Guide to the Papers of Richard Harding

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MS 10741

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Created: September 2023

Collection Summary

Creator
Richard Harding
Title
Papers of Richard Harding
Date Range
1976 - 1979
Collection Number
MS 10741
Extent
0.15 metres (1 ms box)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Content Description

This collection comprises four handwritten notebooks. Volumes 1-3 comprise a journal documenting Richard Harding's time as Commissioner of the ABC from 24 October 1975 to 1978, and cover the Governor-General's dismissal of the Whitlam Government on 11 November 1975. Volume 4, which cross-references the first three notebooks, comprises Harding's working notes for his book Outside Interference: The Politics of Australian Broadcasting (1979).

The volumes include notes on Commission meetings, accounts of activities and events, personal observations, news articles and media releases, and correspondence. Correspondents include ABC Chairmen Sir Henry Bland and John Norgard, and Minister Tony Staley.

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-vn10000982).

Conditions Governing Use

Conditions for copying and publishing of this collection may apply, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn10000982).

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Richard Harding, National Library of Australia, MS 10741, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.

Finding Aid Source

Please note: This finding aid contains descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.

Item Descriptions

Class. Consignment received 2023, 1975 - 1978

Notebook - Volume 1, 24 October 1975 - 7 December 1976 (Item 1) - Box 1 (10741)

Appointment as Commissioner; press coverage; correspondence. (pp 1-8)

First Commission meeting; Whitlam Government sacked by Kerr; political fallout; contact with the WA Branch of ABC. (pp 8-11)

ABC election coverage and documentation. (pp 12-13)

Normal Commission activities; election result; funding pressure. (pp 14-21)

Commentary on events; inquiry into ABC mooted by Government.(pp 24-40)

Commission meetings; other contacts; Acting Chairman Hackett not re-appointed; Sir Henry Bland becomes Chairman.(pp 41-62)

Commentary on events (pp 63-80)

Interaction between Harding and Bland.(pp 81-85)

Activities and events until 10 October 1976. (pp 86-110)

Activities and events between 10 October 1976 and 7 December 1976 – loose pages within Volume 1.(pp 110A-135)

Notebook - Volume 2, 17 December 1976 - 19 September 1977 (Item 2) - Box 1 (10741)

Activities and events between 17 December 1976 (Bland's resignation as Chairman) and 19 September 1977. These pages include: pages 201-208 stapled in; and a loose piece (between pages 225 and 226) written by Stephen Murray Smith, editor of Overland, tabled at a Commission meeting by Dame Leonie Kramer, the purpose of which was to attack Allan Ashbolt whose role in the ABC had become a touchstone of the political acceptability of the organisation. (pp 136-228)

Notebook - Volume 3, 4 October 1977 - 22 October 1978 (Item 3) - Box 1 (10741)

Activities and events occurring between 4 October 1977 and 5 April 1978. Attached as page 252 is a letter from Harding to Norgard (Bland's successor as Chairman). (pp 229-266)

Activities and events from 5 April 1978 until mid-May 1978. These pages are attached by sellotape. (pp 267-284)

Harding's account of visits to other broadcasting organisations – also attached by sellotape. (pp 285-293)

Events and activities, including Commission meetings, between June 1978 and the end of Harding's term as a Commissioner on 22 October 1978. These pages include: on page 307 a doggerel poem composed by Harding about the contribution of other Commissioners to proceedings at meetings; Harding's letter to the Minister (copy to Chairman) on page 313; notes of final meeting (pages 324-331); and departing statement and press coverage (pages 333-336). (pp 293-336)

Notebook - Volume 4 (Appendix), 1975 - 1978 (Item 4) - Box 1 (10741)

Themes for "Outside Interference: The Politics of Australian Broadcasting". The themes are cross-referenced in great detail to matters discussed in Volumes 1-3 of these papers. The manuscript of Outside Interference was completed in January 1979, and published later that year. (pp A1-A31)


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