Guide to the Papers of Andrew Fisher

MS 2919

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator: Fisher, Andrew, 1862-1928
Title: Papers of Andrew Fisher
Date Range: 1883-1952 (bulk 1901-1921)
Collection Number: MS 2919
Extent: 2.24 metres (14 boxes + 8 folio boxes + 5 map drawer folio items)
Language of Materials: English
Repository: Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Sponsor: This finding aid was created by the National Library of Australia with the assistance of the Australian Prime Ministers Centre.

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The Fisher Papers include correspondence on family and official matters, departmental minutes and administrative papers, press cuttings, photographs, personal documents, and books and pamphlets. Much of this material document Fisher's political career, especially his terms as Australia's Prime Minister (1908-1909, 1910-1913, 1914-1915), and his work as High Commissioner in London (1915-1921). The correspondents include George Ryland, Matthew Reid, W. Demaine, J. C. Watson, Frank Tudor, D. C. McGrath, James Page, Albert Gardiner, W. G. Higgs, Josiah Thomas, Sir George Pearce, Keith A. Murdoch, W.M. Hughes, Sir George Reid, Colonel Anderson and General Birdwood.

One folder of material which was added to the collection in 1983 relates to social engagements and other activities of Fisher's daughter, Margaret Fisher.

Conditions Governing Access

This 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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 ofAndrew Fisher, National Library of Australia, MS 2919, [series and/or folder number]'.

Provenance

The papers were donated to the Library in several instalments by Fisher's family between 1961 and 1990.

In addition to the Fisher Papers at MS 2919, the Library holds several smaller collections of papers of Fisher, which were received from various sources. A number of other manuscript collections (including collections on microfilm) contain letters from or papers relating to Fisher. Oral history interviews relating to Fisher are held in the Oral History Collection. As well as being accessible through our catalogue (http://www.nla.gov.au/catalogue), these materials are described separately in a guide titled Special collections relating to Andrew Fisher in the National Library of Australia (http://www.nla.gov.au/ms/findaids/2919rm.html).

Arrangement

The Library has arranged the Fisher Papers into fourteen series, each of which has been described in this finding aid. In addition, all the correspondence items in the collection have been indexed (refer to the attached Appendix, under the 'Related Documentation' heading).

During the 2007 revision of the finding aid, instalments of material received between 1981 and 1990 were integrated into the series arrangement of the original instalment.

Biographical Note

Andrew Fisher was born at Crosshouse, Ayrshire, Scotland, on 29 August 1862. He left school, probably around the age of ten, to work in the local coalmines. In 1879, at the age of 17, he became secretary of the local Crosshouse branch of the Ayrshire Miners' Union. In 1885, he left with his brother James for Queensland. After working briefly at the Burrum coalfields, he settled at Gympie to work as an engine driver in the gold mines.

Fisher became active in the labour movement. He joined the Gympie branch of the Amalgamated Miners Union and was soon its Secretary and President. In 1892, as the Workers' Political Organisation delegate from Gympie, he helped the Labour-in-Politics convention prepare for the 1893 State elections. Fisher himself was elected to the seat of Gympie, which he held from 1893 to 1896 and from 1899 to 1901. During the latter term, he was briefly Secretary for Railways and Minister for Public Works in the Dawson Labor Government of 1899.

Fisher was a supporter of Federation. In May 1901 he successfully contested the Queensland Federal seat of Wide Bay. The following December, he married Margaret Irvine, the daughter of his landlady in Gympie.

Fisher had an outstanding career in Federal politics from 1901 to 1915. Having defeated W. M. Hughes for the position of Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in 1905, he replaced J. C. Watson as Leader and Chairman in 1907, and led his first ministry as Prime Minister in November 1908, when the Party withdrew its support for Deakin. Fisher in turn lost Deakin's support and thus the Treasury benches in June 1909, but regained power at the general election of April 1910.

During the three years of Fisher's second term, many of the Labor Party's policies became law. Maternity allowances were granted; land taxes introduced; three destroyers, three cruisers, and two submarines were purchased for the Royal Australian Navy; administrative responsibility for the Northern Territory was transferred from South Australia to the Commonwealth; work was begun on the Federal Capital; the Commonwealth Bank was established and Commonwealth bank notes issued; and the construction of the trans-Australia railway line commenced. During the same term in office, Fisher represented Australia at the opening of the Union of South Africa Parliament (1910); at the Imperial Conference (1911); and the Coronation of King George V (1911).

