Guide to the Papers of Vivienne Abraham
MS 9152, MS Acc23.058
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: June 2023
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Abraham, Vivienne, Ms.
- Title
- Papers of Vivienne Abraham
- Date Range
- 1927 - 2015
- Collection Number
- MS 9152, MS Acc23.058
- Extent
- 18.48 metres (117 ms boxes + 2 cartons + 1 folio)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Content
The papers in MS 9152 include correspondence (mostly with G.A. Bishop), research material, notes, cuttings, ephemera, printed material and other papers relating to the Federal Pacifist Council, conscientious objectors, War Resisters International, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Pacifist Movement of Victoria, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Peace Pledge Union, Religious Society of Friends, International Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Peacemaker and other pacifist and peace movements.
The MS Acc23.058 instalment comprises papers concerning the Vietnam War period. A small portion relates to an earlier period of Ms Abraham's activity with conscientious objectors and war resisters, in the 1940s and 1950s.
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-vn594716).
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-vn594716).
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Vivienne Abraham, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.
Provenance
The collection was donated to the National Library by Vivienne Abraham, through Dr Kenneth Rivett, in 1995. Some of the papers appear to have come from Vivienne Abraham's sister, the late Shirley Abraham.
Arrangement
Because of the sudden deterioration of Vivienne Abraham's health in 1995, the papers when received were not in good order and the Library has therefore imposed its own arrangement.
Finding Aid Source(s)
Please note: This finding aid contains descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.
Collection Retrieval Advice
Please note: each class in this collection has a separate box number sequence (i.e. there are multiple Box 1's). Please cite the relevant Class number as well as the Box number when requesting retrieval of material from the collection.
Biographical Note
Item Descriptions
Class 1. Original consignment, 1938 - 1989
The collection includes correspondence (mostly with G.A. Bishop), research material, notes, cuttings, ephemera, printed material and other papers relating to the Federal Pacifist Council, conscientious objectors, War Resisters' International, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Pacifist Movement of Victoria, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Peace Pledge Union, Religious Society of Friends, International Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Peacemaker and other pacifist and peace movements.
Series 1. Personal papers, 1942-1972
This series contains the personal papers of Vivienne Abraham and a fellow pacifist and friend, G.A. Bishop. The material includes correspondence, diaries, notebooks and personal files, particularly relating their overseas visits after World War II.
Series 2. Federal Pacifist Council: general, 1944-1982
The Federal Pacifist Council was the Australian Section of the War Resisters' International. Shirley Abraham was Honorary Secretary between 1951 and 1953. In 1961 and 1962 Vivienne Abraham lived in Israel and Lebanon. During her stay in the Middle East, Abraham and G.A. Bishop represented the Federal Pacifist Council of Australia at the conference in Lebanon.
The papers consist of minutes and meeting papers, correspondence, general and specific files and papers relating to the Australian Pacifist Conferences of 1946-1949.
Correspondence with constituent groups on organisation and literature distribution, 1947-1948 (File 18)
Correspondence with constituent groups re establishing a group in Western Australia, 1946-1947 (File 19)
Report of Second Australian Pacifist Conference, Mount Evelyn, Victoria, January-February 1947 (File 40)
Australian Pacifist Conference, Belair SA, 1948, including conference report by Abraham, 1948 (File 41)
Correspondence, including the British Service Civil International Correspondence, 1947-1953 (File 85_89)
Correspondence concerning Federal Pacifist Council publications, including the Peacemaker, 1970-1976 (File 119)
Conference material, 1940-1971 (File 121)
Including reports on the 1946 Australian Pacifist Conference at Thornleigh, NSW and papers relating to drafts resistance.
