Charlie Oliver aggregated collection of papers

fonds

1886-1989

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

9661078

3.28 metres of textual material (10 boxes and 1 outsize item) includes photographs

Welsh-born Cecil Thompson (Charlie) Oliver (1902-1990) was Secretary of the Australian Workers' Union (N.S.W. Branch), 1951-1980, and then President until his retirement in 1985. He served as President of the Australian Labor Party (N.S.W. Branch), 1960-1970. His personal secretary, Necia Ann Holloway, was the third generation of her family to work for the A.W.U.. Her grandfather, T. P. Holloway, was one of the five foundation members of the A.L.P. in Victoria. She joined the A.W.U. office in 1948 and typed most of the 1955 A.W.U. Convention Report. Frank Williamson (1874-1968) was a Labor veteran and a colleague of Necia's grandfather. He joined the A.W.U. in Victoria and established A.L.P. branches throughout the Wimmera and Mallee regions. From 1944 to 1952 he lived in Canberra where he became Secretary of the local branch of the Federated Clerks' Union. In 1952 he moved to Greystanes in Sydney where he founded the A.L.P. branch in 1957. Williamson documented his involvement in the labour movement, including an unpublished history of the Australian Labor Party that remained uncollated at the time of his death in 1967. The previous year he had won third prize in the A.L.P. Victorian Branch's 75th anniversary essay competition. He bequeathed his papers to Necia Holloway, his amanuensis for the essay entry, who in concert with Williamson's close friend Charlie Oliver undertook to consolidate his manuscript. While the project stalled owing to Oliver's failing health, Williamson's papers remained in her custody. Oliver confirmed to Holloway his wish to have his papers preserved in the Mitchell Library. In turn, she agreed to present Williamson's papers along with his to the Library.

COLLECTION 1:
Charlie Oliver papers, 1886-1989, includes:
Necia Ann Holloway papers, 1966-1972, 1994, 1998, and
Frank Williamson papers, 1912, 1945-1967

COLLECTION 2:
Charlie Oliver further papers, 1939-1987