At the general election of May 1913, Joseph Cook's anti-Labor coalition narrowly defeated the Labor Party. However, the Senate, which was controlled by the Labor Party, defeated several Government Bills and the Governor-General, Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson, granted a double dissolution. As a result of the election in June 1914 the third Fisher Ministry came into office. War had just broken out and the new Government put through censorship and security laws, directed the Navy to capture German New Guinea, and sent the first Australian troops to the Middle East and Gallipoli. During December 1914 Fisher travelled to New Zealand to confer with the Prime Minister, W. F. Massey, about trade and defence arrangements. In October 1915, he resigned to succeed Sir George Reid as Australia's High Commissioner in London. This work involved Fisher in much of the liaison work for the Anglo-Australian war effort. He retired in 1921.

Fisher made two subsequent attempts to re-enter politics. Soon after retiring as High Commissioner, he stood unsuccessfully for Labor pre-selection for the House of Commons seat of Paisley. Later, during a brief visit to Australia, he was rejected as a potential Labor candidate for West Sydney, the electorate previously held by T. J. Ryan.

Andrew Fisher died in London, on 22 October 1928.

Person notes for CP 713, Andrew Fisher, http://naa.gov.au/the_collection/recordsearch.html. National Archives of Australia, RecordSearch database.

Andrew Fisher, Australia's Prime Ministers, http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/meetpm.asp?pmId=6. The Australia's Prime Ministers portal is hosted by the National Archives of Australia.

Andrew Fisher, Australian Dictonary of Biography Online, http://222.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080529b.htm

Clem Lloyd, 'Andrew Fisher' in: Australian Prime Ministers, edited by Michelle Grattan, Sydney, New Holland, 2000

John Malkin, Andrew Fisher: 1862-1928, Darvel, Ayrshire, Walker & Connell, [1979?]

Item Descriptions

Series 1. General correspondence, 1885-1940

This series contains letters, telegrams and postcards, arranged chronologically, with undated letters placed last. There is family correspondence between Fisher, his wife, his brothers, and his children; letters of congratulations on Fisher's election as Prime Minister and appointment as High Commissioner; and letters of condolence to Mrs Fisher on her husband's death in 1928. Most of the correspondence, however, comprises letters sent to Fisher while in London as High Commissioner (1915-1921). Primarily from old Labor Party colleagues, these letters cover much of the contemporary political scene in Australia, including the activities of the Prime Minister, W.M. Hughes, the conscription referenda, and the war.

The correspondents include the Queensland Labor men, George Ryland, Matthew Reid, and W. Demaine; Fisher's former parliamentary colleagues J. C. Watson, Frank Tudor, D. C. McGrath, James Page, Albert Gardiner, W. G. Higgs, Josiah Thomas and G. F. Pearce; the war correspondent Keith A. Murdoch; and army officers, Colonel Anderson and General Birdwood.

General correspondence, 1885-1914 (File 1)

Comprises items 1-105.

General correspondence, 1915 (File 2)

Comprises items 106-192.

General correspondence, 1916 (File 3)

Comprises items 193-291.

General correspondence, 1917 (File 4)

Includes correspondence relating to the award of the Order of the British Empire to people in England not serving in the Australian Imperial Force along with a list of recommendations by General Birdwood.

Comprises items 292-425.

General correspondence, 1918-1920 (File 5)

Includes correspondence, a report and nominal roll relating to a recruiting campaign by Captain C. Carmichael. The nominal roll is headed 'Carmichael Thousand'.

Comprises items 426-534.

General correspondence, 1921-1940 (File 6)

Includes a file of correspondence concerning the education of the children (registered British subjects) of Mr W. E. Clark, Harbour Master, Chinese Maritime Customs Service, at the British Municipal Council School, British Concession, Hankow, China (items 537-556).

Comprises items 535-651.

General correspondence, n.d. (File 7)

Series 2. Financial and legal papers, 1892-1930

Correspondence, certificates, guarantees, minute books, cheque butts and receipts make up the series. They relate, in particular, to Fisher's life in Queensland and to his involvement in a number of cooperative investment schemes, the Truth Publishing Co. (of which Fisher was founding chairman) and the newspaper Gympie Truth. The paper was founded by Fisher as a reaction against Gympie's anti-Labor press which had been largely responsible for his defeat at the 1896 state elections. At Fisher's request, H. E. Boote became the paper's first editor.

The series also includes papers connected with isolated personal, financial and legal events which followed his move to national politics, and to Melbourne, in 1901.

Financial and legal papers, 1892-1922 (File 8)

Includes correspondence, certificates, receipts and reports relating to Fisher's activities in Queensland including his employment in the mines; his involvement in a number of cooperative investment schemes; the Truth Publishing Company and the newspaper, Gympie Truth.

