Projects in Detail
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences
and Engineering
Andrea Barnes
Work on the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
(ATSE) Archives project commenced in August 1995 with the deployment
of a Project Archivist, Andrea Barnes, to process ATSE's records
backlog and establish an on-going archival program. ASAP ADS
was used to manage the Accession and Inventory of ATSE's records
and to capture information regarding their context of creation
(Provenance), their content and their function. The Accession
and Inventory processing of the records backlog was completed
in late January 1996. Once all outstanding work on the records
backlog has been completed, ATSE's archival program will be well
and truly established. ASAP will continue to be involved with
ATSE on a consultative basis only, providing specialist archival
and records management advice when required.
Baker Medical Research Institute
Danielle Zephyr (Project Archivist), Christopher Jack (Archivist)
The archival records of the Baker Medical Research Institute were
surveyed by Dani Zephyr and Chris Jack in late 1995. The purpose
of this scoping project was to provide a structured overview of
the records. ASAP presented a report outlining the types of records
held and providing a list of recommendations for the Baker Medical
Research Institute archives. The report focused on the current
needs of the organisation and the future archival and records
management requirements. The Baker Medical Research Institute's
activities and role in medical research are important to Australia's
scientific, technological and medical history so it is hoped that
the consolidation and extension of the work thus far completed
will be carried out.
CSIRAC
Christopher Jack
File 5/1, Item 3
12 Hole Paper Tape Reader
Following the completion of CSIRAC computer project records Inventory
processing, a Guide to the Records of CSIRAC was compiled.
The Guide to the Records of CSIRAC, complete with photographs,
was also transferred to ASAP Canberra and was placed online on
ASAPWeb at: http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/pubs/guides/csirac/ .
Doug McCann from Voices of Australian Science and Technology (VAST)
then compiled an oral history based on interviews with surviving
members of the CSIRO and The University of Melbourne CSIRAC groups.
In conjunction with Peter Thorne, Dean of the School of Computer
Science, Doug McCann organised an exhibition to commemorate the
fortieth anniversary of CSIRAC's establishment at The University
of Melbourne. The exhibition was held at the School of Computer
Science, 13-14 June 1996.
Custodian: The University of Melbourne, Department of Computer
Science.
Finding Aid: Guide to the Records of CSIRAC, prepared
by Christopher Jack with Lisa Cianci, WWW edition prepared by
Lisa O'Sullivan and Tim Sherratt, 1996, ISSN 1039-1096. Available
on the WWW at http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/pubs/guides/csirac/
Goode, Dewar Wilson
Conservationist and Grazier, 1907-
Lisa Cianci, Paula Montesano
Dewar Goode was a pastoralist and conservationist who played an
important role in soil conservation and management of farming
land in Australia. The listing of the records comprising the
Dewar Goode Archival Collection was originally created using the
word processing software Word Perfect 5.1 (this work was completed
prior to the development of ASAP ADS). With the assistance
of Tim Sherratt, ASAP Canberra, a series of macros was developed
to transfer the data into ASAP ADS. Contextual information
is complete and a draft Guide to the collection has been
produced. ASAP is currently waiting to meet with Dewar Goode
to discuss photos for the Guide and any additional material
that may need to be included. The Guide will eventually
be online at ASAPWeb. The Dewar Goode Archival Collection
will be deposited with the La Trobe Library, State Library
of Victoria. This will be one of ASAP's largest ever Guides
to an individual's work and will prove an invaluable resource
for anyone interested in the history of land management and conservation
in this country.
Custodian: To be transferred to the La Trobe Library,
State Library of Victoria.
Finding Aid: To be published on records transfer.
Historical Records of Australian Science
Natasha Kamenev
ASAP has a continuing arrangement with the editor of the Historical
Records of Australian Science, Professor R.W. Home, to
accession and manage the records generated as part of the publishing
of the journal. These records will ultimately be deposited with
the Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science, as the
Academy is the publisher of the journal. They records are currently
held at ASAP Melbourne and cover the period 1979-1995. Natasha
Kamenev undertook the documentation of these records as a practicum
project for the postgraduate RMIT Archives (Information Management)
course.
Custodian: To be transferred to the Adolph Basser Library,
Australian Academy of Science.
Finding Aid: No plans for publication at this stage.
Kew Asylum Museum/Archives
Daniel Cass, Lisa Cianci, Dr Richard Gillespie (Museum Consultant)
An artists impression of
a ward at Kew Asylum
ASAP was approached to establish an interpretive museum at the
Willsmere Historic Site (previously Kew Mental Asylum) by the
Conservation Archivist for the development company, Central Equity
Ltd. This site was developed into a housing complex, but a condition
of the development permit (Historic Buildings Council) required
that a section of the building be set aside and maintained as
a museum that documented the history of the site. ASAP's work
at Willsmere included the creation of an interpretive display
in a section of the old 'Female Paying Patients Ward', development
of a resource collection consisting of related archival material
and publications, and the production of a brochure outlining a
brief history of the site and points of interest.
Custodian: Kew Asylum Museum.
Finding Aid: A Guide and publicity material are
currently being produced.
Leeper, Geoffrey Winthrop
Agricultural Chemist, 1903-1986
Paula Montesano, Christopher Jack, Lisa Cianci
Geoffrey Winthrop Leeper was Professor of Agricultural Chemistry
at the School of Agriculture, The University of Melbourne, 1962-69,
and was renowned for his work in soil chemistry. ASAP commenced
work on the records of G.W. Leeper in 1993 when David Fowler
began listing the records as part of a practicum project for The
University of Melbourne archives course. Despite a lack of funding
for the processing of this collection, Paula Montesano and Chris
Jack completed the records documentation in 1995, and Lisa Cianci
assembled a Guide to the records. At the 1996 Leeper Memorial
Lecture (School of Agriculture, The University of Melbourne),
Gavan McCarthy gave a brief presentation of the draft Guide
and distributed copies of a brochure containing unlabelled pictures
from the Leeper collection in the hope of generating interest
in, and therefore some funding for, the completion of the project.
It was also hoped that someone may be able to identify the individuals
in the photographs - of which Leeper may have been one. ASAP
has received a donation which will be used to complete publication
of the Guide.
Custodian: The University of Melbourne Archives.
Finding Aid: To be finalised.
Legge, John Williamson
Biochemist, 1917-
Natasha Kamenev
John Williamson Legge is known for his work in biochemistry; he
carried out physiological research on chemical warfare problems
for the Ministry of Munitions, including mustard gas experiments.
On returning to Melbourne after working in England, Legge took
up a laboratory in the Old Chemical School at The University of
Melbourne and lectured on biochemistry until the 1980s. In the
mid-1980s Legge ran the radio program 'CR Science', familiarising
audiences with scientific achievements around the world. The
records of J.W. Legge were donated to ASAP by his son, Mr
David Legge. The collection is small, comprising only about 1.2 linear
metres. Natasha Kamenev first came to ASAP as a practicum student
from the RMIT Archives (Information Management) course. After
completing work on the Historical Records of Australian Science
as part of her practicum, Natasha volunteered to work on the Legge
collection, as ASAP has not received funding for this work.
Custodian: To be transferred to The University of Melbourne
Archives.
Finding Aid: To be finalised.
Le Souef Family (Zoologists)
Paula Montesano, Lisa Cianci
A postcard from history:
male members of the Le Souef
family captured in time.
The Le Souef Family were instrumental in the establishment and
operation of many of Australia's Zoological Gardens and Societies.
The records of the Le Souef Family have been fully listed and
contextual information has been documented. A Guide to
the records is almost complete - photographs have been scanned
and layout/editing is currently taking place. An HTML conversion
is also planned as the Guide will eventually be placed
online at ASAPWeb.
Custodian: To be transferred to the La Trobe Library,
State Library of Victoria.
Finding Aid: To be finalised.
Marshall, Alan John (Jock)
Zoologist and Explorer, 1911-1967
Gavan McCarthy, Oscar Manhal, Bill King, Leigh Swancott,
Mark Scillio and Rosanne Clayton
Jock Marshall began work as a professional collector of specimens
for museums in Northern Australia. In the 1930s he joined Oxford
University zoological expeditions to the New Hebrides and New
Guinea, on the basis of which he was offered a scholarship to
study at Oxford. He then completed a science degree at the University
of Sydney as well as working part-time as a tutor, newspaper writer
and broadacaster. He went on to earn a double doctorate at Oxford
and established an international reputation as Reader in the Department
of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, University of London. He returned
to Australia as Foundation Professor of Zoology and Comparative
Physiology, Monash University, from 1961 until his death in 1967.
His records were donated to ASAP by his widow, Jane. Work on the
collection began at Jane's home, but insufficient funding was
obtained to finish it. As with Mason's records, processing was
completed by the Canberra Office, with some extra funding being
provided by the National Library. The collection is 9.95 linear
metres.
Custodian: National Library of Australia.
Finding Aid: A Guide is currently being produced.
