in honour of White (1985).
Magna Carta, 1961-1988 (File 41) - Box 53
Includes correspondence, notes and articles re. the 1297 Inspeximus Issue of the Magna Carta, photographs of the Magna Carta in Kings Hall, copies of acquisition file notes, translation, and papers re. Gough Whitlam's memorial lecture 'Library reports, 50 years and 10 years on' (1985).
Malaysia - correspondence, 1970-1972 (File 43) - Box 53
Correspondence re. White's work as UNESCO Consultant to establish a National Library in Malaysia.
Malaysia - notes, 1970-1971 (File 45) - Box 53
Includes report on study tour of Australian libraries by Dato' Alwi Jantan (1970).
Malaysia - establishment of National Library, 1971-1973 (File 46) - Box 54
Includes report 'Scientific and technical library and information services in Malaysia' by D.J. Grogan (1971) ; draft National Library bill and National Library Act (Malaysia) ; minutes of National Library Committee ; press releases ; newsletter of Southeast Asian Research Materials Group (1973) ; notes and recommendations prepared by White as UNESCO Consultant for submission to National Library Committee ; notes and correspondence
National Library of Australia - collections on Sir Harold White, ca. 1978 (File 49) - Box 54
Letter from Barbara Perry, NLA, re. portraits of White in photographic collection ; checklist of tape recordings of Sir Harold White held in NLA ; box list of A3900 National Library files ; accession records of National Library archives (CP 740).
National Library of Australia - history, 1949-1983 (File 50) - Box 54
Includes copy of typescript 'Library models and library myths : the early years of the National Library of Australia' by Peter Biskup (ca. 1983) ; minutes of evidence on National Library and Roosevelt Memorial (1948-49) ; speech by R.G. Menzies on National Library Bill 1960 ; report on future control and development of the National Library (1956) ; National Capital Development Commission Architectural Brief for National Library ; report of the National Library Inquiry Committee (1956-57) ; and Council Report on Transfer of Library Material to the National Library under Section 8 of the Act.
Oral History - Sir Harold White reminiscing with Gavin Souter at Parliament House - transcript, 1984 (File 52) - Box 55
Osborn, Andrew - correspondence, 1985-1988 (File 53) - Box 55
Letters from Andrew Osborn to White re. history of Commwealth Parliamentary Library and biographical details on White.
Osborn, Andrew - History of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library, 1985 (File 54) - Box 55
Typescript draft.
Osborn, Andrew - Kenneth Binns and the Origins of the National Library of Australia, ca. 1989 (File 55) - Box 55
Typescript.
Parliamentary Library - 60 years, 1983 (File 56) - Box 55
Papers of a function held in White's honour to celebrate the 60th year since joining the staff of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library.
Press cuttings, ca. 1960-1990 (File 57) - Box 55
Includes articles on White, libraries, and items of general interest.
Press cuttings, ca. 1965-1987 (File 58) - Box 56
Mostly from the Canberra Times, on topics including White, the National Library, libraries, arts funding, books, ambassadors and high commissioners living in Canberra, Magna Carta, real estate in Red Hill, Canberra development.
Press cuttings, ca, 1968-1989 (File 59) - Box 56
Topics include opening of National Library (1968), obituaries, and other libraries and collecting institutions.
Press cuttings, ca. 1969-1985 (File 60) - Box 56
Mostly from Canberra Times on topics including White as National Librarian, diplomats living in Canberra, Sir Donald Bradman.
Press cuttings, 1988 (File 61) - Box 56
Topics include ANU amalgamation, Robert Maxwell ; obituary of Dr Beatrice Holt from Canberra Historical Society newsletter ; ephemera from memorial service for Bede Morris.
Press cuttings and ephemera, 1985-1987 (File 62) - Box 56
Includes but not limited to material from National Library fellows, National Film and Sound Archive, Australian Archives, University House, University of Sydney Archives, Canberra and District Historical Society; and articles re. Magna Carta, appointment of Warren Horton as Director-General of National Library, ambassadors.
Prime Ministers - television documentary series, ca. 1983 (File 64a_64b) - Box 57
VHS video cassettes of reels 1 and 2 of Sir Harold White's interview for 'The Prime Ministers' series
Queen's College, University of Melbourne, 1987-1992 (File 65) - Box 58
Papers from Queen's College, University of Melbourne, re. events and openings, Fellows and Foundation meetings, 1988 Handbook, Wyvern Society.
Reminiscences - Melbourne University, 1987 (File 67) - Box 58
Photocopies from 'Farrago' (1925-1926) and Constitutional Club Annual Reports from University of Melbourne Library.
Scienceman, David, 1984 (File 68) - Box 58
Includes 'The energy systems analysis of Australia' by David Scienceman, formerly known as David Slade
Newspaper cuttings, family archives, ca. 1988 (File 69) - Box 58
Includes obituaries for Lady Elizabeth White, cuttings on opening of Hyatt Hotel Canberra, cuttings and curriculum vitae on Judith Robinson-Valery, articles by Professor David White, other cuttings.
Newspaper cuttings, family archives, 1954-1987 (File 70) - Box 58
Includes programme for UNSW Conferring of Degrees, 20 October 1987 ; 'An illustrated history of Buninyong' by M.W. (Bill) Thorpe and Mary Akers (1982) ; Australian Democrats how to vote card (nd) ; new clipping on Queen's visit, 1954.
