Guide to the Papers of Dorothy Hewett

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MS 6184

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Hewett, Dorothy
Title
Papers of Dorothy Hewett
Date Range
1883-2002 (bulk 1952-2001)
Collection Number
MS 6184
Extent
5.1 metres (34 ms boxes + 2 medium folio boxes + 1 map folio + 22 sound/av carriers)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Sponsor
This finding aid is published with the assistance of the Ray Mathew and Eva Kollsman Trust.

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The papers consist of correspondence, literary works, photographs, sound and video recordings, theatre programs, posters and press cuttings, with the largest part of the collection being preparatory notes, drafts and manuscripts of Hewett's literary works. Major correspondents include Robert Adamson, Josephine Barnes, Rolf Hennequel, Elizabeth Jolley, Drusilla Modjeska, Stephen Murray-Smith, Hal Porter, Max Williams and Fay Zwicky. Other correspondents include Frank Hardy, Alan Marshall, David Martin, Katharine Susannah Prichard and Richard Wherrett.

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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Dorothy Hewett, National Library of Australia, MS 6184, [series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

The papers of Dorothy Hewett were received by the Library in a number of instalments between 1979 and 2005: between 1979 and 1999 four consignments of papers were purchased from Ms Hewett; in 2003, papers that Hewett had left with Bill Dunstone in 1988 were donated to the Library by Dunstone; and in 2005 a final instalment was purchased from Hewett's husband, Merv Lilley.

In the Oral History Section, interviews with Dorothy Hewett are held at ORAL TRC 1/658-659 and ORAL TRC 5217/9.

A Biography file on Dorothy Hewett is available in the Newspaper and Microform Reading Room

Correspondence of Dorothy Hewett is held in the Manuscript Collection in the papers of David Martin (MS 6885), Jack Beasley (MS 9266), Kate McNamara (MS 8512), Tom Inglis Moore (MS 8130), Rodney Hall (MS 4834), Frank Hardy (MS 4887), Katharine Susannah Prichard (MS 6201), Rolf Hennequel (MS 2923) and Robert Adamson (MS 5713), and in the Records of Theatre Australia (MS 6861) and Currency Press (MS 8084).

Hewett's published works, including anthologies of poetry and musical works written in collaboration with composers, are listed on the Library's catalogue.

Arrangement

Since the first consignment was received in 1979 a number of different approaches to arrangement and levels of description have been applied to the collection, differences which are reflected in the file titles and notes. No discernible order was apparent in the contents of the consignments. Order has been imposed by the Library to the extent of grouping similar material into a series arrangement whilst retaining the order of adjacent papers wherever possible. In this way Hewett's apparently random approach to filing has been maintained to some degree.

Papers received in 1979, 1984 and 1992 consignments were sequentially arranged and described using a simple box/file approach with continuous file numbers, totalling 131 files. In 2007 these three consignments were rearranged into series, and subsequent consignments of papers were incorporated into the new arrangement. Whilst the contents of files in the original listing (i.e. of the 1979, 1984 and 1992 consignments) have not been rearranged or moved, the file numbers have changed. Researchers seeking to locate this material should refer to 'Appendix 1: Locations of material moved in 2007 review of collection and guide' (see attached).

The order of material within each series adheres to the chronological order in which the consignments were received (i.e. 1979, followed by 1984 etc.). For identification of files relating to each consignment, see 'Appendix 2: Record of Instalments' (see attached).

Biographical Note

Dorothy Coade Hewett was born on 21 May 1923 on a farm near the Western Australian wheat belt town of Wickepin, the elder daughter of Arthur Thomas (Tom) and Doris Irene (René, née Coade) Hewett. She was educated by correspondence as a child, and then at Perth College and the University of Western Australia (UWA), where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in 1963. Hewett began writing poetry as a child. Her first published poem was 'Dreaming', which appeared in an anthology of children's work in 1938. At nineteen her poetry was published in Meanjin and by twenty-two she had won drama and national poetry competitions.

At nineteen she joined the Communist Party, remaining a member until her resignation in 1968. In 1944 she married Lloyd Davies, with whom she had one child. The marriage failed and in 1948 Hewett moved to Sydney where she lived for nine years with another Party member, Les Flood, with whom she had three sons. The couple lived in inner city suburbs and Hewett took jobs in factories. Her book Bobbin up (1959) was based on these experiences.

In 1960 the couple parted and Hewett returned to Perth, where she completed her studies and subsequently taught English at UWA. There she also married Merv Lilley and bore him two daughters. In 1974 the family moved back to Sydney. Here Hewett was successful in applying for a number of grants from the newly formed Literature Board of the Australian Council for the Arts, enabling her to concentrate on her writing. Towards the end of her life she moved with Lilley to Faulconbridge in the Blue Mountains.

