Marie Byles Oral History Project, interviews by Martin Fallding

fonds

16 September 2018-12 February 2019

Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Oral Histories, Graphic Materials, Photographs

9638560

17 audio files (13 hr., 25 min.) - digital, WAV, stereo (48 kHz, 24 bit)
14 photographs - digital, JPEGs, colour

Marie Byles (1900-1979) was New South Wales' first female lawyer and an accomplished journalist, conservationist, feminist, global adventurer, and author. Her home, 'Ahimsa' in Cheltenham, New South Wales, was gifted to the National Trust of Australia (NSW).

Reference
Library correspondence file

Martin Fallding is an environmental planner. His parents were neighbours of Marie Byles when she lived at Ahimsa (Cheltenham). Martin has organised events recognising the life of Marie Byles in 2013 and 2018, and is currently the president of Friends of Ahimsa, a committee of the National Trust of Australia (NSW).

Reference
Library correspondence file

File 01: Stephanie Bissett interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 10 February 2019
File 02: David Cooper interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 17 October 2018
File 03: Shirley Dean interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 17 October 2018
File 04: Joan Domicelj interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 24 January 2019
File 05: Jill Donnelly and Peter De Beuzeville interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 6 February
File 06: Sabine Erika interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 15 November 2018
File 07: Heidi Fallding interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 9 October 2018
File 08: Martin Fallding interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 12 February 2019
File 09: Margaret Jory interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 24 January 2019
File 10: Irene Milson interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 3 November 2018
File 11: Helen Philips interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 12 December 2018
File 12: Chris Ronalds interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 1 November 2018
File 13: Laurie Soutar interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 16 September 2018
File 14: Margaret Thirlwell interview and photograph by Martin Fallding, 10 February 2019

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

Marie Byles was the first practising woman lawyer in NSW, a prominent conservationist, adventurer, feminist and Buddhist. Her property ‘Ahimsa’ at Cheltenham in northern Sydney was left to the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and embodies her values including simplicity and frugality, spirituality, protection of bushland, and the public interest.

This series of conversations was recorded with people who knew Marie Byles personally, including co-workers, family, friends and bushwalkers. It provides a picture of her character and values through the eyes of others. The recorded conversations provide a different perspective on Marie Byles, the Ahimsa property, and its contemporary significance. It is hoped that this resource will support the future interpretation and management of the property and articulate the values and ambitions that underlie Ahimsa and its future.

Reference
Martin Fallding
March 2019