Series 10. Australian Encyclopaedia, 1970-1987 - Box 59, Piece 10/1-9, Box 60, Box 61, Piece 10/17-21
Papers from White's involvement from 1970 to 1987 on the Advisory Board of the Australian Encyclopaedia, published by the Grolier Society and later David Bateman Ltd. Includes correspondence, advisory committee meeting papers and notes, news clippings, lists of and notes on entries, style and spelling guide (1971), promotional material, papers re. launches of the third and fourth editions in 1977 and 1983 including invitations, guest lists, and copies of speeches.
[21 folders]
Series 11. National Memorials Committee, 1960-1990 - Box 62
Papers from White's membership of the National Memorials Committee from 1975-1990. Includes correspondence with the Committee secretariat, the Minister for the Capital Territory and other federal ministers, Committee meeting minutes and agendas, and extracts from the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the National Memorials Ordinance.
[2 folders]
Series 12. School prize books, 1919-1922 - Box 63, Piece 12/1-5, Box 64, Piece 12/6-13
Books won as academic prizes by Harold White as a student at Wesley College, Melbourne, over the years 1919-1922. The prizes include Third in Form (1919), Dux of Form (1920), Dux of Pass Sixth A (1921), and Dux of the College (1922). Titles include Geoffrey Wall Letters of an airman, Charles Gibson The wonders of modern electricity, James C. Philip The wonders of modern chemistry, Helen Zimmern The Hansa towns, David Murray Japan, and John Richard Green History of the English people (8 volumes). The books are hard-bound and are embossed with the Wesley College logo on the front cover.
[13 items]
Series 13. Awards, 1928, 1964 - Box 114
Harold White's Master of Arts degree from University of Melbourne, conferred 1 May 1928 ; certificate of election of Harold White as a Fellow of the Library Association of Australia (28 November 1964).
[2 items]
Series 14. Diplomatic lists, 1967-1987 - Box 65
Copies of the official Australian Diplomatic List published by the Department of External Affairs/Foreign Affairs several times a year. Some copies show White's annotations.
[30 items]
Series 15. Published material, 1943-1987 - Box 66
Published materials on library-related topics including Post-War Standards for Public Libraries (American Library Association, 1943), Louis R. Wilson Library Planning (American Library Association, 1944), Senate Standing Committee on Education and the Arts (Reference: Archives Bill) 1978-79 (official Hansard transcript of evidence), Library Association Year Book 1980, Please don't tax the books : the case against an Australian tax on books (National Book Council, 1981), Department of the Parliamentary Library Annual Report 1986-87.
[6 items]
Series 16. Personal correspondence of Sir Harold and Lady Elizabeth White, 1924-1992
This series consists of correspondence of Harold and Elizabeth White with family and friends. The material is of a personal rather than official nature, and includes letters, cards, postcards and telegrams from and to family, friends, house and garden guests, colleagues, international contacts, politicians and other dignitaries.
Groups of letters concerning particular events or people are identified in file titles, such as letters from Elizabeth White to her husband. Many family and friends, even those who wrote frequently, have not yet been identified.
Further correspondence of Harold White can be found in series 3 and 9. Further correspondence of Elizabeth White is held with her papers on community activities in series 26. Correspondence with their daughter Judith White is found in series 17.
[87 folders]
Correspondence, 1960-1970 (File 1) - Box 67
Mostly letters to Elizabeth White. Correspondents include but not limited to F.W. Torrington, Jean Page, Ruth Farkas, Dame Pattie Menzies, Gillian Bunning.
Correspondence, 1961-1968 (File 2) - Box 67
Mostly letters to Elizabeth White. Correspondents include but not limited to Mrs Keyes D. Metcalf, Kantilal Jinna.
Correspondence, 1961-1973 (File 3) - Box 67
Mostly letters to Elizabeth White. Correspondents include but not limited to Arthur Calwell, Sing-Wu, Lady Joyce Wilson
Correspondence, 1961-1973 (File 4) - Box 67
Mostly letters to Elizabeth White. Correspondents include but not limited to W.P. Bluett.
Correspondence, 1965-1972 (File 5) - Box 67
Mostly letters to Elizabeth White. Correspondents include but not limited to Maie Casey, Richard Casey, Alister McMullin, Ivy Wedgwood.
Correspondence, 1968-1975 (File 6) - Box 67
Mostly letters to Elizabeth White. Correspondents include but not limited to Sir Robert Menzies, John McEwen, Eris O'Brien, Stanley Pargellis.
Correspondence, 1959-1970 (File 7) - Box 67
Correspondents include but not limited to Lulu Loh, Judith McBeath, Mrs Edward L. Ryerson, Alma and Ted Schellenberg, B. Hubert Cooper. Also includes 1 June 1961 issue of 'Better Hearing'.
Correspondence, 1962-1977 (File 8) - Box 68
Correspondents include Molly Huxley, Yuk Yan Lee, Newnham Porter, Lorna Cossar, Arthur and Sheila Menzies.
Correspondence, 1962-1979 (File 9) - Box 68
Mostly letters to Elizabeth White. Correspondents include but not limited to Pat Wardle, Alec Bolton, Nettie Palmer, Kazuno Matsuko, Kate O'Driscoll, Joyce Torella, Lennox Walmsley, Margaret Sinclair, Joan Rayner, Auntie El (Goodwin Centre).
