Guide to the Papers of Sir Robert Cotton
MS 6730
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Cotton, Robert, Sir, 1915-2006
- Title
- Papers of Sir Robert Cotton
- Date Range
- 1937 - 2005
- Collection Number
- MS 6730
- Extent
- 8.70 metres (23 MS Boxes + 7 medium Folio Boxes + 1 Large Folio Box + 3 Map Folios)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
MS 6730 consists of correspondence, Cotton's writings including personal essays, speeches, and travel journals, photographic prints (including exhibition prints), negatives and slides, political memorabilia, financial statements and other records relating to sheep breeding at Oberon, newsclippings from early in political career, official documentation of overseas visits as Senator and Minister, official entertainment records from time as diplomat in New York and Washington, RAAF flying logbook, transcripts of oral history and television documentary interviews, annotated published materials.
Conditions Governing Access
Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn539960).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Robert Cotton, National Library of Australia, MS 6730, [series and/or file number]'.
Provenance
The first papers were donated to the Library by Sir Robert Cotton on 25 March 1982. An additional donation was received on 27 July 1994, and added to MS 6730 on 25 August 1996. Further material was donated 3 and 8 July 2007 by Bob Cotton (Cotton's son) and merged with MS 6730 in February 2008.
Biographical Note
Sir Robert Carrington Cotton was born in 1915 in Broken Hill, NSW, and educated at St Peter's College, Adelaide. He trained as pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942 and 1943 but did not see war service as he was seconded to the Department of Supply.
Cotton worked to establish the timber industry in Oberon, New South Wales as a wartime priority. After the war Cotton remained in Oberon as a businessman, sheep breeder and grazier.
Cotton was a member of the Australian Liberal Party from its foundation in 1944. He was State President of the Liberal Party of New South Wales from 1957 to 1960. He ran unsuccessfully for the seat of Macquarie in the 1963 federal election.
In 1965, Cotton was appointed to the Senate to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Sir William Spooner. He was Minister for Civil Aviation from 1969 to 1972 in the Gorton and McMahon governments, and Minister for Industry and Commerce from 1975 to 1977 in the Fraser government. He retired from Parliament in 1978.
Cotton was the Australian Consul-General in New York from 1978 to 1981, and Australian Ambassador to the United States of America in Washington DC from 1982 to 1985. He was a director of the Reserve Bank of Australia in 1981 and 1982 and chairman of the Australian National Gallery Foundation from 1991 to 1994.
Cotton held a lifelong passion for photography, a hobby he was inspired to take up by his cousin Olive Cotton in the 1930s. He exhibited landscape prints in both the United States and Australia. His photographs complement the extensive journals he kept on his travels within Australia and overseas.
Cotton was knighted (KCMG) in 1978 and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1993. He received an honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Sydney in 1995. Cotton died on Christmas Day, 2006, in Sydney.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Correspondence, 1938-2000
This series consists chiefly of letters to and some letters from Cotton, concentrated particularly on his years in Broken Hill and the Second World War. Later correspondence includes replies to congratulations on Cotton's knighthood and appointment as Consul-General to New York, his period on the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia, and his honorary doctorate. This series also contains a diary Cotton began to keep in 1938, and a hand-drawn card by Morris West.
Further correspondence of Cotton can be found in various other series in this collection. It has been retained to preserve the integrity of the letters with the other materials in those series.
Folder titles were devised by staff based on original file titles.
Munitions (news article); 1938 diary; Aboriginal art at Mootwingie (article); letters from parents travelling abroad, 1938-1955 (File 2)
Letters received and replies sent regarding knighthood and New York posting - 'A', 1977-1978 (File 7)
Letters received and replies sent regarding knighthood and New York posting - 'B', 1977-1978 (File 9)
Letters received and replies sent regarding knighthood and New York posting - 'C', 1977-1978 (File 10)
Series 2. Personal, travel and political writings, 1939-2000
Cotton was an avid writer on many topics throughout his life. As a young man he documented his travels in remote parts of Australia in journals and photographs, and continued to keep travelogues for most of his life.
