Guide to the Papers of John Sinclair

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MS 8374

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Created: ©2004.

Collection Summary

Creator
Sinclair, John, 1939-
Title
Papers of John Sinclair
Date Range
1956-1996
Collection Number
MS 8374
Extent
15.54 metres (111 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
National Library of Australia

Introduction

Scope and Content

The bulk of the collection comprises papers relating to Sinclair's involvement in the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO) and the campaign to stop sand mining on Fraser Island. The FIDO papers include corporate records; correspondence with supporters, politicians and the media; papers relating to legal cases; scrapbooks; newspaper clippings and subject files. The papers also relate to Sinclair's interest in a number of other conservation organisations including the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), the Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCNNR). Other conservation projects represented in the papers are the National Conservation Strategy for Australia and the Working Group on Rainforest Conservation. There are also papers relating to Sinclair's employment in adult education and Technical and Further Education in Queensland, his involvement in defamation cases and a small quantity of personal papers.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is available for reference.

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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 John Sinclair, National Library of Australia, MS 8374, [series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

The collection was donated to the Library by Sinclair in 1995 and 2000.

A 1996 interview with John Sinclair by Gregg Borschmann is held in the Oral History Collection at ORAL TRC 3399. Records of the Fraser Island Environment Inquiry (CA 2431) are held by the National Archives of Australia.

Arrangement

When the papers were received by the Library, they were in a state of great disorder. In the first consignment, most cartons had been labelled, and these categories were used as the basis for the series structure. For the second instalment, the arrangement was determined by Library staff. While much of the collection was filed, the files had been kept in little discernable order. The arrangement of the contents of files has not been altered. Some files were water damaged and a small number of files were discarded due to their poor condition. A series of papers relating to the Fraser Island Environment Inquiry containing records of proceedings and evidence was discarded, as it duplicated material held by the National Archives of Australia (series A3913 and A3911).

Biographical Note

John Sinclair was born on 13 July 1939 in Maryborough, Queensland and educated at Maryborough Boys' State High School. After leaving school in 1955, Sinclair worked in the family's service station business and as a farm hand before studying for a Diploma of Agriculture at Queensland Agricultural College, near Toowoomba (1957-1959). In 1960 Sinclair was offered a job by Jack Pizzey working in the Rural Youth Program in the Department of Education. While working for the Department, Sinclair completed his adult matriculation by correspondence. In 1967 Sinclair took a job with the Adult Education office in Maryborough. He enrolled in correspondence courses towards a Bachelor of Economics degree at the University of Queensland, which he finished in 1974. In 1980, Sinclair was awarded a Diploma in Continuing Education from the University of New England.

In 1967, Bart Cavanagh and Sinclair established the Maryborough Field Naturalists' Club. This group later became a branch of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. Sinclair continued as the Honorary Secretary of the Branch and editor of its newsletter Wambaliman until 1978. Sinclair was also involved in the formation of the Gympie Field Naturalists' Club and the Bundaberg Branch of the Wildlife Preservation Society. In 1969 Sinclair became aware of the struggle to save Cooloola, a 28,000 hectare sandmass on the mainland of southern Queensland adjacent to Fraser Island, from sandmining. Dr Arthur Harrold, a medical practitioner from Noosa, led the campaign. The success of this campaign provided valuable lessons for Sinclair as well as alerting him to the possible threat to Fraser Island.

In January 1971, Murphyores Incorporated applied for two mining leases on Fraser Island. The Fraser Island Defence Organisation (FIDO) was formed in 1971 in response to the threat to Fraser Island, with Sinclair as President. In 1976, when the organisation became an incorporated body, its initials stood for the Fraser Island Defenders' Organisation. On 5 May 1975, the Fraser Island Environment Inquiry opened. The commissioners made a seven-day inspection of the island. Hearings were held in Maryborough and Brisbane until October. On 26 October 1976, the Report of the Environmental Inquiry was published. The report recommended that the export of Fraser Island minerals be prohibited and that the whole of Fraser Island be recorded as part of the National Estate. The Fraser Government introduced export bans from 31 December 1976.

Sinclair experienced intense harassment in his hometown of Maryborough and by the State Government following the decision over Fraser Island. In 1976 Sinclair was declared The Australian newspaper's Australian of the Year. In 1977 he sued Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen for defamation over questioning his ability to perform his job in adult education while being so heavily involved in the conservation struggle. After the writ was served in 1977, Sinclair's position as an adult education officer was abolished. After appealing to the Public Service Board, Sinclair was transferred to Ipswich College of TAFE where he was in charge of Extension Programs.

Sinclair initially won $500 damages plus costs for his defamation action in 1981. However, on appeal to the Full Court, the decision was overturned and Sinclair was ordered to pay Bjelke-Petersen's costs. Sinclair resigned his presidency of FIDO in favour of his son John, who remained president for the next 8 years. After receiving publicity, Sinclair received substantial donations from the public that he used to settle the debt and form the John Sinclair Trust for Fraser Island.

In 1982 Sinclair moved to Brisbane, where he worked as a research officer with the Curriculum Branch of the Division of TAFE until 1986. In 1986 Sinclair resigned from the Queensland Education Department. He and his wife Helen divorced in April 1986 and Sinclair moved to Sydney where he worked as a consultant and principal of Parramatta Evening College. In 1988 he established and operated GoBush Safaris. He married Sharan Daly in October 1988.

In 1992 Sinclair was appointed to a special committee to advise the Queensland Government on the management of Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Bay Region. In 1993 he was awarded the $60,000 Goldman Environmental Foundation prize in recognition of 20 years work to save Fraser Island.

Sinclair was the author of several books including Discovering Fraser Island (Peakhurst, N.S.W.: Pacific Maps, 1977), Discovering Cooloola (Peakhurst, N.S.W.: Pacific Maps, 1978) and his autobiography Fighting for Fraser Island: a man and an island.

Biographical Reference(s)

John Sinclair (with Peter Corris). Fighting for Fraser Island: a man and an island. Alexandria, N.S.W.: Kerr Publishing, 1994.

Item Descriptions

Series 1. Correspondence, 1967-1996

The series contains personal, family and general correspondence of John and Helen Sinclair. A letterbook containing carbon copies of letters sent to family members and others (1968-1969) is included, as well as a small quantity of correspondence from Sinclair's parents. The correspondence relates to job applications, Sinclair's business GoBush Safaris, invitations to speak, Sinclair's non-conservation lobbying activities and other subjects. There are also testimonials and letters of congratulations on becoming Australian of the Year and on the success of the Fraser Island Campaign.

Correspondence relating to the Fraser Island Defenders' Organisation is in .