Hewett's career as a writer spanned fiction, poetry, plays and articles for which she received numerous awards and fellowships throughout her life. Her contribution to Australian literature was recognised with an Order of Australia medal (AM) in 1986. Hewett held the position of writer-in-residence at least nine times at Australian universities and once overseas. Her publishing record is vast and includes three novels, a first volume of memoirs, Wild card (the second volume was in process at the time of her death), fifteen plays, anthologies of poetry, radio and screen plays, short stories, musicals, librettos and articles for Australian and overseas journals. In addition, Hewett and her works have been the subject of much analysis and review by other authors.

It is difficult to separate Hewett's writing from her persona. Her early bohemian lifestyle and political and social activism earned her a reputation as an unrepentant rebel. Students, political colleagues from both sides of politics, theatre people and literati alike were drawn to her outgoing personality and vast intellect. Hewett's flamboyant image and creative output never waned.

Dorothy Hewett died in Springwood, New South Wales, on 25 August 2002, survived by husband Merv Lilley and five of her children.

Biographical Reference(s)

Austlit database entry on Dorothy Hewett, c. 2007, http://www.austlit.edu.au.

Bennett, Bruce. 'Obituary: Dorothy Hewett', The (London) Independent, 3 September 2002, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020903/ai_n12646372

Cunningham, James and Wyndham, Susan. 'An unbridled rage to live', The Sydney Morning Herald, August 26 2002, http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/08/25/1030053009320.html

Hewett, Dorothy. Wild card. Ringwood, Victoria: Penguin Books, 1990.

P.L. Duffy Resource Centre, Trinity College W.A. 'Dorothy Hewett (1923-2002): Playwright, novelist, poet', 2006 http://www.trinity.wa.edu.au/plduffyrc/subjects/english/aust/hewett.htm.

Wikipedia entry: 'Dorothy Hewett', c. 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Hewett.

Item Descriptions

Series 1. Correspondence, 1942-2002

This series contains Hewett's professional and personal correspondence. Hewett did not retain copies of her own letters except in very rare instances. The letters are largely from literary and theatre colleagues, publishers, Hewett's agents and academics. Whilst these mainly deal with Hewett's work and collaborations, the content of many of the letters suggests that Hewett often combined personal and professional relationships. People represented in the series by significant amounts of correspondence include Robert Adamson, Josephine Barnes, Rolf Hennequel, Elizabeth Jolley, Drusilla Modjeska, Stephen Murray-Smith, Hal Porter, Max Williams and Fay Zwicky. Other correspondents include Frank Hardy, Alan Marshall, David Martin, Katharine Susannah Prichard and Richard Wherrett.

Amongst the correspondence in this series can also be found poems by other writers, greetings and post cards, photographs, audiovisual material, notebooks, notes and typescripts written by Hewett, and financial papers. The placement of Hewett's hand- and type-written notes amongst the correspondence has been retained. Some enclosures received with letters appear to have been removed by Hewett but may possibly be found elsewhere in the collection. Correspondence found amongst Hewett's literary drafts has been left in place and is located in Series 4.

Letters from writers and academics, 1942, c. 1959-1977 (File 1)

Correspondents include W.F. (Frank) Arndt, Bob Lord, Alan Marshall and Manning Clark. Also includes a letter of recommendation written by Allan Edwards for Hewett in 1942.

Letters from writers, 1944, 1959-1979 (File 2)

Correspondents include Hal Porter, Randolph Stow, Bill Hart-Smith (enclosing poems), David Martin, Katharine Susannah Prichard (enclosing a 'Tribute to Dorothy Hewett') and Frank Hardy.

Letters from publishers, 1959-1979 (File 3_4)

Includes: agreements (contracts) and correspondence relating to the publication of Bobbin up in Russia and Eastern Europe; correspondence with Rolf Hennequel of Wattle Grove Press; and letters from Stephen Murray-Smith regarding the publication of Hewett's poems in Overland.

Theatrical correspondence, c. 1966-1978 (File 5)

Includes correspondence relating to a production of This old man comes rolling home, and letters from directors Ray Omadei, Richard Wherrett and George Whaley.

Miscellaneous correspondence, 1979-1983 (File 6)

Includes letters from Cecil Holmes about 'The planter of Malata'. Other correspondents include Jim Davidson (one letter), Graeme Blundell (one letter) and Professor Mainusch (one letter).