Pacifist Community Service: correspondence, tenancy agreements and financial records, 1945-1970 (File 137)
Copies of the National Service Act (1951-1957), the Defence Act (1930-1956), the National Service Act (1950), amendments to the National Service Act (1951-1955 and 1966-1968) and related papers (File 138_139)
Financial papers, including cash books, receipt books, bank statements and reports, 1943-1973 (File 145_147)
Series 3. Federal Pacifist Council: Vietnam War, 1964-1979
The Federal Pacifist Council was the Australian section of the War Resisters' International. It played an active part in resisting the Vietnam War. It supported people who refused to be conscripted during the Vietnam War. Abraham was an active member of the Australian section of the F.P.C.
The series includes leaflets, roneoed material, photocopies, notes and printed material. The files have been arranged in chronological order.
Series 4. Overseas Pacifist Organisations, 1938-1980
Abraham was in contact with various overseas organisations and she received ephemeral material produced by these organisations. They include pacifist organisations in UK, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Middle East, South Africa, Germany, Scandinavia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Japan.
The types of papers include notes, newsletter, leaflets, roneoed and other printed material. They have been arranged by countries and in chronological order.
Series 5. Conscientious Objectors, 1951-1972
The Conscientious Objectors was an Australian organisation which played an active role in a national campaign against conscription. Abraham was a key player in the movement. Shirley Abraham was Honorary Secretary of the Conscientious Objectors' Advisory Committee (Victoria) between 1964 and 1972.
The series contains correspondence, notes, transcripts of court cases, cuttings, press releases, printed material and records of the Committee in Defiance of the National Service Act, Conscientious Objectors and the Non-Compliers.
Name files, 1968-1979 (File 15_21)
Arranged by names of supporters, including Joan Baez, Davis Hodgson, Peter Hornby, David Keane, David Martin, Geoff Mullens and J. Neil Prewett.
Name Files, 1968-1971 (File 22_25)
Including Brian Ross, Des Phillipson, John T. Cohen and Jeremy Gilling.
Records of Conscientious Objectors Advisory Committee: ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia, 1965-1969 (File 58_64)
Series 6. Peacemaker, 1946-1973
The Peacemaker was the official monthly publication of the Federal Pacifist Council. Shirley Abraham was Business Manager of the journal from 1949 to 1954. Vivienne Abraham was Honorary Secretary to the acting editor of the Peacemaker between 1947 and 1949. She was editor of the journal (1953-1955), a joint editor, with Shirley Abraham (1964-1968) and editor (1969-1971). The series contains correspondence concerning the production and subscription of the journal, research material, mailing lists, drafts and financial papers.
Series 7. War Resisters' International, 1946-1973
War Resisters' International (WRI) was an international peace organisation which was founded during the Second World War. Its Australian section was known as the Federal Pacifist Council.
Series 8. Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, 1943-1989
Shirley Abraham was the Honorary Secretary of the Victorian branch of the Australian Section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) between 1969 and 1970. The series includes correspondence, minute books, financial papers, leaflets, circulars and records of peace organisations (including the Pacifist Movement of Victoria).
Series 9. Pacifist Movement of Victoria, 1954-1968
Shirley Abraham was Honorary Secretary between 1961 and 1971. The series include correspondence, minutes of meetings, notes, circulars, leaflets and annual reports.
Series 10. General correspondence, 1967-1971
The series comprises correspondence, 1967-1971, and other papers relating to the Vietnam War.
7 files/items.
Series 11. Fellowship of Reconciliation (F.O.R.), 1950-1971
Shirley Abraham, sister of Vivienne Abraham, was an active member of the Victorian Branch of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. The series mostly comprises papers of the Victorian Branch of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. They include Shirley Abraham Papers, correspondence with F.O.R. branches, pamphlets, leaflets, Membership, lists of attendance, newsletters, conference papers and minutes, newsletter of F.O.R. and Peace Pledge branches and other printed material.
Shirley Abraham Papers, 1972-1976 (File 15_21)
Including notices on the death of Abraham (1972-1976), correspondence with F.O.R. branches, pamphlets, leaflets, newsletter of F.O.R. and Peace Pledge branches and other printed material.
