Guide to the Papers of Kenneth Gifford

Searching...

MS 9217

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Created: ©2006.

Collection Summary

Creator
Gifford, Kenneth, 1923-2005
Title
Papers of Kenneth Gifford
Date Range
1846-2002 (bulk 1930s-1990s)
Collection Number
MS 9217
Extent
1.82 metres (13 boxes + 1 map folio package}
Language of Materials
English
Repository
National Library of Australia

Introduction

Scope and Content

This collection contains correspondence, manuscript and typescript drafts of writings, fees books, photographs, family history material, juvenilia, certificates, programs, posters, bookplates and other documents.

These papers largely relate to Gifford's early career as a poet and publisher of poetry, particularly his membership of the Jindyworobaks, an Australian poetry movement of the 1930s and 1940s. Together with drafts of poems by Gifford and others, this material includes correspondence with E.J. Brady, Clem Christesen, Rev. Frank Coaldrake, Norma L. Davis, Flexmore Hudson, Rex Ingamells, Victor Kennedy, Ian Mudie, A.P. Murphy and E.W. Salier.

The collection also features personal files which document events and activities in Gifford's life from 1923 to 2002; general correspondence with family, friends and contemporaries; files concerning Gifford's relationship with the Law Book Company as an author and editor of publications regarding the law, town planning and local government; material relating to the 1998 Constitutional Convention, to which Gifford was a delegate; and family papers, including papers of Gifford's wife, Elizabeth Gifford, and his father, A.S.H. Gifford.

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-vn369464).

Copying and Publishing

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Kenneth Gifford, National Library of Australia, MS 9217, [series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

Papers relating to the 1998 Constitutional Convention (now Series 8) were donated to the Library by Gifford in 1998. The remainder of the collection was donated by Gifford in 2002.

Four letters from Gifford to Arthur Murphy, 1944-1949, are held in the papers of Arthur Murphy (MS 8435, Series 1, File 5). A 1998 photographic portrait of Gifford by Loui Seselja is held in the Pictures Collection. This image is available online at http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an20131813. Correspondence with Gifford concerning the Jindyworobak movement is also held in the State Library of Victoria.

Arrangement

The original order of the files, where apparent, has been maintained by the Library; otherwise a chronological order has largely been imposed. The titles of files are based on original file titles, where present.

Biographical Note

Kenneth Harril Gifford was born on 8 March 1923 in Melbourne, son of Alfred Silva Harril Gifford (1897-1985) and Gwen Leaver (1896-1937). From 1930 to 1939 he attended Scotch College, Melbourne, followed by a year at Prince Alfred College, Adelaide. In 1941 Gifford joined the Australian Army as a Private, serving in Melbourne until his discharge in 1944. In 1949 he married Elizabeth (Betty) Eleanor Lorraine Caldwell (1915-1997), and they had two children, Donald and Anne.

Gifford began writing poetry from an early age. From the early 1940s to 1944 he was the Victorian editor of The Jindyworobak Club. Gifford's two poetry collections The glad season and The reluctant lover were published in 1944, together with his work Jindyworobak : towards an Australian culture. Around this time he established the Arura Writers publishing company, which continued until c.1949.

Gifford graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne in 1946, and began his clerkship at Maddock, Lonie & Chisholm, Solicitors, Melbourne, that same year. He was admitted to the Bar in Victoria in 1947, Queensland in 1957, Tasmania in 1961 and Fiji in 1972. He was appointed as a Queen's Counsel in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania in 1965. Gifford retired from active practice in 1983.

From 1955 to 1966 Gifford was an independent lecturer in Central and Local Government and Law of Planning at the University of Melbourne. He was also affiliated with and lectured international for the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association. Throughout his legal career Gifford wrote and edited numerous works on law, local government and town planning, ranging from the Victorian town-planning handbook (1956) to How to understand an act of Parliament (with Donald Gifford, 1994).

Gifford was a member of numerous clubs, committees and groups, including Bread and Cheese Club, Melbourne, Australian-Britain Society, Board of Freemason's Homes Victoria, Rotary Club, United Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Victoria, National Trust of Australia, Old Scotch Collegians Association and Australian Monarchist League.