Correspondence, 1967-1979 (File 7)

Correspondents include Gwen Harwood, Stefan Heym, Arne Neeme, Jim Davidson, Ron Blair, Frank Hardy, David Martin, Tom Hungerford and Stephen Murray-Smith. Topics include: action by Lloyd Davies on Hewett's 'Tatty Hollow story'; invitations to visit universities and to read poetry; and letters of congratulations from audience members about Hewett's plays.

Correspondence, 1959-1980 (File 8)

Correspondents include Alvah Bessie, Gertrude and Stefan Heym, Katharine Susannah Prichard, Elizabeth Jolley, Maggie Dence, Stephen Murray-Smith, John Romeril, Patrick White, John Morrison, Frank Hardy and David Martin. Topics include Australian writing, the Communist Party, the death of Ian Turner, Realist Writers and comments on Hewett's work.

Letters and cards from Hal Porter, c. 1971-1982 (File 9)

Correspondence, 1957-1981 (File 10)

Correspondents include Katharine Brisbane, Robert Page, Stephen Murray-Smith, Sylvia Lawson, Rodney Fisher, Elizabeth Jolley, Tom Shapcott, Richard Wherrett, Wendy Blaxland, Trader Faulkner and Fay Zwicky. Additional letters are from publishers, the ABC, universities, festival committees and the Australia Council. Topics include funding of Overland 1961, attendance at festivals, poetry readings, proposed publications and productions, inquiries from students and literary criticism.

Correspondence, c. 1973-1976, 1990-1992 (File 11)

Includes: a letter from the Australian Council for the Arts Literature Board notifying Hewett of her first grant (1973); correspondence from Charles Sturt University regarding the script and a production of 'Zoo'; and a letter from May Webb with her views on characters from Redfern in Wild card.

Correspondence, c. 1977-1992 (File 12)

Correspondents include: publishers, including Drusilla Modjeska of Collins Angus and Robertson regarding the publication, Sisters; theatre personnel; Vera Deacon, enclosing photographs and recalling life in innercity Sydney in the 1950s; and Moya Henderson, enclosing a draft libretto for a song cycle for soprano, cello and piano based on Wild card.

Correspondence, c. 1972-1992 (File 13)

Includes: royalty statements, a photograph of Hewett, letters from Charles Sturt University about a production of 'Zoo', festival organisers, and single letters from Robert Adamson and Fay Zwicky (enclosing poems).

Correspondence forwarded to Hewett by her agents, Hilary Linstead and Associates, 1999 (File 14)

Includes a sound recording of a setting of a Hewett poem by the band 'Random Selection'.

Correspondence, c. 1997-1999 (File 15)

Includes copies of Hewett's resume and her poem 'Drunks in Darlinghurst'.

Swagman's Ballad - Random Selection [cassette tape] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000218) - Cassette-Box 11
1 item

Correspondence, 1993-1999 (File 16)

Includes notes, a notebook, Hewett's poems, and letters and cards from Elizabeth Jolley, Robert Adamson and Josephine Barnes.

Correspondence, c. 1985-1998 (File 17)

Includes correspondence from Elizabeth Jolley, Max Williams and Robert Adamson (enclosing 'Waggafish report number one' 1998), a report by Hewett on her Australia Council Literature Board Senior Fellowship (1985), snapshots of Hewett (1940 and 1955), a postcard photograph possibly of Hewett's childhood farmhouse and excerpts of early undated letters from Hewett.

Correspondence, 1993-1998 (File 18)

Includes correspondence from Max Williams (enclosing a poem), Carmel Bird, Nora Heysen, Fay Zwicky and Thea Astley.

Correspondence, 1990-1998 (File 19)

Includes letters from Drusilla Modjeska and Elizabeth Jolley, and from the Australia Council regarding a four-year Fellowship.

Correspondence, 1990-1998 (File 20)

Includes letters from Fay Zwicky, Josephine Barnes and Elizabeth Jolley, and a royalty statement from 1992.

Correspondence, c. 1959-1968, c. 1985-1996 (File 21)

Includes: a postcard, possibly from Hewett to her son; letters dated in the 1960s from Randolph Stow, Katharine Susannah Prichard and Alan Marshall; later letters from Helen Garner, Josephine Barnes and Drusilla Modjeska; and a letter from the Australia Council regarding a 1986 Fellowship.

Correspondence, 1990-1997 (File 22)

Includes: letters from Fay Zwicky, Elizabeth Jolley, Josephine Barnes, Nancy Phelan, Gwen Harwood and Max Williams; royalty statements from the 1990s; and a photograph of Hewett at a book signing.