Mason, Peter
Physicist and Science Broadcaster, 1922-1987
Rosanne Clayton
Peter Mason was Foundation Professor of Physics at Macquarie University
from 1966-86, with a particular interest in the physics of materials.
He was also very interested in science communication, writing
several popular books on science and being a frequent guest on
Robyn Williams' 'The Science Show'.
His records, measuring 3.5 linear metres, were donated to ASAP
in 1988 through his daughter Deirdre. Some work had been done
on them by the time the Canberra Office opened in 1993, but had
stopped due to lack of funds and it was decided to transfer them
to Canberra. Rosanne Clayton, the Canberra Archivist, completed
the listing and organised a small amount of funding from Macquarie
University. Transfer of the collection was held up when Rosanne
contacted Sheila Mason, Peter's widow, about some personal items
which had no archival value. Sheila visited ASAP, provided valuable
further information about some items and removed others from the
collection, necessitating some renumbering and reboxing. A foreword
to the Guide has been written by Robyn Williams.
Custodian: To be transferred to Macquarie University Archives.
Finding Aid: A Guide is currently being produced.
Pigment Manufacturers of Australia Ltd
Barbara Cytowicz
The records of the Pigment Manufacturers of Australia Ltd have
been housed with ASAP for three years. Barbara is working on
a part-time basis to complete a basic Inventory of the records
and to gather contextual information. Unfortunately, no funding
is available for intensive processing of these records, and ASAP
can only do the minimum documentation needed to gain control of
what appears to be a most interesting set of records.
Custodian: To be transferred to the La Trobe Library,
State Library of Victoria.
Finding Aid: To be finalised.
Royal Australian Chemical Institute
Christopher Jack, Andrea Barnes, Lisa Cianci
Work on the records of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute
(RACI) has become an on-going project for ASAP. During the past
year, sporadic work continued to be undertaken on the records,
including two further small Accessions of records and further
Inventory processing. All RACI records were transferred from
The University of Melbourne Archives to ASAP Melbourne to enable
the reconciliation of box numbers and Inventory identification
numbers and to facilitate further documentation of the records.
Rountree, Phyllis Margaret
Bacteriologist, 1911-1994
Lisa Jooste, Tim Sherratt
Phyllis Margaret Rountree was a leading Australian microbiologist
who became an international authority on the typing of bacteriophages,
particularly Staphylococcus aureus (Golden Staph). She
graduated with a MSc from The University of Melbourne in 1931,
and worked a research assistant with F.M. Burnet from 1934-35.
After further study in London, Rountree began work as Research
Bacteriologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney in
1944, becoming Senior Bacteriologist in 1961. Her work centered
around investigation of the Staphylococcus aureus (Golden
Staph) bacteria. Her career also included research into soil salination;
botulism in the Second World War; trachoma among Central Australian
Aborigines; wound infections and antibiotic resistance. From 1971,
Rountree held a position as Honorary Research Associate in Medical
Microbiology at the University of New South Wales.
This was the first collection of an individual scientist's records
to be wholly processed using ASAP ADS. Following the processing
of Rountree's records by Lisa Jooste in 1993, a Guide and Index
were produced and published on the WWW. The final size of the
collection is 1.61 linear metres.
Custodian: To be transferred to the Mitchell Library, State
Library of NSW.
Finding Aid: Guide to the Records of Phyllis Margaret
Rountree, prepared by Lisa Jooste, WWW edition prepared by
Tim Sherratt and Elissa Tenkate, 1996, ISSN 1039-1096. Available
on the WWW at http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/pubs/guides/rountree/
Titterton, Ernest William
Nuclear Physicist, 1916-1990
Rosanne Clayton, Anne-Marie Condé and Yimei Mo
Ernest William Titterton was appointed Foundation Professor of
Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physical Sciences, Australian
National University, in 1950, remaining there until his retirement
in 1981. After studying under Mark Oliphant at Birmingham University,
Titterton made important contributions to the war effort in the
development of radar and the atomic bomb. One of only two British
scientists to be retained by the US atomic project at war's end,
he later worked at the UK Atomic Energy Research Establishment
before joining Oliphant at the recently established Australian
National University. He remained an outspoken advocate of the
use of nuclear energy throughout his career.
Titterton was left paralysed after a car accident and his daughter,
Ashley Oates, contacted the Adolph Basser Library for help in
sorting out his large and very disorganised collection. It soon
became obvious that it was too much work for a single part-time
archivist, so ASAP was called in to help out. With funding assistance
organised by the Australia Foundation for Science, work on this
collection was finally completed in 1996. After disposing of duplicates
and some published material, the final size of the collection
is 16.58 linear metres.
