Guide to the Papers of Andrew Reeves
MS 9554
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Reeves, Andrew, Dr.
- Title
- Papers of Andrew Reeves
- Date Range
- 1910 - 1998
- Collection Number
- MS 9554
- Extent
- 7.2 metres (48 ms boxes + 33 sound/av carriers)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Personal papers of Andrew Reeves relating to his career in archives and museums at the University of Melbourne Archives, the Museum of Australia, and the Museum of Victoria as well as the involvement of Reeves and Margaret Anderson in the Heritage Collections Working Group, the Council of Australian Museum Associations (CAMA) and the Museums Association of Australia (MAA).
There are also papers concerning Reeves' personal involvement in the Australian Labor Party, the Communist Party of Australia (Carlton Branch) and the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, as well as his writings and research into labour history.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2655973).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Andrew Reeves, National Library of Australia, MS 9554, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Provenance
The collection was donated to the Library by Andrew Reeves under the Tax Incentives for the Arts Scheme in 1993 and 2000.
Related Materials
Collected papers by Andrew Reeves relating to the trade union and labour movement are held at MS 8076.
Papers of Andrew Reeves' father, John Reeves are held at MS 9475.
Arrangement
The papers were organised into series by Library staff.
Bibliography
'Eight hours day and labour celebration', catalogue for Objects, documents and pictures to reflect upon exhibition, University of Melbourne, 1978 'The five month strike ' and 'The 1949 defeat', chapters in John M. Coghlan (ed) The state coal mine and Wonthaggi (1979) 'Damned Scotsmen! British migrants and the Australian Coal Industry 1919-1949', chapter in First Commonwealth conference of Labor histories (1983) Ann Stephen and Andrew Reeves Badges of labour, banners of pride : aspects of working class celebration (Sydney : Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in association with George Allen & Unwin, [1985]) Another day another dollar: working lives in Australian history (Carlton: McCulloch Publishing, 1988) 'Cultural property' in Australia Council Extending parameters (Sydney: Australia Council, 1990) A tapestry of Australia: the Sydney wharfies mural (Sydney: Waterside Workers Federation, Sydney Port, 1992) Margaret Anderson, Julia Clark, Andrew Reeves When Australia was a woman: images of a nation (Perth, W.A. : Western Australian Museum, 1998)
Biographical Note
Andrew Paul Reeves was born on 10 April 1952 in Kew, Victoria. He was educated at Camberwell High School (Melbourne) and the University of Melbourne (1970-73) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), majoring in history. In 1974-75 Reeves attended LaTrobe University where he graduated with a Master of Arts in 1976. During this time he assembled a large collection of pamphlets and broadsheets.
In 1976-83 Reeves worked as an archivist at the University of Melbourne Archives. During his employment with the Archives he was principally responsible for the development of the trade union and labour movement collection. He was also involved with curating exhibitions on the eight hour day and in 1984 curated 'Peace -Progress-Amity: trade union banners and labour celebration', a joint exhibition with the State Library of Victoria and University of Melbourne Archives.
After leaving the Archives in 1983, Reeves wrote a commissioned history of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, 1856-1966. He later worked at the Museum of Australia (1984-86), as Director and Deputy Director of the Division of Human Studies at the Museum of Victoria (1986-92) and as Director of the Western Australian Museum (1993-97).
Reeves was a member of the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History and the Welsh Labour History Society.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Australian Labor Party, 1981-97
Papers relating to Reeves' period as Secretary of the Fairfield Alphington Branch of the ALP, 1983-84, his involvement in the Batman Socialist Left faction (Batman FEA) and the Higgins FEA. There are also papers relating to the Victorian Branch Socialist Left (1984-94) and the ALP Dalkeith Sub-Branch (WA).
The papers include membership records, address lists, minutes of Branch meetings, circulars, correspondence, cuttings, how to vote material for state and local branch elections, notes, photographs and publications. Topics include the 1983 and 1984 State Conferences, the ALP Arts, Media and Information Policy Committee, uranium mining, and East Timor. Correspondents include Brian Howe, member for Batman.
Series 2. Communist Party of Australia. Carlton Branch, 1973-84 (bulk 1973-75)
Andrew Reeves was Secretary of the Carlton Branch in 1974.
The papers comprise files created by Reeves containing correspondence, circulars, articles, pamphlets, leaflets, discussion documents, mailing lists, notes, newspaper cuttings, publications and other papers.
The files are arranged in roughly chronological order and most are not titled. There are 3 files concerning the discussion of opposing political factions, or tendencies in the Communist Party during 1974-75, and files relating to the 1973 24th Congress of the Communist Party of Australia, the 1974 CPA Victorian State Conference and the 1980 Communists and the Labour Movement Conference.