Correspondence, 1980, 1988-2002 (File 23)

Includes: correspondence from Elizabeth Jolley, Josephine Barnes, Drusilla Modjeska and Max Williams; a letter from the Australia Council regarding a 1998 Fellowship; texts of a book launch speech and foreword to Neap tide; a transcript of an interview of Hewett by Nicole Moore (1998); and a royalties statement for 1995.

Correspondence, 1992, 1998-1999 (File 24)

Includes fliers for Bobbin up and copies of poems by Patrick McCauley and Paty Marshall-Stace.

Series 2. Personal, family and business papers, 1883-1994

See also Series 1 for correspondence and royalty statements from publishers and Hewett's agents, and Series 5 for further personal and family papers.

Contracts and financial statements, c. 1962-1971 (File 1)

Includes undated agreements with Bulgarian and East German agencies for Bobbin up and financial statements for an Old Tote production of This old man comes rolling home (1968).

Financial statements, 1988-1991 (File 2)

Copy of Hewett's birth certificate, 1981 (File 3)

Hewett's parents' notebook, c. 1928 (File 4)

Family papers and wooden box in which they were contained, c. 1883-1908, c. 1950-1978 (File 5)

Includes letters, postcards, snapshots and negatives, notes and fragments of financial papers, originating from Hewett's parents as well as her own earlier life.

Award certificates received by Hewett, 1992, 1994 (File 6)

Series 3. Juvenilia, c. 1930-1971

This series consists of works by Hewett positively identified as dating from her childhood and youth. See also Series 4 for undated writings possibly written as a child or adolescent, and Series 5, Folders 1-10 for juvenilia collated by Hewett as reference material for her autobiography, Wild card.

Poems by Hewett, including 'The magic mia-mia', c. 1930, 1971 (File 1)

Includes poems on Aboriginal themes and one published in Overland (1971).

'The gypsy dancer' (play), c. 1934 (File 2)

Annotated 'eleven years'.

Diary, book of poems and history notebook, c. 1934 (File 3)

Illustrated poems, c. 1930 (File 4)

Poems written and illustrated by Hewett when a pupil of the Correspondence School in Western Australia for competitions at the Perth Agricultural Show.

Notebook (File 5)

Series 4. Literary works of Dorothy Hewett, 1933-2001

This series comprises notes, manuscripts, typescript drafts, proofs, copies, audiovisual material and correspondence relating to Hewett's poetry, plays and prose works. The series is divided into subseries by work title. The arrangement is based loosely on date of receipt at the Library, with material from different instalments of papers brought together under title, and earliest-received papers at the beginning of each subseries. The works are both unpublished and published and are not arranged by form (i.e. poetry, plays and prose are interfiled). Papers relating to specific titles may also be found in the Miscellaneous works subseries (4.31), or under other titles where their presence is highlighted in the folder description. Where no date is indicated by the papers, dates used in subseries title descriptions have been sourced from the Austlit database.

Subseries 4.1. This old man comes rolling home (play), c. 1967

'Original script with corrections. Jean Wilhelm notes etc.' (File 1)

Subseries 4.2. 'Ah Judas!' (play)

Typescript (File 2)

Subseries 4.3. Bon-bons and roses for Dolly (musical theatre), 1943, 1972-1973

Synopsis and notes for songs, c. 1943, 1973 (File 3)

Includes: the typescript of a short interview of Hewett; papers relating to 'The wire fences of Jarrabin' and 'Catspaw'; and a letter from Robert Adamson.

Roneoed copy, possibly used for production, c. 1972 (File 4)

Includes a typescript of 'The beautiful Mrs Portland'.

Subseries 4.4. Bobbin up (novel), 1933, c. 1959-1968

First drafts (excerpts) and correspondence, c. 1933, c. 1959-1968 (File 5)

Includes: a photograph of Hewett; pages of poems annotated 'ten years'; and a partial copy of a Mary Gilmore Award judges' report on Bobbin up.

Drafts, c. 1959 (File 6_11)

Subseries 4.5. The chapel perilous (musical theatre), 1967-1970

BBC radio version, c. 1970 (File 12)
Research notes, c. 1967-1970 (File 13)
Original notes, original draft and theatre programs, c. 1970 (File 14)
Typed draft (File 15)
Originals and re-writes (File 16)

Subseries 4.6. 'Mrs Porter and the angel' (play), c. 1969

Unpublished play performed in Sydney 1969.

Typescript (File 17)

Subseries 4.7. 'Fields of heaven' (play), c. 1982

Working copy and notes: notebooks, loose notes and typescript draft with some amendments. (File 18)
Several drafts, heavily amended, typescript and a production photograph. (File 19)

Subseries 4.8. 'Zimmer: a mock opera in two acts' (musical theatre) written with Robert Adamson, c. 1974

Original music by Michael Driscoll and Tom Flood. Original lyrics by Robert Adamson, Michael Driscoll and Dorothy Hewett. This work was performed only at a playwrights' conference, with Robert Adamson.

