The Percy Haslam Collection, which forms the foundation of our Aboriginal research collections, arrived in 1977 when Percy had been appointed the University of Newcastle's visiting convocation scholar in residence researching Aboriginal dreaming, history, culture and language.
He had come to the University after retiring from the Newcastle Herald, where he had worked for forty four years as its industrial and political roundsman and associate editor. In May 1984, in recognition of his wonderful work in indigenous culture and language, he was presented with the Honorary degree of Master of Arts, honoris causa. Percy Haslam died on September 17th 1987 leaving a body of work reflecting his love and passion for Aboriginal culture.
Since Percy's death, the Collection has been of enormous interest for people researching the native culture of the region. The Collection comprises his research papers, notes, photographs, books and artefacts. They are a personal record of his investigations. He spoke to many people, white and black, and recorded what he learned from them. Percy's investigations into the native languages of the region has recently inspired and spawned at least five independent researches into the native tongues of the region, meaning that there is a chance that in future we may see our native Aboriginal tongues of this region taught in schools along with english. This was one of Percy's dreams.
The collection of artefacts including many weapons has recently been placed on exhibition at the Regional Museum's Mixed Mobs display. The collection has also acted as a catalyst in allowing for the deposit of other collections to the University including the Laut Family Collection of artefacts, to be eventually housed in the new Umulliko Centre.
A5410(i)
Aboriginal myths and legends and other material relating to the Aborigines of Eastern New South Wales [Typescripts], 1977-1979.
A5410(ii)
Xerox copy of above Pioneer reminiscences - based on the writings and reminiscences of Mr A.W.S. MacKay who died in 1957, aged 90.Typescript by Mr P.A. Haslam relating to mid - North Coast Tribal History, 1978.
A5410(iii)
Letter seal of Imperial Russian Consulate, Sydney.
A5410(iv)-(vi)
Newcastle, 1938 [Typescript]
A5410(vii)
Teaching Aboriginal History as a Basic Subject in Secondary School. [A submission to the New South Wales Premier, with correspondence, June 20th 1978.] [Typescript]
A5410(viii)
Typed information on Boomerang (A5416) and the site where the Boomerang was found in the Wallanbah district near Gloucester.
A5410(ix)
Newspaper article "History preserved in Photographic Collection." from Port Macquarie News March 23rd, 1981. [Refers to Thomas Dick Collection of Photographs located at B8879.]
A5410(x)
Xerox copy of The History of Bulga near Singleton N.S.W. from 1820 to 1921 by A.N.Feather, and a description of the last combined Bora ceremony on the family property in 1852. See also A6719A for 7 colour slides of Aboriginal cut trees from the Grahamstown Area.
A5410(xi)
Hunter District Water Board Journal, 1978 containing article "Preserving the past nature's way" by Percy Haslam.
A5410(xii)
Xerox copies of The Australasian Anthropological Journal, March 31st 1897 and April 30th, 1897.
A5410(xiii)
Deflecting Shield [transferred to A5416]
A5410(xiv)
Awabakal Newsletter [January? and March] 1979.
A5410(xv)
Lake Macquarie Community Gallery invitations to an exhibition "The Art of the Aboriginal People " Sept. 12th,1980.
A5410(xvi)
List of weapons and artifacts [in boxes A5411-A5412]
A5410(xvii)
Artwork of Aboriginal Children, exhibits supplied by the Newcastle Awabakal Culture Class conducted by the Aboriginal Co-operative Society.
A5410(xviii)
Certificate of Merit, Lake Macquarie Herald Aboriginal Essay Competition, October 1975, to mark 150th Anniversary of settlement at Belmont.
A5410(xix)
Haslam Photographic Collection List of Photographs [Collection located at B8879b, B8876, B8879, B8878, B8879a, B8877].