Correspondence, 1963-1977 (File 10) - Box 68
Also includes invitations to weddings of daughters of Andrew Osborn and Courtney Key, and official functions.
Correspondence, 1968-1977 (File 11) - Box 68
Mostly letters to Elizabeth White. Correspondents include Jean Gibson, Misao Matsuno, Ida Elizabeth Lea, Lorna Cossar.
Correspondence, 1961-1985 (File 12) - Box 68
Correspondents include Australian Association for Better Hearing, John Eric Rice, Ted Vellacott, and notes of thanks from J.D. Anthony, Fred Wheeler, Peter Howson, William McMahon and Billy Snedden.
Correspondence, 1967-1990 (File 13) - Box 69
Correspondents include Sir Earle Page, Sir John Overall, Hillas MacLean, Jean Whyte, Andrew Osborn.
Correspondence, 1970-1988 (File 14) - Box 69
Correspondents include but not limited to Axel and Roslyn Poignant, Eda Thompson.
Correspondence, 1958-1987 (File 15) - Box 69
Correspondents include Sir Peter Crisp, Harcourt Algeranoff, Denis Roberts, W.K. Hancock.
Correspondence, 1950-1985 (File 16) - Box 69
Correspondents include Victor Crittenden, William J. Welsh, Cecil Hobbs, Lionel Young, and the Whites' grandchildren.
Correspondence, 1961-1983 (File 17) - Box 70
Correspondents include Athol Johnson, Florence and Harrison Bryan, Peter and Robyn Judge, Harcourt Algeranoff.
Correspondence, 1960-1990 (File 18) - Box 70
Correspondents include Slack-Smith family, Heinz and Beatrix Blechner, Tim Ngoun, Jacqueline Frederic Frie, family and friends.
Correspondence, 1960-1984 (File 19) - Box 70
Correspondents include Margaret Noakes, Dahl and Geoff Collings, Joyce Balnares, Effie Bean, Arthur and Sheila Menzies.
Correspondence, 1961-1986 (File 20) - Box 70
Correspondents include Sir John Overall, Ita Buttrose, Ray Oldham, Andrew Osborn.
Correspondence, 1975-1989 (File 21) - Box 70
Correspondents include Terry Vaughan, Pixie O'Harris. Also includes Daily Brief, Royal Visit, 25 April 1970.
Correspondence, 1962-1989 (File 22) - Box 71
Correspondents include Roslyn Poignant, Beryl Legge-Wilkinson, Barbara Perry, Ted and Morna Vellacott.
Correspondence, 1948-1989 (File 23) - Box 71
Correspondents include Warren Horton, Allan Fleming, Ted Vellacott, Sir John Overall, Guy Sylvestre.
Correspondence, 1973-1985 (File 24) - Box 71
Correspondents include Keyes Metcalf, Helen Grenowski, Anne Fisher, L.A. Cossar, Arthur and Sheila Menzies.
Correspondence, 1967-1987 (File 26) - Box 71
Correspondents include Catherine Edwards, Cecil Hobbs, Kathy Gorman, Harcourt Algeranoff, Rex Nan Kivell (card only), Florence and Harrison Bryan, Beda Lim, Joan Rayner, Sir Roland Wilson, Emily Elms, Allan Fleming, Maurice Tauber.
Correspondence, 1947-1987 (File 27) - Box 72
Correspondents include Gabrielle Watt, Judith Baskin, NLA staff, John Ferguson, Naomi, Lady Heydon, Justice Else-Mitchell.
Correspondence, 1924-1990 (File 28) - Box 72
Correspondents include Pauline Fanning, Dorothy Green, Judith Hurley, Harcourt Algeranoff, Mabel Hallstrom, Cedric Bryant, Gregory Mathews, W.C. Wentworth, Charlotte Mohring.
Correspondence, 1950-1975 (File 29) - Box 72
Correspondents include Arthur and Elizabeth Calwell, Chris Hurley, Suzanne Mourot, Mabel, Lady Hallstrom, Paul and Alix Hasluck, May Wang.
Correspondence, 1946-1989 (File 30) - Box 72
Correspondents include Barry Cunningham, Rev. Sir Irving Benson, A.C. Rylah, Dame Pattie Menzies, Gregory Mathews, Suzanne Mayer, Nell Wilson.
Correspondence, 1978-1988 (File 31) - Box 72
Correspondents include John Patrick, William Deane, Cedric D. Bryant, Prue Goward, Mary Riek. Many letters in this folder are re. visits to the Whites' garden.
Correspondence, 1938-1981 (File 32) - Box 72
Correspondents include the Rev. Sir Irving Benson, Aileen Slim. Also includes invitation to wedding of Beverley Renfree and John Ogilvie White, and news clipping re. Australia's first female censor of literature, Mrs Ulrich Ellis.
Correspondence, 1952-1956 (File 33) - Box 73
Correspondents include Nell Wilson, Ethel M. McDonnell, Clarice McNamara. Also includes black and white photograph of Christine F. McColl, May 1953, and official programme of International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations Sixth Triennial Conference and Tournament, Sydney 1956.
Correspondence, 1968-1983 (File 34) - Box 73
Correspondents include George Chandler, Rod Wallace, Ray Oldham, Mary Cumpston, Michael O'Driscoll.