First draft, typescript, heavily amended. (File 20)
Manuscript notes and drafts, photocopy typescript with some amendments, numbered '11'. (File 21)

Subseries 4.9. The golden oldies (play), c. 1976-1977

First performed in Sydney in 1976.

Two annotated roneoed copies and loose typescript pages, labelled 'Director: Richard Wherrett, Dramaturg: Colin O'Brien' (File 22)
Roneoed copy and two sound recordings of performances, c. 1977 (File 23)
Golden Oldies - Grant St. Theatre first night 1/77, 1 7/8 [?] Mono Track 1, Sides 1/2 [audio magnetic reel], 01/1977 [?] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000219) - Shelf-Short OH2-1-001
1 item
Golden Oldies Act I. On reel: Property of Hoopla [audio magnetic reel] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000220) - Shelf-Short OH2-1-001
1 item

Subseries 4.1. 'Pandora's cross' (musical theatre), 1978

Performed in Sydney 1978.

Notes, poster artwork, early draft and typescript, heavily amended. (File 24)

Subseries 4.11. 'The planter of Malata' (screenplay) with Cecil Holmes, c. 1981-1982

Based on Joseph Conrad's short story.

Synopsis, drafts, typescript copies and correspondence, 1981-1982 (File 25)

Includes a typescript headed 'The problem of its adaptation', commenting on the screenplay, and a photocopy typescript of ' A journey with Joseph Conrad' by Cecil Holmes.

Subseries 4.12. Joan (musical theatre), c. 1975

First performed Sydney 1975, published 1984 in the Yackandandah Playscripts series.

Two notebooks containing manuscript notes and dialogue. (File 26)

Subseries 4.13. The man from Muckinupin (Mukinupin) (musical theatre), c. 1979-1982

Commissioned for the 150th anniversary of the founding of Western Australia, 1979.

Early notes, typescript and photocopied first draft pages with amendments, programs, posters and production photographs, c. 1979-1982 (File 27)

Includes a synopsis for 'Pandora's cross'.

Typescript in folder (Item 28)

Annotated 'prompt copy' for Playhouse (National Theatre, Perth) production.

Subseries 4.14. 'Catspaw' (musical theatre), c. 1973

Performed in Perth 1973.

Early notes and dialogue, amended versions of the playscript and press cuttings used as background material, c. 1973 (File 29_32)

Subseries 4.15. Rapunzel in suburbia (poetry), c. 1974-1975

Published by Prism, 1975.

Typescript and photocopied poems, no amendments (File 33)
Drafts of poems (File 34_35)

Subseries 4.16. 'Hardy' (play)

Drafts and notes (mainly trypescript) relating to Thomas Hardy (File 36)

Subseries 4.17. Windmill country (poetry), c. 1965-1968

Most of the poems in this subseries were published in the anthology, Windmill country, by Overland, 1968.

Poetry drafts (File 37)
Loose poems and notes (File 38)
Poetry drafts (File 39)

Subseries 4.18. Selected poems, 1990

Galley proofs, 1990 (File 40)

Subseries 4.19. Greenhouse (poetry), c. 1978-1979

Manuscripts and typescript drafts, c. 1978-1979 (File 41_49)

Subseries 4.2. 'Zoo' (play), written with Robert Adamson, 1990

Typescript, c. 1990 (File 50)

Subseries 4.21. 'Tragedy in concrete' (play)

Corrected typescript, fragment only (File 51)

Subseries 4.22. Alice in wormland (poetry), 1979-1987

Typescript drafts, c. 1979-1987 (File 52_58)
Roneoed copy (File 59)

Subseries 4.23. The toucher (novel), 1991-1994

Handwritten first draft in eight quarto notebooks (File 60_66)
Typescripts (File 67_71)
Final draft (File 72_73)
Material supplied by Nicholas Hasluck, 1991 (File 74)
Notebooks (File 75_76)
Typescript (File 77)
Draft and notes, c. 1993 (File 78)

Includes a letter from Drusilla Modjeska of Angus and Robertson regarding Hewett's short story, 'The Darkling sisters'.

Draft (copy) (File 79)
Typescript and galleys returned to Hewett, 1994 (File 80)
Artwork for the book's cover and corrected typescript and notes of 'Writing a novel: notes on The toucher' (File 81)

Subseries 4.24. 'The beautiful Mrs Portland' (play), c. 1976

See also Subseries 4.3, Folder 4.