Documents relating to his later political life include correspondence concerning a bank loan to Thomas Dunstan; the purchase of a piano and letters, telegrams and accounts from the legal firms Hedderwick, Fookes and Alston and Sly and Russell, in connection with a slander suit brought jouintly by Fisher and G. F. Pearce in 1915.

Comprises items 1-115.

Cheque books, passbooks and certificates, 1896-1930 (File 9)

Includes cheque books and butts belonging to Fisher (1901-1905); a cheque book for the Gympie Truth newspaper (1896-1897); minutes of meetings of the directors and shareholders of the Gympie Printing and Publishing Company (1896); an unused passbook for the Gympie Industrial Co-operative Society and an insurance policy certificate belonging to Andrew Fisher's son, John (1930).

Comprises items 116-190.

Miscellaneous papers, 1896-1915 (File 9a)

Includes a minute book of meetings of the shareholders of the Truth Newspaper Company (1896) and a copy of a prospectus for the Isis-Bank presented to Fisher in 1915.

Comprises items 191-193.

Correspondence, receipts, 1902-1914 (File 9b)

Includes correspondence with his wife, Margaret (1908-1913); personal receipts relating to income tax and land tax assessments and mortgage papers.

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 2/Box 13.

Correspondence, receipts, 1914-1924 (File 9c)

Includes correspondence with family (1914-1918); telegrams sent to Fisher while visiting New Zealand (1914-1915); income tax receipts, mortgage papers and financial accounts.

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 1/Box 13.

Series 3. Parliamentary papers, 1891-1915

Fisher's career in federal politics was extremely successful. He was elected to the first federal parliament in 1901, was a minister in the Watson Government of 1904, party leader in 1907, and later Prime Minister three times. His activities as Labor Party leader, chief adviser to the Governors-General Lord Denman and Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson and as Australia's representative at a number of ceremonies and meetings overseas can be traced in the series' correspondence, telegrams, manuscript notes from cabinet meetings, notes, speeches, departmental minutes, and parliamentary bills and papers. For example, there is correspondence and notes on Joseph Cook's request for a double dissolution in June 1914, and a copy of Fisher's letter of resignation to Lord Denman. The papers cover much of the social legislation introduced in 1910-1913, the two referenda of 1911 and 1913, and administrative matters following the transfer to theCommonwealth of the Northern Territory in 1911. Other topics are covered in the following three series.

Correspondence, 1901-1912 (File 10)

Comprises items 1-102.

Correspondence and reports, 1891-1914 (File 11)

Comprises items 103-191.

Correspondence, reports and telegrams, 1915 (File 12)

Comprises items 192-302.

Correspondence and notes, 1904-1915 (File 13)

Comprises items 303-391.

Correspondence, notes and reports, 1912-1915 (File 14)

Comprises items 392-523.

Notes, speeches, 1910-1915 (File 15)

Comprises items 524-681.

Miscellaneous parliamentary papers, legislation and notes, 1904-1915 (File 16)

Also includes a 'Ministerial policy - statement of' by Joseph Cook (1913) and a copy of 'Simultaneous dissolution of both Houses of the Parliament' (1914).

Notes, reports, 1904-1915 (File 17)

Comprises items 707-386.

Correspondence, memorandum, notes, reports, 1904-1914 (File 17a)

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 1/Box 12.

Notes, 1909-1915 (File 17b)

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 2/Box 12.

Correspondence, notes, telegrams, 1904-1915 (File 17c)

Also includes miscellaneous telegrams sent to Fisher while visiting New Zealand (1914-1915).

Notes, 1910-1915 (File 17d)

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 4/Box 12.

Correspondence, notes, telegrams, 1902-1915 (File 17e)

Also includes a newscutting of Fisher's wedding to Margaret Irvine (1901) and an order of proceedings for the laying of the foundation stone for Australia House, London (1913).

Correspondence, drafts, notes and reports, 1904-1915 (File 17f)

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 8/Box 12.

Cabinet minute, n.d. Outlines reasons for a dissolution of Parliament. (File 17g)

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 3 /Box 13.

Correspondence, notes, reports, 1911-c.1927 (File 17h)

Also includes a reflection on the city of Canberra (c.1927).

Correspondence, notes, reports, 1901-1915 (File 17i)

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 7 /Box 13.

Memorandum, notes. Includes notes for a budget speech (c.1911) and a paper on the Labor party and its achievements (n.d.). (File 17j)

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 8 /Box 13.

Correspondence, notes, 1908-1915 (File 17k)

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 9 /Box 13.

Series 4. Canberra as the Federal Capital, 1904-1910

During Fisher's first and second terms as Prime Minister, the site for the Federal Capital was resolved in favour of Canberra and the inauguration and naming ceremony held (1913). The series incorporates miscellaneous materials relating to these events. There is correspondence (including letters from David Miller, the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, and the Director-General of Works, P. C. Owen, to King O'Malley, the Minister responsible for establishing Canberra), departmental memoranda, parliamentary acts and a copy of a report Federal capital - proposed site at Yass-Canberra (1909).

