Guide to the Papers of Dame Joan Hammond
MS 8648, MS Acc97.111
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Joan Hammond
- Title
- Papers of Dame Joan Hammond
- Date Range
- 1928-1994
- Collection Number
- MS 8648, MS Acc97.111
- Extent
- 4.60 metres
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
MS 8648 comprises diaries, correspondence, biographical notes, concert programs, scrapbooks, press cuttings, photographs, music scores, teaching material for the Victorian College of the Arts, speeches and other papers. The papers relate mainly to Dame Joan's career as an opera singer and teacher, but also cover such topics as Presbyterian Ladies' College, Pymble, the loss of Dame Joan's house in the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, the Australian Opera, Victoria State Opera, golf, and Dame Joan's friendship with Lolita Marriott.
The Acc97.111 instalment comprises cards, letters, an appointment diary, address book, tributes, testimonials, photographs, souvenirs, cassettes and inscribed books. Also included are some large framed pictures and mementos.
The bulk of the papers relate to the period from 1983 to 1993 as much of Dame Joan's material was destroyed in the Ash Wednesday bush fires.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1653682).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Dame Joan Hammond, National Library of Australia, [call number, box number and series and/or file number]'.
Provenance and Archival History
The original consignment of the collection was donated to the Library by Dame Joan Sutherland and her family in 1994 in two parts. The first part arrived at the Library in February 1994 and consisted of papers from Dame Joan's Melbourne home. The second part arrived at the Library in October 1994 and included papers from her weekend home at Flinders.
To retain the archival history of the collection, a note at each Series level identifies what material was included in each original consignment part.
The second consignment of the collection was donated to the Library in 1997.
Finding Aid Source(s)
Please note: This finding aid may comprise or contain descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.
Collection Retrieval Advice
Please note: each consignment in this collection has a separate box number sequence (i.e. there may be multiple Box 1s). Please cite the relevant Class number as well as the Box number when requesting retrieval of material from the collection.
Biographical Note
Dame Joan Hammond was born in Christchurch, New Zealand on 24 May 1912. Her family moved to Sydney when she was very young. She attended the Presbyterian Ladies College, Pymble from 1924 to 1928. She began her musical career as a violinist spending three years with the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1936 she went to Vienna where she studied with the Vienna Boys Choir. She made her operatic debut in London in 1938. In 1939 she opened the first night at The Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. During World War II she made many recordings and gave concerts for the troops.
After the war she toured throughout the world and was guest artist at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; the Liceo, Barcelona; the Netherlands Opera; the New York City Centre; the Vienna State Opera; the Bolshoi, Moscow; and the Elizabethan Theatre Trust. After her retirement in 1965 she taught singing at the Victorian College of the Arts and was artistic director of the Victorian Opera Company, 1971-1976. Hammond was also a talented golfer who was three times New South Wales ladies golf champion.
She was awarded the Sir Charles Stanley Award by the Worshipful Company of Musicians, London as outstanding musician of the Year, 1970; the Coronation Medal 1953; OBE 1953; CBE 1963; CMG 1972; DBE 1974; Hon. Mus. D. (W.A.) 1979.
Item Descriptions
Class MS 8648. Original consignment
Series 1. Biographical, 1946 - 1986
Archival History
This Series was part of the February 1994 consignment.
Series 2. Correspondence, 1948 - 1994
Archival History
This Series was part of the February 1994 consignment.
Subseries 2A. Correspondence - kept in Dame Joan's Melbourne home, 1948 - 1994
Arranged alphabetically. Outwards Files 1 to 7, inwards Files 8 to 29.
Subseries 2B. Correspondence - kept in Dame Joan's Flinders home, 1963 - 1994
This correspondence was kept by Dame Joan in five expanding files. The material has been maintained in alphabetical order in five separate groupings to reflect this original order. Correspondence in Files 45 to 48 was loose and has been arranged according to the identity of the sender. Correspondence and other material relating to the Victorian School of Art and the Australian Opera has been extracted and included in Series 13.
