Conservation Society of New South Wales further records, 1945-1984

MLMSS 7802
MLOH 575

fonds

1945-1984

Textual Records, Nonmusical Sound Recordings

826104

2.55 metres of textual material (17 boxes)
1 audiotape reel (1 hr., 5 min.) - 18 cm, 6 mm tape

The Men of the Land Society was a voluntary organisation formed in 1954 to embrace all aspects of the cause of conservation of natural resources. In 1970 the name changed to the Conservation Society of New South Wales. The society’s original areas of activity were in soil erosion, drought and forest management, which broadened from 1968 to take in the pollution of the environment, including air, water, litter, industrial waste and recycling. It conducted research projects and addressed critical issues in submissions to policymakers. It also organised field days, technical seminars, film evenings and lectures, and student education. The society published Living Earth, 1955-1983, the first periodicaI journal in Australia devoted to the full spectrum of environmental conservation. The society was financed by donations and subscriptions of members, as well as a small annual grant from the NSW Government.

The society’s longest serving office bearer was David W. Petherbridge, an accountant who was the first honorary secretary, serving from 1954-1969 and 1981-1984. He also served terms as president and vice president and was a trustee of the Drought Research Trust Fund (formerly the H. J. Bate Drought Research Fund) since its inception in 1966.

When the Society disbanded in 1984 its accumulated funds and assets were transferred to the Institute of Foresters of Australia, the income of which was to be used for the understanding and enhancement of the Australian environment. The trusteeship of the Society’s Drought Research Fund was transferred to nominees of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science.

References:
Compiled from the collection
Library correspondence file

This collection chiefly documents the activities of the Conservation Society of New South Wales and, to a lesser extent, those of its predecessor, Men of the Land Society. Contents include minutes of meetings, correspondence, subject files, membership and financial records and printed material.

BOX 1
Minutes of Executive Committee meetings, 6 Oct. 1954 – 25 June 1965, with related papers, and minutes of the inaugural meeting of Subscribers to Constitution of Men of the Land, 14 Sept. 1954

Minutes of Executive Committee meetings, 8 Sept. 1964 – 27 Oct. 1969, with related papers

Minutes of Executive Committee meetings, 20 Jan. 1970 – 20 Mar. 1973

‘Annual Meetings and Subscription Notices (Sundry)’, 1957-1973

‘Spare copies’, 1970-1972, being mainly of agenda of meetings and notices

‘Spare copies / Minutes / Agenda / Notices 1973’

BOX 2
‘Executive Committee Agenda and Notices of meetings’, 11 July 1972 – 23 May 1977

‘Annual Meeting 1977’

‘Annual Meeting 1979, 1980, 1981’

‘”Monthly“ Meetings’, 1971-1973

‘Financial Position’, 1980-1981

‘1971 Annual Meetings 28-3-72 & 73 & 74, ’75 ’76 ‘77’, 1971-1978, being agenda, notices, attendance sheets and correspondence

‘”Environment Exhibition” 1973’, held at Sydney Lower Town Hall, 10-15 Sept. 1973

‘Minister for Planning & Environment’, 1975, including a copy of the Society’s submission: ‘Proposals for a New Environmental Planning System for New South Wales’

‘Field Day 1978 – Correspondence with Bill Tongue [University of Sydney Farms, Camden]’, 1975-1978

‘Field Days etc.’, 1973-1979

‘Membership Survey’, 1981

‘Sub Committee Reports’, 1971-1973

‘Plant Motif’,n.d.

