Guide to the Papers of Sir John Gorton
MS 7984, MS Acc02.203, MS Acc03.185
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Gorton, John, Sir, 1911-2002
- Title
- Papers of Sir John Gorton
- Date Range
- 1946 - 1995
- Collection Number
- MS 7984, MS Acc02.203, MS Acc03.185
- Extent
- 9.3 metres (41 ms boxes + 1 folio + 2 ms cartons + 3 medium folio boxes + 2 phase boxes + 19 sound/av carriers)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Apart from speeches and cuttings, there are relatively few papers dating from Gorton's early political career. For his three years as Prime Minister there are a number of subject files, a comprehensive set of speeches, press statements and transcripts of interviews, and cutting books, photograph albums and a large number of loose photographs. The later papers include correspondence files extending to about 1995, radio broadcasts, articles for newspapers, and newspaper cuttings.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn42626) for the access conditions.
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Sir John Gorton, National Library of Australia, [class, box and/or file number]'.
Provenance
The papers were presented to the National Library by Sir John Gorton in 1990, 1994 and 1995. Papers of a more official kind were placed in the National Archives of Australia.
Biographical Note
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1911 | Born, 9 September |
| 1940-1944 | RAAF Flight Lieutenant |
| 1949-1968 | Senator, Victoria |
| 1958-1963 | Minister for Navy |
| 1960-1963 | Assisting Minister For External Affairs |
| 1962-1968 | Minister in charge of CSIRO |
| 1963-1966 | Minister for Works and in charge of Commonwealth activities in Education and Research |
| 1963-1964 | Minister for the Interior |
| 1966-67 | Minister for Works |
| 1966-1968 | Minister for Education and Science |
| 1968-1971 | Prime Minister of Australia |
| 1968-1975 | MHR (Liberal) for Higgins, Vic |
| 1971 | Minister for Defence |
| 2002 | Died, Sydney, 19 May |
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1911 | Born, 9 September |
| 1940-1944 | RAAF Flight Lieutenant |
| 1949-1968 | Senator, Victoria |
| 1958-1963 | Minister for Navy |
| 1960-1963 | Assisting Minister For External Affairs |
| 1962-1968 | Minister in charge of CSIRO |
| 1963-1966 | Minister for Works and in charge of Commonwealth activities in Education and Research |
| 1963-1964 | Minister for the Interior |
| 1966-67 | Minister for Works |
| 1966-1968 | Minister for Education and Science |
| 1968-1971 | Prime Minister of Australia |
| 1968-1975 | MHR (Liberal) for Higgins, Vic |
| 1971 | Minister for Defence |
| 2002 | Died, Sydney, 19 May |
Biographical Reference(s)
Who's who in Australia, 2001
Item Descriptions
Class MS 7984. Original consignment
Comprises correspondence and photographs with some programmes and subject files on abortion, the Australian Capital Territory government, Australian Council for the Arts, Armed Forces and marijuana. The correspondence is mostly from the period 1975-1986 while the photographs are mostly mounted in albums, many relating to overseas trips (41 boxes, 2 cartons, 5 fol. boxes, 1 map folio).