A5411-A5412 , A5416
Aboriginal Weapons:
"All articles, except those marked with W (Wonarua) are of the Awabakal tribe, mainly from the western side of Lake Macquarie. These are black in colour, compared with the reddish wood used by the Wonarua tribe. Woods are preserved by being rubbed with Possum or Wallaby fat. River or Water Gum is light in colour when young, but turns red when matured. Myrtle is a very heavy wood. Hind wood is a very hard wood. River and Water Gum (Triftania Laurina) Black Wattle (Acacia Decurrens). Note Ring Gidgee (Cambagei)
gives off a nasty ordour when damp or wet."
A5414(i)
The Budget and Singleton Advertiser April 25th, 1904 [Miniature Edition] and The Budget …September 19th, 1919 [Gold Leaf Edition] Miniature edition, September 15th, 1919.
A5414(ii)
Pamphlets including:
A5414(iii)
Pamphlets, copies of documents , plans and photograph, relating to Newcastle and Sydney transport history including:
A5414(iv)
Pamphlets including:
A5414(iv)(a)
Newcastle and Northern District "Shopkeepers" Association Annual Report 1956.
A5414(v)
Ancient Order of Foresters [Friendly Society of English origin] typescript of history by P.A.Haslam. See also Minute Book 1867-1877 at A5414(vi).
A5414(vii)
Photographs: Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli, 1915. [Enlarged from film found on the beach at Gallipoli, made available to the Gallipoli League of Anzacs at Hamilton].
A5414(vii)
(a) Duckenfield Park House and Wallalong House, 1975.
A5414(viii)
Photographs:
A5414(ix)
May Day 1958 [Leaflet includes "The Origin of May Day"]
A5414(x)
Photographs:
A5414(xi)
Charlestown Centenary 1876-1976 [Pamplet].
A5414(xii)
The Clarion: the journalists' newspaper May 23rd, 1980, and June 6th,1980.
A5414(xiv)
Newspaper advertising posters July-October, 1980
A5414(xv)
Tomago News, November 1982. Contains articles on Tomago Aboriginal History, Tomago, Tomago aluminium smelter and the Year of the Tree.
A5414(xvi)
Puleeta: a journal of Aboriginal inmates of Cessnock Corrective Centre, December 1985 Issue 1, December 1986, Issue 2.
A5414(xvii)
Newcastle Morning Herald proofs Ca.1974-1975
A5414(xviii)
Belmont Ladies Rowing Club [Photograph] ca.1929
A5414(xix)
Photographs:
A6704
Aboriginal records:
A6705-A6706B
Printed material and typescripts:
A6707(i)
Second report from the Select Committee of the Legislative Assembly upon Aborigines, 1981.
A6707(ii)
Ngali: School of Australian Linguistics Darwin Institute of Technology Newsletter, June 1985.
Aboriginal Hostels Limited, Annual Report, 1979
A6707(iii)
Manuscript and typescript notes on Aboriginal languages.
A6708(i)
Awabakal language including radio lessons and primer 1985-1986, including Gateshead High School Course.
A6708(ii)
Radio language class, 1982-1984.
A6708(iii)
Five manuscript notebooks on Awabakal language for Gatehead class [n.d.]
A6709(i)
Kattang Language notes, 1979-1980.
A6709(ii)
Dungatti Language, 1986.
A6709(iii)
Kamilaroi Language, 1980-1985.
A6709(iv)
Gringhai Language, 1983.
A6709(v)
Thanghatti Language
A6709(vi)
Wanarua, Worimi Lanuages, 1980.
A6709(vii)
An Attempt Towards a Comparative Grammar of Two Australian languages, by N.M.Holmer [Katang and Thangatti languages].
A6709(viii)
Tribal Society and Language, Address by P.A.Haslam at Raymond Terrace High School, 1983.
A6709(ix)
Bundjaluna Picture Book
A6709(x)
Ngamba Language
A6709(xi)
Aboriginal place names
A6709(xii)
Aboriginal poetry
A6709(xiii)
Aboriginal mathematics
A6709(xiv)
Aboriginal languages - general.