In 1977 Gifford received the Total Community Development Award from the Urban Land Institute of Australia. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Municipal Administration in 1958 and of the Royal Australian Planning Institute in 1969, awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 1979, and in 1996 was made an Honorary Life Member of the University of Melbourne Law Society. In 1998 Gifford was a popularly elected delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Canberra. In 2000 his philanthropy was recognised by Scotch College when a newly constructed clock tower was named 'The Gifford Tower' in his honour.

Gifford died in Melbourne on 20 January 2005.

Item Descriptions

Series 1. Personal files, 1923-2002

Comprising school reports and other juvenilia, certificates, biographical information, letters of congratulation for honours and awards, letters of appreciation for lectures and speeches, typescripts of writings by Gifford including 'Legal aspects of municipal elections' and 'The role of the auditor in local government', papers relating to memberships of clubs and associations, newspaper cuttings, photographs and other documents.

The small selection of photographs includes photographic portraits and passport photographs of Gifford, together with a 1992 photograph of Gifford with his wife, Elizabeth Gifford. Amongst the certificates is an award from the Melbourne Bread and Cheese Club's Songwriters' Competition, 1951, for which Gifford won first prize in the Art Song section for 'Night thoughts'. Further items relating to the Bread and Cheese Club are included in Series 10.

Five files and one folio item.

Series 2. General correspondence, 1923-1998

Including letters from Gifford's family, friends, colleagues and associates. Early letters largely relate to Gifford's studies at university, his poetry and his experiences during World War II, stationed in Melbourne with the Australian Army Medical Corps. Later files document Gifford's activities as a member of the Institute of Municipal Management, International Bar Association, Local Government Planning Association, Rotary Club, The Scots' Church (Melbourne) Board of Trustees and other groups. There are also numerous letters of congratulation relating to various highlights of Gifford's legal career.

A.J. Leaver, 1923-1943 (File 1)

Rev. A.E. Gifford, 1941-1949 (File 2)

Includes a typescript of Gifford's address to the World Student Christian Federation, n.d.; together with a photograph of Rev. A.E. Gifford

University of Melbourne, 1940-1955 (File 3)

Correspondents include Niel Abercrombie, M.H. Belz, Maurice Brown, Frank Downes, A.J. Glasson Williams, F.M. Scholes, H.G. Seccombe, R.J. Sussex and G.L. Wood

F.H. Lonie, 1947 (File 4)

Sir Reginald Sholl, 1952 (File 5)

Municipal Association of Victoria, 1956 (File 6)

Includes a typescript of Gifford's course outline and memoranda 'Introduction to Municipal Law and Secretarial Duties', 1956

Institute of Municipal Administration, 1956-1958 (File 7)

Correspondents include W.S. Pearl

International Bar Association, 1984-1987 (File 8)

Correspondents include Ron Ashton, John Gallagher, P.J. Purton and Jan A. van de Ven

General correspondence, 1986-1991 (File 9-10)

Includes a typescript of Gifford's submission 'Department of Housing and Local Government : dispute resolution : submissions invited', n.d.

The Scots' Church, Melbourne, Trustees, 1987-1990 (File 11)

National Library of Australia, 1989-1998 (File 12)

Correspondents include Jan Edwards and Graeme Powell

Series 3. Poetry correspondence, 1943-1949

Gifford was a member of the Jindyworobaks, a group of poets founded by Rex Ingamells in 1938 to foster the development of a distinctly 'Australian' style of expression, including the use of Aboriginal language and themes to evoke the Australian culture and environment.

This series comprises correspondence files, some of which also feature manuscript and typescript draft material by Gifford and others, together with newspaper cuttings and related papers. Among the major correspondents are E.J. Brady, Clem Christesen, Rev. Frank Coaldrake, Norma L. Davis, Flexmore Hudson, Rex Ingamells, Victor Kennedy, Ian Mudie, A.P. Murphy and E.W. Salier.

These files document Gifford's attempts to publish his poems, his work as Victorian editor of Jindyworobak Publications from the early 1940s to 1944, and his activities as founder of the publishing company Arura Writers from c.1944 to c.1949. Through Arura Writers, Gifford published his own poetry collection The glad season (1944), together with Selected poems of Charles Harpur (1944), I, the thief (1944) by Norma L. Davis, Crooked tree : and other stories (1944) by Renee Woods, Heritage of stone (1945) by Charles Barrett and Face to the sun (1949) by Arthur Murphy. Drafts of Gifford's poems, and reviews relating to various works by Gifford and others, are held in Series 4.

