Guide to the Papers of Sir John Gorton

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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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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

DateEvent
1911Born, 9 September
1940-1944RAAF Flight Lieutenant
1949-1968Senator, Victoria
1958-1963Minister for Navy
1960-1963Assisting Minister For External Affairs
1962-1968Minister in charge of CSIRO
1963-1966Minister for Works and in charge of Commonwealth activities in Education and Research
1963-1964Minister for the Interior
1966-67Minister for Works
1966-1968Minister for Education and Science
1968-1971Prime Minister of Australia
1968-1975MHR (Liberal) for Higgins, Vic
1971Minister for Defence
2002Died, Sydney, 19 May
DateEvent
1911Born, 9 September
1940-1944RAAF Flight Lieutenant
1949-1968Senator, Victoria
1958-1963Minister for Navy
1960-1963Assisting Minister For External Affairs
1962-1968Minister in charge of CSIRO
1963-1966Minister for Works and in charge of Commonwealth activities in Education and Research
1963-1964Minister for the Interior
1966-67Minister for Works
1966-1968Minister for Education and Science
1968-1971Prime Minister of Australia
1968-1975MHR (Liberal) for Higgins, Vic
1971Minister for Defence
2002Died, 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

Biographical and personal material (File 2) - Box 2 (MS 7984)

Entitlements as a former Prime Minister, 1971-1979; Letters of congratulation on award of A.C., 1988

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

Early papers (File 3) - Box 3 (MS 7984)

Speeches, statements and articles, 1946-1967; Speeches on international affairs, 1950-1964; Speeches on international affairs, 1964-1967

Early papers (File 4) - Box 4 (MS 7984)

Speeches, statements and articles on education, 1964-1967

Series 3. Prime Ministership and after, 1967-1975

Subseries 3.1. General files
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

Subseries 3.2. Speeches, statements and interviews
Speeches, statements and interviews (File 5a) - Box 5a (MS 7984)

Speeches and statements, 1968

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

Subseries 3.3. Subject files
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

Subject files (File 21) - Box 21 (MS 7984)

Senate elections, 1970-1974

Subject files (File 22) - Box 22 (MS 7984)

Territorial sea and continental shelf, 1970-1972

Subject files (File 23) - Box 23 (MS 7984)

Superannuation Scheme, 1974-1975; Supply: rejection by Senate, 1974-1975

Subject files (File 24) - Box 24 (MS 7984)

V.I.P. Aircraft, 1967-1969

Subject files (File 25) - Box 25 (MS 7984)

Vietnam War, 1965-1966; Denis Warner, 1970-1971; Whaling, 1973-1975; Eric White and Associates, 1969-1970; E.G. Whitlam, 1967-1973; R.W. Whitrod: appointment as Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner, 1969

Series 4. Later papers, 1975-1995

Subseries 4.1. Radio broadcasts and speeches
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

Subseries 4.2. Correspondence files
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

Subseries 4.3. Subject files
Subject files (File 33) - Box 33 (MS 7984)

Commonwealth-State relations, 1973-1981; Constitution, c. 1978; Drugs, 1978-1989; Marijuana, 1976-1984; Useful information, 1974-1986; Wayback Committee, 1980-1985

Series 5. Writings, 1972-1978

Writings (File 34) - Box 34 (MS 7984)

Book and articles negotiations, 1972-1978; 'I did it my way' articles

Series 6. Newspaper cuttings, 1958-1978

See also folio 4.

Newspaper cuttings (File 35) - Box 35 (MS 7984)

Cutting album, 1958-1967; Cutting album, 1967-1968

Newspaper cuttings (File 36) - Box 36 (MS 7984)

Cuttings, 1968-1975; Cuttings on resignation as Prime Minister, 1971; Cuttings, 1978

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

Photograph albums and photographs (File 39) - Box 39 (MS 7984)

Visit to Indonesia, 1968; Visit by Mrs Gorton to residence of Ambassador to Indonesia (Canberra), 1970; Mrs Gorton, visit to Indonesia, 14th June 1968; University of Wollongong, Graduation Ceremony, 8th Dec 1989

Photograph albums and photographs (File 40) - Box 40 (MS 7984)

Loose photographs

Photograph albums and photographs (File 41) - Box 41 (MS 7984)

Loose photographs

Photograph albums and photographs (File 42) - Box 42 (MS 7984)

Loose photographs

Photograph albums and photographs (File 43) - Box 43 (MS 7984)

Loose photographs

Series 8. Miscellaneous items

Miscellaneous items (File 43a) - Box 43a (MS 7984)

Cassettes; Cartoon; Bible used in swearing Oath of Allegiance, 10 Dec. 1958 (taken by Ainsley Gotto Carson on behalf of JJG on 15 June 2000)

Series 9. Various items

Various items (File 44) - Folio-Box 44 (MS 7984)

Photograph album, 1959-1967

Various items (File 45) - Folio-Box 45 (MS 7984)

Loose photographs; Photograph album; Companion of Honour certificate, 1971 (taken by Ainsley Gotto Carson on behalf of JJG on 9 June 2000)

Various items (File 46) - Folio-Box 46 (MS 7984)

Cartoon, photograph

Various items (File 47) - Folio-Box 47 (MS 7984)

Cutting book, 1968-1994

Various items (File 48) - Folio-Box 48 (MS 7984)

Commemorative photograph albums: visit to Japan, May 6-9 1970; visit to Malaysia, June 11-13, 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 etc
John Gorton A Life (Item NLA.MS-SAV007961) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E-180, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc
Real Life Gorton Marriage (Item NLA.MS-SAV007962) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc
The Liberals - Pt. 1, 12/11/1994 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007963) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, 177 mins, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc

Roadshow 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 etc
Viewpoint Sir John Gorton EP92, 21/07/1999 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007965) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, AL30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc

SkyNews 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 etc
ABC 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 etc

Media 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 etc

Note 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 etc
Sir John Gorton Memorial Service - Sky News, 31/05/2002 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007970) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, AL45, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc
Dimensions Prog - JGG, 25/06/2002 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007971) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E240, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc
TDT [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 etc

Note 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 etc
Sir John Gorton Tribute (Item NLA.MS-SAV007974) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E15, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc
47th Federal Council Gala Dinner (Item NLA.MS-SAV007975) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E60, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc
Celebrating 50 Years of Liberal Government (Item NLA.MS-SAV007976) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc
Celebrating 50 Years of Liberal Government (Item NLA.MS-SAV007977) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, E30, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc
The Battle of Australia, Documentary., Dec-91 (Item NLA.MS-SAV007978) - Shelf-Short 1
1 item, Consumer formats - VHS, S-VHS etc

Note from Darwin Aviation Museum to Sir John, dated 18 August 1994 in case

Class 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).


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