Letterbook, 1968-1969 (File 1)

Personal correspondence, 1967-1993 (File 2)

Family papers and correspondence, 1968-1969 (File 3)

Personal correspondence, 1970-1977 (File 4)

Personal correspondence, 1971-1978 (File 5)

Personal correspondence, 1980-1989 (File 6-7)

Personal correspondence, 1990-1996 (File 8-9)

Undated personal correspondence (File 10)

Series 2. Writings by Sinclair, 1971-1993

Travel books, an autobiography, lectures, articles, a consultancy report for the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Environment and other writings by Sinclair are included in this series. The publications include Discovering Fraser Island (Pacific Maps, 1977), Discovering Cooloola (Pacific Maps, 1978), Fraser Island and Cooloola (Weldon, 1990), Discovering Fraser Island and Cooloola (Australian Environmental Publications, 1997), and Fighting for Fraser Island: a man and an island, co-written with Peter Corris (Kerr Publishing, 1994).

The papers include manuscript and typescript drafts, correspondence with publishers, research materials including tourist information on Fraser Island, and a publishing agreement.

Other writings by Sinclair on behalf of FIDO, such as submissions to inquiries, are included in .

Discovering Fraser Island, 1977-1985 (File 1-7)

Discovering Cooloola, 1977-1987 (File 8-11)

Fraser Island and Cooloola, 1984-1985 (File 12-15)

Discovering Fraser Island and Cooloola, 1986 (File 16)

Fighting for Fraser Island: a man and an island, 1971-1993 (File 17-21)

Conservation lectures, 1973-1983 (File 22)

Lobbying lectures, 1978 (File 23)

Articles, n.d. (File 24)

Papers- published, 1982-1983 (File 25)

Correspondence relating to proposed publications (1984), and a typescript of 'An administrative guide for voluntary groups: guidelines for more effective leadership and operation of voluntary conservation organisations' by John Sinclair, n.d. (File 26)

'Analysis of wilderness policies and legislation and preparation of options for Commonwealth Government action', July 1987 (File 27-29)

Series 3. Adult Education and TAFE, 1969-1986

Sinclair's first job after obtaining his Diploma of Agriculture at Queensland Agricultural College in 1959 was with the Department of Education where he worked with Junior Farmers Clubs and the Rural Youth Program. In 1967 Sinclair took a job with the Adult Education office in Maryborough. Sinclair's employment as a public servant was used against him in his fight for conservation.

When the Fraser Island Environment Inquiry opened in 1975, Sinclair was subpoenaed to appear before the inquiry, allowing him to continue attending after his application for long service leave with the Adult Education Office was refused. Sinclair experienced intense harassment in his hometown of Maryborough and by the State Government following the decision over Fraser Island. In 1977 he sued Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen for defamation over questioning his ability to perform his job in adult education while involved in the conservation struggle. After the writ was served in 1977, Sinclair's position as an adult education officer was abolished. After appealing to the Public Service Board, Sinclair was transferred to Ipswich College of Technical and Further Education where he was in charge of extension programs. In 1977 he was forced to defend his reputation when the Maryborough Chronicle accused him of simultaneously receiving money from the Federal Government as a paid witness to the Fraser Island Environment Inquiry while earning a salary as a public servant.

In 1982 Sinclair was again transferred to Brisbane, where he worked as a research officer with the Curriculum Branch of the Division of TAFE until 1986. In 1986 Sinclair resigned from the Queensland Education Department and moved to Sydney.

This series contains papers relating to Sinclair's successive employment in the Queensland Government in the areas of adult education and Technical and Further Education. The papers contain statements and letters of evidence concerning his treatment in the public service as well as papers relating to leave and job applications. Other papers are concerned with adult education subjects including adult education classes, the Queensland Adult Education Staff Association, the Queensland Board of Adult Education and the Australian Association for Adult Education Conference.

Employment papers, 1969-1974 (File 1)

Information on the role and duties of an adult educator, 1969-1977 (File 2)

Papers on adult education classes, 1969-1977 (File 3)

Departmental correspondence relating to Sinclair's work, 1971-1976 (File 4)

Employment papers, 1971-1977 (File 5)

Queensland Adult Education Staff Association, 1973-1974 (File 6)

'Activate' TV program, 1973-1976 (File 7)

Maryborough Adult Education Centre weekly diaries, 1974-1977 (File 8-10)

Employment papers, 1975-1976 (File 11)

Technical education-adult education merger, 1976-1977 (File 12-13)

Employment papers, 1976-1978 (File 14)

Sinclair's status in the public service, 1976-1982 (File 15-16)

Employment papers, 1977 (File 17)

Ombudsman-departmental relations, 1977-1978 (File 18)

Appeals- Public Service Board, 1977-1978 (File 19)

Bundaberg appeal, 1977-1978 (File 20)

Queensland Board of Adult Education, 1977-1979 (File 21-22)

Public Service Board (union and Macrossan, Byrne Co. solicitors), 1977-1980 (File 23-24)

Employment papers, 1978-1979 (File 25)

Diaries- travel claims, 1978-1980 (File 26-27)

Ipswich TAFE extension program, 1978-1982 (File 28-30)

Australian Association for Adult Education Conference (2 files), 1979 (File 31-32)

Australian Frontier, 1980-1982 (File 33-36)

Queensland TAFE, 1982-1986 (File 37)

Employment papers, 1980-1986 (File 38)

Series 4. Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, 1967-1994 (bulk 1978-1986)

The Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland was established in 1962 to preserve the fauna and flora of Queensland and to educate the community on the preservation of the natural environment. Sinclair was Honorary Secretary of the Maryborough Moonaboola Branch of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland from its formation in 1967 until 1978, and was editor of the Branch newsletter Wambaliman. In 1977, he was co-opted to the State Council of the Society in Brisbane and served as President in 1980-1985. In 1986 he was Senior Vice President of the Society.

The series comprises a combination of files and loose papers, arranged roughly chronologically. The bulk of the files relate to Sinclair's position as President of the Society and include correspondence, minutes, director's reports, policy papers, memoranda, leaflets, reports, ministerial press statements, cuttings, newsletters, the WPSQ constitution (1981), and notes by Sinclair on strategies for the Society and changes to its administration.

Some of the papers in this series have been water damaged and affected by mould.

WPSQ, 1967-1979 (File 1)

Round Hill Head, 1974-1976 (File 2-3)

Wambaliman and Wildlife news, 1977-1981 (File 4)

WPSQ, 1978-1980 (File 5-6)

Minutes, 1978-1984 (File 7-8)

Ipswich Branch, 1979-1986 (File 9)

WPSQ, 1979-1988 (File 10-11)

WPSQ, 1980 (File 12)

WPSQ, 1980-1981 (File 13-14)

WPSQ, 1980-1982 (File 15)

Brisbane Wildlife Survey, 1980-1983 (File 16-18)

WPSQ, 1981-1982 (File 19)

Mon Repos, 1981-1984 (File 20)

WPSQ, 1982 (File 21)

Wilson Island, 1982-1983 (File 22)

WPSQ, 1982-1986 (File 23)

WPSQ, 1983 (File 24-25)

WPSQ, 1983-1984 (File 26)

Director's reports, 1983-1985 (File 27)

WPSQ, 1983 (File 28-29)

Correspondence, 1984-1985 (File 30)

WPSQ, 1984-1985 (File 31)

Policies, 1984-1986 (File 32)

WPSQ, 1985-1986 (File 33)

California Conservation Corps, 1985-1986 (File 34)

WPSQ, 1985-1994 (File 35)

Great Sandy Region Project, 1986-1990 (File 36)

Series 5. Fraser Island Defenders' Organisation (FIDO), 1966-1994

Sinclair's involvement in Fraser Island began with visits to the Island in his youth. In 1968 his parents were employed as assistant managers at the Orchard Beach Resort on the eastern side of the Island. His sister Margaret later worked as the resort's resident nursing sister. Sinclair organised safaris to Fraser Island for the members of the Maryborough and Bundaberg Wildlife Preservation Societies in the late 1960s.