A6710
Aboriginal sites: reports, surveys and correspondence, 1982-1986. [Includes surveys of proposed development at Tea Gardens and Kerrabee Dam near Muswellbrook, 1982]
A6711
Myths, legends and ceremonies.
A6712
Aboriginal History and Culture
A6712(i)
Awabakal, includes Old Margaret of Swansea, Awabakal Co-op.
A6712(ii)
Wonarua Tribe
A6712(iii)
Kamilaroi Tribe
A6712(iv)
Aborigines of the Hunter Region
A6712(v)
General history of Aborigines
A6712(vi)
Denman Rotary Club address, April 1984.
A6712(vii)
Aboriginal mathematics [Typescript] Transfer to A6709(xiii)
Notes on Natives in Newcastle 1842-1858.
A6712(viii)
The Kattang (Kuthung) or Worimi: an Aboriginal Tribe by W.J.Enright [Xerox copy from"Native Tribes of South East Australia", 1932].
A6712(ix)
Aborigines of Port Stephens and Great Lakes Area.
A6713
The Australasian Anthropological Journal, April 30th 1897 [Xerox copy]
The Earliest Inhabitants: Aboriginal Tribes of Dungog, Port Stephens and Gresford, by Gordon Bennett.
A6714
Papers relating to Aboriginal art and artifacts 1981-1987
A6715
Facsimile of London Chronicle, July 20th 1771, Supplement to Daily Mirror April 1969,
Press clippings on Aborigines and Hunter Valley history 1975-1986, Press clippings on Threlkeld, Newcastle shipwrecks, St Clements Church of England Gloucester and Bishop Tyrrell.
A6716
Manuscript notes on Aborigines and Hunter Valley history.
A6717
Papers relating to Aboriginal Studies
Address to Singleton Historical Society, 1980 "History and Atonement". Address by Roy Nichols, Chairman NAC October, 12th, 1980 [on Aboriginal History].
A6718
Maps and Plans [most undated]
A6719A
Photographs of New South Wales Aborigines
Glass slides of tree cuts in the Grahamstown Area
Notes on the photographic collection
A6719B
Album of prints from the Thomas Dick Collection of Aboriginal photographs [Transferred from albums B8876-9a]
A6720
Correspondence 1938-1987.
A6721(i)
Records relating to the history of Lake Macquarie 1828-198's [includes listing of early land grants].
"Transplanting monkey glands" by Dr. Jones at Morisset Hospital 1919 [Typescript].
A6721(ii)
Records relating to Murray’s Run [Near Wollombi].
A6721(iii)
Records relating to the journals of Lady Isabella Louisa Parry, 1828-1983, and photographs of Charles, Edward and Isabella Parry.
A6721(iv)
History of Newcastle Thesis [Typescript n.d.]
A6721(v)
Newcastle and Suburban Co-operative Society "The Store" [Typescript history, 1948].
A6721(vi)
Sulphide Corporation Pty Ltd, Cockle Creek N.S.W. [Brochure] 1979
[Transferred to A6725(v)].
A6721(vii)
McKenzie Family genealogy, by Stewart McKenzie, 1976.
A6721(viii)
Biography of William Sacheverell Coke of Derbyshire, 1805-1896.
"The Early History of Newcastle and the Progress of the Coal Industry" address by J.Fallins, November 27th 1948.
A6722
Photographs
A6722(i)
Family photographs
A6722(ii)
Photographs during Hunter Valley tour, August 1974: Miss Rowan Dorrell - Old Stone house restoration; New winery site, Arrowfield; Singleton Army Camp Museum; Gloucester Valley, 1977; Sandy Hollow Tunnel; Stud Farm, Segenhoe
A6722(iii)
Lake Macquarie Photographs
A6722(iv)
Buildings: Wallsend Ambulance Station, Hannans House, Maitland, Royal Hotel Denman, Newcastle Railway Station, Muswellbrook R.S.L.Club, Original Hospital East Maitland, Collieries: Wallabadah, South Waratah Colliery, Charlestown, (Raspberry Gully), Buildings on the way to Colo Caves[n.d.], Unidentified wooden church and brick church.