This series includes Cotton's travel writings, political essays, diaries, speeches and memoirs from throughout his life. Most of these writings are unpublished. Cotton made a list of his essays and travel journals in about 2000, which can be found in Folder 48 in this series.
Some correspondence (eg. Cotton's letters to his family during his term as Ambassador in Washington) has been retained in this series because it was collocated with Cotton's other writings when it arrived at the Library.
Some of these writings are related to photographic material contained in Series 11.
Into Two Corners and Pubook Plain - journey - notes on trip to Coopers Creek and upper North Eastern Australia, 1939 (File 1)
Into Two Corners - notes and photographs relating to journey to Coopers Creek and upper north-east Australia, 1939 (File 2)
Mixed economy: Australian style - an address to the Textile Institute (New South Wales Section) - Sydney Opera House, 26 October 1981 (File 9)
Past Years, or, The Years - Time gone by for two people - sections 1 and 2 (File 21)
Cotton's autobiography
An Australian in America : a memory - autumn luncheon address at The Australian Club, 23 March 1994 (File 30)
Articles for 'Australian Outlook', 1969 (File 31)
Includes Gold in Australia; Seven Weeks in South-East Asia
Articles - various, some published, 1975-1989 (File 32)
Includes some correspondence with publishers
Writings - draft typescripts - including Battle of the River Plata; Horse Racing; Later Years - the final story, 2002 (File 41)
About time' or 'Past writings' - an essay series, 1983 (File 44)
Washington DC and other places, June 1983
Series 3. Royal Australian Air Force Flying Log Book, 1942-1943
Cotton trained as pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942 and 1943 but did not see war service as he was seconded to the Department of Supply.
Series 4. Farming and grazing records, 1947-1974
This series comprises financial records, correspondence, and other papers relating to Carrington Park, Oberon Estates Pty Ltd and other business interests, photographs, notes and other papers realting to family activities in Oberon.
This series was part of a consignment received from Cotton in March 1982, formerly contained in boxes 1 and 1A in MS 6730.
The financial records (Items 5-7) in this series are not available for research until 2016.
Letter by John B. Snell, a stud farmer who was related to a stud-pioneering family, transfer certificates, breeders certificates and other papers relating to Hampshire sheep, 1947-1956 (Item 1)
Jottings titled 'Notes for this year' (no date); other brief notes about family activities at Oberon (File 2)
Financial statements for Carrington Park and Oberon Estates Pty Ltd including details of farming and grazing interests, 1963-1972 (Item 5)
Not available for research until 2016
Series 5. Early political career - news clippings, 1962-1970
This series contains news clippings from Cotton's early political career and entry to the Senate.
Series 6. Senator and Minister - overseas visit briefings, 1966-1981
This series contains records pertaining to the overseas travel Cotton undertook in an official capacity variously as a Senator, Minister for Civil Aviation, and Minister for Industry and Commerce in the 1960s and 1970s.
Most of records in this series were added in 1994 and were contained in boxes 2 and 3 prior to 2008. Further records of a similar nature were added to this series from the July 2007 addition.
The records in this series are closed under the Archives Act and are not available for research.
Brief for Australian Delegation to the South Pacific Forum Meeting, Nauru, 26-28 July 1976 (Item 1)
Formerly located box 2 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Report of the Australian Delegation to the 7th South Pacific Forum, Nauru, 26-28 July 1976 (Item 2)
Formerly located box 2 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Brief for visit to Japan by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, Senator Robert Cotton, October 1976 (Item 3)
Formerly located box 2 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Brief for the Australian Delegation to the Sixteenth South Pacific Conference, Noumea, 20-29 October 1976 (Item 4)
Formerly located box 2 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Brief for the Prime Minister of Australia. Visit to Australia by His Royal Highness Prince Tu'ipelehake, Prime Minister of Tonga, 30 March-3 April 1977 (Item 5)
Formerly located box 2 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Brief for the visit of Senator Robert Cotton, Australian Government representative to the 15th anniversary of independence celebrations of Western Samoa, June 1977 (Item 6)
Formerly located box 2 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Brief for the Prime Minister of Australia. Talks with Prime Minister Somare of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, 28 August 1977 (Item 7)
Formerly located box 2 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Official's brief - Prime Minister's talks with Prime Minister Somare of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, 28 August 1977 (Item 8)
Formerly located box 2 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Brief for the Prime Minister of Australia. Eighth South Pacific Forum Meeting, Port Moresby, 29-31 August 1977 (Item 9)
Formerly located box 3 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Officials' brief - eighth South Pacific Forum Meeting, Port Moresby, 29-31 August 1977 (Item 10)
Formerly located box 3 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Brief for the visit by the Minister for Industry and Commerce Sir Phillip Lynch to International Business Opportunity Programme, Davos, 1981 (Item 11)
Formerly located box 3 (added 1994). Added to this series during processing of additional material in February 2007.