Series 12. International Fellowship of Reconciliation (I.F.O.R.), 1947-1973
The series includes minutes of meetings, copies of Challenge (newsletter of the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, 1964-1976), copies of Report (I.F.O.R. newsletters, 1970-1975), correspondence, minutes of meetings, circulars, photographs, printed material and other papers
Series 13. Australian Peace Pledge Union, 1943-1972
Vivienne Abraham was Honorary Secretary of the Australian Peace Pledge Union (Victoria) between 1946 and 1952. In March 1952 the Australian Peace Pledge Union (Victoria) and the Christian Pacifist Movement (Victoria) formed the Pacifist Movement of Victoria.
Series 14. Religious Society of Friends, 1948-1986
The series include newsletters, circulars and cuttings. For Records of the Religious Society of Friends see MS 4953.
8 files/items.
Series 15. Other peace movements, 1943-1983
The series includes newsletters, leaflets, circulars and cuttings published by other peace movements.
Class MS Acc23.058. Consignment received 2023, 1927 - 2001
This collection comprises papers concerning the Vietnam War period. A small portion relates to an earlier period of Ms Abraham's activity with conscientious objectors and war resisters, in the 1940s and 1950s.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'A', 1965 - 1970 (File 1) - Box 1
Documents relating to: John Patrick Adams, Graeme Ainslie, Aitken, Gordon William Ames, Robert Desmond Anderson, John Lindsay Anderson, Juris Anderson, Kevin Charles Anderson, Peter Anderson, Karl Armstrong.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'BA-BE', 1968 - 1969 (File 2) - Box 1
James George Balliue, Bruce John Bartimote, Brian Beckett, Bob Beaver.
Correspondence, and other documents relating to Maxwell John Beddow (BED), 1968 - 1969 (File 3) - Box 1
Correspondence, notes, court statements and proceedings relating to Max Beddow.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'BEN-BRO', 1965 - 1970 (File 4) - Box 1
Documents relating to: Robert Bender, David Bisset, Robert Bisset, Michael LeGrand Bisson, John Blake, Stephen Bock, Keven Booker, David Brewer, Robert Bright (court documents), John Broadbent.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'BRO-BYE', 1965 - 1970 (File 5) - Box 1
Chris Brookes, Paul Stuart Brown, Peter Frederick Brown, Noel James Buchanan, George Burcher, Graeme Richard Burstin (court records), Leo Bye.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'CH', 1965 - 1972 (File 6) - Box 1
Correspondence, notes, court statements and proceedings relating to Ian Chapman, Norman Dennis Champion, Brian Childs, Louis Christofides, Benedict Chu.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'CA', 1965 - 1968 (File 7) - Box 1
Mostly correspondence, statements, court records of Christopher Richard Paul Campbell, but also contains documents relating to Rowan John Cahill, Rex Francis Callahan, Laurie Robert Cameron, Alan Campbell, Bernard Cannon, Laurie Carmichael, Denis William Caudrey.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'CLA-CUM', 1965 - 1972 (File 8) - Box 2
Correspondence, notes, court statements and proceedings relating to Peter Clark, Michael Clifton, Tim Coffey, Ronald Coleman, Dean (Dennis) Connell, Gary Cook, Danilo Covich, Charles Robert S Cumberland.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'DAL-DRU', 1968 - 1972 (File 9) - Box 2
Correspondence, notes, court statement, media relating to Anthony (Tony) Dalton, Kim Dalton, David Dawes, David Day, Gerardo de Liseo, Neville Drummond.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters – Paul Duncum, 1971 - 1972 (File 10) - Box 2