A6722(v)-(vi)
Group photographs: Wedding; C.A.Brown Villiage; two unidentified men holding shakles; rowing groups; The Lawrence family; East Gresford; East Gresford School 1904; Swansea School pre -1920; Glen William School 1897; Raymond Terrace School ca.1900; Singleton High School students at Hunter Valley Aboriginal site; Bolton Street Newcastle School 1919;Unidentified cricket team; Distinguished Colonists of NSW, Unidentified group outsode wooden building ca.1890’s; P.Haslam and Aborigines.
A6722(vii)
Ships: Rose 1842; Lady Nelson 1803; Hunter II [n.d.]; Newcastle; Sophia Jane 1831; SS Archer [n.d.]; Adolphe on oyster bank, with Katoomba and Glamang [n.d.].
A6722(viii)
Portrait photographs: John Dick; Cletus Taylor; Ivor David Peebles; John Wilkinson shoots dead Joe Governor [dead]; unidentified child [negative].
A6722(ix)
Early Newcastle photographs [n.d.];Cohen's Fire; Coach and Draft Horses; Raymond Terrace in flood [n.d.]; War Office photographs 1945; unidentified grave; Threlkeld; metal object.
A6723
Printed material:
A6724
Papers:
A6725(i)
Manuscript and typescript notes on Hunter Valley History
Scabs in West Wallsend: non unionist used to break strike 1888 by Richard Thomas.
A6725(ii)
The Tomago Aluminium smelter [1984].
A6725(iii)
Historical research concerning the Newcastle region : list of research projects compiled by The Newcastle Public Library, November 1971.
A6725(iv)
Transcript of an interview with Mr Rod Harden, General Manager of B.H.P. on the future of the steel industry in Newcastle [n.d.].
A6725(v)
Papers:
A6725(vi)
Papers:
A6725(vii)
Historical snippets of Hunter Valley history [Typescript] [n.d.].
A6725(viii)
Secret Societies: Druidism [Typescript n.d.][with comparison to Aboriginal customs].
The Coreei Cornflour Mill - Dungog. Extract from the Maitland Mercury, July 1878.
Australia in the 80’s and the future, by Harold C.Wells [Typescript].
A6725(ix)
Typescripts and papers:
A6725(x)
Newcastle Mines Rescue Station presentation of Silver medallions 1971 programme and list of recipients, May 1971.
Shipbuilding at Eagleton (near Raymond Terrace N.S.W. and William McPherson and family history. At least 30 vessels were built).[Manuscript n.d.]1799-1886.
A6725(xi)
Typescripts of interviews and reminiscences:
A6725(xii)
Reprints on early Britains, cultures and artifacts.
A6725(xiii)
Papers:
A6725(xiv)
Brochures and typescripts:
A6725(xv)
Newcastle and suburbs free newspapers [Typescript notes 1963].
A6725(xvi)
Papers:
A6725(xvii)
Papers relating to L.E.Threlkeld and Threlkeld Family 1788-1859.
A6725(xviii)
Personal papers including a biography of P.A.Haslam.
A6725(xix)
Recommendations for the development of oil and gas resources and gas from coal. [n.d.].