The files are arranged alphabetically by correspondent, as maintained by Gifford. A number of the files contain only a single letter or several letters.

S.J. Baker, 1943 (File 1)

Charles Barrett and manuscript of Heritage of stone, 1944 (File 2)

Includes manuscript and annotated typescript draft material for Heritage of stone

E.J. Brady, 1943-1946 (File 3)

Clem Christesen (editor Meanjin Papers), 1942-1944 (File 4)

Includes typescript drafts of poems by Gifford

Donovan Clark, 1944 (File 5)

Rev. Frank Coaldrake, 1941-1943 (File 6)

R.H. Croll, 1943-1944 (File 7)

Norma L. Davis, 1944-1945 (File 8)

Includes a photographic portrait of Davis, a copy of her contract with Arura Writers and newspaper cuttings

Norma L. Davis and I, The Thief (File 9)

Includes a manuscript draft of I, The Thief

T.P. Deegan, 1944 (File 10)

E. Edwards, 1945 (File 11)

B.R. Elliott, 1943 (File 12)

Adam Lindsay Gordon, (File 13)

Comprising a typeset proof of 'At Gordon's grave' from the Argus

N.F. Hoggard, New Zealand, 1944-1945 (File 14)

Flexmore Hudson, 1943-1944 (File 15)

Includes typescript poems by Gifford

Rex Ingamells,, 1941-1944 (File 16-17)

Includes typescript drafts of Gifford's poems, and an annotated typescript draft of an article by Ingamells 'The original 1943 good Australians'

Victor Kennedy, 1944 (File 18)

A.D. Mickle, 1944 (File 19)

Ian Mudie, 1944-1945 (File 20)

A.P. Murphy,, 1944-1949 (File 21)

Includes typescript draft material for Murphy's 'Floodtide', and Murphy's contract with Arura Writers

Nettie Palmer, 1944 (File 22)

D.H. Rankin, 1943-1944 (File 23)

E.W. Salier, 1944-1945 (File 24)

J.G. Shain, 1944 (File 25)

Sydney Ure Smith, 1943 (File 26)

Includes typescripts of poems by Gifford

Series 4. Poetry drafts

Primarily manuscript and typescript drafts of poems by Gifford, including early works dating from his years at Scotch College in the 1930s, together with later poems. Gifford's published poetry collections include The glad season (1944) and The reluctant lover (1944).

This series also includes some typescript drafts and cuttings of reviews relating to Gifford's poems, together with reviews of such works as Norma L. Davis' poem I, the Thief (1944), which Gifford published through Arura Writers.

Drafts of Gifford's poems may also be found in Series 1, and related correspondence is held in Series 3.

Three files.

Series 5. Fees books, 1947-1987

Gifford graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne in 1946, and he began his clerkship at the firm of Maddock, Lonie & Chisholm, Solicitors, Melbourne, that same year. The fees books record such details as date, name and cause of matter, description of the case, fee, date/amount paid and other comments. Gifford retired from active practice in 1983, although there are a few entries after that period for cases on which Gifford worked.

Seven volumes.

Series 6. Law Book Company, 1986-1996

Comprising editorial correspondence and some draft material documenting Gifford's role as author and editor of various works published by the Law Book Company concerning law, local government and town planning. The material primarily relates to the works Australian Planning Appeal Decisions, Local Government Reports of Australia, Town Planning Law and Practice and Laws of Australia. For a number of these publications, Gifford collaborated with his son, Donald Gifford.

Among the major correspondents are Martin Hartcher, James Herd, Victor Kline, D.S. Lees, Carolyn Robson and Philippa Seagrave.

Ten files.

Series 7. 1998 Constitutional Convention, 1997-1998

The Constitutional Convention, held in Canberra in February 1998, was convened to discuss issues relating to the idea of making Australia a republic. Gifford, a member of the Australian Monarchist League, was one of 76 popularly elected delegates to the Convention.