Court statement (5 May 1971), letter to the media, correspondence with Minister for Labour & National Service, Peacemaker, solicitors, etc; court proceedings.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'EAS-FUL', 1966 - 1972 (File 11) - Box 2
Correspondence, notes etc relating to Robert Easton, John Ebel, Martin Walter-Heinz Ernst, Joseph Erftemeyer, John Fell, Anthony Ferguson, Adrian Fetherston, Ian Fisher, Anthony (Tony) Foley, Jeffrey Ross Foley, Sean Foley, Rowan Forster, Paul Fox, David Franken, Patrick Fulton.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'GAL-GUT', 1967 - 1972 (File 12) - Box 2
Court records, correspondence etc relating to Peter Galvin, Richard Galvin, Roy Robson Garner, Terrence Sidney Geelan, Christopher Gerrand, Brian Gibbins, Jeremy Gilling, James William Godfrey, Gavin Goudie, Paul Gordon, Peter Graf, Brian Gray, Walter Gray, Richard Stayn Gubbins, Mac Irwin Gudgeon, Alec James Guthrie.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'HAL-HOR', 1967 - 1972 (File 13) - Box 2
Correspondence, notes etc relating to Robert Hall, Michael Hamel-Green, Tim Harding, Chris Hargreave, Geoffrey Harris, Robin Harwood, Bryan Havenhand, Bruce David Head, Graeme Burstin, Bernard Hearsch, Errol Heldzingern, Rex Hewett, Jonathan Hicks, Andrew Hopkins, Chris Holliday, Peter Hornby.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'HOV-IEZ', 1966 - 1972 (File 14) - Box 2
Court Records, correspondence etc relating to Ronald John Hovey, Ian Robert Leslie Howard, Ken Howard, John Hughes, David Hunt, Fabian Hutchinson, Robert Iezzi.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'J', 1967 - 1972 (File 15) - Box 3
Court records, correspondence etc relating to John Chatfield Jacona, Robert Jasperson, David Jay, John Jedryka, Graham Jensen, John Jessup, Chris Johannsen, Barry Johnston, David Jones, Michael Cornelius Etherington Jones, Chris Joyce.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'KEA-LIN', 1965 - 1972 (File 16) - Box 3
Court records, correspondence etc relating to David Keane, Roger Kelly, Jim Kelton, Howard Tervyan Kennard, Brian Kilby, Robin Kitching, Brian Dennis King, Gordon Kinsey, Michael Kochan, K.F. Korobacz, Laurie Krepp, Keith Langford, Stephen Lavendar, Peter Le Breton, Gregory Lewis, David Lin.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'MAC-MAR'., 1965 - 1972 (File 17) - Box 3
Mostly correspondence relating to Alan MacKenzie, Len Madden, Ronald Barry Marr, Charles Edward Marin, Robert Martin.
Court records, notes, correspondence, 1967 - 1972 (File 19) - Box 3
Records of Michael Christopher Matteson.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'MAX-MUN', 1968 - 1971 (File 20) - Box 3
Correspondence, notes, etc. relating to John Maxwell, T.L. McCullough, A.M. McDonald, Ian David Norman McDonald, Garry McDougall, David McGregor, Kenneth McClelland, Robert Francis McMullan, Tony McPharlane, Alexander McQuilton, Ian Reginald Padgham, Jim McQuirk, Robert Millen, Ronald Mitchell, David Anthony Monaghan, David Monaghan, Leonard James Monro, John Morphett, Bob Muntz.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'Mowbray', 1967 - 1971 (File 21) - Box 3
Correspondence, court records and other documents relating to triplets, David, Graham and Robert Mowbray.
Geoff Mullen – notes and statements, 1968 - 1971 (File 22) - Box 4
Mostly notes written by Vivienne Abraham.
Geoff Mullen – correspondence, 1971 - 1972 (File 23) - Box 4
Letters to, from and relating to Geoff Mullen.
Geoff Mullen – correspondence, 1969 - 1972 (File 24) - Box 4
Mostly relating to Geoff Mullen's university studies. One small black and white photograph.