Correspondence, 1945-1985 (File 35) - Box 73
Correspondents include Phyllis Mander-Jones, Antoine Valery, Archie Price, Alistair McMullin, G.M. Mathews, George Chandler, Gordon Davidson, Harcourt Algeranoff, the Rev. Sir Irving Benson, Axel and Ros Poignant.
Correspondence, 1951-1954 (File 36) - Box 73
Correspondents include Russell and Olive Hinchcliffe, T.R. Ellis, Terese Schrotter-Beckmann.
Correspondence, ca. 1950 (File 37) - Box 73
Letters to Elizabeth White. Correspondents include Helen Garran, Muffie Maughan and others.
Correspondence and press cuttings, 1965-1970 (File 38) - Box 74
Correspondents include but not limited to May Wang, Quincy Mumford, Tom Eck, H.B. Gullett, T. Elink Schuurman, Manning Clark. Also includes invitations, clippings, and list of representatives and delegates to Australian Citizenship Convention, 1970.
Correspondence and press cuttings, 1964-1970 (File 39) - Box 74
Correspondents include but not limited to Alan Villiers, F. Kenneth Milne, May Wang. Also includes invitations.
Correspondence, 1952-1988 (File 40) - Box 74
Correspondents include but not limited to Arthur and Sheila Menzies, Helen Garran, Ida Elizabeth Jenkin, Aileen Slim, Justice Dawson.
Correspondence, 1979-1988 (File 41) - Box 74
Mostly Christmas cards and sympathy cards on death of Lady Elizabeth White.
Correspondence, 1961-1989 (File 44) - Box 74
Correspondents include Beverley White, Mervyn Millett, Gordon and Patricia Davidson, Azusa Tanaka, Gordon H. Williamson, Joan Foster Clark, Bill Pye, Dorothy and Ellsworth Dent, Donald Peart, John Heyer, Augusta Bragg, Margaret Murray (Australian Family Association), Hillas and Rhoda MacLean, Peg Bunting, May and Sidney Wang, Tess Ogilvie, Dorothy Joske, General K.M. Cariappa. Also includes black and white panoramic photograph of the garden at 27 Mugga Way taken ca. 1962, and invitations, including to official events associated with the royal visit in 1970.
Correspondence and press cuttings, 1964-1970 (File 45) - Box 75
Includes Christmas cards ; invitations and ephemera from official occasions ; programme for UNESCO Regional Seminar on the Development of National Libraries, Manila 1964 ; press cuttings ; letters from correspondents including Hugh S. Roberton, Betty Roland, F.E. Maple Brown, Stanley Pargellis, Paddy Pearl, and Sing-wu Wang.
Friends at Mugga Way, 1978-1981 (File 46) - Box 75
Guest lists and other papers on Whites' hospitality at 27 Mugga Way.
Correspondence and press cuttings, 1966-1973 (File 47) - Box 75
Correspondents include Axel and Ros Poignant, Ivy Brookes, Mrs Ralph W. Yarborough, Mathieu Mategot. Press cuttings include articles re. Invergordon Scouts, construction of National Library.
Correspondence and press cuttings, 1966-1970 (File 48) - Box 75
Correspondents include Gordon Freeth, Mollie Rolleston, Eveline Hillston. Clippings re. Harold and Elizabeth White.
Correspondence, 1929-1989 (File 49) - Box 76
Correspondents include Cliff White, Ive White, Helen Garran, Mrs A.J. Shears, Marjorie Russell-French, Ros and Axel Poignant, Anne Conron, Dr A.N.B. Fitzhardinge, Lady Anna Cowen, Pixie O'Harris, Bruce Pratt, Adele Mildenhall, A. Baston, and Mrs A.M. Thomas.
Correspondence and other papers, 1939-1990 (File 50) - Box 76
Correspondents include George Dreyfus, John O. White. Also includes letters from the Whites to their family while on travels abroad, a travel diary kept by Elizabeth White on tour to USA and Europe (1939), other notes, clippings, and invitations.
Correspondence, ca. 1939-1988 (File 51) - Box 76
Includes letters from Harold and Elizabeth White to their children, some from overseas. Also includes speech notes of Elizabeth White.
Correspondence, 1960-1973 (File 53) - Box 77
Correspondents include Robin Boyd, Phyllis Ward, Helen Woolley, Pat Hill, Ethel Barnes, Queensland Penguin Club (includes photographs), Jean Ellis, Eveline Hillston, Hazel de Berg, Yoshiko Uyama, Kazuko Matsumo, Pat Macmillan, Mollie Mackinnon, Lady Lyn Nossal, Sheila and Arthur Menzies, Penguin Club of Australia. Also includes Christmas cards and press cuttings.
Correspondence, 1960-1973 (File 54) - Box 77
Correspondents include Edna C. Gretzenberger (includes photographs), Pat Wardle, Anne Goodrich, Elinor Metcalf, Phyl Ward, Kate O'Driscoll, Mrs Erwin N. Griswold (includes 'Guide to Boston for the Handicapped'). Also includes postcards, Christmas cards and press cuttings.
Correspondence, 1968-1972 (File 55) - Box 77
Correspondents include Nina Massand, Bob Evans, Robbie Christian, Fatema Malik, Shanta Duleep Sinh. Also includes postcards, many Christmas cards, and newsletters of Pan Pacific and S.E. Asia Women's Association ACT Group (1972).