The campaign against sand mining on Fraser Island commenced in January 1971 when Murphyores Incorporated applied for two mining leases on Fraser Island. The Fraser Island Defence Organisation (FIDO) was formed in January 1971 with Sinclair as President. In 1976 when the organisation became an incorporated body, its initials stood for the Fraser Island Defenders' Organisation.

Activities of FIDO included running Fraser Island safaris as a means of raising funds and increasing awareness of the island. FIDO also published a newsletter Moonbi, (a Batjala word for the central part of the Island) and a booklet, Fraser Island past, present and future (1971). In July 1975, FIDO had 546 financial members and was affiliated with 30 conservation groups.

In July 1975 the Fraser Island Environment Inquiry was established by the Acting Minister for the Environment, E.G. Whitlam to inquire into the environmental aspects of the exportation of minerals from Fraser Island. The commissioners made a seven-day inspection of the island. Hearings were held in Maryborough and Brisbane between 5 August and 3 October 1975. Sinclair was subpoenaed by the inquiry, allowing him to continue attending after his leave with the Adult Education Office had expired.

On 26 October 1976, the Report of the Environmental Inquiry was published. The report recommended interalia that the export of Fraser Island minerals be prohibited (except for minerals extracted from the high-water mark on the eastern beach south of Indian Head) and that the whole of Fraser Island be recorded as part of the National Estate. As a result of the recommendations, the Fraser Government introduced export bans from 31 December 1976.

After 1976, FIDO continued to be active in management issues including logging activities on the Island, the provision of proper camp sites and protecting heavily used places such as Eli Creek. In 1977, Sinclair toured the United States, Canada and Europe to study the voluntary conservation movement. Fraser Island received World Heritage listing in 1992. Sinclair served as President of FIDO from 1971 until 1983 when he relinquished the position to his son John. After this time, Sinclair continued to act as Honorary Project Officer.

The papers comprise numerous files maintained by Sinclair relating to the formation and activities of FIDO including corporate records, correspondence with supporters, politicians and the media, papers relating to legal cases, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings and subject files.

Subseries 5-1. Corporate records, 1971-1994

Constitution, minutes, certificates of incorporation, financial papers, membership records, reports of office holders and other corporate records.

FIDO constitution, 1974-1976 (File 1)
Memorandum and articles of association, 1971-1976 (File 2)
Certificate of incorporation (1976) and other corporate correspondence, 1978-1983 (File 3)
Corporate affairs, 1971-1988 (File 4-5)
Corporate records, 1978-1987 (File 6-7)
FIDO finances, 1978-1987 (File 8)
Financial correspondence, auditor's reports and profit and loss accounts, 1975-1989 (File 9)
Membership mailing list, 1978-1985 (File 10)
FIDO membership, 1974-1978 (File 11)
FIDO membership, 1983-1984 (File 12)
Minutes, 1973, 1976-1979 (File 13)
Minutes and agenda, 1975-1976 (File 14)
FIDO minutes, 1979-1989 (File 15-17)
Meeting papers, 1980 (File 18)
Minutes, 1980-1982 (File 19)
FIDO agendas, 1983-1986 (File 20)
Minutes, 1983 (File 21)
Minutes, 1984-1986 (File 22)
Minutes and agendas, 1990-1994 (File 23)
Minutes and agendas, 1990-1994 (File 24)
Director's annual reports, 1978-1985 (File 25)

Subseries 5-2. General correspondence, 1969-1994

Incoming and copies of out-going correspondence relating to Fraser Island and FIDO. Includes letters from students asking for project material, queries concerning travel on Fraser Island and FIDO publications, and letters of support and congratulation for FIDO's conservation efforts (including donations). The out-letters include letters to parliamentarians, the media, potential witnesses for court cases and others concerning the conservation and management of Fraser Island.

Letterbooks, 1969-1971 (File 1)
Correspondence, 1969-1975 (File 2)
Correspondence (reference material for biography), 1970-1973 (File 3)
Correspondence, 1971 (File 4-8)
American correspondence, 1971-1972 (File 9)
Member correspondence, 1971-1973 (File 10)
Correspondence, 1971-1976 (File 11-12)
American conservation bodies, 1971-1976 (File 13)
Overseas correspondence, 1971-1978 (File 14)
Letterbooks, 1972 (File 15)
Correspondence, 1972-1973 (File 16)
Correspondence (including outletters), 1972-1973 (File 17)
Conservation groups, including Joint Action, Myall Lakes and other conservation bodies, 1972-1974 (File 18-19)
Inwards correspondence, 1972-1976 (File 20)
Out-going correspondence, 1973-1975 (File 21-22)
General correspondence, 1973-1974 (File 23)
Formal member correspondence, 1973-1976 (File 24)
Formal correspondence, 1973-1977 (File 25)
Correspondence, 1974-1975 (File 26)
Conservation groups, 1974-1977 (File 27-28)
Correspondence, 1974-1978 (File 29)
FIDO correspondence, 1975 (File 30)
Correspondence including papers on the film Eliza Fraser, 1975-1976 (File 31)
Calendar (and other publications), 1975-1977 (File 32)
Correspondence, 1976 (File 33-35)
Pacific Maps, 1976 (File 36)
Letters of congratulation, 1976-1977 (File 37)
Correspondence re tour of the United States, Canada and Europe, 1976-1978 (File 38)
Requests re school projects and Fraser Island visits, 1976-1986 (File 39-40)
Correspondence, 1977 (File 41-44)
Correspondence re tour of the United States, Canada and Europe, 1976-1978 (File 45-58)
FIDO contributions to other publications, 1977-1979 (File 49)
FIDO secretariat, 1977-1986 (File 50)
Loose correspondence, 1978 (File 51-52)
Calendar, 1978-1979 (File 53)
Intra executive correspondence, 1978-1988 (File 54)
Loose correspondence, 1979 (File 55)
Correspondence, 1980 (File 56-59)
Correspondence, 1981 (File 60-61)
Interstate contacts, 1981-1986 (File 62)
Correspondence, 1982 (File 63-64)
Out-letters, 1982 (File 65)
Correspondence- Great Sandy Strait, 1982-1983 (File 66)
Correspondence, 1982-1984 (File 67)
Correspondence, 1983 (File 68-70)
Correspondence, 1984 (File 71-72)
FIDO bequests, 1984-1985 (File 73)
Aboriginal land claims, 1984-1986 (File 74)
Correspondence, 1985 (File 75-77)
Correspondence, 1986 (File 78-79)
Correspondence, 1987-1988 (File 80)
Correspondence, 1989 (File 81)
Letters and clippings, 1989-1990 (File 82)
Correspondence, 1990 (File 83-84)
Correspondence and other papers, 1990-1992 (File 85)
Correspondence, 1991 (File 86)
Correspondence, 1992 (File 87)
Correspondence, 1993 (File 88)
Correspondence, 1993-1994 (File 89)
Correspondence, 1994 (File 90)
Undated correspondence (File 91)