Geoff Mullen – media, 1968 - 1971 (File 25) - Box 4
Statements, press coverage of Geoff Mullen's stand against conscription and his conviction.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'PA - PH', 1966 - 1971 (File 26) - Box 4
Documents relating to Ian Reginald Padgham, Steve Padgham, Frank James Panter, Norm Parris, Michael Parsons, John Paull, Ian Pearce, Joseph Peters, Desmond Phillipson.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'N - O', 1966 - 1972 (File 27) - Box 4
Documents relating to Roger Napthine, Christopher Nelms, Gary Nicholls, John Noyes, Dennis O'Donnell
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'PLA - PRA', 1971 - 1974 (File 28) - Box 4
Documents relating to Geoff Playford, Alexander Vladimir Plusch, John Poole-Johnson, Clive Praed.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'PRI - ROW', 1968 - 1972 (File 29) - Box 4
Documents relating to Gordon Prichard, W. Purcell, John Pye, Peter Reddlich, Peter Reed, Robert Keith Reeves, Gordon Reinsenleiter, James Percival Ridley, Gavin Roberts, Gregory Roberts, Ian Robertson, John Robertson, Brian James Ross, Melville Roderick Rowland.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'SAG-SWE', 1965 - 1971 (File 30) - Box 5
Documents relating to Raymond John Saggers, Geoffrey Sandy, Robert (Bob) Scates, John Scott, Barry John Scurrah, Chris Shanley, David L.J. Shaw, Adrian Sleigh, Robert Silson, Douglas Smalley, Christopher Soames, Brian William Spillane, Timothy James Sprod, T.O. Steele, Brian Ernest Stroud, Gavin David Goutty, Jeffey L. Sweet.
Correspondence between Vivienne Abraham and Robert Stead, 1966 - 1968 (File 31) - Box 5
Written mostly while Robert Stead was undertaking his army service.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters, TAY-TRU., 1968 - 1972 (File 32) - Box 5
Documents relating to Ian R. Taylor, Nicholas Meadows Taylor, Terrence G. Terkeltobe, Robert Taylor Thiele, Alexander (Sandy) Thomas, William (Bill) Thomas, Ross Thompson, Douglas Thorp, Anthony (Tony) Thurston, Simon Townsend, Stephen Townsend, Fred Tropp, Leonard Truscott.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters TUC-WIL, 1965 - 1972 (File 33) - Box 5
Documents relating to Martin Tuck, Ian Turner, Frank Tuting, Willy van de Klooster, Stanislas J. Van de Wiel, Brian Wakefield, Donald Ian Wallace, Russell Warfield, Alistair Watson, Ian Watson, Michael John Weir, Graham Ralph Wellington, James K. Welsh, Peter WIckham, Geoff Wilson, Robert Wilton.
Correspondence and other documents relating to draft resisters 'WOO-ZAR', 1967 - 1972 (File 34) - Box 5
Documents relating to Robert (Bob) Woods, Ian Wright, Ian McLeod Wright, Robert Ysendoorn, John Zarb.
Correspondence and press clippings relating to William Phillip Orrick (Bill) White), 1966 (File 35) - Box 5
File 1 of 2. Bill White was the first conscientious objector to go to prison for his stance against conscription during the Vietnam War.
Correspondence and other documents relating to William Phillip Orrick (Bill) White., 1966 (File 36) - Box 5
File 2 of 2.
Information and Departmental information, 1965 - 1972 (File 41) - Box 6
Includes press statements about the National Service Act.
Printed Leaflets (I of 4), 1965 - 1972 (File 42) - Box 7
Includes material from CO Advisory Cttee and the Federal Pacifist.
Printed Leaflets (2 of 4), 1965 - 1972 (File 43) - Box 7
Includes material from Co Advisory Cttee, Federal Pacifist Council, Friends Society etc.
Miscellaneous notes and lists, 1965 - 1972 (File 46) - Box 7
Mostly lists of resisters, notes of court cases, etc.
Miscellaneous notes and lists, 1965 - 1972 (File 47) - Box 7
Mostly lists of resisters, notes of court cases, etc.