Series 3. Presbyterian Ladies College, Pymble, 1936-1993
Archival History
In this Series, File 1 was part of the February 1994 consignment and File 2 was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Series 4. Programs, 1932 - 1992
Archival History
In this Series, Files 1-5 were part of the February 1994 consignment and File 6 was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Series 5. Press cuttings and scrapbooks, 1928 - 1993
Press cuttings, articles and publicity sheets from the 1930s to 1990s and six scrapbooks, mostly relating to Dame Joan's life and career. One scrapbook entitled '1931 - Joan Hammond' contains original press cuttings and programs from 1931 to 1939. Four of the remaining five scrapbooks are made up of photocopies of press cuttings. There is one file of miscellaneous cuttings.
Archival History
In this Series, Files 1-4, the large press cuttings and five scrapbooks were part of the February 1994 consignment and Files 5-11 were part of the October 1994 consignment.
Series 6. New Zealand visits, 1946 - 1983
Archival History
This Series was part of the February 1994 consignment.
Series 7. Ash Wednesday fires, 1983 - 1985
Archival History
In this Series, File 1 and the publication were part of the February 1994 consignment and Files 2-3 were part of the October 1994 consignment.
Press cuttings and newsletter about the loss of Dame Joan's house in the bushfire, March 1983 - April 1983 (File 1) - Box 6
Bush fire occured at Airey's Inlet in 1983. Some burnt pages of books and scores are also included.
Series 8. Photographs, paintings and objects, 1928 - 1986
Included are a framed oil portrait of Dame Joan which was copied from a photograph reproduced on the dust-jacket of her autobiography, an original costume design, an acrylic on cardboard and one object, a trophy engraved 'Greatest patience - 1984-87 - Dame Joan Hammond'. These items have been transferred to the Library's Pictorial Section.
Archival History
In this Series, Files 1-2 and the large photographs were part of the February 1994 consignment and File 3 was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Photographs, 1939 - May 1960 (File 1) - Box 6
Images include Dame Joan attending various functions, personal group photos, photographs of Dame Joan before travelling overseas in 1936, and Dame Joan in various production costumes
Series 10. Diaries, 1983 - 1992
Dame Joan kept two diaries for each year over the period 1983-1990. These are personal diaries embossed with her name and diaries presumably used by her in her work at the Victorian School of the Arts. Also included in this series is a trip diary which records details of her travel to London, Vienna and Paris in 1985 and 1986.
Archival History
This Series was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Series 11. Question and answer book, n.d.
Archival History
This Series was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Biographical / Historical
Dame Joan for many years recorded questions asked of her regarding singing and her answers. When writing a follow up book to her autobiography A Voice, A Life she formulated the idea of incorporating these questions and answers into a book.
Handwritten and typed questions and answers, n.d. (File 2) - Box 12
Includes handwritten notes and an author note.
Typed draft with contents page and biographical note, n.d. (File 3) - Box 12
Includes handwritten annotations.
Series 12. Teaching, 1976 - 1993
Archival History
This Series was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Biographical / Historical
Dame Joan was head of Vocal Studies at the Victorian College of the Arts from 1975 to 1989 and part-time teacher and vocal consultant from 1990 to 1993. In 1985 she was invited by the University of Adelaide to be acting Special Artistic Adviser for workshop productions of the University Opera School.
Correspondence between Dame Joan and the Victorian College of the Arts, October 1976 - April 1993 (File 1) - Box 13
Includes memos, notes and exam papers.
Correspondence with students and prospective students, October 1983 - September 1990 (File 2) - Box 13
Includes faculty memos and student references.
Correspondence to the Dean of the School of Music from Dame Joan, November 1986 - December 1986 (File 3) - Box 13
Includes handwritten notes.
Letters from students to the Academic Board, October 1984 - August 1992 (File 4) - Box 13
Includes newspaper clippings, memos and handwritten notes.