‘Drought Research Fund’, 1966-1981

‘Activities file’, 1968-1973

BOX 3
Papers, 1973-1982, being mainly files re rainforest policy and wood-chipping in NSW’

BOX 4
‘For filing’, 1969-1974, mainly re registration for symposia, 1972-1973; correspondence, 1972-1974; and Lake Pedder Action Committee, 1973

‘For File Ag. Hse’, 1970-1974, being mainly correspondence re Agriculture House

‘E. M. Coffey. Company Member Function’, 1971, re function with guest, Eric M. Coffey (Permanent Director, State Pollution Control Commission), 27 Aug. 1971

‘National Veld Trust [South Africa]’, 1955-1956, 1971

‘Georges River Cruise – 5.7.80’

‘World Conservation Strategy’, 1980-1982, and re appointments to State Pollution Control Commission, 1982

‘Reforestation’, 1980, re Northern Rivers Reforestation Seminar, Gunundi Conference Centre, Ballina, 12-14 Sept. 1980

‘Reading’, 1979-1981, including articles, printed material and paper: ‘”Green Australia”: Outline of an Interconnected Soil, Forest and Water Program to Rejuvenate the Whole Australian Continent and to Support Anticipated Growth’, 15 Apr. 1981, by Hon. Jack G. Beale (Chairman, Water Research Foundation of Australia, Sydney)

‘TLE [The Living Earth]’ – General / Costs’, 1979-1981

‘Next L.E.G. / Dec. ‘81’, 1979-1981

Articles and newscuttings, 1978-1981

‘TLE’, 1980-1981, including papers re plant variety rights

BOX 5
‘”The Living Earth” / Potential articles’, 1978-1981

Folder including minutes of Environmental and Economic Council and Environmental Bureau meetings, 1977-1978; and papers re Society’s 23rd Annual General Meeting, 13 June 1978

‘Environmental and Economic Council of New South Wales’, 1978

Folder titled ‘Susan’, 1980-1982

‘Dr A. D. Latornell /’Conservation or Preservation’ / Lecture – 15th October 1979’

‘Filing’, 1979-1982, including correspondence and printed material

‘Correspondence’, 1979, 1981, being correspondence with enclosed copies of Environment Impact Statements for sewage treatment and disposal facilities at Bondi, Malabar and North Head Water Pollution Control Plants, 1979

‘Correspondence – Outward’, 1981

‘Awareness – Deniliquin Seminar Sunday, July 19th, 1981’

‘Newsletter Notes’, 1979-1981

‘Myall Lakes : Angourie’, 1970-1972

BOX 6
‘Conservation in the Environment’, Sydney, 30 July 1969

Liquid Waste – Disposal and Treatment Symposium, British Ex-Services Club, Sydney, 11 Nov. 1972, with sample programme of Crisis – Pollution 1970 Symposium, University of Sydney, 1 Aug. 1970

Noise and Noise Abatement Symposium, Sydney, 25 Sept. 1973 and Liquid Waste Treatment Symposium, 11 Nov. 1972

Land Use Planning Symposium, Women’s College, University of Sydney, 19 Oct. 1974

Future Environment Symposium, University of NSW, 11 Oct. 1975 and 11 Oct. 1980

BOX 7
‘Heritage Council of N.S.W.’, 1980-1981

‘Education’, 1957-1978, including conservation education in NSW schools

‘Grassland Soc. Of Victoria’, 1980

‘Clutha’, 1971-1972

‘Rural Youth’, 1980, being minutes of Rural Youth Council meeting, Sydney, 1 Sept. 1970

‘Lake Pedder’, 1972-1974

‘Environmental Studies’, 1970-1978, including papers re Association for Environmental Studies (NSW) and Environmental Studies Centre, Macquarie University

‘Kangaroos’, 1971-1973, n.d.

‘Kanangra – Boyd (Colong Committee)’, 1969-1972

BOX 8
‘Newspaper clippings and media releases’, 1970-1981

Untitled folder, 1983-1984, including copies of minutes of selected Executive Committee meetings, 1983

The Processes and Problems of Seeking Conservation, Centre for Continuing Education, Australian National University, 26-28 June 1970

National Conservation Study Conference, Canberra, 16-18 Nov. 1973, being papers presented and report by B. R. Kijurina

4th International Congress on Human Relations: ‘Man’s Responsibility to His Environment’, Dallas Brooks Hall, Melbourne, 28 Aug.-1 Sept. 1972, being papers of B. R. Kijurina

‘Border Ranges’, 1975-1980

BOX 9
‘Conservation Societies’, 1980-1983, including lists of contacts and addresses

