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Keeping the nation's memory
By Robert Beattie
People who visit the National Archives of Australia often ask the receptionist just what is in its collection. While the short answer-'government records'-doesn't tell you all that much, you'd probably need to sit down for the long answer. With more than a century of Australian history on the shelves, there's a lot to encapsulate in a few sentences.
In fact, if all the shiny yellow Archives shelves were lined up along the road from Canberra to Sydney, they would extend all the way to Martin Place and halfway back again. That's a lot of files!
But what the receptionist can tell interested visitors is that, apart from files, the vast collection of government records includes an amazing assortment of posters, maps, plans, paintings, film, audio recordings and electronic records, along with millions of photographs.
The following list of major topics gives you an idea of the real diversity of material that the Archives looks after. As you'll see, there's much to discover!
Nationhood
The Archives holds Australia's 'birth certificate'-Queen Victoria's Royal Commission of Assent and the original Constitution, which are on permanent public display, along with significant documents, charters and ephemera dating back to Federation. Other significant items in the collection include Australian flag designs, and the original design entries for Canberra and for Parliament House.
The country
Records include post office plans, panoramic images of Australian cities photographed in the late 19th century, tourism travel posters from the 1930s, details of natural disasters such as Cyclone Tracey and the Commonwealth's role in coping with them. The Archives keeps records relating to communications and transportation including lighthouse plans and ledgers, aviation, and the railways. Plenty for budding train spotters.
Indigenous Australians
The Archives has records of the Commonwealth's government-run homes and settlements; files relating to population, health and education; correspondence between Indigenous groups and individuals and the government.
Australian identity
The great swathe of immigration records covers migrant arrivals, naturalisation, accommodation and employment. The complete collection of ships' passenger lists dates back to 1924, with some earlier lists from as early as 1852. Other items include the 'dictation' tests for non-European residents, immigration publicity material and numerous immigration photographs.
Our democracy
The records of the Cabinet (released after 30 years), the personal papers of Prime Ministers, Ministers and Governors-General provide a full history of the workings of governments. The Archives also keeps ASIO records and Commonwealth Royal Commission reports along with letters and petitions from everyday Australians.
Working lives
The 7000 photographs that chronicle the construction of 1920s Canberra is a rare resource, as are the records of the Snowy Mountains scheme, foreign posts and the work of shipbuilders, seamen and the Commonwealth police. The CSIRO records cover a multitude of scientific topics.
Sport and leisure
The Archives holds a surprising quantity of records on sport, entertainment and the arts. You'll find material on the Olympic Games in 1956, sporting songs, thousands of photos of sporting identities, cricket tests and football finals, and hundreds of reels of classic ABC footage.
In time of war
The wartime records held by the Archives include the dossiers of each of the 1.6 million Australians who served in the two World Wars, files on the nuclear tests at Maralinga, War Cabinet deliberations, prisoners of war, media censorship, rationing and civilian defence.
Aussie talent
The copyright collection is full of unexpected material including oodles of weird and wonderful inventions. There are also thousands of literary and dramatic scripts, musical scores and artworks, the music for Waltzing Matilda and Roy Rene's photo submitted to copyright Mo's makeup! The thousands of trademarks like Billy Tea and Arnott's recall another time.
So whether you're keen to trace your family history, source original records for a book, locate your grandfather's war record, or find an unpublished script for a play, the Archives is the ideal place to begin your search.
Or you could just dip your toe into the archival waters by calling in to see the changing exhibitions and displays. You can be sure the receptionist will point you in the right direction!
The National Archives of Australia is open daily from 9am to 5pm on Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, in Canberra. For more information, visit www.naa.gov.au or phone: 02 6212 3600.
Below: The National Archives of Australia in Canberra at dusk. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia.