Vera Deacon papers relating to the Realist Writers' Group, 1938-2007

MLMSS 8035

fonds

1938-2007

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Clippings, Photographs

913165

0.30 metres of textual material (2 boxes)

Vera Deacon, nee Pember, was born into a working-class family in Mayfield-Waratah, Newcastle, in 1926. She joined the Communist Party of Australia (CPA) in 1944. She married trade unionist and fellow CPA member, Stan Deacon (1906-1993), in 1946. She was a member of the Realist Writers’ Group (Sydney), 1954-1970, was secretary during its formative years, and edited the Realist Writer. In the 1960s Vera Deacon was an honorary board member of the Australasian Book Society. She lived in Sydney from 1948 to 1997 before moving to Stockton.

Reference:
Library correspondence file
Compiled from the collection

BOX 1
Folder 1
Writings, being mainly computer printouts, including ‘Why I Live Where I Live’, 12 Nov. 2004, by Ken Jones; The Australian Railway Story – a 150 Year Old Saga as seen through the Eyes of Poets, Songwriters and the Occasional Yarn Spinner’, 2004, by Brian Dunnett; and ‘That Hidden Decade’, 2 June 2004, by Gloria McDonald

Folder 2
Research material, 1938-1997, including correspondence with Stephen Holt, 1997, and letter received from Eric F. Whitfeld, 17 July 1963; photocopy of Syudent, Official Organ of the modern Writers, 24 Jan. 1938; signed presentation copy from the author of Penniless till Doomsday (1962) by Rodney Hall, May 1962; issue of Nimrod: Newcastle University College Literary Magazine, vol. 2 no. 1, Summer 1964; and photocopied article of ‘Socialist Realism: The Formative Years’, by Charles Merewether, Arena, no. 146, 1977

Folder 3
Research material, including papers regarding The Realist, Journal of the National Council of Realist Writers Group of Australia, 1962-1992, including letters received from Norman Freehill, 11 June 1965, Katharine Susannah Prichard, 27 Sept. 1966, Aileen Palmer, 29 Aug. 1967, Joan Carey, 1992; papers regarding the Australasian Book Society, including correspondence with Mena Calthorpe, 1973, 1992; and papers regarding Frank Hardy memorial function, at the Jim Healy WWF Hall, Sydney, 13 Mar. 1994

Folder 4
‘Realist Writers Research 1990 – Newspaper Cuttings’, 1957-1995, being newscuttings and photocopied articles

Folder 5
‘May 1 1995 – Realist Writer Circular – Replies’, 1959-2006, including newscuttings, printed material, and correspondence with Sidney J. Baker, 1965; Betty Collins, 1994, 1997, 2003; John Morrison, 1994; Ralph de Boissiere, 1964, 1990; Mona Brand, 1991, 1999; Jim Comerford, 1999; Len Fox, 1990-1999; Kay Brown (and photograph), 1982- ; Denis Kevans, 1992-2005; Gordon Neil Stewart, 1995-1997; Jack Beasley, 1999; Merv Lilley, 1995; Joan Clarke, 1995; Lloyd Davies, 1995; Bruce Toms, 1995; Joan Williams, 1995; Ralph Kelly, 1993-1995; David Martin and Richenda Martin, 1995; Enid Harrison, 1995; Bernie Rosen, 1995; Ross Edmonds, 1995; Joan Hendry, 1995; Wal Liddle, 1995

Folder 6
‘Realist Writer – Vera’s Articles & Contents Research’, including letters received from John Manifold, 1964, 1967, and writings and mentions in newscuttings of Deacon

BOX 2
Folder 1
Correspondence with Pauline Armstrong, 1995-2001

Folder 2
Correspondence and enclosures, 1968-2007
Correspondents include John McLaren, 1994; Harry Batterham, 1994; Jack Beasley, 1993-2003; John Sendy, 1986-1987;Marilla North, 2002-2007; Chris Kempster, 2003; Nat Zusman, 1997; Ian Syson, 1995-1999; Jim Comerford, 2001; Len Fox and Mona Brand, 2001; Joan Carey, no date; Donald Crick, 1999; Elfrida Morcom, 1986; David Carter, 1987-1990

Folder 3
Material relating to Mona Brand, 1992-1995

Folder 4
Correspondence with Michael Cannon, 1995-2001

Folder 5
‘Don Crick – Essays Etc.’, being letter received from Donald Crick, 30 Jan. 2001, and two photocopied articles by him

Folder 6
Correspondence with Walter Kaufmann, 1995-2004

Folder 7
Correspondence with and papers regarding Dorothy Hewett, 1977, 1992-1999

Folder 8
Correspondence with Jacqueline Frieder, 1967-1988, and letter received from Peter Tane, Dec. 1967

Folder 9
Correspondence with Ian Syson, 1990-1995

Folder 10
Invitations, notices and programmes, 1962-2001

Folder 11
Literary newscuttings, 1959-2005, and correspondence with Overland, 2001

Folder 12
Miscellaneous material, 1987-2000, including photocopied typescript poems by Graham Waldock

Folder 13
Printed material, including Australian Writers Speak: Literature and Life in Australia (1943); Australian New Writing, no. 2, Mar. 1944; Australia’s Progress, Dec. 1945; and Binna Burra: The Blue Mountains and it’s People, a book of verse by Andrea Marsh

Copyright status:: In copyright
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, and Courtesy copyright holder