Australia-Russia and Affiliates Friendship Society. Sydney Branch - records, 1952-1997

MLMSS 7179
MLOH 472
MLOH 481

fonds

1952-1997

Textual Records, Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Musical Sound Recordings, Graphic Materials, Clippings, Photographs

421612

1.17 metres of textual material (9 boxes) - manuscript, typescript, typescript, photocopy, typescript, carbon, typescript, processed, computer printouts, printed, and printed, photocopy
Clippings
Photographs
7 audiocassettes (7 hr., 17 min.) - 10 × 7 cm, 4 mm tape

The Australia-Russia and Affiliates Friendship Society (ARAFS) traces its history back to 1930 with the establishment of an Australian branch of the Friends of the Soviet Union (FOSU). The FOSU continued to function until the outbreak of World War II. Two organisations co-existed during the war: the Russian Medical Aid and Comforts Committee (RMACC), established in 1941 under its Chairman, Jessie Street, and the N.S.W. Aid Russia Committee, founded in the same year, which changed its name to the Friendship with Russia League in 1942 to avoid confusion with the RMACC.

In September 1945 these two bodies and the Society for Cultural Relations with the U.S.S.R. amalgamated to form the Australian-Russian Society. It comprised separate State organisations linked only by correspondence. Its name changed to the Australia-Soviet Friendship Society in 1953 when it was formed into a national body. A National Executive was elected to co-ordinate activities Australia-wide. The Society became the Australia-U.S.S.R. Society in late 1967. It carried this name until mid-1986 when the Australia-U.S.S.R. Friendship Society was launched, being the immediate forerunner of the Australia-Russia and Affiliates Friendship Society, founded in 1992, with the Sydney Branch incorporated in 1996.

ARAFS follows the tradition of its precursor bodies of being a public organisation devoted to creating mutual understanding and friendly relations between the peoples of Australia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (formerly U.S.S.R.). Its activities have focused on cultural exchanges. Concert groups and cultural delegations have been hosted here, and exhibitions, symposiums and lecture tours also held. Friendship tours to the former Soviet Union have also been conducted. In July 1960 a counterpart organisation called the U.S.S.R.-Australia Friendship Society was formed.

Betty Bloch (1905-2002) was a peace activist and a longtime office bearer of the ARAFS and its forerunners. Born in Vilnius, Lithuania, she came to Australia in 1939. A member of the National Executive from 1964, she was Chairwoman of the Sydney Branch, 1973-1997. She initiated and was Vice-President of the Chernobyl Children's Fund.

A. Minute books, 1966-1990

Minute book, 9 Feb. 1966-9 June 1971 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/1/1)
Minute book, 14 July 1971-8 Sept. 1975 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/1/2)
Minute book, 30 Aug. 1976-8 Dec. 1975 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/2/1)
Minute book, 27 Feb. 1981-9 June 1987 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/2/2)
Minute book, 10 Aug. 1987-18 June 1990, with minutes of Annual General meeting, 25 Feb. 1987 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/3/1)

B. Correspondence, 1977-1994

1977-1978; Correspondence (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/3/2)
1987; Correspondence (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/3/3)
1988-1989; Correspondence (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/3/4)
1989; Correspondence (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/3/5)
1989-1990; Correspondence (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/3/6)
1990; Correspondence (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/3/7)
1991-1994; Correspondence (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/1)
1994; Correspondence (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/2)

C. Subject and activity files, 1975-1997

1984-1986; 'Addresses', being mainly lists of invitees to Branch functions (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/3)
1986-1990; 'Armenia' (2 files) mainly concerning Australian visit of the Cranes Folk Dance Ensemble from Armenia, and including photoprint of Betty Bloch with dance group in Armenia, 1987 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/4-5)
1987; 'Armenian Dance [Concert] Group', mainly concerning Australian visit of the Tatoul Altounian State Song and Dance Ensemble from Armenia (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/6)
1981; 'Concerned Citizens for Cultural Co-operation with the U.S.S.R.' (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/7)
1987; 'Cowra 1987' concerning 23rd Festival of the Lachlan Valley at Cowra, N.S.W., with guest nation being the U.S.S.R. (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/8)
1975-1976; 'Cultural Exchange [Agreement]' concerning Agreement between the Union of Soviet Societies for Friendship & Cultural Relations in association with the U.S.S.R.-Australia Society and the Australia-U.S.S.R. Society, 1975, and the exchange of Australian and Soviet child art, 1976 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/9)
1978-1979; 'Delegation 1979' concerning Australian visit of Soviet delegation to sign Cultural Agreement (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/10)
1977-1978; 'Illuminated Address' concerning illuminated address presented from citizens of Australia to citizens of the U.S.S.R. to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the U.S.S.R. (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/4/11)
1978-1979; 'International Year of the Child - U.S.S.R. Cultural Festival, 1979' including the Festival's tour of Central West N.S.W. (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/5/1)
1985; 'Elizabeth Knight', including letter received from Elizabeth Knight, 1 Nov. 1985, with enclosed treatment for 48 minute television programme about life in the Soviet Union for International Year of Peace, 1986 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/5/2)
1989; 'Lithuanian Folkloric Theatre' (3 files) concerning Sydney visit and performances, including photoprints of producer and artistic director, Povilas Mataitis, and stage designer, Dalia Mataitiene (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/5/3-5)
1988; 'Miklouho-Maclay 1988' concerning centenary of the death of Nicolai Nicolaevich de Miklouho-Maclay (1846-1888) (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/5/6)
1996; 'Miklouho-Maclay 1996' concerning 150th anniversary of his birth (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/5/7)
1980; 'Olympic Games [Moscow]' (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/5/8)
1997; 'Russian Delegation November 1977' concerning cancelled tour (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/5/9)
1977-1978; 'Russian Films' concerning Branch screenings (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/5/10)
1988; 'Russian Group' concerning Australian visit of Soviet delegation, including the song and dance ensemble Skomoroshina (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/6/1)
1986; 'Soviet Tourist Group' (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/6/2)
1976-1981; 'Soviet Tourist Groups', with information sheet concerning 1976 Australian Friendship Group (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/6/3)
1983; 'Symposium Reports 1983', including speech by Dr Geoff Curthoys, 9 Oct. 1983 (Call No.: LMSS 7179/6/4)
1984-1985; 'Symposium', including 'Socialist Economies and the World Ecnomy', an address by Professor Ted Wheelwright, 10 Nov. 1985 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/6/5)
1987; 'Symposium 1987' (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/6/6)
1988; 'Symposium 1988' (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/6/7)
1989; 'Symposium 1989' (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/6/8)
1982; 'Ukrainian Exhibition, 1982' mainly concerning 'Kiev - A 15 Centuries Celebration Exhibition' in Sydney public libraries to celebrate 1500th anniversary of the foundation of the city of Kiev (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/6/9)
1984; 'Uzbek' concerning visit to Sydney of the Uzbek State Folk Dance Ensemble Bakhor (Spring) and its sole performance at the Revesby Workers' Club, 23 Sept. 1984 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/6/10)
196--1988 ; Miscellaneous papers, including invitations received and sent; business cards; newscuttings and programmes (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/1)