Roneoed copy (File 82)

Subseries 4.25. 'The Jarrabin trilogy' (plays), c. 1990-1998

Written as three self-contained but connected plays.

Typescripts of 'The wire fences of Jarrabin, 'The memory theatre' and an 'Outline of plays 2 and 3' (marked 'old') (File 83)
Notes and first draft of 'The wire fences of Jarrabin', c. 1990 (File 84)
Notes on 'The wire fences of Jarrabin' (File 85)
First draft of 'The Jarrabin trilogy', c. 1990 (File 86)
First draft and revised copy of 'The wire fences of Jarrabin', 1990, 1994 (File 87)
Letter from Aubrey Mellor of the Playbox Theatre and copy of a map possibly related to the plays, c. 1998 (File 88)

Subseries 4.26. Peninsula (poetry), c. 1994

Notebook (File 89)
Typescript and proofs, c. 1994 (File 90)

Subseries 4.27. 'The Darkling sisters' (short story), c. 1993-1994

Appeared in Sisters, editor Drusilla Modjeska, published by Angus and Robertson, 1993.

Drafts and corrected typescript with covering letter, c. 1993-1994 (File 91)

Subseries 4.28. Neap tide (novel), c. 1993-1999

Notebook (File 92)
'Background notes' (photocopies), notepad and loose notes, c. 1993 (File 93)
Drafts, c. 1998 (File 94_95)
Fourth draft (File 96)
Proofs, 1999 (File 97)
Notebooks (File 98)
Second draft (File 99)
Artwork for book's cover (File 100)

Subseries 4.29. 'The rising (raising) of Pete Marsh' (play), c. 1988

The papers associated with this play, as well as those in Series 5, Folders 37-40, were left by Hewett with Bill Dunstone on completion of the play at the University of Western Australia New Fortune Theatre in 1988.

Notebooks (File 101)
Loose notes (File 102)
Draft (File 103)
Acts 1 and 2 (copies) (File 104_105)
Amended typescript (File 106)
Copy of script (File 107)
Reference material ('Lindow man' videos) (File 108)
Part One 'Lindow Man' (Item NLA.MS-VID000090) - Shelf-Tall OH1-18-002
1 item, SHARP E-30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc.
Part Two 'Lindow Man' (Item NLA.MS-VID000091) - Shelf-Tall OH1-18-002
1 item, TDK Super AVILYN HS E-60, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc.

Subseries 4.3. Nowhere (play), 2001

Drafts, fragments, 2001 (File 109_110)
Edited copy, with revisions, 2001 (File 111)

Subseries 4.31. Miscellaneous works, 1967-2001

This subseries contains literary papers either not identifiably associated with a known work or containing papers relating to more than one work.

Short stories (File 112)
Drafts of poems, c. 1971-1991 (File 113_118)
Typescript drafts of unfinished novels (File 119)
Manuscripts and corrected typescript prose manuscripts (File 120)
Miscellaneous handwritten manuscripts, c. 1989 (File 121)
Notebooks (File 122)

Includes notes for 'The Darkling sisters' and The toucher.

Notepads, c. 1994 (File 123)

Includes drafts of poems and notes for a 1994 Adelaide Festival panel discussion in which Hewett participated.

Miscellaneous poems, c. 1992-1996 (File 124)
Miscellaneous papers, c. 1983-1988 (File 125)

Includes manuscripts fragments, correspondence, notes and financial papers.

Miscellaneous papers, c. 1985-1998 (File 126)

Includes poems, notes, a South Australian Film Corporation memo relating to Hewett's children's play 'Song of the seals', reviews and correspondence.

Miscellaneous articles and papers, c. 1992-1994 (File 127)
Miscellaneous papers (File 128)

Includes artwork for the cover of Selected poems and a printed poster of Hewett's poem 'Pylons', illustrated with photographs of the poet.

Miscellaneous notebooks, c. 1987-2001 (File 129)
Miscellaneous papers (File 130)

Includes articles, poems, 'The grandmother' (short story), 'Christina's world' (libretto) and 'The Russian writer' (article).

Miscellaneous papers, c. 1967, c. 2001 (File 131)

Includes 'You can't come home again' (short story), introduction to A baker's dozen and the text of an address by Hewett to a Communist Party meeting in 1967.