Correspondence and press cuttings - friends, 1950-1955 (File 56) - Box 78
Correspondents include Cora and Homer Halvorson, Ida Elizabeth Jenkins, Suzanne Meyers, Mary Field, Jan Bussell, Mrs Lester Collins, Florence Randolph Butts, Alma Schellenberg, Marjoie Burchard, and Helen Garran. Also includes press cuttings relating to the Whites' friends, a photographic portait of Lincoln and Laurel Ellison and family (Brisbane 1951), and catalogue for William Dobell Exhibition, David Jones' Art Gallery (1954).
Correspondence and general papers, 1956-1958 (File 57) - Box 78
Correspondents include Charles Daley, Lillian Maher. Also includes invitations, art exhibition catalogues, press cuttings, annual report of National Council of Women (ACT, 1955-56) and programme for concert given by Elena Nikolaidi, Albert Hall, Canberra (11 August 1958).
Correspondence and general papers, 1967 (File 58) - Box 78
Correspondents include Bette Kingsford-Smith, Allan Fleming, Florence Paterson, Elaine Jenkin. Also includes press cuttings on subjects including a fire in the National Library building (1967), gift of books to The Lodge ; text of response by National Librarian to the Prime Minister's address in accepting the Deakin papers ; ephemera including menus from official functions, Canberra Rotary bulletins ; Hansard re. National Library Bill.
Correspondence and press cuttings, 1970-1973 (File 59) - Box 78
Correspondents include Elizabeth Calwell and Cecil Hobbs.
Correspondence - friends overseas, 1973-1987 (File 60) - Box 78
Mostly consists of Christmas card lists and empty incoming envelopes showing addresses. Also contains letters from correspondents including Sheila and Arthur Menzies.
Correspondence and press cuttings, 1976-1977 (File 61) - Box 78
Includes letters of thanks re. hospitality, visits to garden, and attendance at events. Also includes invitations and press cuttings.
Letters from Nell Wilson (Gould), 1931-1954 (File 62) - Box 79
Letters from Elizabeth White's sister, Nell Wilson (Gould) written to her family whilst travelling abroad. Further letters from Nell Wilson are held in other folders in this series.
Correspondence - golden wedding anniversary, 1980 (File 65) - Box 79
Correspondents include but not limited to Rosemary Bolton, Barbara Perry, Catherine Santamaria, Hillas MacLean, Ted and Morna Vellacott, David Garnsey, Ralph and Margaret Elliot.
Letters from Elizabeth White to family, 1939-1980 (File 70) - Box 80
Also includes several pages from a travel journal kept by Elizabeth White during tour of United States in 1939.
Letters from Harold White to family, 1927-1984 (File 72) - Box 80
Includes postcards from Samoa, Chester, the Vatican ; and letters written by White to his parents during the opening ceremony of Parliament House, Canberra (9 May 1927).
Correspondence, 1965-1986 (File 73) - Box 80
Correspondents include Max Kelly, Lorna Cossar, Victor Crittenden, and Lionel Lockwood.
Thank-you letters - Librarian's visitors to 27 Mugga Way, 1962-1966 (File 76) - Box 81
Includes letters of thanks from guests to 27 Mugga Way, and other personal correspondence. Correspondents include Pattie Menzies, Umeo Kagei, Rose Tauber, Robin Seaman, John Sharwood, Bunty Bonython, Sir Frank Francis, J. Unger, Roderick Wallace, Gough Whitlam, Helen Refshauge, R. Della Chiesa d'Isasca, Ida Elizabeth Jenkins, Eris O'Brien, Florence P. Griffin, R.G. Casey, and Jim Allen. Also includes news clippings and invitations.
Correspondence - thank-you letters, 1960 (File 77) - Box 81
Letters of thanks from correspondents including Marjorie Grattan, Priscilla Clarke, Katharine Susannah Prichard, Dorothy Green, Marjorie Robertson, I. Kurdiukov, and Pamela Horrocks.
Annie Rixon - Captain Thunderbolt, ca. 1970 (File 78) - Box 81
Thank-you note from Annie Rixon, and other papers concerning Rixon's book on Captain Thunderbolt.
Correspondence, 1962-1988 (File 87) - Box 82
Correspondents include Garfield Barwick, Mrs John Kingsford-Smith, Elinor Metcalf, C.K. Bliss, Mrs T.R. Schelleberg, Gillian Bunning, Jean Baker, Alix Hasluck, Molly Huxley, Eveline Hillston, R.N. Hughes-Jones, Vida Horn, K.D. Somadasa (Librarian, University of Ceylon), Ken Myer, Lorna Cossar, Dr Ruth Lewis Farkas, Gen. K.M. Cariappa, Rose Tauber, John Heyer, Roslyn and Axel Poignant, Vic Glendinning, and Walter Henderson.
Series 17. Judith White correspondence and photographs, 1937-1990
Judith White (1933-2010) was the eldest daughter of Harold and Elizabeth White. She was known as Judith Robinson after her marriage to Brian Robinson in 1956, and Judith Robinson-Valéry after her marriage to Claude Valéry in 1974. The name Judith White is used throughout descriptions of the material in this series for clarity across broad date ranges.
Most letters in this series were written by Judith White to her parents. There are also some return letters from family members. They include letters written during periods she spent at Lowther Hall (Melbourne), Women's College (University of Sydney), Girton College (Cambridge), and during her career in Sydney and Paris. The folders of correspondence are arranged in rough chronological order.
This series also includes photographs of Judith White, some press cuttings and a small number of her speeches and lectures.
[30 folders]
Judith White - letters, 1937-1987 (File 1) - Box 83
Also includes report from Canberra Church of England Girls' Grammar School, 1937, and letters from Claude.
General papers, 1938-1990 (File 2) - Box 83
Includes juvenilia, school books, school reports, transcript of Judith White's 'Guest of honour' talk on ABC (1963), papers re. talks and seminars, clippings.
Judith White - letters, ca. 1939-1951 (File 4) - Box 83
Letters from Judith White to parents during their 1939 overseas tour, while at school at Lowther Hall, and from Women's College, University of Sydney.
General papers, 1942-1987 (File 5) - Box 84
Includes copies of correspondence with National Library re. acquisition of Judith White's papers, news clippings, letters to her mother while at Lowther Hall, and other papers.
Judith White - letters - Women's College, 1950-1951 (File 7_9) - Box 84
Letters from Judith White to her mother.
[3 folders]
Judith White - letters, 1950-1969 (File 12) - Box 85
Mostly letters from Elizabeth White to Judith, also includes letters of other family members.
Judith White - letters, 1950-1986 (File 13) - Box 85
Consists mostly of letters from Judith at Women's College and later.
Judith White - letters, 1950-1987 (File 14) - Box 85
Also includes letters from Claude Valery to Harold and Elizabeth White ; black and white photographs, including Max Dupain portraits of Harold White at his desk at the National Library ; others unidentified.
Judith White - letters, 1957-1989 (File 17) - Box 86
Includes but not limited to Judith White's letters to her parents from Girton College, Cambridge, Sydney, and Paris.
Judith White - letters, 1974-1984 (File 24) - Box 87
Also includes copies of Elizabeth's letters to Judith.
Lectures, 1987 (File 27) - Box 88
Scripts and other papers from lectures and speeches given by Judith White, including Wallace Wurth Memorial Lecture, UNSW graduation, Academy of Technological Science and Engineering oration.
Series 18. Photographs and slides of Sir Harold White and Lady Elizabeth White - Box 89(a-d)-93
Official and personal photographs and slides of Sir Harold White and Lady Elizabeth White.
The official photographs include depictions of Sir Harold in his roles as Parliamentary Librarian and National Librarian at official functions including as exhibition openings and presentations at the National Library, the visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to the National Library in 1970, prime ministerial visitors including Sir Robert Menzies, visits from international authors, diplomats and other dignitaries, overseas study tours including Malaysia, the United States, Japan, the Philippines, China, members of the Council of the National Library, the new National Library building and its art works, and Sir Harold's knighthood by the Queen in 1970.
The personal photographs and slides include formal and informal portraits of Sir Harold and Lady Elizabeth, photographs from their childhood, family, wedding, and early career, their children, grandchildren and extended family, the garden at 27 Mugga Way, Lady Elizabeth in various community roles including Thursday Club and Goodwin Homes, and overseas travel including USA, Japan, India, Malaysia, Taipei, the Philippines and New Guinea. Also includes framed photographs of Sai Paranjpye.
Photographs of Judith White are held in series 17. Further photographs of Sir Harold are held in series 9 and Lady Elizabeth in series 26.
[27 folders and 8 packets]
Series 19. Garden - 27 Mugga Way, 1959-1992 - Box 94, Piece 19/1-4, Box 95, Piece 19/5-9
Correspondence, press cuttings, information sheets and other ephemera on the Whites' garden at 27 Mugga Way, Red Hill, gardening in Canberra, and general gardening topics.
Includes ephemera and newsletters of the First Canberra Garden Club (of which Elizabeth White was made a life member), Horticultural Society of Canberra, Department of the Interior and Department of the Capital Territory, Australian Garden History Society, Australian Camellia Research Society, Bicentennial Garden Group, National Trust, and various nurseries and other vendors.
[9 folders]
Series 20. Order of the British Empire - warrants of appointment, 1962 - Box 114
Warrant of appointment of Elizabeth White as an Ordinary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (New Year's Day, 1962) ; warrant of appointment of Harold White as an Ordinary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Queen's Birthday, 1962).
[2 items]
Series 21. Family history, 1978-1980 - Box 96
Papers concerning the history of the White family, including news article on White family, Christmas 1980 ; 'The Years Between : a centenary history of the family of John and Mary Hodge 1877-1977' ed. Donald Sinclair (1978) ; 'The work ethic and the White family' by John O. White (1980) ; 'White of Trewellard and St Just in Penwith Cornwall' by Janet Curnow.
[2 folders]
Series 22. Memorial papers on death of Lady Elizabeth White, 1988 - Box 96, Piece 22/1-4, Box 97, Piece 22/5-9
A series of letters and cards of sympathy to Sir Harold White and family on the death of Elizabeth White (nee Wilson), material on a proposed permanent memorial garden, copies of the orders of service for the memorial service held in the garden at 27 Mugga Way and interment of ashes at St John's Church, Canberra, papers associated with the memorial services including death notices, eulogies, funeral sermon, obituaries, and memorial books signed by mourners. Some genealogical information on the Wilson family is also included, as are some notes and clippings on the garden at 27 Mugga Way.