Series 3. Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, 1965-97
The Australian Society for the Study of Labour History was established in 1961 to promote study, teaching and research into Australian labour history. The Society encourages the preservation of historical records of the labour movement and the working class. Activities include the publication (since 1962) of a journal, Labour history, and biennial national conferences. The Society has branches in the ACT, Brisbane, Hunter Valley, Sydney, Illawarra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Tasmania, and Perth.
The series comprises papers collected by Reeves while Secretary of the Melbourne Branch in 1972-74. There are also earlier records from the previous Secretary, John Arrowsmith, 1965-71 and papers kept by Reeves while a member of the Perth Branch of the Society, 1993-97. The papers include minutes of the Melbourne Branch and Executive Committee, correspondence, annual reports, notes, pamphlets, publications and ephemera.
Series 4. Intervention, 1977-78
Intervention, a Marxist journal, was first published in 1972 and ceased in 1988. Reeves was an associate editor and contributor to the journal.
Series 5. Badges of labour, banners of pride : aspects of working class celebration, 1977-93
Badges of labour, banners of pride : aspects of working class celebration was written by Ann Stephen and Andrew Reeves and published by the Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in association with George Allen & Unwin in 1985.
The series comprises
Banner essay (File 2) - Box 11
Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences banner exhibition
Anne Mancini's list of Victorian banners
Series 6. A tapestry of Australia, 1991-92
A tapestry of Australia : the Sydney wharfies mural is a history of the mural which was painted on the walls of the Waterside Workers Federation Sydney Branch members' canteen at 60 Sussex Street Sydney between 1953 and the early 1960s. The mural was resited when the Union moved to a new building, also in Sussex Street. The work was written by Reeves and published by the Waterside Workers' Federation Sydney Port in 1992.
The series comprises correspondence, research material, cassettes and transcripts of interviews, typescripts, photographs, computer disks and other papers assembled by Andrew Reeves while writing the book.
9 micro cassette C60 tapes of interviews with unionists Tom Nelson, Dutchy Young, Jim Donovan and artists Rod Shaw, 'Sonny' Glynn, Vi Collings, Clem Millward and Ralph Sawer, 1991 (File 3) - Box 13
Young and Nelson interview (Item NLA.MS-SAV004332) - Cassette-Box 24
1 item, Olympus XD60 MC-60, Microcassette / mini cassette
Jessie Young interview, 20/11/1991 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004333) - Cassette-Box 24
1 item, Olympus XD60 MC-60, Microcassette / mini cassette
Rod Shaw interview Pt 1, 21/11/1991 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004334) - Cassette-Box 24
1 item, Olympus XD60 MC-60, Microcassette / mini cassettePart 2 is on NLA.MS-SAV04338
Glen Millward interview Sydney, 1/01/1992 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004335) - Cassette-Box 24
1 item, TDK MC-60, Microcassette / mini cassette
Ralph Sawyer interview (side B in the studio), 23/01/1992 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004336) - Cassette-Box 24
1 item, Olympus XD60 MC-60, Microcassette / mini cassetteTape may actually be NLA.MS-SAV004337 (ie Ina and Jim interviews)
Side 1: Ina interview. Side 2: Jim interview, 23/01/1992 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004337) - Cassette-Box 24
1 item, TDK MC-60, Microcassette / mini cassetteTape may actually be NLA.MS-SAV004336 (ie Ralph Sawyer interview)
Side 1: Rod Shaw Part 2. Side 2: Glynn interview Part 1, 21/11/1991; ? (Item NLA.MS-SAV004338) - Cassette-Box 24
1 item, Olympus XD60 MC-60, Microcassette / mini cassettePart 1 of Shaw interview is on NLA.MS-SAV04334. Part 2 of Glynn interview is on NLA.MS-SAV004339
Papers relating to illustrations, corrected proofs, an invitation to the opening and a publication containing two short histories written by Tom Nelson (File 11) - Box 14
Material relating to illustrations in the publication including coloured photographs and negatives of the mural; black and white photographs (with negatives) of WWF marches and cultural activities; 5 negatives of woodcut prints; a photograph of a diagrammatic 'History of the Sydney Branch 1947-54' and 2 photographs of rough sketches of figures for part of the mural (File 13) - Box 14
Series 7. Wonthaggi papers, c1910-83
See also series 14 for tapes of interviews made with Wonthaggi community members, 1974-75.