Correspondence, guest lists and programs relating to master classes conducted at University of Adelaide, October 1984 - October 1985 (File 5) - Box 13
Bundle of questions and answers, June 1986 (File 6) - Box 13
Includes handwritten notes and annotations.
Assessment and recital programs, August 1988 - November 1990 (File 8) - Box 14
Includes handwritten annotations.
Series 13. Australian Opera and Victoria State Opera, 1934 - 1993
Archival History
This Series was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Biographical / Historical
Joan Hammond was Artistic Director of the Victoria State Opera from 1971 to 1976 and an honorary life member of both the Australian and Victorian State Opera. In 1986 the Victorian Opera Foundation created the Dame Joan Hammond Award to honour her contribution to opera. In 1983 she became a member of the Australian Opera National Council.
Correspondence between Dame Joan and the Victorian State Opera., May 1983 - August 1993 (File 1) - Box 14
Also includes copies of correspondence between the Victorian State Opera and the Australian Opera, Program of Endowment Dinner 1992, minutes of directors meeting 1983 and brochures for the Gala Dinner The Joan Hammond Award.
Letter from Dame Joan to the Victorian Opera Foundation and agenda of annual general meeting, 1986 - November 1992 (File 2) - Box 14
Series 14. Speeches, 1985 - 1993
Archival History
This Series was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Series 15. Golf, 1988 - 1993
Archival History
This Series was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Biographical / Historical
Dame Joan won the Junior Golf Championship of New South Wales when still a schoolgirl. She subsequently won the NSW Golf Championship in 1932, 1934 and 1935 and was runner-up in the Australian Championship in 1933.
Series 16. Lolita Marriott, 1993
Archival History
This Series was part of the October 1994 consignment.
Biographical / Historical
Dame Joan met Lolita Marriott in 1932. They had a common interest in golf and became firm friends. After Dame Joan returned from overseas in 1946 Lolita became her constant companion accompanying her on her travels and to all her performances and assisting her in many ways. Lolita Marriott died in 1993.
Series 17. Miscellaneous, 1933 - 1993
Archival History
In this Series, Files 1-2, journals and reports were part of the February 1994 consignment and Files 3-4 were part of the October 1994 consignment.
Black and white photographs of Dame Joan, photograph negatives and published article on Dame Joan, June 1933 (File 1) - Folio-Box 2
Article published in The Australian Golf and Tennis Magazine.
"Scholarship Gastronomy" Media Kit, Information Kit prepared for Committee and Judges, and The Australian Opera correspondence, September 1985 - April 1993 (File 3) - Box 19
Class Acc97_111. Consignment added 1997
Comprises cards, letters, an appointment diary, address book, tributes, testimonials, photographs, souvenirs, cassettes and inscribed books. Also included are some large framed pictures and mementos.
Contained in 2 boxes, 3 fol. boxes.
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music, 28 August 1979 (Item 1) - Folio-Box 1
Awarded to Dame Joan Hammond by The University of Western Australia. Housed in a red frame.
Collage, n.d. (Item 2) - Folio-Box 1
Includes photographs of Dame Joan Hammond and various landmarks and flowers glued to the front of a large envelope.
Award from the Australian Sound Recordings Association (Inc.), n.d. (Item 3) - Folio-Box 1
Presented to Dame Joan Hammond for her outstanding contributions to the world of opera and recording. Features engraved map of Australia in a silver frame.
Framed photograph of Dame Joan Hammond, n.d. (Item 4) - Folio-Box 1
Image of Dame Joan Hammond teaching two young opera singers. Framed in a gold and brown frame.
Green photograph album, n.d. (Item 5) - Folio-Box 2
Includes photographs of Dame Joan Hammond with family and friends. Also includes some opera programmes.
White photograph album, n.d. (Item 6) - Folio-Box 2
Includes photographs of Dame Joan Hammond with family and friends.
Small red photograph album, n.d. (Item 7) - Folio-Box 2
Includes photographs of Dame Joan Hammond with family and friends.