Subseries 5-3. Political papers, 1967-1991

This subseries comprises three sequences of files which relate to FIDO's campaign to secure political support for the conservation of Fraser Island. The first sequence (files 1-11) comprises an incomplete set of numbered files relating to correspondence with the Whitlam Government while the second sequence (files 12-17) comprises six files relating to the Fraser Government. The third sequence (files 18-43) consists of other political files, arranged chronologically by Library staff. Other loose political correspondence can be found in the general correspondence in .

(1A) Fraser Island Environment Inquiry, 1975-1977 (File 1)
(2A) Fraser Island petitions, 1975 (File 2)
(2B) Fraser Government, 1975-1976 (File 3)
(3) Australian Labor Party Caucus, 1975 (File 4)
(5) Federal government including correspondence with E.G. Whitlam, Moss Cass, Rex Connor and other ministers, 1972-1975 (File 5-7)
(5) State parliamentarians, 1975-1976 (File 8)
(6) Export licences, 1975 (File 9)
(7) Liberal-Country Party MHRs, 1975 (File 10)
(8) State government, 1967-1976 (File 11)
Fraser Government- backbenchers, 1979 (File 12)
Fraser Government- Deputy Prime Minister, National Resource Minister 1977-79, and Environment Minister I.J. Greenwood, 1976 (File 13)
Fraser Government- Environment Minister K.E. Newman, 1976-1977 (File 14)
Fraser Government- environment policy- bureaucracy, 1975-1976 (File 15)
Fraser Government- other ministers, 1976 (File 16)
Fraser Government- parliamentary question and debate 1976, and Prime Minister (Malcolm Fraser) 1975-77 (File 17)
Political papers, 1967-1978 (File 18-19)
ALP and Opposition MLAs, 1971 (File 20)
Country Party MLAs, 1971 (File 21)
Liberal MLAs, 1971-1972 (File 22)
Political- Cabinet, 1971-1972 (File 23)
Political- loose papers, 1971-1976 (File 24)
Political- FIDO becomes political, 1971-1972 (File 25)
Mines Minister (R.E. Camm), 1971-1976 (File 26)
Political, 1971-1977 (File 27)
Political questionnaire, 1972 (File 28)
Politicians' correspondence, 1974 (File 29)
State Government, 1976-1984 (File 30)
Prime Minister (Malcolm Fraser and R.J. Hawke), 1977-1985 (File 31)
Queensland ALP politicians, 1977-1988 (File 32)
Queensland Government (ministerials), 1979-1988 (File 33)
Llew Edwards (Deputy Queensland Premier and Treasurer), 1979-1988 (File 34)
Policies- political parties (state), 1980-1983 (File 35)
Federal politicians, 1978, 1986-1989 (File 36)
Federal Environment Minister (Graham Richardson), 1986-1990 (File 37)
Queensland cabinet, 1987-1990 (File 38)
FIDO and politicians, 1987-1991 (File 39-41)
Queensland ALP caucus, 1990 (File 42)
Queensland ALP pre-election, 1989-1990 (File 43)

Subseries 5-4. Press papers, 1971-1991

Files relating to FIDO's involvement with the media including press releases, letters to the editor and other correspondence.

Press, 1971 (File 1)
Press (press releases), 1971-1972 (File 2)
Press correspondence, 1971-1976 (File 3)
ABC press correspondence, 1972-1974 (File 4)
Press, 1973 (File 5)
Press clippings (press releases and correspondence), 1973-1976 (File 6)
Press- local matters, 1973-1977 (File 7)
Press- local issues, 1974-1977 (File 8)
Press- working with decision makers, 1977 (File 9)
Newsclippings, 1974 (File 10)
Australian Press Council, 1975-1976 (File 11)
Loose press releases, 1975-1991 (File 12)
Press, 1978-1979 (File 13)
Press, 1979-1980 (File 14)
Media, 1980-1987 (File 15-16)
Press, 1980-1987, 1990 (File 17)
Media, 1983-1988 (File 18)
Media, 1986-1990 (File 19)

Subseries 5-5. Mining and legal papers, 1969-1991

Sinclair was involved in a number of legal cases in his capacity as President of FIDO. This subseries contains papers relating to the applications for sand mining leases on Fraser Island by Dillingham-Murphyores that resulted in the formation of FIDO. There are papers relating to the Mining Warden's Court hearing in 1971 (which was won by the miners) as well as the further mining lease applications made by Queensland Titanium Mines (QTM) and Murphyores which were approved by the Mining Warden's Court in Maryborough in 1973. FIDO's appeal against these applications was upheld in the High Court.

There are also papers assembled by Sinclair in defending the defamation action brought against Sinclair and Hervey Bay Publishing by Murphyores for statements Sinclair had made in Moonbi issue 25.

Finally, there are a large number of files relating to the North White Cliffs resort proposal on Fraser Island and the case brought by FIDO against Maryborough City Council and Fiduciary Nominees Pty Ltd.

The files contain correspondence with solicitors and others, newspaper cuttings, statements, records of proceedings, notes and other legal papers.