Series 5. Wild card and autobiographical material, 1893-1991

The papers in this series include notes and notebooks, photographs, correspondence, draft material, juvenilia, family and financial papers, reviews of Wild card and audiovisual material. The majority of the papers have been identified as reference material or literary manuscripts relating to Hewett's autobiography, Wild card (which appears to have initially been entitled 'Card houses'). Exceptions are Folders 37-40. These papers were received from Bill Dunstone, with whom Hewett left them in 1988 after they had collaborated on a play by Hewett, 'The rising (raising) of Pete Marsh' (see Subseries 4.29, Folders 101-108). The interview of Hewett (transcript) and two files of articles about and by Hewett appear unrelated to this play and have been added to Series 5 by the Library.

Notebooks, poems, c. 1942-1944 (File 1)

Notepads, early road map (Adelaide to Perth) and drawings (File 2)

Family and financial papers, juvenilia and photographs of Hewett, c. 1905-1946 (File 3)

Photographs and correspondence, 1939-1952 (File 4)

Includes letters written by Hewett from Europe and China in 1952.

Family papers, story fragment and poems, c. 1932-1957 (File 5)

Notebooks, c. 1940-1942 (File 6)

One of the notebooks contains a more recent undated photograph of Hewett and locks of hair.

Family papers, articles by Hewett and correspondence, c. 1893-1911, c. 1931-1957 (File 7)

School exercise book and notebook (File 8)

Marriage certificate (1895) and notebooks (File 9)

Notebooks, c. 1939-1940 (File 10)

Wild card: manuscripts and corrected typescript drafts, c. 1989-1990 (File 11_14)

Ten-part talking book of Wild card on audiocassette. Royal Blind Society., 1991 (File 15)

10 tapes marked Side 1, Side 3, etc to Side 19

Wild Card Side 1 [cassette tape] [1] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000278) - Cassette-Box 9
1 item
Wild Card Side 3 [cassette tape] [2] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000279) - Cassette-Box 9
1 item
Wild Card Side 5 [cassette tape] [3] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000280) - Cassette-Box 9
1 item
Wild Card Side 7 [cassette tape] [4] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000281) - Cassette-Box 9
1 item
Wild Card Side 9 [cassette tape] [5] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000282) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item
Wild Card Side 11 [cassette tape] [6] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000283) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item
Wild Card Side 13 [cassette tape] [7] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000284) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item
Wild Card Side 15 [cassette tape] [8] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000285) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item
Wild Card Side 17 [cassette tape] [9] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000286) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item
Wild Card Side 19 [cassette tape] [10] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000287) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item

Wild card: corrected typescript of second draft (File 16_18)

Wild card: reviews, 1990 (File 19)

Wild card: notebooks and notes (File 20_24)

Diary of China visit, 1952 (File 25)

Wild card: draft excerpts (File 26_27)

Wild card: early draft (File 28)

Wild card: edited draft excerpt (File 29)

Wild card: manuscripts (File 30_32)

Wild card: edited manuscript (File 33)

Wild card: late manuscript, c. 1990 (File 34)

Wild card: audiocassettes (File 35)

The Card House by Dorothy Hewett [cassette tape] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000221) - Cassette-Box 11
1 item
The Card House. Ch.2. [cassette tape] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000222) - Cassette-Box 11
1 item
Ch.3 Rewrite [cassette tape] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000223) - Cassette-Box 11
1 item
Ch.4 Unfinished The Card House [cassette tape] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000224) - Cassette-Box 11
1 item
Cover: Wipe. Ch.IV end Card House. Cassette: The Card House Ch.4 end. Ch.5. [cassette tape] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000225) - Cassette-Box 11
1 item
Spine: Autobiography No.1 [?] tape. On cassette: A Saving Grace Chpt VI, Side 1 and Side Two. [cassette tape] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000226) - Cassette-Box 11
1 item
Spine: Autobiography Side 3. Cassette: A Saving Grace Ch.6 Tape 3 [cassette tape] (Item NLA.MS-SAV000227) - Cassette-Box 10
1 item

Notes for acceptance speech for the Victorian Premier's Literature Award for non-fiction presented to Hewett for Wild card, 1991 (File 36)

Transcripts of an interview of Hewett by Bruce Bennett, 1982-1984 (File 37)

Research material, mainly about Hewett, 1986-1988 (File 38_39)

This material appears to have been collected by University of Western Australia English Honours student, Joanne Robertson.

Series 6. Writings by others, c. 1970-2001

This series comprises poetry and articles by writers other than Hewett, Hewett's work adapted for the screen and writings about Hewett.

Poems, c. 1972 (File 1)

Articles, c. 1970-1978 (File 2)

Includes: a typescript article 'Dramatic conventions and techniques in The chapel perilous by Dorothy Hewett' by Carla Dente Baschiere (University of Pisa); a photocopy of a short story, 'A Gippsland wedding. Circa 1970' by Kate Ahearne; a photocopy of 'Boozing with Hawke' by Frank Moorhouse; and an unspecified application by Hewett for a special purposes grant.