Comprises one folder.

Series 5. Finance and banking, 1901-1915

The series contains correspondence relating to the Commonwealth Bank (1912); the issuing of Commonwealth bank notes; the raising of war loans; the proposed Public Debts Commission; land tax legislation and some statistical material. Correspondents include the Commonwealth Bank's first Governor, Sir Denison Miller, the Commissioner of Land Tax, G. A. McKay, representatives of the major private banks, and some of the State Premiers, such as J. S. McGowen and Sir Alexander Peacock.

Two publications on the Commonwealth Bank can be found in Series 13, and a photo album (1915) on the construction of the Commonwealth Bank central office building, Sydney, is in Series 12.

Correspondence, memorandum, notes, 1901-1915 (File 19)

Mainly correspondence on banking matters including the Commonwealth Bank, the Australian note issue and war loans.

Correspondence, memorandum, notes, 1905-1915 (File 19a)

Includes notes on various aspects of the Commonwealth Bank, the Australian note issue (1914) and comments by G. F. Pearce on the formation of an Imperial General Staff.

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 6/Box 13.

Series 6. Defence and foreign relations, 1896-1915

Under the Fisher Labor Government, the movement to strengthen Australia's defence forces was intensified. In accordance with the 1908 Federal Conference resolution, Fisher introduced compulsory military training for all males between 12 and 26. In 1909, he bought the Royal Australian Navy's first ships, and by 1913 the fleet had expanded to include a battle cruiser, and two submarines. These developments, as well as preparations for war in late 1914, and the 'Dreadnought scare', are covered by correspondence, speech notes, and departmental memoranda in this series. As well, there are telegrams relating to Fisher's suggestion of an Imperial Conference in late 1914; the terms of capitulation following the Navy's capture of German New Guinea, Solomons and Samoa, notes on Australia's relations with the United States and comments on talks between Fisher and New Zealand Primer Minister W. F. Massey in January 1915.

Correspondence, reports, telegrams, 1909-1915 (File 20)

Mostly relating to Australia's naval defence. Includes discussion between Fisher and Deakin on the Dreadnought proposal.

Correspondence, notes, reports, 1896-1915 (File 21)

Includes the defence of Australia; memorandum on the Japanese in the Pacific, 1915; terms of capitulation of German New Guinea, September 1914 and comments on talks between Fisher and the New Zealand Prime Minister, W. F. Massey in Auckland in December 1914.

Correspondence, memorandum, reports, 1909-1915 (File 21a)

Includes the war effort; creation of an Imperial General Staff (1909); torpedo-boat destroyers and a scheme for universal service.

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 5/Box 13.

Series 7. Dardanelles Commission, 1916

In 1916, Fisher joined the Dardanelles Commission, which was set up by the Asquith Government in Britain to investigate the Gallipoli campaign of 1915. The series contains a small amount of correspondence relating to Fisher's appointment, together with copies of the Commission's minutes of evidence for the first eight days (23 August 1916 - 6 October 1916).

Comprises one folder.

Series 8. Election papers, 1890-1939

Fisher was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly seat of Gympie in 1893, and again in 1899. Subsequently he represented Wide Bay in the Federal Parliament, from 1901 to 1915. This small series contains papers connected with these elections in the form of election statistics, 'How to Vote' cards, leaflets on Labor Party policies and the 1902 Federal Labor Party platform, and a copy of The rules of the Australia Labour Federation (1890).

Two items were added to this material in the 1930s, probably by Margaret Fisher. These items are a copy of the Australian Labor Party Federal Executive report, 1938-1939, and a leaflet entitled 'The case against the National Register' (1939).

Comprises one folder.

Series 9. Miscellaneous papers, 1899-1962

The series includes the text of Fisher's speech at the opening of Australia House in 1918; undated manuscript notes; a number of British and Australian parliamentary papers; a summary report on the Gallipoli campaign by Keith Murdoch; two notebooks of reminiscences written by Fisher's daughter Margaret ('Peggy'), dated 1962, and statistics on some of Sir George Reid's expenses while High Commissioner in London.

Miscellaneous papers and printed material, 1899-1919 (File 24)

Looseleaf manuscript notes; summary report of Gallipoli operations by Keith Murdoch; summary of a meeting of the Queensland Group of the Round Table, n.d.; text of Fisher's speech at the opening of Australia House in London (1918) and details of Sir George Reid's travelling expenses while High Commissioner in London.