1992-1994; 'Sydney Branch 1993', include papers concerning seminars: 'Russia: Challenges and Opportunities', Wesley College, University of Sydney, 14 May 1993, and Russia - Historical Significance of the 1917 October Revolution, Sydney, 6 Nov. 1993 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/2)
1993-1994; 'Sydney Currant [sic] 1994' mainly concerning the Australian tour By Dr Victor Rosin (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/3)
1994-1997; 'Sydney Branch 1994-96', including meetings and reports, and Russian Arts and Culture Festival, Macquarie University, 12 Aug. 1995 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/4)
1995-1997; 'Society 1995-97' concerning various matters (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/5)
1980, 1994-1995; 'Sydney Branch 1996' concerning various matters (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/6)
1995-1996; '1996' (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/7)

D. Visitors' books, 1979-1987, 1993-1994

1979-1987; Visitors' book mainly of attendances at Branch exhibitions and functions; symposia, 1983-1984; Annual General Meeting, 20 Feb. 1984; Armenian Dance Group performance, 1987; and Lvov Ensemble Concert, Sydney Town Hall, 5 Oct. 1985 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/8)
1993; Visitors' book mainly of attendance at Wesley College seminar (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/9)
1993-1994; Visitors' book mainly of attendances at seminars (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/7/10)

E. National Conferences, 1970, 1974-1992

1970; Perspectives for the Seventies: 4th National Conference, Menzies Hotel, Sydney, 24-25 Oct. 1970 and 5th National Conference, Sydney, 23-24 March 1974, being report and proceedings (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/8/1)
1976; Proceedings of the Sixth National Conference, Sydney, 16-17 Oct. 1976 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/8/2)
1979-1980; Proceedings of the Seventh National Conference, Melbourne, 19-20 Apr. 1980, with related papers (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/8/3)
1982; Proceedings of Eighth National Conference, Melbourne, 16-17 Apr. 1982, with related papers (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/8/4)
1986; Proceedings of the 9th National Conference, Sydney, 19-20 Apr. 1986, with related papers (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/8/5)
1989; Agenda and minutes for the Tenth National Conference, 'The Jessie Street Memorial Conference', Sydney, 22-23 Apr. 1989 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/8/6)
1992; Draft agenda for Eleventh National Conference, Sydney, 11-12 Apr. 1992 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/8/7)

F. National Council, National Executive and National Office, 1977-1996

1977; Decisions of the meeting of the National Council, Melbourne, 15-16 Oct. 1977 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/8/8)
1980-1981; Meetings of National Council and National Executive (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/8/9)
1982; Meeting of National Council, Canberra, 20-21 Mar. 1982 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/1)
1983-1986; Meeting of National Council, Adelaide, 13-14 Apr. 1985, with National newsletters (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/2)
1988; Meeting of National Council, Brisbane, 11-12 June 1988 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/3)
1989-90; Meetings of National Council and National Executive (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/4)
1990; Meetings of National Council and National Executive (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/5)
1990; Meetings of National Executive mainly concerning purchase of building at 15 Crystal Street, Petersham, N.S.W. (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/6)
1991; 'National 1991' (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/7)
1990-1991; Meetings of National Council, Blackfriars, A.C.T., 24-25 Nov. 1990 and Melbourne, 10-11 Aug. 1991 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/8)
1992; 'National 1992', including meetings of National Council and National Executive, and draft constitution of the Australia-Russia and Affiliates Friendship Society Inc. (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/9)
1992-1996; Meetings of National Council and National Executive; minutes of 11th National Conference, Epping, N.S.W., 11-12 Apr. 1992 and 12th National Conference, Petersham, N.S.W., 30 Apr. 1995; and National newsletters (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/10)
1993; Notices concerning meetings of National Council and National Executive, and copy of minutes of the Chernobyl Children's Fund Committee, 21 Apr. 1993 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/11)
1994; Meeting of National Executive, Petersham, N.S.W., 17 Apr. 1994 (Call No.: MLMSS 7179/9/12)

G. Sound recordings

Series 1: Seminar of the Australia-Russia and Affiliates Friendship Society (Call No. MLOH 472)
Series 2: Australia-Russia and Affiliates Friendship Society - 11th national conference, Sydney, 1992, and Sydney concert with addresses, 1952 (Call No. MLOH 481)

English, Russian