Custodian: Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of
Science.
Finding Aid: Guide to the Records of Ernest William
Titterton, prepared by Rosanne Clayton, Anne-Marie Condé
and Yimei Mo, WWW edition prepared by Tim Sherratt, 1996, ISSN
1039-1096. Available on the WWW at http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/pubs/guides/titterton/
Turner, John Stewart
Botanist and Plant Physiologist, 1908-1991
Andrea Barnes, Lisa Cianci
During the 1994-95 financial year, ASAP received funding from
the Feilman Foundation to undertake detailed Inventory-level description
of the records of John Stewart Turner held by The University of
Melbourne Archives. Turner was Professor of Botany and Plant
Physiology at the School of Botany, The University of Melbourne
(1938-73), and was recognised for his leadership in the field
of conservation. The project commenced in June 1996 and
is now close to completion. The Turner records have been fully
listed and described and the relevant contextual information about
the records has been documented. A Guide to the John Stewart
Turner Records is currently in production, with basic layout/editing
and graphics work soon to be completed. The final Guide to
the Records of John Stewart Turner will be presented to The
University of Melbourne Archives for their on-going use and an
electronic version will eventually be published online at ASAPWeb,
providing researchers with wider access to information about Turner's
records.
Custodian: The University of Melbourne Archives.
Finding Aid: To be finalised.
University of Melbourne Research Records Project
Andrea Barnes
ASAP completed its involvement in a joint project with Records
Services (University of Melbourne) to develop guidelines for the
creation, storage and disposal of research records in mid-June
1996. The University of Melbourne School of Chemistry was chosen
as the site for the development and testing of the guidelines.
The University of Melbourne Research Records Project (UMRRP) commenced
in late January 1996 and followed research methodology known as
'documentation research'. This type of research involves conducting
detailed research into the context of creation of records in order
to determine the activities, functions and practices of records
creators and the structure of the organisations in which they
operate. The main aims of this type of research are to understand
how and why records are created and used by a particular individual
or organisation, and to help identify records of most value in
documenting the activities and processes that created them. The
project was divided into five stages which involved: a search
and review of the available literature; the development of draft
principles for the creation, storage and disposal of research
records; the conduct of interviews with nominated School of Chemistry
academics and staff; and finally the development and implementation
of draft guidelines for the creation, storage and disposal of
research records.
ASAP was actively involved in the first four stages of the project,
conducting an extensive review of the available literature, developing
interview questions, conducting and reporting on the interviews
with School of Chemistry academics and research staff and assisting
in the development of draft guidelines for the creation, storage
and development of research records. Since ASAP ceased its formal
involvement with the project, the University has established a
committee to oversee the development and implementation of records
management principles and guidelines for each of it's research
departments and schools. ASAP continues to be involved in this
process in an advisory capacity, providing comment and advice
as requested by the University.
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical
Research
Bronwyn Hewitt, Andrea Barnes
During the first six months of 1996, the focus of the Walter and
Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) project was to
manage and transfer all records from the office of the Director,
Professor Sir Gustav Nossal, prior to his retirement on 4 June
1996. Sir Gustav had held the position of Director for the past
thirty years, and the accumulation of records was considerable.
ASAP is pleased to report that this challenging task was completed
on time after intensive work by the Project Archivists and in
close consultation with staff from the Director's Office. Bronwyn
Hewitt continued work on the WEHI records for the remainder of
the year and has been engaged to continue this most important
project through 1997.
Willis, James Hamlyn
Botanist, 1910-1995
Andrea Barnes
James Hamlyn Willis was a highly valued member of Australia's
botanical community. He worked for the National Herbarium (Royal
Botanic Gardens, Melbourne) from 1937 to 1972, filling various
positions including Assistant Government Botanist, Deputy Director
and Acting Director. Records relating to Willis' botanical activities
were transferred from Willis' home to the National Herbarium Library
after his death. A sixteen day scoping project was undertaken
to provide the National Herbarium with a structured overview of
the Willis material. The project identified and described approximately
22 linear metres records, made up of approximately 4,200 items
with a date range spanning from 1804-1995.
It is hoped that either the Herbarium or ASAP will be able to
secure funds to finance the Inventory-level processing and basic
conservation work that is required to ensure the preservation
of Willis' botanical records. The records represent a unique,
primary source of evidence of nearly all of Willis' botanical
interests and activities. They not only document the life and
works of J.H. Willis, his involvement with the Herbarium,
and his various botanical and extra-curricular activities, but
also the history of botanical research and survey in Australia.
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