Guide to the Papers of Sir Frederick Chaney
MS 9874
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Frederick Charles Chaney
- Title
- Papers of Sir Frederick Chaney
- Date Range
- 1914-2002
- Collection Number
- MS 9874
- Extent
- 3.5 metres (6 boxes + 2 folio boxes)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The collection covers the entire span of Sir Frederick Chaney's life. There are photographs and newspaper clippings as well as some correspondence, transcripts and administrative materials. However, there are only very limited papers relating to his activities as a school teacher, President of the Western Australian R.S.L and from his period as Member for Perth.
Many of the photographs and some of the correspondence document Chaney's role in ceremonial functions including attendance at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and a number of visits to Australia by members of the Royal family.
The papers reflect the strong family focus of Sir Frederick Chaney and include correspondence of both Sir Frederick and Lady Chaney as well as from their children and grandchildren.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn879724).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Sir Frederick Chaney, National Library of Australia, MS 9845, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were donated by Frederick Michael Chaney on 14 February 2003.
Related Materials
An interview with Sir Frederick Chaney, recorded by Bruce Edwards on 14 July 1983, is held in the Oral History Section (TRC 4900/49)
Arrangement
The papers have been largely left in the order in which they were received from the Chaney family.
Biographical Note
Frederick Charles Chaney was born in Fremantle on the 12 October 1914. He was educated at Aquinas College and Claremont Teachers' College.
He worked as a school teacher between 1936 and 1955. In 1941, Chaney enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, where he trained as a pilot before becoming a flying instructor. He served in Australia, New Guinea and Borneo. Seconded to the Z Force commando unit, he was awarded the Air Force Cross after completing a number of dangerous missions, including the rescue of stranded allied airmen from behind enemy lines.
Between 1952 and 1955 Chaney was the State President of the Western Australian Returned Services League (R.S.L.). In 1955 Chaney stood successfully as Liberal candidate for the Federal seat of Perth, holding this seat until 1969. He served as Government Whip, 1962-1963 and as Minister of the Navy, 1964-1966. Between 1970 and 1973 Chaney was Administrator of the Northern Territory and he was Lord Mayor of Perth from 1978 to 1982.
Chaney married Mavis Bond in 1938 and they had seven children. He died in Perth on 18 December 2001.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Personal documents, 1914-2001
Personal papers and photographs documenting Chaney's early life, military career and his later political and ceremonial roles. Chaney attended the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London in 1953 in his capacity as President of the Western Australian RSL and was involved in the visit of the Queen and Prince Philip to Western Australia in 1954.
Family history (File 1) - Box 1
Copies of Frederick Charles and Rose Templar Chaney's family tree, copies of photographs, marriage certificates and ship's passenger lists
Photographs and annuals, 1914-1939 (File 2) - Box 1
Photographs of Chaney as a child and a youth, and of Malyalling School; Christian Brothers' College Annuals, 1930 and 1932
Scrapbook, 1914 to 1970 (File 3) - Folio-Box 1
Photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, election material and invitations. Includes photographs and correspondence of Mavis (Bond) and Sir Frederick Chaney's parents.
Military service, 1942-1945 (File 6) - Box 1
Correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs and pay books. Includes a section of the Oral History recording with Ronda Jamieson of the Battye Library recorded between 1983 and 1984 and relating to Chaney's military career (the recording and transcript are held the J.S. Battye Library, State Library of Western Australia)
Royal visits and Returned Services League, 1953-1955 (File 7) - Box 2
Photographs, correspondence and newspaper clippings.
Correspondence, newspaper clippings and photographs, 1974-2001 (File 8) - Box 2
Correspondents include Sir Charles Court and a number of veterans' organisations
Series 2. Family correspondence, 1921-1999
Letters and postcards sent by and to members of the Chaney family.
Correspondence, 1921-1999 (File 1) - Box 3
Letter by Chaney dated 1921 and marked 'Freddy's first epistle' as well as letters sent during World War II, 26 letters from Chaney to his wife whilst he was attending the Coronation in London in 1953, and a number of letters by the Chaneys to their children written during their travels in 1963 and 1967
Series 3. Member of Parliament for Perth, 1955-1969
Chaney held the seat of Perth in the House of representatives from 1955 to 1969. During his terms he served as Government Whip, 1962-1963 and as Minister of the Navy, 1964-1966. Chaney became Minister in the immediate aftermath of the HMAS Voyager tragedy, for which there are some papers.
Correspondence, newspaper clippings, administrative papers and photographs
Correspondence, photographs, leaflets and newspaper clippings, 1955-1969 (File 1) - Box 4
Includes Liberal Party election material and an offer of appointment as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E), 1969
Correspondents include Billy Snedden and John Gorton
Minister for the Navy, 1964-1966 (File 2) - Box 4
Correspondence, photographs and newspaper clippings. Includes Chaney's diplomatic passport. Correspondents include Sam Landeau, Rear Admiral Frank Leveson George and Allen Fairhall and relate to Chaney's departure from the Ministry in 1966
Government documents relating to the collision on 10 February 1964 of HMAS Voyager and HMAS Melbourne (File 3) - Box 4
Series 4. Administrator of the Northern Territory, 1970-1973
Chaney served as Administrator of the Northern Territory between 1970 and 1973
Correspondence, 1970-1973 (File 2) - Box 4
Correspondents include Pierre Trudeau, Princess Margaret and Dame Margot Fonteyn
Photograph album, 1970-1973 (File 5) - Box 6
Photographs documenting Chaney's term as Administrator of the Northern Territory
Series 5. Lord Mayor of Perth, 1978-1982
Chaney was twice elected Lord Mayor of Perth. During his terms he oversaw the city's 150th anniversary celebrations.