Visit to Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore - report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation, 1966 (Item 13)
Daily diary for overseas trip to Europe and United States of America as Minister for Civil Aviation, 1971 (File 14)
Series 7. Political memorabilia and honours, 1957-1993
A number of objects, mementoes and official honours presented to Cotton during the course of his political and diplomatic career.
Framed portrait in pencil of Bob Cotton, 1957 (Item 1)
'The Bulletin - with the editor's compliments' on verso
Series 8. Ministerial photograph albums, 1968-1977
Commemorative photograph albums relating to events and functions from Cotton's ministerial service, especially as Minister for Civil Aviation.
Series 9. Consul-General and Ambassador to the United States of America, 1978-1985
This series contains records and memorabilia from Cotton's period serving as Consul-General in New York and Ambassador in Washington, including letters of introduction, papers relating to official functions and visits, and registers of official entertainment.
Further material relating to this period in Cotton's career can also be found in Series 1 and 2.
Notes for discussion with the Prime Minister at Kirribilli House regarding appointment to Washington as Australian Ambassador, 1 May 1982 (File 2)
Correspondence relating to visit to the floor of the United States Senate, 1983 (File 3)
Cotton, as the Australian Ambassador, was received on the floor of the US Senate with Prime Minister Bob Hawke and Treasurer Paul Keating in June 1983
Press coverage of President Reagan's comments at Ambassador's presentation of credentials, 1982 (File 4)
Official entertainment register for One Beekman Place, New York, 1978-1981 (File 8)
Includes menus, guest lists, placements
Series 10. Photographs of Cotton, 1950s-1994
This series includes photographs of Cotton in official capacities as Senator, Minister, and Ambassador to the United States, and a small number of family photographs.
Series 11. Photographic pursuits, ca. 1936-2005
This series contains many prints and negatives of photographs taken by Cotton over his seventy years as an amateur photographer.
Some photographs are related to the travel journals found in Series 2.
There is also correspondence and ephemera relating to this pursuit, especially relating to several exhibitions and publications.