Papers concerning Sinclair's personal legal matters, including the defamation actions Sinclair brought against Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen and the Maryborough Chronicle in 1977, are held in .
Documents exhibited in the 1971 case relating to mining lease applications 101 and 102, 1970-1971 (File 1)
Fraser Island- cases pending, 1971 (File 2)
Legal papers, Warden's Court relating to leases 97, 98, 101 and 102., May 1971 (File 3)
ACF, mining companies - witnesses, 1971-1972 (File 4)
Exemptions from Labour Case- sandmining leases 93, 94, 95 and 96, 1971-1977 (File 5-7)
Correspondence re exhibits, 1972 (File 8)
Murphyores-Dillingham, 1972-1981 (File 9-11)
Legal papers, Warden's Court, August 1973 (File 12)
Dillingham- mining lease applications 125-130, 1973-1974 (File 13)
Exemptions, 101 and 102, 1973-1974 (File 14)
Mining lease applications, no. 93-96, 101-102, 1973-1974 (File 15)
Mining lease titles, 1973-1974 (File 16)
Queensland Titanium Mines- applications for mining leases 131-134, 1973-1974 (File 17-18)
Bogimbah lease applications- legal matters, 1973-1978 (File 19)
Round table conference, 1974 (File 20)
Murphyores- share transfers, 1974-1976 (File 21-22)
John Sinclair v The Mining Warden at Maryborough and Queensland Titanium Mines Pty Ltd. Record of proceedings, 1975 (File 23)
Murphyores exemptions, 1975-1977 (File 24)
Sinclair v Murphyores (validity questions), 1975-1977 (File 25)
Murphyores v Sinclair and Hervey Bay publishing - correspondence, 1975-1980 (File 26)
Murphyores v Sinclair and Hervey Bay publishing - costs, King Co; Stephen Comino Cominos, 1977-1981 (File 27)
Documents discovered by Murphyores, 1969-1979 (File 28-31)
Murphyores v Sinclair and Hervey Bay publishing - legal aid, 1977-1980 (File 32)
Murphyores v Sinclair and Hervey Bay publishing - statement by Sinclair, 1979-1980 (File 33)
Protection of FIDO and members' defamation, 1977-1978 (File 34)
Sidney Robert Melksham v FIDO and John Sinclair 1983-1984; FIDO v The Hon. Russell James Hinze 1984 (File 35)
Sidney Robert Melksham v FIDO and John Sinclair, 1983-1991 (File 36-37)
FIDO v Kingfisher- statements, affidavits etc for 1987 Local Government Court (File 38-41)
Kingfisher local government court- transcript, 23 March - 3 April 1987 (File 42-45)
North White Cliffs- papers re proposed resort, 1972-1989 (File 46)
orth White Cliffs- Local Government Court, 1986-1987 (File 47)
'Fraser Island Property Trust resort at North White Cliffs environment impact study', 18 August 1986 (File 48-49)
North White Cliffs resort- papers, 1986-1987 (File 50)
'The town planning consideration pursuant to the Local Government Act...' Report by George Clarke, 16 March 1987 (File 51)
'Report on the basis for FIDO's objection...' by John Sinclair, 17 March 1987 (File 52-53)
North White Cliffs- reports, 1987 (File 54)
'Feasibility study of proposed resort at North White Cliffs, Fraser Island', Corporate Queensland Ltd, 1987 (File 55)
North White Cliffs- miscellaneous papers, 1973-1987 (File 56-58)
Legal matters- sundry, 1975-1983 (File 59)
Miscellaneous legal papers, 1971-1982 (File 60-61)

Subseries 5-6. Safari papers, 1972-1992

This series comprises papers relating to safaris to Fraser Island and elsewhere run by Sinclair for FIDO.

Safaris, 1974 (File 1)
Safaris, 1975 (File 2-3)
Top End safari, 1976 (File 4)
Great Barrier Reef safaris, 1976-1978 (File 5)
Safari queries, 1977-1985 (File 6)
Safaris, 1977-1986 (File 7)
Safaris, 1978 (File 8)
Safaris, 1978-1979 (File 9)
Great Barrier Reef safari, 1979-1980 (File 10)
Safaris, 1980 (File 11-12)
International safaris, 1980-1984 (File 13-14)
Safari enquiries, 1981-1982 (File 15-16)
Super safari, 1981-1984 (File 17-19)
Great Barrier reef safari, 1982 (File 20)
Cooloola- Top End safaris, 1982-1983 (File 21)
Safaris- general, 1982-1984 (File 22-23)
Carnarvon Gorge, 1982-1984 (File 24)
Fraser safari, 1983 (File 25-26)
Great Sandy Strait safari, 1983 (File 27)
Turtle tour, 1983 (File 28)
4WD convoys, 1983-1984 (File 29)
Eliza Fraser Cooloola weekend, 1986 (File 30)
Ecologists safari, 1986-1987 (File 31)
Miscellaneous safari papers, 1972-1992 (File 32-34)

Subseries 5-7. Moonbi, 1973-1993

The subseries contains issues of Moonbi, supplements, correspondence, press releases and manuscript and typescript drafts.

Moonbi no. 32, 1976-1977 (File 1)
Moonbi no. 33, 1977 (File 2)
Moonbi no. 34, 1977 (File 3)
Moonbi no. 35-37, 1977-1978 (File 4)
Moonbi no. 41, 1979-1980 (File 5-6)
Moonbi no. 46-48, 1980-1981 (File 7)
Moonbi no. 45-59, 1980-1984 (File 8)
Moonbi no. 60-84, 1984-1993 (File 9)
Moonbi no. 58, 1983 (File 10)
Moonbi no. 74, 1990 (File 11)
Moonbi no. 85, 1992 (File 12)
Miscellaneous Moonbi papers, 1973-1993 (File 13-15)

Subseries 5-8. Scrapbooks and newspaper clippings, 1968-1994

Sinclair kept a large series of scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings on Fraser Island. The scrapbooks are dated and identified with an alphabetical and/or numerical character by Sinclair. Scrapbooks N to S have been affected by water and are stuck together. The scrapbook for the period June and July 1976 was not received by the Library. Loose newspaper clippings are in files 34-41.

Subseries 5-9. Subject files, 1966-1991

This subseries contains files assembled by Sinclair on a variety of topics and relating to the activities or interests of FIDO. The files have been arranged into alphabetical order by Library staff.