‘Agenda, Financial Position, Meetings’, 1982

‘Art Exhibitions’, 1982-1983, including The Australian Year of the Tree Art Exhibition, Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia (CSBA), Sydney, 5-16 Apr. 1982, and Art Exhibition: Drought to Green Australia, CSBA, Sydney, 28 Mar.-8 Apr. 1983

‘Grants’, 1979-1982, re Grants to Voluntary Conservation Organisations

‘Charitable Collection Act / Registration’, 1954-1980

‘Department of Mines : mines legislation … Mining’, 1971-1973

‘Commonwealth Government’, 1970-1974

‘State Planning Authority’, 1971-1973

‘Dept of Conservation – N.S.W.’, 1956, 1969-1973, being mainly annual reports

‘National Parks & Wildlife Service and Foundation’, 1971-1980

‘Soil Conservation Society of America’, 1968-1971

‘Great Britain’, 1972-1973

BOX 10

‘Victoria – Grasslands Society’, 1968-1974

‘Symposium on “Crisis – Pollution 1970”’, held at University of Sydney, 1 Aug. 1970

‘Conservation Press Releases’, 1971-1972

‘Pollution Committee Minutes’, 1970-1973

‘C.S.I.R.O.’, 1957-1974

‘Agric. House Etc’, 1960-1972, mainly correspondence with Agricultural Societies’ Council of NSW

‘Australian Conservation Foundation’, 1970-1974

‘Parliamentary Extracts’, 1972

‘United Nations, International Co Operation & Conferences’, 1972

BOX 11
‘Formation of the Men of the Land Society’, 1945-1954

‘Rural Youth Council – Society representation on’, 1957-1980

‘Keeping the Earth Fit For Men’, 1969-1972, re series of reprints

‘State Pollution Control Commission’, 1970-1974

‘Campaigns / etc Dept. of Environment Control’, 1971-1974

‘T & CPA [Town and Country Planning Association] – Victoria’, 1970-1978

‘General Information’, including material on siting of second Sydney airport, 1977-1978; air and water pollution; water and sewage treatment; and Piece Seminar, Sydney, 12 Nov. 1971

BOX 12
‘Rotary Clubs’, 1955-1956

‘Wingecarribee Shire (Moss Vale) field day. Branch society’, ?????

‘Symposium – “Land Use Planning”’, held at Women’s College, University of Sydney, 19 Oct. 1974

‘Water for the Future (Armidale)’, 1980-1982, re water research project at University of New England

‘Tree Nursery Project’, 1982

‘Rainforest Policy’, 1981

‘Terania Creek’, 1979-1980

‘Land Conservation Study Group’, 1977-1978

‘Eucalypt – “Die Back”’, 1979

‘Sundry Circulars’, 1973-1981, re Society activities and meetings

‘Press Statements’, 1977-1979

‘Field Day’, 1973-1978

Philip Edmonds’ file re Review and Planning Committee, 1971-1974

‘Conservation Centre’, 1973-1978

‘Roy Moores / Bourke & District’, 1959-1960

‘R. H. Wood-Davies / Bundanoon / District’, 1960-1961

‘Grafton Membership’, 1954-1955

‘Hunter Valley Drive’, 1953-1955

‘Frank Hicks / Muswellbrook’, 1960

‘Sth Australia / Victoria’, 1959-1963

‘District Representatives’, 1967-1972

‘H. J. Bates Drought Research Trust Fund – 1979’, 1966, 1979

‘The Drought Research Trust Fund of the Conservation Society of New South Wales’, 1980

BOX 13
‘Plant Variety Rights’, 1979-1981

‘Border Ranges’, 1978

‘Press Releases’, 1967-1981

‘Newsletter’, 1978-1981, being mainly issues of newsletters of the Rural Youth Organisation of New South Wales and the Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales

‘Executive Correspondence’, 1972, mainly re tree planting along Parramatta River, 1972; testing of McWade Emission Control Unit, 1972; and application for increased financial assistance from the NSW Government, 1972