Printed items include various bills (1899) relating to the Constitution; an article on Fisher's brother, John, on his appointment as the new Chief Constable of Grimsby, reprinted from the Grimsby Daily Mail, 1899; a copy of an article by C. E. W. Bean, Official Press Representative with the Australian Forces in France, 1916, entitled 'To France: the moving of ANZAC: a padre who said the right thing' and a copy of 'The first interim report of the Committee on Currency and Foreign Exchanges after the war', 1918.

Comprises items 1-55.

Notebooks (2) of reminiscences written by Fisher's daughter, Margaret Fisher, 1962 (File 25_26)

Cover title 'Andrew Fisher at home'.

Comprises items 56-57.

Series 10. Newsclippings, 1883-1952

The collection's newspaper material consists largely of seven clippings albums (four of which are indexed) covering press reports of Fisher's activities in 1904, 1905, 1908, 1911, 1914-1915 and 1916. There are also single issues of a number of Melbourne and London weekly magazines, and some loose clippings. The series covers Fisher's public life in Gympie, Brisbane, and Melbourne, and in particular the Royal Coronations of 1902 and 1911, the Imperial Conference of 1911, the referendum of 1911, and the tour of New Zealand, 1914-1915.

Newsclippings relating to the 1911 referendum and proposed amendments to the Constitution, October 1910-February 1911 (File 27)

Comprises items 1-74.

Correspondence in the press concerning the exclusion of Eurasian children from the British Municipal Council School, British Concession, Hankow, China. This includes those who are registered as British subjects in the month of January every year at H. B. M. Consulate-General, June 1921-March 1922 (File 28)

Newsclippings from the Central China Post newspaper.

Comprises item 75.

Albums (5) of cuttings, 1883-1930 (File 28a)

Comprises items 76-80.

Newsclippings album : Personal and General, Book No 1, 1883-1908 (Item 76)

Mainly clippings from the latter half of 1908 covering Fisher's first ministry. Earlier clippings from 1901 refer to the death of Fisher's brother, John, in Grimsby, England and the 1901 elections. There is also a copy of an address by William Smyth to the electors of Gympie from the Gympie Times, September 1883. A letter from the Queensland Parliament acknowledging Fisher's resignation from state politics is also included in the album.

An alphabetical index appears in the front of the album.

Newsclippings album : Book II : Political articles, debates, speeches, etc, 11 June 1904-29 July 1904 (Item 77)

Includes clippings on the Arbitration Bill and the defeat of the Watson government.

An alphabetical index appears in the front of the album.

Newsclippings album : Book I : Political debates, speeches, etc, 22 April 1904-15 June 1904 (Item 78)

Includes clippings on the defeat of the Deakin government, the new Watson ministry and events leading to its downfall only a few months later.

An alphabetical index appears in the front of the album.

Newsclippings album, 1905-1906 (Item 79)

Small number of loose clippings mainly relating to the sugar industry in Queensland.

Newsclippings album, 1899-1930 (Item 80)

The bulk of the album covers the period September 1914-January 1915 and includes cuttings on the results of the 1914 elections and Fisher's visit to New Zealand in December 1914-January 1915. Pages 63-66 relate to the appointment of Fisher's brother John to the position of Chief Constable in Grimsby, England and his subsequent death in 1901. The final clipping in the album reports on the unveiling of a memorial to the late Andrew Fisher at Hampstead Cemetery, London, in 1930, by the British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald.

An alphabetical index appears in the front of the album.

Newsclippings and newspapers, 1900-1952 (File 28b)

Loose clippings and select issues of newspapers. Subject covered include Fisher' brother, John, (1900); the Commonwealth Bank; the First World War; Fisher's role as Australian High Commissioner; the General Strike of 1926 and the Secrets Funds Royal Commission (1941).

Comprises items 81-109.

Magazines (5), 1910-1917 (File 28c)

Comprises items 110-115.

The Court journal, court circular and fashionable gazette, 29 June 1911 (Item 110)

Special coronation issue. Contains a photograph of Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher and his wife, Margaret, who both attended the coronation (p.766).

Lady's pictorial, 13 January 1917 (Item 111)

Includes an interview with Mrs Margaret Fisher: 'The call of the Dominions : II', (p. 35-36) and a photograph of Andrew Fisher in his new office at Australia House (p. 41).

Cape Times Annual, 1910 (Item 112)

The Southern Sphere, 1 June 1910 (Item 113)

Special coronation issue. Contains an article on Australians at the coronation, (p.1-2)

The Graphic, 3 June 1911 (Item 114)

Includes a drawing of Fisher by Will Dyson in an article 'Some aspects of the imperial problem', (p. 844).