Files and loose papers (File 1_19) - Box 15, 16, 17
Includes photocopies of primary materials, newspaper cuttings, photographs, publications (including annual reports of the General Manager of State Coal Mines, 1910-35), research notes and some drafts. The research materials were used for Reeves' masters thesis 'Industrial men, mines and politics in Wonthaggi, 1909-1968' (La Trobe University 1977) as well as a 1981 Commonwealth Labour History Conference paper 'Damned Scotsmen: British migrants and the Australian coal industry'. Includes correspondence with Eric Fry, 1980-83, concerning the publication of the paper in Common cause: essays in Australian and New Zealand labour history (1986).
Series 8. University of Melbourne Archives, 1892-1983 (bulk 1975-83)
Writings, research files and other papers assembled by Reeves during his period of employment as an archivist with the University of Melbourne Archives. Folders 1 to 4 contain manuscript and typescript drafts of articles, talks and papers by Reeves. Folders 5 to 9 are a sequence of files dating from Reeves' period with the University of Melbourne Archives containing collected publications, typescripts on University of Melbourne holdings, newspaper cuttings, notes, papers relating to his appointment at the Archives, correspondence and other papers.
Article for Labour history on University of Melbourne Archives labour records, n.d (File 1) - Box 18
Draft paper for the Melbourne University Post-Graduate Seminar in Industrial Relations on the University of Melbourne Archives, n.d (File 2) - Box 18
W. G Spence 'The ethics of new unionism', 1892 (File 5) - Box 18
Rope and Cordage Workers' Union, 1934-75
Papers, 1936-76
Unity, boot trades, 1944 (File 6) - Box 18
Victoria. Communist Party of Australia. Royal Commission list of members, 1949
A free people. Official organ of the People's Union, 1951-55
Blacksmiths- election correspondence, 1957
Papers, 1975-76
Acceptance of job, provident fund etc, 1976
David Miller 'The Ballarat Trades Hall', 1976 (File 7) - Box 18
Queensland Solidarity Group, 1977
National Library thesis/interviews, 1977
Women and Labour Conference Bulletin, 1977-78
South Western District Trades and Labour Council, 1978
Keith Harvey and Melbourne Trades Hall Council, 1978
Sydney/Archives business, 1979 (File 8) - Box 18
Trade union travelling photographic exhibition, 1980
Commonwealth Labour History Conference, 1981
Union- names and addresses, 1982
Archives workshop, 1983
Trades Hall Council enquiries, 1983
Workers' Industrial Union of Australia- Broken Hill, 1983 (File 9) - Box 18
National Library proposed exhibition, 1983
C.I.C.D, n.d
Federated Ironworkers' Association Research bulletin
Australian Workers' Union rank and file (South Australia), n.d.
List of rural Victorian textile mills, n.d.
Ballarat banners, n.d
Series 9. Museum of Australia, 1984-86 (Closed until 1 Jan. 2017)
Reeves worked at the Museum of Australia in Canberra from 1984 until April 1986.
The series comprises meeting papers of the Museum of Australia Council (1984-86), Collections Committee (1984-85), Public Programs Committee (1985), and Aboriginal Advisory Committee (1985). There are also papers from the Museum of Australia Conference on Australian History (24-25 April 1982) and other papers including newspaper cuttings on museum subjects (1984-86), correspondence and pamphlets.
Series 10. Museum of Victoria, 1983-92 (Closed until 1 Jan. 2023)
Andrew Reeves was appointed to the Council of the Museum of Victoria for the period from 1 July 1983 to 30 June 1984. Reeves joined the staff of the Museum of Victoria in 1986 as Deputy Director of Human Studies. He was promoted to Director of Human Studies in 1991. Reeves resigned from the Museum in 1992 to head the Western Australian Museum.
The bulk of the papers comprise a large incomplete run of Council meeting papers (1986-90). The earlier files (1983-84) form a sequence of files named and assembled by Reeves which contain papers from meetings of the Museum of Victoria Council, the Structure and Resources Committee, and the Museums Advisory Board as well as a small quantity of correspondence and newspaper cuttings.
There are also papers relating to the Barcaldine Project, a scheme to develop the Workers Heritage Centre at Barcaldine, Queensland, to commemorate the 1891 shearers' strike which was instrumental in the formation of the Australian Labor Party. These papers include correspondence detailing Reeves' involvement in the project, project reports, program for the opening of the Workers Heritage Centre, minutes of meetings, and research materials including photocopies of articles.