Trees of the Australian dry inland around Broken Hill; dry creek series and Menindee Lake mid 1930s; Victorian Alps, 1936 (File 1)
Black and white prints and negatives
Early days - Victorian high country; Coopers Creek - north; West Darling - west; Broken Hill - corner, 1936 (File 2)
Black and white prints and negatives
Rambling Holiday by Robert Cotton - mainly concerning a walking tour from Healesville to Erica via the Cumberland and the Baw Baw Plateau (File 3)
Typescript illustrated with black and white prints
Autobiography - section 3 (years 1958-1978) including section on 'The Senate Years' (File 5)
Draft typescript
Journey to Coopers Creek (Into Two Corners) and photographs 1939 - HLC Cotton, RC Cotton, Bob Jolley, George Clark, Roger McFarlane, Cecil W Salier (File 6)
Draft typescript with proposed list of photographs for illustration
Correspondence regarding joint exhibition at Wagner Art Gallery with daughter Judy in Sydney (last exhibition), March 2005 (File 7)
'Beaches and surfers' or 'Surfing scenes' by Robert Cotton at Coolangatta, Queensland, 1997 (Item 8)
Contains typescript, news clippings, ephemera and black and white prints
More pre-war combined trip to Coopers Creek - Bob, Dad, Clark, Salier, McFarlane - volume 1 of 2, 1938 (File 9)
Black and white prints, captioned on verso
Garigal National Park and Deep Creek to Narrabeen Lakes with dogs (Deep Creek dog dry) by Robert Cotton, 1980s (File 11)
Black and white prints with map and introduction by Cotton
Victoria Falls exhibition and handbook, 1989-1995 (File 13)
Black and white prints with catalogue records from National Gallery of Australia
List of historically important Broken Hill mining industry photographs circa 1888 - conserved by Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1980s (File 17)
Also contains news clipping 'Class of '69' from Sunday Age, 10 September 1989
Correspondence and ephemera relating to Footsteps II: photographs in some countries - exhibition, 1986 (File 24)
Correspondence with Jane Weinberger, Windswept House Publishers, regarding book on Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, 1986-2002 (File 25)
Includes Footsteps II exhibition catalogue and uncaptioned black and white prints
Notes and lists of photographs - Coopers Creek 1939 and North West corner series, 1990s? (File 28)
Includes some black and white negatives and contact prints
Black and white prints: HMAS Sydney (identification number 03); unidentified beach scene, 1980s? (Item 29)
Exhibitions documentation, 1984-1992 (File 31)
Ephemera on Footsteps and 200 Years on the Potomac exhibitions; curriculum vitae on amateur photographic career; list of photographs in institutional collections.
2005 father/daughter exhibition at Wagner Art Gallery - press clippings; black and white negatives, 2005 (File 33)
Negatives may relate to 2005 exhibition
Series 12. Images from Footsteps exhibitions, 1980s
Includes prints used for Cotton's Footsteps and Footsteps II exhibitions.
The prints in this series were mounted in aluminium frames when they were donated at the Library. For preservation reasons, Library staff have dismounted the prints and discarded the frames.
Material in this series is contained in 5 folio boxes.
Series 13. Images from joint exhibition with Judy Cotton, 2005
This series comprises contact sheets of Cotton's photographs exhibited in a joint exhibition with his daughter Judy Cotton in 2005 at the Wagner Art Gallery, Paddington, NSW. They feature scenes from Broken Hill and Oberon taken in the 1930s.
Consists of 1 elephant folio.
Container List
| Series | File/Item | Box |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-9 | 1 |
| 1 | 10-14 | 2 |
| 2 | 1-5 | 2 |
| 2 | 6-12 | 3 |
| 2 | 13-17 | 4 |
| 2 | 18-24 | 5 |
| 2 | 25-31 | 6 |
| 2 | 32-38 | 7 |
| 2 | 39-45 | 8 |
| 2 | 46-49 | 9 |
| 3 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | 1-4 | 10 |
| 4 | 5-7 | 11 |
| 5 | 1 | 12 |
| 6 | 1-8 | 13 |
| 6 | 9-11 | 14 |
| 6 | 12-19 | 15 |
| 7 | 1-7 | Folio Box 1 |
| 7 | 8 | Folio Box 2 |
| 8 | 1-2 | Folio Box 2 |
| 8 | 3-4 | Folio Box 3 |
| 9 | 1-6 | 12 |
| 9 | 7-9 | 16 |
| 9 | 10 | Folio box 4 |
| 10 | 1-6 | 16 |
| 10 | 7-13 | 17 |
| 10 | 14-15 | 18 |
| 11 | 1-7 | 18 |
| 11 | 8-15 | 19 |
| 11 | 16-23 | 20 |
| 11 | 24-32 | 21 |
| 11 | 33-40 | 22 |
| 11 | 41-48 | 23 |
| 12 | Folio Box 4 | |
| 12 | Folio Box 5 | |
| 12 | Folio Box 6 | |
| 12 | Folio Box 7 | |
| 12 | Folio Box 8 | |
| 13 | Elephant folio drawer | |
| 14 | 1-2 | 24 |
| 15 | 1-3 | 24 |