The Sphere, 20 May 1911 (Item 115)

Includes an article on the 'Australasian Antarctic Division' (p.174). Three newscuttings from London newspapers on the same subject have been appended to the page.

Newsclippings and newspapers, 1900-1952 (File 29)

Comprises item 116.

Albums (2) of cuttings, 1911-1916 (File 29a)

Comprises items 117-118.

Newsclippings album, June 1911-July 1911 (Item 117)

Includes Fisher's visit to England in 1911 to attend the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, the Imperial Conference and the wedding of his sister in Liverpool.

Album has been bound. Spine title reads 'Press notices, The Hon Andrew and Mrs Fisher, London 1911, Vol II'.

Newsclippings album, January 1916-March 1916 (Item 118)

Most relate to Fisher's appointment as Australian High Commissioner in London. Includes biographical profiles, his political career in Australia and visits to Australian troops in London.

Album has been bound. Cover title reads 'The Rt Hon A Fisher'.

Series 11. Personal documents, 1885-1937

The series includes a large variety of personal material, such as illuminated addresses, name cards, commemorative booklets, testimonials, engagement diaries, invitations, menus and souvenir programs. The invitations, many of which have been gathered into an album, pertain to official functions and dinners which Fisher attended, and include those connected with the opening of first Australian Parliament (1901), his attendance at the Royal Coronations (1902, 1911), and the visit to Australia of the United States Fleet in 1908.

Personal items belonging to other Fisher family members include Margaret Fisher's visitors book (1916-1919); an unsigned typescript copy of her will; Robert Fisher's autograph book (1911-1935) and a miner's right belonging to Fisher's brother, James (1889).

Diaries, notebooks, invitations, menus, passes and printed material, 1888-1928 (File 1)

Diaries for 1909 and 1913 containing only brief entries. The 1909 diary notes Fisher's request for a dissolution in May. Notebooks have been used mainly for addresses. Other items include an invitation to Fisher's wedding in 1901; dinner menus and railway passes; an entry card to the signing of the Turkish Treaty at Sevres, 1920 and a ticket to a memorial service for Fisher in 1928.

Also includes a passport belonging to Margaret Fisher's mother, Margaret Irvine, 1915-1921. Two printed items relate to the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.

Comprises items 1-24.

Certificates, greeting cards, invitations, menus and souvenir programs, 1885-1918 (File 2)

Includes the Commonwealth of Australia celebrations in 1901; Fisher's visit to England in 1902 and South Africa in 1910-1911; the arrival of HMAS Melbourne in Port Phillip Bay in 1913 and the opening of Australia House in London in 1918.

Also includes a Queensland miner's right (1889) belonging to James Fisher and a small portait of Andrew Fisher, aged 18.

Comprises items 25-63.

Invitations and souvenir programs, 1902 (File 3)

Includes Fisher's visit to England and his attendance at the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in June 1902.

Comprises items 64-68.

Notes, souvenir programs and booklets, c.1901-1911 (File 4)

Includes Fisher's attendance at the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary and notes for Fisher's engagements in London at this time (21 June-10 July 1911).

Also features a copy of 'Links in the chain of empire', a booklet commemorating Australian Federation, 1901.

Comprises items 85-107.

Notes, souvenir programs and booklets, 1901-1919 (File 5)

Mainly items relate to the Commonwealth of Australia celebrations held in Sydney and Melbourne in 1901. Menus for other functions include a dinner organised by the Ayrshire Miner's Union in Kilmarnock, Scotland, 1911 and a banquet in honour of the Western Australian Minister for Mines, 1895.

Also includes an invitation to a public reception for the visit of the United States Fleet to Australia (1908) and an invitation to Fisher's widow, and his daughter Margaret, to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in July, 1930.

Comprises items 108-125.

Greeting cards, invitations and menus, 1901-1920 (File 6)

Mainly invitations and menus relating to Fisher's time as Australian High Commissioner in London. A small number are from the 1902 and 1911 coronations and Federation celebrations in 1901.

Also includes a bound illuminated Christmas card from the Governor of Queensland, 1908; a luncheon menu on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stones for Canberra, the Federal Capital and a luncheon menu for the launch of HMAS Brisbane in 1915.

Comprises items 126-148.

Visitors book kept by Mrs Margaret Fisher in London, 1916-1919 (File 6a)

Comprises item 149.

Autograph book belonging to Robert Fisher (Fisher's son), 1911-1935 (File 6b)

Comprises item 150.