[9 folders and 1 elephant folio]
Series 23. Memorial papers on death of Sir Harold White, 1992 - Box 98
Letters and cards of sympathy to the White family on the death of Sir Harold in 1992, order of funeral service, funeral memorial book signed by mourners, notices of death, and obituaries, eulogies and biographical notes by various authors including Ralph Elliott, John Thompson, Pauline Fanning, Victor Crittenden, Graeme Powell, Harrison Bryan, David White, Ted Vellacott, John Farquharson and Sir John Bunting.
[4 folders]
Series 24. Publications by, on or about Paul Valery, 1958-1990 - Box 99, Piece 24/1-6, Box 100, Piece 24/7-21
Mostly publications by or on Paul Valery, in the French, including some published by Judith Robinson. Several are inscribed by Robinson to the Whites.
[20 items]
Series 25. Diaries and official documents of Lady Elizabeth White, 1950-1987 - Box 101, Piece 25/1-22, Box 102, Piece 25/23-45, Box 103, Piece 25/46-63
Personal appointment diaries, journals, travel journals, correspondence diaries and passports of Elizabeth White. The appointment diaries contain White's notes, observations and thoughts on her daily activities and general affairs. Some diaries have also been used as notebooks for other purposes such as contacts and Christmas cards lists.
[63 items]
Series 26. Lady Elizabeth White - community activities, 1942-1988
The correspondence and subject files in this series were created or kept by Lady Elizabeth White and concern her work and involvement in various Canberra community organisations, mostly from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Lady White was involved in the care of the elderly through the Thursday Club and the Goodwin Centre, in health organisations such as the Association for Better Hearing, in women's clubs including the National Council of Women, Women's International Club, and Pan-Pacific and South East Asia Association, and in public speaking organisations such as the Penguin Club and Rostrum.
There is no evidence of the way in which these files were kept, and thus have been left as a single large series arranged into rough chronological order.
[68 folders]
Senior Citizens, 1958-1964 (File 1) - Box 104
Includes news clippings on aged care, photographs of opening of first Goodwin cottages 1959, papers re. Thursday Club, National Old People's Welfare Council, National Council of Women, Goodwin Centre, newsletters of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, papers from Pan-Pacific Rehabilitation Conference 1958, ephemera on Far West Scheme and Swan Cottage Homes.
Old people care and housing - leaflets and material for talks, 1959-1960 (File 2) - Box 104
Ephmemera from Old People's Welfare Council of Victoria, Goodwin Centre, Netherlands Information Service, and Elizabeth White's notes.
Letters from Thursday Clubbers, 1965 (File 7) - Box 104
Letters to Elizabeth White from members of Thursday Club, including some photographs. Also includes news clippings and White's expenses sheet for 1965.
Goodwin Centre Development Association, 1957 (File 12) - Box 105
Includes committee meeting papers, concert programme for 'The Twain Shall Meet' given by Joyce Trickett, Dorothy Hobart and Jyotikana Ray', material for Goodwin talks, press cuttings on aged care, and correspondnece.
Goodwin Centre Development Association, 1957-1961 (File 13) - Box 105
Papers on Central Block staffing, self-finance, Mr Royal, advertisement for Matron, Sister Godwin, naming of first 6 cottages, pension rates.
Goodwin Centre welfare - ephemera, 1957-1960 (File 17) - Box 105
Includes photographs on home adoption scheme.
Goodwin notes, 1954-1958 (File 21) - Box 105
Papers re. establishment of Goodwin Homes, annual meeting papers (1957), press cuttings.
Aged care - general, 1964-1976 (File 22) - Box 105
Correspondence, reports, ephemera re. Australian Association of Gerontology, Goodwin Association, Canberra Senior Citizens' Club, Australian Association for Better Hearing, National Council of Women, Thursday Club Auxiliary, Council of Social Services, Old People's Welfare Committee, Australian Association for Geriatric Nursing Care, and other papers relating to health and services for the aged. Also includes Canberra Times photograph of Goodwin Homes opening showing Elizabeth White serving tea.
Thursday Club, 1962-1964 (File 23) - Box 105
Includes Thursday Club letters to members from Elizabeth White, sheets of exercises, papers on building appeal, Brotherhood of St Laurence News (1 March 1964), other papers on elderly services.
Thursday Club papers, 1963-1965 (File 24) - Box 106
Thursday Club Auxiliary and Furnishing Advisory Committee.
Thursday Club, 1963 (File 25) - Box 106
Article on members of the Thursday Club, letter to Club members from Elizabeth White, appeal flyer for Thursday Club building, article on City of Sydney's services for the aged.
Australian Association of Gerontology, 1964-1965 (File 26) - Box 106
Newsletters, papers of Congress held Canberra 1965, Constitution, papers on ageing, geriatrics, correspondence, minutes of inaugural meeting of the Association (10 June 1964).
Goodwin archives, 1960-1964 (File 31) - Box 106
Script of talk to Rotary Club on Thursday Club ; typescript article 'Let there be happiness at the evening of life' by Izue Uyama (1960) re. Goodwin Home ; press cuttings on Goodwin Centre ; letters from elderly in Elizabeth White's care ; annual report to Thursday Club Auxiliary 1964 by Elizabeth White.