Aborigines, 1991 (File 1)
Art exhibition, 1978-1980 (File 2-3)
Art exhibition- Erwin Weber, 1981-1989 (File 4)
ACF-FIDO-Fraser Island, 1975-1987 (File 5)
Australian Heritage Commission, 1977-1978 (File 6)
Australian Mining Industry Council, 1973-1977 (File 7)
Beach Protection Authority, 1973-1982 (File 8)
Bibliography (references) re Fraser Island, 1984-1986 (File 9)
Calendar, 1978-1979 (File 10)
Display, 1971 (File 11)
D.M. Minerals, 1976-1977 (File 12)
Dungonga Creek, 1974-1986 (File 13)
East Coast property development (see also file 40), 1973-1982 (File 14)
Eli Creek, 1981-1984 (File 15)
Employment, 1974-1976 (File 16)
Eurong Resort, 1980-1985 (File 17)
Film- Last wilderness 1974-1976, and Eliza Fraser1976 (File 18)
Film- Sands of time (documentary on Fraser Island), 1977-1986 (File 19)
Fitzgerald Inquiry (Commission of Inquiry into the Conservation Management and USe of Fraser island and the Great Sandy Region), 1987-1990 (File 20-23)
Forestry, 1971-1988 (File 24)
Forestry- recreation management, 1970-1986 (File 25)
Fraser Island management, 1981-1990 (File 26)
Fraser Island management plan, 1976-1988 (File 27-28)
Fraser Island management plan amendments, 1977-1988 (File 29)
Fraser Island management study, 1974-1975 (File 30)
Fraser Island National Park, 1969-1977 (File 31)
Fraser Island Recreation Board, 1985-1988 (File 32)
Great Sandy Region Committee, 1983-1987 (File 33)
Green bans- furnishing trade, 1972-1977 (File 34)
Green bans- trade unions, 1974-1977 (File 35)
Greetings brochure, 1973-1977 (File 36)
Holiday Lodges (Fraser Island Holiday Lodges Pty Ltd), 1981-1985 (File 37)
Kgari trail, 1976 (File 38)
Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, 1991-1992 (File 39)
Land development- East Coast, 1973-1981 (see also file 14) (File 40)
Lighthouses inquiry, 1982-1983 (File 41)
Local government, 1972-1983 (File 42-43)
Logging, 1983-1990 (File 44)
Logging- R.J. Hawke and Errol Hodder, 1983 (File 45)
Logging, 1990-1991 (File 46)
Mineral Sands Producers' Association Conference, 1980-1981 (File 47)
Mining as a land use- environmental seminar, 1982 (File 48)
Mining lease- licence renewals, 1988-1989 (File 49)
Mining lobby, 1978-1979 (File 50)
Mining seminar- renewable, 1980 (File 51)
Moreton Island, 1981-1988 (File 52)
Murphyores (investment information), 1984-1985 (File 53)
Murphyores- annual report, 1977-1984 (File 54)
National Trust- Fraser Island trees, 1982-1983 (File 55)
Orchard Beach, 1982-1983 (File 56)
Orchard Beach- Commonwealth intervention, 1981-1983 (File 57)
Orchard Beach rezoning- Island Air and Belgravia, 1979-1985 (File 58-59)
Posters- photographic contest, 1979 (File 60)
Publications, 1971-1977 (File 61)
Pulp mill, 1980-1983 (File 62)
Queensland Conservation Council, 1977-1987 (File 63-68)
Research station, 1973-1975 (File 69)
Sandmining- annual reports and printed material, 1968-1976 (File 70)
Sandmining, 1972-1990 (File 71-73)
Sandmining industry, 1971-1977 (File 74-75)
Sandmining studies and statistics, 1976-1979 (File 76)
Senate Standing Committee on Science and the Environment. Inquiry into land use policy- submissions, 1983-1984 (File 77)
Shoalwater Bay, 1989 (File 78)
Sierra Club, 1982-1996 (File 79-80)
Slide show, 1971-1976 (File 81)
State election campaign, 1983 (File 82)
'Stormy islands' (proposed book)- material, ideas, 1976-1977 (File 83)
Studies- assignments on Sinclair and Fraser Island, 1980-1984 (File 84)
Timber industry, 1973-1988 (File 85)
Tourism- John Ham, 1981-1982 (File 86)
Tourist file, 1972-1976 (File 87)
Tramline- steam railway, 1974-1975 (File 88)
Tramway proposal, 1978 (File 89)
Veterans' tour, 1976-1977 (File 90)
Voluntary conservation movement, 1980-1983 (File 91)
Wanggoolba Creek, 1983-1984 (File 92)
Wathumba Creek subdivision, 1973-1979 (File 93)
'Wind shaped wilderness'- scripts for slide shows, n.d. (File 94-95)
Wong Park, 1966-1980 (File 96)
World Heritage- Great Sandy Region, 1983-1984 (File 97-98)
World Heritage- Great Sandy Region, 1984-1990 (File 99-100)
World Heritage- Great Sandy Region criteria, 1977-1986 (File 101)
World Heritage bibliography, n.d. (File 102)
World Heritage- compensation proposals post Fitzgerald inquiry, 1991 (File 103)
World Heritage listing, 1984-1990 (File 104)

Subseries 5-10. Other FIDO papers, 1967-1993

Other papers relating to Fraser Island including submissions, reports and other writings by Sinclair and others, tourist information and ephemera. The series also includes papers of Rollo Petrie, who grew up on Fraser Island between 1913 and 1922. The papers include correspondence, manuscript and typescript drafts of his memoirs and papers on the attempts to prepare the memoirs for publication.

Submissions by Sinclair, 1974-1981 (File 1-2)
Writings by Sinclair on Fraser Island, 1972-1984 (File 3)
Writings by Sinclair on Fraser Island, 1989-1990 (File 4)
Reports on Fraser Island, 1977-1993 (File 5-7)
Queensland Forestry Department information on Fraser Island (File 8-9)
General information on Fraser Island (File 10-11)
Rollo Petrie Papers, 1980-1992 (File 12-15)
Rollo Petrie's submission to the Commission of Inquiry into the Conservation, Management and Use of Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Region, 1990 (File 16)
Petrie's book, 1992-1993 (File 17-18)
Miscellaneous papers on Fraser Island, 1967-1979 (File 19-21)
Miscellaneous papers, 1980-1987 (File 22)
Miscellaneous papers, 1990 and undated (File 23-24)

Series 6. Australian Conservation Foundation, 1973-1993

The Australian Conservation Foundation was constituted in 1965. Sinclair was a member of the Council of the Australian Conservation Foundation in 1975-1989 and served as Vice-President (1977-1985), a member of the Executive, Convenor of the Publications Committee, and Chairman of the Wilderness Committee and the Natural Environment and Wildlife Committee.

The papers include correspondence, meeting papers, constitutions, policy statements, articles, an organisational review report (1984), standing orders, notes, and printed material.

The papers are arranged with Sinclair's files of Executive and committee papers first (files 1-24), followed by a chronological sequence containing both subject files and loose papers (files 25-101). Some committee papers are also included among the loose papers.

Executive Committee (see also file 24), 1973-1989 (File 1-3)

Council papers, 1975-1989 (File 4-12)

Director's reports, 1975-1989 (File 13-14)

Wilderness Committee, 1976-1977 (File 15)

Publications Committee, 1977-1987 (File 16-21)

Natural Environment and Wildlife Committee, 1978-1987 (File 22-23)

Natural Environment and Wildlife Committee (also includes Executive Committee minutes, 1985-1986 (File 24)

ACF, 1973-1974 (File 25)

Cape York: 'A report on the Daintree River-Cooktown region' by J.P. Stanton, 1974 (File 26)

ACF, 1974-1976 (File 27-28)

Rainforest, 1975-1985 (File 29-31)

ACF-FIDO, 1975-1987 (File 32)

ACF general correspondence, 1976-1977 (File 33)

ACF Queensland, 1976-1979 (File 34)

ACF, 1977 (File 35-37)

Iwasaki Sangyo Tourist Resort Complex, Yepoon, Qld, 1978 (File 38-39)

ACF, 1978 (File 40)

ACF, 1978-1979 (File 41-42)

Cape York: Rainforest Trust, 1978-1981 (File 43)

ACF, 1979 (File 44)

Second Wilderness Conference, Sydney, 1979-1980 (File 45)

Great Barrier Reef-Cooloola management submissions, 1979-1983 (File 46)

Rundle oil shale, 1980 (File 47)

ACF, 1980 (File 48-50)

Great Barrier Reef, 1980-1982 (File 51)

ACF, 1981 (File 52-53)