Miscellaneous student magazines, n.d. (File 48) - Box 8
Aquarius (2 copies), Thatunka, Vietnam Action (1967), Crux.
London Peace Society, 1927 - 1955 (File 50) - Box 8
The New Testament Basis of Pacifism, London Peace Society Annual Reports 1908-17 (bound book with image of Rose Scott); The War Resister (Summer 1939, Spring 1940); The Aust Institute of International Affairs pamphlet 1954.
Howard League for Penal Reform, 1930 - 1966 (File 51) - Box 8
Constitution and other material of the Holward League but also contains tables of conscientious objectors in each state, 1966.
Conscientious Objectors Committee of Victoria, 1966 - 1967 (File 52) - Box 8
Mostly newsletters, notices of meetings, some correspondence.
Information from various peace groups (1of 3), 1965 - 1972 (File 53) - Box 8
Includes Federal Pacifist Council, Peace Pledge Union, CO Groups . Includes an index of materials in parts 1 -3.
Information from various peace groups (2 of 3), 1965 - 1968 (File 54) - Box 8
Pacifist Movement of Victoria, Inter-Church Committee on peace etc.
Information from various peace groups (3 of 3), 1966 - 1972 (File 55) - Box 8
Federal Pacifist Council etc.
Vivienne Abraham, notes and correspondence (1 of 3), 1965 - 1973 (File 56) - Box 9
Includes 2 spiral backed note books. Material relates to conscientious objectors and draft resisters in Vietnam War.
Vivienne Abraham, notes and correspondence (2 of 3), 1951 - 1967 (File 57) - Box 9
Includes material from National Service Scheme of the 1950s, such as notes, media etc.
Vivienne Abraham, notes and correspondence (3 of 3), 1951 - 1970 (File 58) - Box 9
Includes material from National Service Scheme of the 1950s, such as notes, media etc.; also letters to Shirley Abraham and Peacemaker material.
Various Peace Groups, 1947 - 1972 (File 59) - Box 9
Includes unsigned, undated essay on Non-Violence and documents from the 22nd AGM of the Australian Council of Churches, 1968.
Draft Resisters, 1966 - 1970 (File 64) - Box 10
Includes results of Gallup Polls, statements and media re draft resisters.
Media relating to draft resisters, 1965 - 1970 (File 65) - Box 10
Includes letters in the media and draft responses; package of instructions for Conscience Objectors and non-compliers etc.
Caravan Against Conscription, 1968 (File 66) - Box 10
Caravan of anti-conscriptionists including Simon Townsend, toured country NSW.
Peacemaker copy (I of 4), 1945 - 1966 (File 68) - Box 10
File 1 contains an index that relates to files 1 to 4.
Conscientious objectors correspondence, 1943 - 1944 (File 72) - Box 11
Correspondence and dossiers on COs during World War II.
War Resisters International (1 of 2), 1940 - 1946 (File 74) - Box 11
Material from War Resisters International (UK)
War Resisters International (2 of 2), 1943 - 1956 (File 75) - Box 11
Includes an index compiled by one of my research assistants c.1997.
Federal Pacifist Council (1 of 4), 1944 - 1956 (File 76) - Box 11
Includes pamphlets and CO Advisory Committee notes.
Federal Pacifist Council (2 of 4), 1944 - 1946 (File 77) - Box 11
Includes FPC Constitution. Minutes 1946,
Note books and pamphlets, 1950s to 1970s (File 79) - Box 12
Includes an address book of war resisters from Vietnam War era.
League for Freedom and other material, 1940s-1950s (File 80) - Box 12
Includes "Conscience and Compulsory Service" by M. Blackburn.
Federal Pacifist Council 1940s (2 of 2), 1940s (File 82) - Box 13
Includes financial statements, minutes.
Pacifist Movement of Victoria, 1953 (File 87) - Box 13
Reports, meeting notices, correspondence etc.