‘Membership’, 1977

‘Committee Notices’, 1979

‘Committee Names, Addresses & Phone’, 1967, 1977-1980

‘Government Grants – State’, 1968-1981

‘Govt. Grants’, 1972-1982

‘Letter Drop / Distribution’, 1980

‘Project Inquiries’, 1973-1983

‘Donors File 1980-81’, being copy of form letter

‘Resignations & Complaints’, 1979

‘Press Cuttings’, 1978-1980

Miscellaneous correspondence and copies of minutes of Executive Committee meeting, 16 Dec. 1980

BOX 14
‘Commonwealth Grant’, 1979-1981

‘Newsletter’, 1974-1980

‘Landscape Conservation’, 1980

‘CONSOC Background & Survey [of Members]’, 1980

‘Background to Conservation Society, List of Committee, Constitution Etc’, 1972-1973, with auditor’s reports, 1979

‘Exec. Sec. Applications Etc. 1980’, 1978, 1980

‘New Members – 1980 – 1981’, 1977-1981, including membership enquiries and subscription

‘Membership 1980-1981-1982’, 1980-1982

‘Corporate Membership’, 1980-1981

‘Whales’, 1980

‘Minutes – Committee’, 1975-1981, including agenda, notices and minutes of selected meetings

‘Fodder Trees’, 1968

‘Newsletter’, 1980-1982

‘Pollution’, 1967-1977

‘N.S.W. Government Departments’, 1980

‘Comm. Government Grants’, 1972-1978, and re NSW Government financial assistance

Miscellaneous folder of Philip Edmonds’ papers, 1979-1981

BOX 15

Alphabetical sequence of correspondence files, A-Z, 1965-1982

BOX 16
Unfiled material, mainly arranged alphabetically, with sundry records:

‘Agricultural Colleges’, 1971-1972
‘Annual Reports of Affiliated Organisations’, 1970-1973
‘Company Members’, 1973
‘Conservation Council of Victoria’, 1969-1973
‘Councillors’, 1972
‘Constitution’, 1954, 1970
‘Decentralisation’, 1971-1973
‘District Representatives’, 1964-1970
‘Honorary Membership’, 1967-1969
‘B. R. Kijurinal’, being copy of program of 4th International Congress on Human Relations, Melbourne, 28 Aug.-1 Sept. 1972
‘Life Members’, 1973
‘Membership Leaflet’, 1962-1972
‘National Conservation Study Conference [Australian Conservation Foundation]’, 1969-1973
‘Nature Conservation Society of South Australia Inc.’, 1972
‘Natural Resources Conservation League of Victoria’, 1965-1974
‘Pests – Animals Eradication & Control’, 1972
‘Reciprocal Exchange of Publications’, 1966-1970
‘Scout Association’, 1965-1973
‘Small Bushland Reserves’, 1970

‘Sundry’, including NSW affiliated societies, 1972-1973; ‘Inspect – P.Y.E.’; ‘Ecology Action’; ‘S.R.S., 1971; Society for Environmental Action, University of NSW; Australian Frontier; and Environment Alert Broadsheet, No. 1, 24 June 1972

‘Sundry Publications / Articles’, 1962-1971, including ‘What Can I Do ?: Guidelines for Citizen Action Environmental Problems’, issued by Society for Social Responsibility in Science (ACT)

‘Archives Attention’, including material re Men of the Land Symposium: ‘Tree and Forest Conservation’, Sydney, 31 July 1961, and field day at Campbelltown, jointly sponsored with Grasslands Society of NSW

Miscellaneous papers, 1969-1984, including correspondence and printed material, with some items bearing Society’s alpha-numeric classification

Miscellaneous papers, 1977-1983, including correspondence and printed material

BOX 17
Financial records, 1953-1983

MLOH 575/1
Proceedings of Noise and Noise Abatement Symposium, Sydney, 25 Sept. 1973 (running sheet enclosed)

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The description of this material has been supplied from the Oral History Digitisation Program, undertaken 2014 to 2017, of the Library's oral history collections.