Rainforest papers, 1981-1983 (File 54)

ACF, 1982 (File 55-58)

ACF, 1982-1983 (File 59)

Franklin Dam, 1982-1983 (File 60)

Rathburnie Environmental Estate and Fauna Sanctuary, 1982-1984 (File 61-62)

ACF, 1983 (File 63-69)

Mon Repos, 1983-1984 (File 70-71)

Queensland priority areas (Gregg Borschmann), 1983-1984 (File 72-74)

Action plans, 1983-1986 (File 75)

ACF, 1984 (File 76-78)

Land degradation, 1984-1987 (File 79)

Mining Warden's Court, Thursday Island Mining District. Notes on the address of Mark Plunkett, Counsel for the ACF, Queensland Conservation Council and the Wildlife Preservation Society, 2 Oct. 1985 (File 80)

ACF, 1985 (File 81-83)

ACF, 1986 (File 84-85)

ACF, 1987 (File 86-88)

ACF, 1988 (File 89-95)

Forestry issues, 1988-1989 (File 96-97)

ACF, 1989 (File 98-99)

ACF, 1990-1993 and undated papers (File 100-101)

Series 7. Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council, 1975-1993

Papers collected by Sinclair as a member and Vice-President of the Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council. The papers include correspondence, minutes, monthly reports, and cuttings. Correspondents include Fay Smith (Secretary) and Doris Dove (Project Officer). The files are arranged chronologically.

WBBCC, 1975-1977 (File 1)

WBBCC, 1977-1978 (File 2)

Round Hill-Eurimbula, 1978 (File 3)

WBBCC, 1978-1988 (File 4-6)

Alcan- Goodwood, Qld, 1980-1981 (File 7)

WBBCC, 1980-1982 (File 8-9)

WBBCC, 1980-1988 (File 10-11)

Conservation priorities of SE Queensland, 1982 (File 12)

Fay Smith and Vice-presidency matters, 1982-1984 (File 13)

Local Government Conference, 1983 (File 14)

WBBCC, 1983-1993 (File 15)

Series 8. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), 1977-1993

Sinclair was a member of the IUCN's Commission for Environmental Planning from 1978 and attended the 15th meeting of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in Christchurch, NZ in 1981 and the World Parks Conference in Bali in 1982. He was President of the Australian Committee of the IUCN in 1982-1983.

The papers mainly comprise meeting papers of the Australian Committee of the IUCN as well as correspondence, articles, reports and printed material. The papers are arranged chronologically.

IUCN, 1977-1980 (File 1)

IUCN, 1980-1981 (File 2)

IUCN, 1981 (File 3-4)

Australian Committee for IUCN, 1981-1983 (File 5-6)

IUCN including Australian Committee, 1982 (File 7)

IUCN, including Bali Conference, 1982 (File 8-9)

World National Parks Congress, Bali, 1982 (File 10-14)

IUCN Commission on Environmental Planning, 1982-1983 (File 15-16)

Australian Committee for IUCN, 1982-1983 (File 17)

IUCN, 1983 (File 18)

IUCN Australian Committee, 1983-1984 (File 19)

IUCN, 1983-1984 (File 20)

IUCN, 1984 (File 21-22)

IUCN, 1985 (File 23-24)

IUCN Australian Committee, 1985-1986 (File 25)

IUCN Australian Committee, 14th ordinary meeting, 1986 (File 26)

IUCN, 1986 (File 27-28)

IUCN, 1987 (File 29-31)

IUCN, 1988 (File 32-34)

IUCN, 1989-1990 (File 35)

IUCN, 1992-1993 (File 36)

Series 9. National Conservation Strategy for Australia, 1981-1984

The National Conservation Strategy for Australia was based on the World Conservation Strategy, launched in 1980. A discussion paper entitled 'Towards a national conservation strategy' was prepared by the National Conservation Strategy Task Force within the Environment Division of the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs. Over 550 submissions were received after the papers were released for public comment in May 1982. In 1983 a conference was held in Canberra to consider the draft strategy.

Sinclair was one of the four representatives of the conservation movement on a consultative group formed to advise in planning the development of the strategy. Industry representatives were also represented on the consultative group.

The papers include drafts of the Department of Home Affairs and Environment discussion paper, NCSA conference papers, newsletters, correspondence, cuttings and memoranda.

Drafts of 'Towards a national conservation strategy', Feb.-Apr. 1982 (File 1-4)

NCSA, 1981-1983 (File 5-6)

NCSA, 1982-1983 (File 7)

NCSA Conference, 1982-1983 (File 8)

Loose papers, 1982-1984 (File 9-12)

Series 10. Working Group on Rainforest Conservation, 1982-1987

The Working Group on Rainforest Conservation was established in August 1984 following a conference on the conservation of Australia's tropical and sub-tropical rainforests. The conference was convened by Barry Cohen, the Minister for the Commonwealth Department of Arts, Heritage and Environment, in Cairns on 2-3 February 1984.

The Working Group was chaired by Ken Thompson and included representatives of the CSIRO, the timber industry, conservation groups, the Australian Workers' Union and the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments. The Working Group assembled factual material relevant to rainforest conservation and in September 1985 presented a report to Barry Cohen containing a range of actions to improve Australia's performance in rainforest conservation.

The series contains draft reports of the Working Group, cuttings, correspondence, printed material and other papers assembled by John Sinclair as the Australian Conservation Foundation's representative on the Working Group. The papers also include more general material on rainforest issues (files 13-20) including papers relating to the Daintree campaign, the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Rainforest Conservation Society of Queensland and the Rainforest Liaison Group.

Conference on Rainforest Conservation, Cairns, February 1984 (File 1)

Working Group on Rainforest Conservation agenda and minutes, 1984 (File 2)

Working Group on Rainforest Conservation papers, 1984-1985 (File 3-5)

Working Group on Rainforest Conservation draft report, February-July 1985 (File 6-12)

Rainforest, 1985-1986 (File 13)

Includes the September 1985 report of the Working Group

Rainforest, 1983-1987 (File 14-16)

Wet tropics - rainforest, 1984 (File 17)

Rainforest papers, 1982-1985 (File 18-20)

Series 11. Other conservation papers, 1973-1993

This series comprises files on a variety of conservation issues that either do not relate directly to the conservation papers in series 4-10, or relate to more than one. The papers include correspondence, reports, pamphlets, cuttings, and newsletters of conservation groups as well as submissions by Sinclair to various inquiries.

The files are arranged alphabetically, followed by loose papers, arranged chronologically.