Red photograph album, n.d. (Item 8) - Folio-Box 2
Includes photographs of Dame Joan Hammond with family and friends.
Grey photograph album, n.d. (Item 9) - Folio-Box 2
Includes photographs of Dame Joan Hammond with family and friends.
Crucifix, n.d. (Item 10) - Folio-Box 3
Wooden and golden cross with a crucified Jesus. Incudes plaque with the inscription "IN RI".
Framed photograph of Lady Gowrie with a dog, n.d. (Item 11) - Folio-Box 3
Wooden frame with a sepia coloured photograph.
Framed letter of appreciation to Dame Joan from the inmates of Parkhurst Prison, 12 June 1964 (Item 12) - Folio-Box 3
Red and golden frame. Letter is hand drawn.
Framed photograph of Dame Joan meeting Queen Elizabeth, n.d. (Item 13) - Folio-Box 3
Wooden frame with coloured photograph.
Handmade photograph book, December 1995 (Item 14) - Box 4
Photographs of Burnham Beeches. Includes short personal note from Melissa. Housed in manila envelope.
Diary, 1993 (Item 16) - Box 4
Black appointment diary. Includes some correspondence from The Victorian College of the Arts and the University of Melbourne.
Handmade calendar, 1997 (Item 18) - Box 4
Includes hand-drawn drawings of buildings made for Dame Joan by Michael and Careth.
Handmade calendar, 1996 (Item 19) - Box 4
Includes hand-drawn drawings of trees made for Dame Joan by Michael and Careth.
Book - The Roman Missal, (E.J. Dwyer), 1975 (Item 21) - Box 5
Green book given to Dame Joan by her God Mother. Includes a crochet cross bookmark.
Book - A Book Of Peace / An anthology, (Hodder and Stoughton), 1967 (Item 22) - Box 5
Written by Elizabeth Goudge. Inscribed with "From Careth and Michael, with love" and "Joan Hammond".
Book - Manual of The Children of Mary or Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham, Dublin, (Browne and Nolan. LTD.), 1924 (Item 23) - Box 5
Black pocket book.
Book - The Friendship Book of Francis Gay 1995, (D. C. Thomson & Co.), n.d. (Item 24) - Box 5
Gifted to Dame Hammond on Christmas 1994 by Dawn.
Collection of handwritten letters and cards, 11 February 1997 - 6 December 1996 (File 25) - Box 5
Letters written to Dame Joan.
Collection of correspondence relating to the death of Dame Joan, 4 August 1995 - 2 December 1997 (File 26) - Box 5
Includes obituary, eulogy and program for the mass of Christian Burial for Dame Joan.
Collection of correspondence, 19 January 1994 - 25 January 1995 (File 27) - Box 5
Includes letters from The Royal Sydney Golf Club, Allen & Unwin, and Pymble Ladies College.
Two black and white photographs featuring Dame Joan from her appearance on "This is your life", 1980 (File 28) - Box 5
Originally housed in a manilla envelope.
Programs and booklets, 5 September 1994 - 18 August 1996 (File 29) - Box 5
Program for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Booklet entitled "A Year of Celebration" for the Centenary Ladies' Amateur Championship of Australia 1994. Also includes some black and white photographs, newspaper article and the poem 'Footprints'.
Book - And the Greatest of These Is Love, (Hutchinson), 1985 (Item 30) - Box 5
Book written by Helen Steiner Rice. Compiled by Donald T. Kauffman. Includes handwritten note, "Many happy returns Dame Joan. Many blessings, with love, Dawn Lord."
Book - Prayerfully, Poems of Devotion (Hutchinson), 1971 (Item 31) - Box 5
Book written by Helen Steiner Rice. Gifted to Dame Joan by her friend, Pat Shepherd.
Book - A book of Comfort, (Collins), 1964 (Item 32) - Box 5
book written by Elizabeth Goudge. Book gifted to Dame Joan by Michael and Careth. Includes card from Doreen S and small card featuring an image of Jesus ministering to children.