Guide to the Papers of Roberta "Bobbi" Sykes
MS 10389
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: December 2018
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Sykes, Roberta "Bobbi"
- Title
- Papers of Roberta "Bobbi" Sykes
- Date Range
- 1970-2010
- Collection Number
- MS 10389
- Extent
- 1.65 metres (5 archives boxes + 1 ms box + 1 large folio box)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Cultural Sensitivity Advisory Notice
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this collection may contain names, images and voices of deceased people and other content that may be culturally sensitive.
Scope and Contents
Papers of Roberta 'Bobbi' Sykes - poet, author and activist for Indigenous rights. This collection contains speeches, correspondence, papers and articles, as well as photographs and audio cassettes.
Conditions Governing Access
Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn7508675).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Roberta "Bobbi" Sykes, National Library of Australia, MS 10389, [class/series/file/item number]'.
Finding Aid Source(s)
Researchers are advised that this finding aid may comprise or contain descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.
Item Descriptions
Class 1. Consignment received December 2017
Series. Papers
Anti Discrimination: the Racial Discrimination Act,1975: Attorney-Generals response to complaint to the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commission, 1986, 1995-1996 (File 3) - Box 1
Transcripts of speeches, graduations, NAIDOC week, reviews, history of Aboriginal Medical Service, Redfern, 1992-2000 (File 5) - Box 1
Report to NSW Corrective Services on Aboriginal Recruitment, by Roberta Sykes; correspondence with Corrective Services, 1995 (File 8) - Box 2
Certificate of appointment as Teaching Fellow in Education, Harvard University; bibliography of literary and journalistic works of Roberta Sykes; letter requesting clarification on Aboriginality; Order of service for funeral, 1976, 1982-83, 2010 (File 10) - Box 2
Neena's Gift, short story by Roberta Sykes; Eclipse - background notes to poems published in 1979; Black Women's Action Newsletter, 1987; job application - Mental Health Review Tribunal, 1995; review of article in Social Security Quarterly, 1976; review of article 'On the Nature and Spirit of the North American Political Systems', Russel Barsh, 1984; Mumshirl Foundation, Balance sheet and accounts, 1989; correspondence and essays - thesis, 1981, 1976-1995 (File 11) - Box 2
Unique role of Aboriginals in Welfare discussion paper by Roberta Sykes, 41 pgs; an evaluation of some aspects of Aboriginal Secondary Assistance Scheme by Dr Roberta Sykes, pp45; SBS, Guideline for the production of film and television on Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, 1975,1986,1990 (File 12) - Box 2
Notebook from Harvard; notebook of poetry; notebook with list of books (read?);1974 Diary; 1993 Diary; wallet containing student ID's and business cards, 1970-1990 (File 16) - Box 3
Copy of Roberta Sykes thesis: Incentive, achievement and community : an analysis of black viewpoints on issues relating to Black Australian education, 1983 (File 17) - Box 3
Incentive, achievement and community, Analysis of Black Viewpoints on issues relating to Black Australian Education, RS, presented to Harvard University, 1983
Poster for Roberta Sykes' speech, proofs, flyer for Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre, pictures of Indigenous dancers; Peter McKenzie sketch; wedding photos; posters; Nilanidat publication (two issues); additional copy of Roberta Sykes' thesis (Incentive, achievement and community : an analysis of black viewpoints on issues relating to Black Australian education), 1972-1982 (File [unnumbered]) - Folio-Box 6
Series. Publications
Harvard Graduate School of Education-contains profile of Bobbi Sykes; Wee Waa High School Principals Report, 1988, occasional address delivered by RS 1988; review by RS in New Left Review; Institute of Public Affairs, article by RS,1988;Transfer of Uluru to the Traditional Owners 1985, 1980-1990 (File 13) - Box 2
Quarterly Essay Whitefella Jump Up (with invitation to Roberta Sykes to comment on Germaine Greer's paper; inscribed copy of Liyen Ho's Broken Blossoms; inscribed copy of Garvey and Garveyism, 1995, 2003, 1993, 1973 (File 22) - Box 4
Miscellaneous publications (16) (File [unnumbered]) - Box 5
Famous Black Quotations; Three Negro Classics; The Great Migration; God is Black; Pan-Africanism and South America; Stone on Stone Poetry; Love Poems and other Revolutionary Actions; Breaking Ice; The Colour of Anger; Brazil Mixture or Massacre; Castro, the Blacks and Africa; Jamaican Song and Story; Shakespeare's Tragedies; The Harem Within; The Africans; Breaking Ice
Series. Cassettes and recordings
Video cassette: Good morning Oz;, 13/11/1996 (File 21) - Box 4
Tape is mildewed. Conservation required; film smells strongly of vinegar
10 further cassettes (File [unnumbered]) - Box 4
Mum. 15/12/1978, 15/12/1978 (Item NLA.MS-SAV018432) - Cassette-Box 878
1 item, Memorex MRX2 Oxide 90, Compact cassette tape17/12/1978, 17/12/1978 (Item NLA.MS-SAV018434) - Cassette-Box 878
1 item, Memorex MRX2 Oxide 90, Compact cassette tapeBobbi - This side only and ready to go (Item NLA.MS-SAV018439) - Cassette-Box 878
1 item, Klarion C90, Compact cassette tapeThis is Isaac Haye (Hayes) (Item NLA.MS-SAV018440) - Cassette-Box 878
1 item, BASF C60, Compact cassette tapeSide A: Marie Bennett Tape 3. Side B: Wayne Atkinson (Item NLA.MS-SAV018449) - Cassette-Box 879
1 item, TDK D90, Compact cassette tapeSeries. Photographs
Coloured slides, portraits of Roberta Sykes; contact proofs; Aboriginal Tent Embassy Canberra 1972; Roberta Sykes - graduation; telegrams (File 15) - Box 3
Photos largely unordered and most are not annotated; Aboriginal family, Tony Mundine boxer, Nimrod actors, Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs meeting, 1971, Aboriginal Community Aid centre, 1971, scenes of protest marches - Free Brockman, Gurindjis Land, Aboriginal people - Darwin, Woodenbong Aboriginal village, 1972; Corroboree Kids dancing, 1972; Athol Compton, 1969;Charles Perkins;