Cape York Action Committee, 1977 (File 1)

Coastal Management Inquiry, 1978-1979 (File 2-3)

Colondale Range Committee, 1982-1986 (File 4)

Conserver Society, 1980 (File 5)

Cooloola, 1970 (File 6)

Cooloola Committee, 1970-1985 (File 7-8)

Cooloola-Noosa Parks, 1975-1980 (File 9)

ForEd Project, Queensland Forestry, 1983 (File 10)

Great Barrier Reef, 1982-1990 (File 11-13)

Green Alliance, 1983-1986 (File 14-16)

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Conservation, 1977-1979 (File 17-18)

Kakadu Society of Australia, 1978 (File 19)

Marine Science Inquiry (Senate Standing Committee on Science and the Environment), 1976-1979 (File 20)

Numabulla- journal of the Gympie and District Field Naturalists' Club, 1979-1983 (File 21)

Senate Forest Inquiry, 1978-1979 (File 22-23)

Tasmania- Franklin, Gordon, 1982-1983 (File 24)

World Wildlife Fund, 1975-1980 (File 25)

Miscellaneous conservation papers, 1973-1977 (File 26)

Miscellaneous conservation papers, 1978 (File 27)

Miscellaneous conservation papers, 1979-1980 (File 28)

Miscellaneous conservation papers, 1979-1985 (File 29)

Miscellaneous conservation papers, 1981 (File 30)

Miscellaneous conservation papers, 1982-1983 (File 31)

Miscellaneous conservation papers, 1984-1990 (File 32)

Miscellaneous conservation papers, 1991-1993 (File 33)

Miscellaneous conservation papers, undated (File 34-35)

Series 12. Legal papers, 1964-1984

This series contains papers assembled by Sinclair during his involvement in several personal legal cases.

In 1977 Sinclair sued the Maryborough Chronicle for accusing him of simultaneously receiving money from the Federal Government as a paid witness to the Fraser Island Environment Inquiry while earning a salary as a public servant. The matter was settled out of court in 1982. Papers relating to this case are in files 3-7.

The other major case represented in these papers is the defamation action Sinclair brought against Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen in 1977 over comments which questioned his ability to perform his job in adult education while being simultaneously involved in the conservation struggle. Sinclair initially won $500 damages plus costs for his defamation action in 1981. However, on appeal to the Full Court, the decision was overturned and Sinclair was ordered to pay Bjelke-Petersen's costs plus interest ($32,000). After national media coverage, Sinclair received $63,000 in donations from the public in order to cover costs. Papers relating to this case are in files 8 to 9.

The files contain correspondence with solicitors and others, newspaper cuttings, statements, records of proceedings, notes and other legal papers. Some files relate to more general legal matters rather than specific cases. Sinclair's experience with legal matters lead to him being invited to speak on legal issues from the layman's perspective. Some of these addresses are also included in the papers.

Legal papers relating to objections to mining leases and defamation cases brought against FIDO are found in .

Land Court Appeal, 1964-1974 (File 1)

Sinclair v Gympie Times, 1975-1977 (File 2)

John Sinclair v Maryborough Chronicle - historical data, 1974-1980 (File 3)

John Sinclair v Maryborough Chronicle - pleadings 1978, and discovery re subpoena 1971-1977 (File 4)

Sinclair v Gilbert Alison (and the Maryborough Chronicle), 1976-1977 (File 5)

John Sinclair v Maryborough Chronicle, 1976-1981 (File 6-7)

John Sinclair v Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen, 1977-1982 (File 8)

John Sinclair v Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen - costs, 1981-1983 (File 9)

General legal matters, 1976-1984 (File 10)

'Australian lawyers and social change' (seminar, ANU), 1979 (File 11-12)

Series 13. Other papers, 1956-1993

This series comprises personal papers including diaries, a high school program and magazine (1956-1959), newspaper cuttings, papers relating to the Murrarundi consultancy (1983), curricula vitae, a consultancy report on wilderness (1987) as well as files relating to Sinclair's study tours of Kansas (1969) and North America (1977).

Diaries, 1960-1966 (File 1)

Appointment diaries, 1970-1976 (File 2-3)

Rotary American study tour to Kansas, 1968-1971 (File 4-5)

Scrapbook of 1977 North American tour (File 6)

Papers relating to a proposed television series 'Australian living landscapes', 1977-1981 (File 7)

Nomination of John Sinclair for BHP Award of Excellence (Environment), 1987 (File 8)

Go Bush safaris, 1990-1993 (File 9)

Miscellaneous papers, 1956-1980 (File 10)

Miscellaneous papers, 1981-1987 (File 11)

Miscellaneous papers, 1989-1993 and undated (File 12)

Container List

Series File Box
1 1-8 1
1 9-10 2
2 1-5 2
2 6-11 3
2 12-19 4
2 20-28 5
2 29 6
3 1-7 6
3 8-14 7
3 15-22 8
3 23-29 9
3 30-35 10
3 36-38 11
4 1-3 11
4 4-10 12
4 11-18 13
4 19-25 14
4 26-31 15
4 32-36 16
5.1 1-9 17
5.1 10-17 18
5.1 18-25 19
5.2 1-8 20
5.2 9-15 21
5.2 16-23 22
5.2 24-30 23
5.2 31-37 24
5.2 38-45 25
5.2 46-53 26
5.2 54-60 27
5.2 61-69 28
5.2 70-77 29
5.2 78-85 30
5.2 86-91 31
5.3 1-3 31
5.3 4-10 32
5.3 11-19 33
5.3 20-27 34
5.3 28-35 35
5.3 36-43 36
5.4 1-8 37
5.4 9-16 38
5.4 17-19 39
5.5 1-4 39
5.5 5-11 40
5.5 12-19 41
5.5 20-25 42
5.5 26-31 43
5.5 32-38 44
5.5 39-44 45
5.5 45-49 46
5.5 50-56 47
5.5 57-61 48
5.6 1-2 48
5.6 3-10 49
5.6 11-17 50
5.6 18-24 51
5.6 25-32 52
5.6 33-34 53
5.7 1-6 53
5.7 7-15 54
5.8 1-13 55
5.8 14-24 56
5.8 25-33 57
5.8 34-41 58
5.9 1-8 59
5.9 9-16 60
5.9 17-23 61
5.9 24-30 62
5.9 31-38 63
5.9 39-46 64
5.9 47-54 65
5.9 55-62 66
5.9 63-68 67
5.9 69-75 68
5.9 76-82 69
5.9 83-91 70
5.9 92-97 71
5.9 98-104 72
5.1 1-8 73
5.1 9-16 74
5.1 17-24 75
6 1-6 76
6 7-11 77
6 12-17 78
6 18-24 79
6 25-31 80
6 32-39 81
6 40-47 82
6 48-54 83
6 55-61 84
6 62-67 85
6 68-74 86
6 75-80 87
6 81-87 88
6 88-92 89
6 93-100 90
6 101 91
7 1-6 91
7 7-14 92
7 15 93
8 1-7 93
8 8-14 94
8 15-21 95
8 22-28 96
8 29-34 97
8 35-36 98
9 1-5 98
9 6-12 99
10 1-5 100
10 6-12 101
10 13-17 102
10 18-20 103
11 1-5 103
11 6-11 104
11 12-18 105
11 19-25 106
11 26-32 107
11 33-35 108
12 1-5 108
12 6-12 109
13 1-5 110
13 6-12 111

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