Gerontology - printed and roneoed papers and booklets relating to ageing, 1963-1974 (File 33) - Box 106
Gerontology, 1961-1978 (File 34) - Box 107
Includes material from Australian Association of Gerontology NSW Division ; Old People's Welfare Council Conference papers ; manuscript translation of 'At the dusk of their life' by Izue Uyama ; handwritten minutes of Welfare Subcommittee of Goodwin Centre Development Association.
Thursday Club, 1960-1985 (File 37_38) - Box 107
Newsletters from Canberra Senior Citizens' Club ; correspondence, meeting papers, annual reports of Thursday Club Auxiliary ; photographs, press cuttings re. Thursday Club ; letters to Thursday Club members ; minutes of Furnishing Advisory Committee.
Inger Rice Foundation Trust, 1974-1977 (File 41) - Box 108
Correspondence, annual reports, financial records, handbook for seminar on family health 1974.
Nursery kindergarten material, 1950-1954 (File 43) - Box 108
Ephemera on nursery kindergartens and other material on early childhood from both USA and Australia ; also includes issues of 'Canberra Parents' Bulletin' (1953-54).
Australian Association for Better Hearing, 1967-1973 (File 47) - Box 109
Issues of 'Better Hearing' 1967-1973 (incomplete) ; correspondence (1969) ; Young People's Groups annual report (nd)
Ephemera, 1970-1985 (File 49) - Box 109
Includes material published by Penguin Club of Australia (Canberra, NSW, Victoria), Australian Rostrum Council, Royal National Institute for the Deaf.
Speeches, 1963-1981 (File 50) - Box 110
Notes, manuscripts and typescripts of speeches given by Elizabeth White to Rostrum Club and Penguin Club.
Speeches, ca. 1960-1980 (File 51) - Box 110
Texts and notes of speeches made by Elizabeth White. Also includes ephemera from Rostrum Club and Penguin Club.
Notes, ca. 1960-ca. 1980 (File 52) - Box 110
Assorted notes, to-do lists, guest lists, lists of correspondence.
General papers, ca. 1960-ca. 1980 (File 53) - Box 111
Ephemera, newsletters, meeting papers, notes from a variety of organisations including Goodwin Homes and other organisations associated with aged care, National Council of Women, Horticultral Society of Canberra, Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association (ACT), Calvary Hospital, Thursday Club, Penguin Club, Australian Pre-School Association, Australian Camellia Research Society (ACT), and South-East Regional Association for the Deaf.
General papers, ca. 1962-1989 (File 54) - Box 111
News clippings, meeting papers, correspondence, ephemera, newsletters from or about organisations including but not limited to Penguin Club, Bicentennial Garden Group (ACT), Australian Association of Gerontology, Canberra Senior Citizens' Club, Inger Rice Foundation, Thursday Club Auxiliary. Also includes obituaries for Elizabeth White published in Australian Association of Gerontology Newsletter, Canberra Historical Journal, NLA Staff Bulletin.
Correspondence, 1957-1986 (File 55) - Box 111
Correspondence of Elizabeth White with family and friends and relating to her community activities.
General papers, 1968-1988 (File 56) - Box 111
News clippings, meeting papers, correspondence, ephemera, newsletters from or about organisations including Penguin Club, Grey Power Conference, Pan-Pacific and South East Asian Women's Association (ACT), Australian Association for Better Hearing, Horticultural Society of Canberra, Australian Deafness Council, and Thursday Club.
Inger Rice Foundation, ca. 1958-1988 (File 57) - Box 112
Also includes notes, Lady White's design for Goodwin Cottages, letter from Canberra Senior Citizens' Centre, 27 Mugga Way garden.
Ephemera and published material, 1958-1959 (File 58) - Box 112
Booklets, pamphlets and other publications from National Assistance Board (UK), International Society for the Welfare of Cripples, Civilian Maimed and Limbless Association, NSW Society for Crippled Children, Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service, Eventide Homes, Central Methodist Mission (Brisbane), Australian Red Cross Society, Far West Scheme and similar organisations.
General papers, 1959-1962 (File 60) - Box 112
Loose notes, guest lists, cuttings, receipts, correspondence.
General papers, ca. 1960-1985 (File 61) - Box 112
Includes material on Thursday Club including annual reports and letters from Dame Pattie Menzies, ephemera from Australian Pre-School Association, papers re. Canberra Senior Citizens' Centre, Australian Association of Gerontology, Australian Association for Better Hearing, Penguin Club, Toastmistress Club, Goodwin Welfare Committee, Pan-Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association, press cuttings on aged care, press cuttings on John Ogilvie White, and general papers on health and ageing.
Hostessing course notes, 1971-1972 (File 62) - Box 112
Typed and handwritten notes from course given by Elizabeth White in hostessing for the YWCA of Canberra. Topics include informal entertaining, catering for unexpected guests, favourite lunch or dinner menus, parties beside the swimming pool, house guests, and suggested reading lists.
General papers, ca. 1970-1983 (File 63) - Box 113
Reminder notes, speech notes, Christmas card and gift lists, press cuttings.
National Council of Women, 1952-1954 (File 65) - Box 113
Letters to Council Secretary re. memorial clock ; booklet on National Health Plan ; annual report of the Canberra Emergency Housekeeper Service (1952) ; booklets on National Council of Women - Launceston, Canberra Mothercraft Society ; National Council of Women (ACT) fourteenth annual report (1952-53)