Robert Adamson material (File 3)

Includes letters, poems, clippings and artwork.

Screen treatment of The toucher by Margot Nash, 1995-1998 (File 4_5)

Articles about Hewett's work by John Kinsella and Margaret Williams (photocopies), 1989, 1996 (File 6)

Poems by Robert Adamson, 1995 (File 7)

Screenplay by Patrick White, The night the prowler (copy), 1976 (File 8)

Thomas Hardy's 'Studies, specimens etc' notebook, edited by Pamela Dalziel and Michael Millgate (photocopy), 1994 (File 9)

Article by Kate Lilley (print), and essay on Hewett by Jasna Novakovic (typescript), 1997, 2001 (File 10)

Series 7. Press cuttings and reviews, 1960-2001

This series comprises mainly clippings of reviews of Hewett's publications and productions of her plays, together with articles about, and interviews of, Hewett which appeared in newspapers and journals or were supplied by her agents or publishers.

Reviews and other cuttings, c. 1961-1981 (File 1_2)

Articles, posters and programs, 1968-1976 (File 3)

Reviews, mainly of Hewett's plays, c. 1969-1979 (File 4)

Reviews of This old man comes rolling home, 1990 (File 5)

Reviews, 1990-1991 (File 6)

Miscellaneous papers, including reviews, 1967-1992 (File 7)

Includes awards, notes, invitations and a university course outline.

Cuttings on Aboriginal rights issues, c. 1960-1971 (File 8)

Miscellaneous cuttings, largely reviews of Hewett's publications, 1968, 1981-1999 (File 9_10)

Reviews of The toucher, 1993-1994 (File 11)

Reviews, 1978, c. 1985-2001 (File 12)

Series 8. Photographs, 1952-1999

Photographs: three portraits by Juno Gemes and snapshots taken on a trip to China, c. 1952 (File 1)

Photographs of Hewett, 1972, c. 1980, 1995 (File 2)

Photographs of Hewett and Merv Lilley, c. 1999 (File 3)

Series 9. Programs and posters, 1939-1999

Largely posters and programs for productions of Hewett's plays.

Programs and book, 1941, 1990-1991 (File 1)

Comprises: Jindyworobak anthology (1941) and programs for This old man comes rolling home (Melbourne Theatre Company) and 'Zoo' (Wagga Wagga).

Programs, various, 1939-1941, 1967-1984 (File 2_3)

Programs and invitations, 1972, 1993-1999 (File 4)

Posters for productions of Hewett's plays, c. 1970- 1972 (File 5)

Programs and invitations, c. 1968, c. 1992-1998 (File 6)

Posters and book covers, c. 1997-1998 (File 7)

Includes a poster created by students rehearsing Hewett's children's play, 'Song of the seals', and bearing handwritten messages from them to Hewett.

Series 10. Miscellaneous papers and objects, 1910-1990

Two tissue boxes with holograph annotations by Hewett (File 1)

Miscellaneous items (File 2)

Includes: beadwork, possibly a necklace or belt; cover of journal Vision (1923); and a plastic bag illustrated with photographs of poets, including Hewett.

Manuscript and printed music, c. 1910-1941, 1974, 1990 (File 3)

Container List

Series File Box
1 1-8 1
1 9-16 2
1 17-22 3
1 23-24 4
2 1-4 4
2 5-6 Folio Box 1
3 1-3 4
3 4 Elephant folio
3 5 Folio Box 1
4.1-4.4 1-8 5
4.4-4.5 9-15 6
4.5-4.8 16-21 7
4.9-4.13 22-27 8
4.13-4.15 28-33 9
4.15-4.19 34-41 10
4.19 42-49 11
4.20-4.22 50-58 12
4.22-4.23 59-65 13
4.23 66-74 14
4.23 75-79 15
4.23 80 Folio Box 2
4.23-4.24 81-82 15
4.25 83-88 16
4.26-4.28 89-95 17
4.28 96-100 18
4.29 101-104 19
4.29-4.30 105-110 20
4.30-4.31 111-119 21
4.31 120-127 22
4.31 128 Folio Box 2
4.31 129-131 23
5 1-4 23
5 5-12 24
5 13-19 25
5 20-26 26
5 27-31 27
5 32-33 28
5 34-37 29
5 38-40 30
6 1-4 30
6 5-10 31
7 1-2 31
7 3-10 32
7 11-12 33
8 1-3 33
9 1-4 33
9 5 Folio Box 2
9 6 34
9 7 Folio Box 2
10 1-3 34

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