Series 11. Heritage Collections Working Group and Heritage Collections Committee, 1989-98
The Heritage Collections Working Group was established by the Cultural Ministers' Council at its 6th meeting in Rotorua in May 1990. The Group comprised representatives from the States, the Commonwealth and the Council of Australian Museum Associations (CAMA). The aims of the Group were to define the nature and extent of Australia's heritage collections and to advise the Cultural Ministers' Council on how to improve the community's access to its cultural heritage.
Two consultants, Margaret Anderson and Professor Peter Spearritt were engaged to conduct the initial survey of Australia's heritage collections. In 1993, the Group reported to the Council with Heritage collections in Australia: a plan for a new partnership (prepared by William Fleming and Janice O'Brien).
The Council then established the Heritage Collections Committee for a three year period until the end of 1996. The Committee established two working parties: the Conservation Working Party to address preservation and conservation issues; and a Database Working Party (later the OnLine Working Party) to establish increased electronic access to heritage collections. The Heritage Collections Committee was succeeded in 1997 by the Heritage Collections Council.
The series contains papers collected by Andrew Reeves and Margaret Anderson during their membership of the Working Group and Heritage Collections Committee. The papers include correspondence, minutes, questionnaires, tabulated survey responses, notes, corrected drafts, Heritage Collections Committee agenda papers,
General papers on the Heritage Collections Working Group, 1989-93 (File 1_6) - Box 32
Includes correspondence, HCWG report (May 1991, Feb. 1993), draft proposals, minutes, and records concerning the Register of National Significance.
Series 12. Museum Associations, 1988-93
Papers assembled by Andrew Reeves as Vice-President of the Council of Australian Museum Associations (CAMA), and by Margaret Anderson relating to her activities as Honorary Secretary of CAMA and Chair of the CAMA Conference (1992).
There are also papers relating to Margaret Anderson's and Andrew Reeves' activities as Presidents of the Museums Association of Australia (1990-2).
The papers include correspondence, notes, leaflets, agenda papers, minutes, and memoranda.
Series 13. Other papers, 1972-98
Mainly loose papers arranged roughly chronologically. They include newspaper cuttings, correspondence, reports, a 1985 appointment diary, a curriculum vitae (1983), divorce papers (1986), papers relating to the nomination of the Eureka Stockade Historical Precinct for the National Estate Register, papers on the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and correspondence and other papers relating to his work with the Western Australian Museum.
Series 14. Sound recordings, 1974-81
The series contains 22 cassette tapes containing mainly interviews made for Reeves' thesis on Wonthaggi miners and for the National Library of Australia, 1974-81. Interviewees include Bob McClure, Mark Feinburg, Claire Thalheimer, Cyril Primmer, George Poyser, Bill Millard, Norm McNicol, Alan & Catherine Opie, Tom Payne, Bill Stivton and Eddie Harmer.
Bill Stinton? Interview on militancy, Wonthaggi mining and Wonthaggi community, 30/05/1974 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004346) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Sony C90, Compact cassette tapeClaire Thalheimer - Wandiligong, interview, 6/06/1974 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004347) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Sony C90, Compact cassette tape
Eddie Harmer interview, 23/11/1974 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004348) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Maxwells Radio C60, Compact cassette tape
Alan and Catherine Opie - Wonthaggi interview, 1/04/1975 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004351) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Certron 60, Compact cassette tapeBaker interview, 20/05/1975 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004352) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Maxwells Radio C60, Compact cassette tape
Sec Dispute, October 1977?? (Item NLA.MS-SAV004354) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Hanimex C-30, Compact cassette tape
ALP Split Tapes'. Side 1: First Bob McClure (ex MLA and executive member of Riverina AWU) interview. Side 2: Second Bob McClure interview, late 1979, March 1981 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004355) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Telex C60, Compact cassette tapeBackground information on Bob McClure on cassette wrapper
ALP SPLIT Tapes'. Side 1: Bill Millard (member of ALP (?) Portland Branch) interview. Side 2: Norm McNicol (member of ALP (?) Portland Branch) interview, 1/09/1980 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004356) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Unbranded (but probably Chapple) C90, Compact cassette tapeBackground information on cassette wrapper
'ALP SPLIT Tapes'. Interviews 1 and 3 of ALP Senator Cyril G Primmer; interview 2 of ex-ALP Senator George Poyser, 1/02/1981 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004357) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Chapple C90, Compact cassette tapeBackground information on cassette wrapper
'ALP Split Tapes'. Mal Gladman Former MLA for Wonthaggi, 1/02/1981 (Item NLA.MS-SAV004358) - Cassette-Box 213
1 item, Concertone C60, Compact cassette tapeBackground information on cassette wrapper