Greetings cards, invitations, menus, newscuttings and postcards, 1900-1937 (File 7)

Includes a small number of items for the 1911 coronation; a score card for a game of golf by Fisher and Keith Murdoch, 1912; souvenir programmes for the turning of the first sod on the Transcontinental Railway, 1913 and the laying of the foundation stones for the Commonwealth Bank in Sydney, 1913. Cards include the Prime Minister's official Christmas card for 1914-1915.

There is also a series of postcards showing the union jack flag and inscribed with various foreign languages.

Comprises items 151-176.

Invitations, menus, plans, programmes, 1908-1925 (File 8)

Mainly material relating to the visit of the United States Fleet to Australia in 1908. Includes an invitation to a public reception in Sydney, a programme for Sydney, a menu and plan of tables for a banquet in Melbourne, a copy of an address from the Federal Parliament to Rear-Admiral Charles S. Sperry and various plans of the city of Melbourne showing the routes of marches of American servicemen to attend special functions.

Miscellaneous items include an unsigned typescript of Margaret Fisher's will (c.1925); a postcard of A. Fisher and J. Keir Hardie (1907) and a piece of glass from Rheims Cathedral, France, which was given to Fisher during a visit in June 1917, shortly after the cathedral had been shelled.

Comprises items 177-191.

Certificates and printed material, 1911-1929 (File 9)

Includes a certificate of appointment to the Privy Council (1916) and an oath of a Privy Councillor; souvenir booklet of the opening of Australia House, London (1918) and extracts from the records of the Senate relating to Fisher's death (1929).

Also includes a copy of Part II of the Final report of the Dardanelles Commission.

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 7/Box 12.

Printed material and photographs, 1913-1928 (File 10)

Includes a souvenir booklet of Gympie and District; views of Rotorua, New Zealand; items relating to the the Trans-Australian Railway; a copy of 'Federal referendums : the case for and against' and miscellaneous photographs.

This folder is part of the 1981 addition. Previous number : Folder 5/Box 12.

Album of invitations, 1901-1913 (File 11)

Mainly invitations to official functions and dinners during Fisher's visits to Europe (1911) and South Africa (1910).

An alphabetical index appears in the front of the album.

Comprises item 192.

Miscellaneous ephemera, 1901-1934 (File 12)

Comprises items 193-210.

Invitation from the Government of New South Wales to attend the Commonwealth of Australia inaugural celebrations commencing in Sydney, 1 January 1901 (Item 193)

Australian Commonwealth Celebrations: invitation from the Government of Victoria to a conversazione in the Exhibition Building, 7 May 1901 (Item 194)

In celebration of the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia

Invitation from the Government of Victoria to the celebrations in Melbourne in connection with the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York, c.1901 (Item 195)

Invitation from His Majesty's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth of Australia to witness the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, 9 May 1901 (Item 196)

Invitation from His Majesty's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth of Australia to meet their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York at an evening reception at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, 9 May 1901 (Item 197)

In celebration of the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Australian Commonwealth Celebrations: an invitation to the Royal Review at Flemington on Friday, 10 May 1901 (Item 198)

In celebration of the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Illuminated address presented to the Honorable Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, by members of the Western Australian Goldfields Water Supply Administration Employees Union during his visit to the goldfields, 16 February 1909 (Item 199)

Illuminated address presented to the Honorable Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia from the Victorian Scottish Union, Batman House, Melbourne, 5 April 1911 (Item 200)

Menu for a complimentary banquet to the Hon. Andrew Fisher , Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, 18 May 1911 (Item 201)

The banquet was organised by the Ayrshire Miners Union and chaired by J Keir Hardie, MP.

Seating arrangements for the Coronation Banquet at Buckingham Palace, 20 June 1911 (Item 202)

An alphabetical list of their majestie's guests showing room and table number for the function. ( 2 copies)

Invitation to a royal luncheon at Guildhall to their majesties King George V and Queen Mary, 29 June 1911 (Item 203)

Part of the coronation celebrations.

Welcome home address presented to Fisher on his return from the coronation of King George V by the Freemantle District Traders Association, Freemantle, 8 August 1911 (Item 204)

Address of appreciation from the Women's Organising Committee of the Political Labor Council, Corio, 6 December 1912 (Item 205)

Welcome address presented to Fisher from ex-residents of Gympie now living on the Witwatersrand Gold Field, during his visit to South Africa, c.1910 (Item 206)

Souvenir programme for the laying of the foundation stones for the new Commonwealth Bank building in Sydney, 14 May, 1913 (Item 207)

Programme is encased in a velvet box.

Invitation to Master Robert Fisher to attend the launch of the HMAS Brisbane by Mrs Andrew Fisher at the Commonwealth Naval Dockyard, Cockatoo Island, 30 September 1915 (Item 208)

Souvenir booklet 'Souvenir of the new mace for the House of Commons of the Dominion of Canada', n.d. (Item 209)

Pictorial booklet 'The National war memorial of Victoria : the Shrine of Remembrance', 1934 (Item 210)

This item is part of the 1981 addition. Previously no number allocated/Box 12.