Series 1. Biographical and personal material, 1963-1990
Biographical and personal material (File 1) - Box 1 (MS 7984)
Biographical notes, 1963-1980; Transcript of oral history interview for National Library, 1976; Personal miscellaneous file, 1968-1990; Commissions and certificates, 1963-1971; Gorton v. the Australian Broadcasting Commission and another, 1971-1974
Series 2. Early papers, 1946-1967
Early papers (File 2) - Box 2 (MS 7984)
Communist Party Referendum Bill, 1951; Loan Council and alleged loan cuts, 1952; Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, 1953-1956; Dossier on Communist sympathisers, 1956-1958; Government Members Committee on Taxation, 1957; Transport - Railways, 1958; Peace Congress, 1959; J.P. Maynes (Federated Clerks Union), 1961-1963
Series 3. Prime Ministership and after, 1967-1975
General files (File 4a) - Box 4a (MS 7984)
Gorton-McEwen and Gorton-Anthony Governments: records of understanding, 1968-1971; Summary of first year as Prime Minister; Summary of first three years as Prime Minister; List of Gorton Government achievements, 1968-1970; Administrative arrangements, 1968-1969
General files (File 5) - Box 5 (MS 7984)
Notification papers of appointment to Privy Council, 1968; Programs for visits interstate, 1968-1971; Form letters, 1968-1970
Speeches, statements and interviews (File 6) - Box 6 (MS 7984)
Speeches and statements, 1969; Speeches and statements, 1970
Speeches, statements and interviews (File 7) - Box 7 (MS 7984)
Speeches and statements, 1971; Speeches and statements, 1972
Speeches, statements and interviews (File 8) - Box 8 (MS 7984)
Speeches and statements, 1972; Speeches and statements, 1973
Speeches, statements and interviews (File 9) - Box 9 (MS 7984)
Miscellaneous speeches, 1968-1971; Index of speeches, 1946-1973; Press conferences and TV interviews, 1968; Press conferences and TV interviews, 1969; Press conferences and TV interviews, 1971; TV interviews, 1972
Speeches, statements and interviews (File 10) - Box 10 (MS 7984)
TV interviews, 1973; TV and radio interviews, 1975-1976
Subject files (File 10a) - Box 10a (MS 7984)
Abortion, 1973; A.C.T. Representation Bill, 1973-1974; Arms for South Africa, 1970; Australian Council for the Arts, 1969-1970
Subject files (File 11) - Box 11 (MS 7984)
Australian Council for the Arts, 1969-1970; Australian Film Development Corporation, 1970; Barrier Reef, 1970-1975; Bulletin articles, 1968-1971; Lord Casey, 1968-1970; China, 1970-1973
Subject files (File 12) - Box 12 (MS 7984)
Cities Commission Bill, 1973 Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conferences, 1969-1971
Subject files (File 13) - Box 13 (MS 7984)
Defence - 'Fortress Australia', 1971; Education, 1972-1973; Family Law Bill, 1974-1975 Fraser challenge to Snedden for leadership of Liberal Party, 1974
Subject files (File 14) - Box 14 (MS 7984)
Fraser resignation from Gorton Ministry, 1971; David Hains, 1972; Homosexual Law Reform Bill, 1973; Jetair Australia Ltd, 1972; Land Tenures: Commission of Inquiry, 1973-1974
Subject files (File 15) - Box 15 (MS 7984)
Liberal Party, 1968-1974; Mineral Securities Australia Ltd, 1971-1972; Minerals exploration, 1973-1975
Subject files (File 16) - Box 16 (MS 7984)
Miscellaneous, A - H, 1969-1974; Miscellaneous, I - M, 1968-1975; Miscellaneous, N - R, 1968-1975
Subject files (File 17) - Box 17 (MS 7984)
Miscellaneous, S - Z, 1968-1975; National Film and Television School, 1970-1975
Subject files (File 18) - Box 18 (MS 7984)
Northern development projects: visit, 1968; Overseas investment, 1968-1975
Subject files (File 19) - Box 19 (MS 7984)
Papua New Guinea self-government, 1970; Parliament House: new building, 1969-1975; Parliamentary retirement allowances, 1973-1975; Petroleum, 1973-1975
Subject files (File 20) - Box 20 (MS 7984)
Premiers Conferences, 1969-1971; Regular Armed Forces: remuneration, 1970; Social services, 1972
Series 4. Later papers, 1975-1995
Radio broadcasts and speeches (File 26) - Box 26 (MS 7984)
Current affairs radio broadcasts, 1978; Current affairs radio broadcasts, 1979
Radio broadcasts and speeches (File 27) - Box 27 (MS 7984)
Current affairs radio broadcasts, 1979; Current affairs radio broadcasts, 1980
Radio broadcasts and speeches (File 28) - Box 28 (MS 7984)
Current affairs radio broadcasts, 1979; Current affairs radio broadcasts, 1980; Speeches, 1979
Correspondence files (File 29) - Box 29 (MS 7984)
Correspondence: B, 1975-1982; Correspondence: C, 1972-1982; Correspondence: D, 1978-1986; Correspondence: F, 1978-1986; Correspondence: G, 1977-1984; Get well messages, 1981; Correspondence: H, 1979-1986; Correspondence: J, 1976-1986; Correspondence: K, 1977-1983
Correspondence files (File 30) - Box 30 (MS 7984)
Correspondence: M, 1976-1983; Correspondence: O - P, 1976-1985; Correspondence: Q, 1974-1980; Correspondence: R, 1978-1985; Correspondence: S, 1974-1984; Correspondence: T, 1975-1986; Correspondence: U - V, 1979-1980; Correspondence: W, 1975-1983
Correspondence files (File 31) - Box 31 (MS 7984)
List of Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour, 1994 (* taken by Ainsley Gotto Carson on behalf of Gorton on 15 June 2000); Correspondence: A, 1984-1995; Correspondence: B, 1985-1995; Correspondence: C, 1977-1995; Correspondence: D, 1977-1995; Correspondence: F, 1990-1995; Correspondence: G, 1986-1995; Correspondence: H, 1984-1995
Correspondence files (File 32) - Box 32 (MS 7984)
Correspondence: J, 1986-1989; Correspondence: K, 1988-1993; Correspondence: L, 1987-1994; Correspondence: M, 1988-1995; Correspondence: O, 1989-1995; Correspondence: P, 1982-1995; Correspondence: Q-R, 1988-1995; Correspondence: S, 1977-1994; Correspondence: T, 1988-1995; Correspondence: U, 1988-1989; Correspondence: V, 1987; Correspondence: W, 1982-1992
Series 7. Photograph albums and photographs, 1959-1989
See also folios 1-3 and 5.