The series includes correspondence, briefing notes, ballot papers, press releases, circulars, resolutions, speeches, articles, printed material (including a copy of How to win the constitutional war and give both sides what they want (1997) by Tony Abbott, in File 8) and related papers. The files document such issues as the proposed models for a new Australian constitution and designs for a new Australian flag. Among the correspondents are fellow delegates and representatives of various interest groups, including A.R. Branch, Jim Cameron, John Campbell, R.L. Coombe, Stephen Ellis, Hugh W. Fraser, Chris Gallus, Bill Gray, Nick Hobson, Nigel Jackson, Alice L. Jefferson, Brian Kennedy, Richard McGarvie, Jim McGarvin, Megan Middleton, E.S. Roberts, Kim Rubenstein, Basil Smith, Margaret Smith, James T. Stevens, Nancy E. Stone, Allan Tully and David White.

Eight files.

Series 8. A.S.H. Gifford, 1846-1994

Alfred Silva Harril Gifford (1897-1985), Kenneth Gifford's father, was a solicitor and company director. He served in France and England with the 9th Infantry Regiment, Australian Imperial Force.

This series includes correspondence, drafts and cuttings of writings by A.S.H. Gifford, a notebook, certificates, financial and legal papers, newspaper cuttings, papers relating to memberships of various clubs and organisations such as Rotary Club and Australian Red Cross, photographs, family history material and papers relating to administration of A.S.H. Gifford's estate. Among the correspondents are Alfred Gifford, Charles Gifford, C. Moor, Ethel Morgan, A.G. Powell, Cecil Powell and Martha Walters.

The writings by A.S.H. Gifford include two autobiographical pieces 'An Aussie remembers' and 'Personal records of Alfred Silva Harril Gifford', together with addresses such as 'The fire of God', 'The significance of the "Queen of Australia"', 'Heritage and obligation', 'The call and response of the church' and 'The role of the British Commonwealth in World Affairs'.

'Family news' comprises an illustrated notebook 'Family Weekly News, Adelaide Dec 25 1909, Editor A.S.H. Gifford', 1909-1910, together with loose typescript sheets of monthly 'Family news', May 1950-August 1977 and July 1979. Edited by A.S.H. Gifford, the sheets detail activities of various members of the extended Gifford Family.

A.S.H. Gifford, 1912-1980 (File 1)

Private papers of A.S.H. Gifford, 1916-1993 (File 2)

A.S.H. Gifford, 1919-1979 (File 3)

A.S.H. Gifford collected addresses and related papers, 1936-1972 (File 4-5)

Springvale Crematorium, 1937-1986 (File 6)

Estate of A.S.H. Gifford, 1951-1994 (File 7-8)

'Family news', 1909-1979 (File 9)

Family history, 1846-1993 (File 10-11)

Family history - photographs (File 12)

A.S.H. Gifford - photographs (File 13)

Series 9. Elizabeth Gifford, 1934-2001

Elizabeth (Betty) Gifford (née Caldwell), Kenneth Gifford's wife, was born on 17 November 1915 in Essendon. She attended the Presbyterian Ladies College from 1930 until 1934, and then studied at the Melbourne Teachers College, later working as a primary school teacher. The Giffords were married in 1949, and had two children, Donald and Anne. Elizabeth Gifford died on 13 January 1997. In 2001 her support of the Presbyterian Ladies College was honoured when the Junior School Hall was re-named the Betty Caldwell Hall.

This small series primarily comprises personal documents and certificates, together with letters to Kenneth Gifford, and copies of The Victorian Teacher's Journal (1944) and The Missionary Chronicle (1945).

One file.

Series 10. Miscellaneous papers, 1932-1970

Gifford was a member of the Bread and Cheese Club, Melbourne, and this series includes a souvenir poster, autographed menus and other papers relating to Club activities. There is also a card autographed by Sir Donald Bradman, 1932; a collection of bookplates; a copy of the Report by the Local Government Act Revision Committee on powers, responsibilities and organisation of local government in South Australia (1970), for which Gifford was a consultant; and miscellaneous programs, printed material and other documents.

Four files, one poster and one volume.

Container List

Series File/Item Box
1 1-5 1
1 6 Map Folio 1
2 1-4 1
2 5-12 2
3 1-9 3
3 10-18 4
3 19-26 5
4 1-3 6
5 1-3 6
5 4-7 7
6 1-6 8
6 7-10 9
7 1-6 10
7 7-8 11
8 1-4 11
8 5-10 12
8 11 Map Folio 1
8 12-13 12
9 1 13
10 1-3 13
10 4 Map Folio 1
10 5-6 13

Top