Series 12. Photographs, 1883-1951

Fisher was a keen amateur photographer, and this series consists largely of his photographs and photographic albums. All stages of his life are depicted, including his early years in Scotland. The largest group of photographs records the visit to Australia by a delegation of British Labour parliamentarians in 1913. There is also a presentation volume of portrait photographs of all the Federal Labor Members who served with Fisher. It was presented on the eve of his departure for London in December 1915.

Copies of some of the official photographs found in this series can also be found on PictureAustralia. The war related items can also be viewed in the Australian War Memorial collection database.

Photographs and postcards, 1904-1931 (File 1)

Includes images of family and friends; a Brisbane garden party; scenes from Northern NSW; travel pictures taken in Europe and South Africa (1910) and the Australian tour of the British Parliamentary Party (1913).

Comprises items 1-172.

Photographs and postcards, 1891-c.1940 (File 2)

Includes images of John Fisher taken in Gympie in the 1890s; other family and friends; travel pictures; postcard of Andrew Fisher and Keir Hardie (1907); the Australian tour of the British Parliamentary Party (1913) and geographical and historical cards of South Africa.

Also includes a photograph of Mrs Margaret Fisher (c.1940).

Comprises items 173, and items 176-240.

Etching of the Exchequer Gate and West Front, Lincoln Cathedral by G Weston, n.d. (File 2a)

Comprises item 174.

Colour lithograph on paper by Will Dyson, 1917 (File 2b)

Comprises item 175.

Photographs and postcards, 1904-1951 (File 3)

Includes images of family and friends; the Australian tour of the British Parliamentary Party (1913); the inspection of an unidentified naval vessel and miscellanous travel pictures of Europe and New Zealand.

Also includes three prints of the unveiling of a memorial in honor of Fisher at Hampstead Cemetery, London, by the British Prime Minister, Ramsay McDonald (1930) and a postcard sent to Margaret Fisher (1951), probably by three of her grandchildren.

Comprises items 241-315a. Item 315a was originally in a newscutting album (item 118) in Series 10.

Photographs, postcards and negatives, 1883-c.1919 (File 4)

Includes images of an inspection of the Trans Australian Railway and the Australian tour of the British Parliamentary Party (1913). There are also several packets of negatives mainly of family groupings.

Also included is a portrait of shearers as 'Unionist Prisoners' after the shearers strike in Barcaldine, Queensland, 1893.

Comprises items 316-379.

Photograph album, c.1901-c.1918 (File 4a)

Includes images of Federation celebrations in Perth, 1901; family portraits; city and country landscapes and servicemen in uniform in England.

Comprises item 318.

Miscellaneous photographs, 1890s-1915 (File 5)

Comprises items 380-411.

A meeting outside the offices of the Barrier Truth, Gympie, Queensland, 1890s (Item 380)

Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, 9 May 1901 (Item 381)

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York delivering the message of His Majesty King Edward VII to the members of the Parliament of the Commonwealth.

Wedding party of Andrew and Margaret (nee Irvine) Fisher, 31 December 1901 (Item 382)

Studio portrait of members of the Labor Party in the first Federal Parliament, 1903 (Item 383)

Contains signatures of all the party members (including Fisher) and party chairman, J. C. Watson. Produced by Barroni Studios, Melbourne and dated August 5th, 1903.

Studio portrait of Prime Minister J. C. Watson, his Cabinet Ministers (including Fisher) and the Governor-General, Lord Northcote, c.1904 (Item 384)

Contains signatures of Watson and his ministers.

Studio portrait of Prime Minister J. C. Watson and his Cabinet Ministers (including Fisher), c.1904 (Item 385)

Autographed studio portrait of Governor General, Lord Dudley, presented to Fisher, 1908 (Item 386)

Studio portrait of Andrew Fisher, his wife, Margaret and their five children, c.1910 (Item 387)

Luncheon to the Australian Ministers given by the Rt. Hon. Sir George R. Reid, KCMG, KC, High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia, 17 May 1911 (Item 388)

Held at the Trocadero Restaurant, Picacadilly Circus, London.

Autographed studio portrait of G. F. Pearce presented to Fisher, 28 June 1911 (Item 389)

Inscription on the back reads 'with kind regards to my respected Chief and friend, London, 28/6/11'.

Autographed studio portrait of Viscount Harcourt presented to Fisher at the Imperial Conference, 1911 (Item 390)

Harcourt was Secretary of State for the Colonies, 1910-1915.