Photograph albums and photographs (File 37) - Box 37 (MS 7984)
Visit to South East Asia, 1968; Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, Singapore, 1971; Housing and Development Board, Singapore; HMS ; Visit to HMAS , June 1959
Photograph albums and photographs (File 38) - Box 38 (MS 7984)
Visit to United States Naval Academy, March 1963; State visit to Australia by President Park Hung Hee of Korea, September 1968; Anti-submarine Warfare Force, United States Pacific Fleet, 1963; Gemini XI Earth-Sky view photograph; Visit to Singapore, June 1968
Class MS Acc02.203. Consignment received 2002 - Box 1-8 + folio (MS Acc02.203)
Comprises the transcript of an interview with Clyde Cameron; miscellaneous interview transcripts, 90th birthday cards, papers relating to the Mabo ruling, "I did it my way" articles, speeches, and National Archives guides; correspondence and papers; honours, awards and miscellaneous correspondence; two award certificates; loose photographs of 90th birthday celebrations and videos (8 boxes, 1 oversize flat packet).
Series. Moving image carriers
Gorton Material ex WWW 23&24 for Tom Krause (Sunday), 16/10/1994 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007960) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcJohn Gorton A Life (Item NLA.MS-SAV007961) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E-180, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcReal Life Gorton Marriage (Item NLA.MS-SAV007962) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcThe Liberals - Pt. 1, 12/11/1994 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007963) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, 177 mins, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcRoadshow Entertainment P/L
McFeast Special "20th Anniversary of the Whitlam Dismissal", 1995 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007964) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E180, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcViewpoint Sir John Gorton EP92, 21/07/1999 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007965) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, AL30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcSkyNews Australia
Lang - The Final Chapter From 60 minutes, 4/10/1999 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007966) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcABC News - Launch of Sir John Gorton's Biography, SBS World News - Sir John Grton Invited back inot the Liberal fold, also lauched his biography., 18/03/2002 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007967) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E30B, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcMedia Monitors VHS
House of Representatives - condolences for John Gorton, 27/05/2002 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007968) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, ABC VHS, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcNote providing the tape to Ainslie
John Gorton Special - Sky News, 31/05/2002 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007969) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, AL45, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcSir John Gorton Memorial Service - Sky News, 31/05/2002 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007970) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, AL45, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcDimensions Prog - JGG, 25/06/2002 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007971) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E240, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcTDT [This Day Tonight] - Gorton - 'I Did It My Way', 8/07/2002 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007972) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, ABC E30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcNote saying tape is Damaged and Very old
Prime Ministers on Prime Ministers (Item NLA.MS-SAV007973) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E180, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcSir John Gorton Tribute (Item NLA.MS-SAV007974) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E15, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc47th Federal Council Gala Dinner (Item NLA.MS-SAV007975) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E60, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcCelebrating 50 Years of Liberal Government (Item NLA.MS-SAV007976) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etcClass MS Acc03.185. Consignment received 2003 - Box 1-7 (MS Acc03.185)
Comprises further papers, however, apart from speeches and cuttings, there are relatively few papers dating from Gorton's early political career. For his three years as Prime Minister there are a number of subject files, a comprehensive set of speeches, press statements and transcripts of interviews and cutting books, photograph albums and a large number of loose photographs. The later papers include correspondence files extending to about 1995, radio broadcasts, articles for newspapers, and newspaper cuttings of John Gorton (6 boxes, 1 carton).