Archives No. |
Description |
First Date |
Last Date |
A7758(i) |
Manuscript notes and xerox copies relating to the letters of F.W Ludwig Leichhardt. |
Ca.1980s |
|
A7758(ii) |
Class notes and material relating to Aboriginal words and Translation of Lord's Prayer into Awabakal Language. |
June 1981 |
Nov 1981 |
A7758(iii) |
Manuscript hand-written and typescript notes relating to Aboriginal legends, initiation ceremonies, the Bora, the Defloration of girls, Worimi Initiation Ceremony, Western Australian Aboriginal Culture, Hastings River District, "The White Waratah legend and the Awabakal and Sport. |
1979 |
1980 |
A7758(iv) |
Typescript notes on Teaching Aboriginal History in Primary and Secondary Schools and Aboriginal Reincarnation beliefs. |
c.1979 |
|
A7758(v)) |
Correspondence, typescript and hand written notes relating to Aboriginal Languages, Wonarua Tribe, Charles Murray of Wauchope, Hastings District Port Macquarie, The Platypus Legend, the Bora, The Dick Family and the "Swansea Dig" |
1973 |
1981 |
A7758(vi) |
Correspondence and typescript notes relating to Hunter Valley Aborigines and Scenes, Detribalisation, copy of Hastings District Historical Society Occasional Paper 1977/7 "The Port Macquarie Conquest: A Casual Study of Conflicting Cultures." Prepared by Mr R. Howell. |
1977? |
1983 |
A7758(vii) |
Correspondence, typescript and manuscript notes relating to Aboriginal legends and mythology, the boomerang, Biraban, birdlife, language and customs. |
1971 |
[1979] |
A7758(viii) |
Artefact -; Two small bones labelled Hunt: Newcastle Scientific 4/5/1979 |
1979 |
|
A7758(ix) |
VHS Video Tape: Political Decision Making. |
March 1985 |
|
A7758(x) |
Artefacts |
10/3/1986 |
|
A7758(xi) |
Artefacts |
7/4/1987 |
|
A7758(xii) |
Artefacts |
n.d. |
|
A7758(xiii) |
Artefacts |
9/11/1980 |
|
A7758(xiv) |
Artefacts |
n.d. |
|
A7759(i) |
Artefacts from Burwood Beach -; flints, ochre and graved stone. |
n.d. |
|
A7759(ii) |
Artefact -; Shell |
n.d. |
|
A7759(iii) |
Artefacts - from Norah Head |
||
A7759(iv) |
Artefacts - "Mustlebrook"(sic) |
||
A7759(v) |
Artefact |
C1978 |
|
A7760(i) |
Artefacts collected from Swansea Heads Beach January 1984 and Belmont South 31st May 1984 |
Jan 1984 |
May 1984 |
A7760(ii) |
Artefacts collected from Wilson River "Stone Nest" Dec 1977 |
Dec 1977 |
|
A7760(iii) |
Artefacts from Dayles Creek Denman Area collected 12th April 1984 |
April 1984 |
|
A7760(iv) |
Artefacts from "Mt Archer No. 1 Site Lake Macquarie"collected 10th March 1986 |
March 1986 |
|
A7760(v) |
Artefacts collected from Port Macquarie |
n.d. |
|
A7760(vi) |
Artefacts collected from Burra Gurra Cave |
n.d. |
|
A7760(vii) |
Artefact |
n.d. |
|
A7760(viii) |
Artefact |
n.d. |
|
A7760(ix) |
Artefacts |
n.d. |
|
A7761(i) |
Artefacts from Burra Gurra Cave and artefact from [Mongrani Strictione?] 23rd Feb 1979 |
||
A7761(ii) |
Artefacts from Denhman (sic) |
n.d. |
|
A7761(iii) |
Artefacts from Denhan (sic) |
n.d. |
|
A7761(iv-vii) |
Various artefacts unknown locations |
n.d. |
A7771(i)
Photograph (c.1980) and letter relating to Yellow Ochre hand painting.
A7771(ii)
Kodak Photographic Paper Box containing slides and box of photographs of Aborigines and Aboriginal sacred sites ca.1900 -1980s. Typed slide index by Percy Haslam reads as follows:
A7771(iii)
Copy of The Port Stephens Blacks: The Recollections of William Scott [1929]
A7771 (iv)
Four National Parks and Wildlife Service booklets on the Aborigines of New South Wales entitled "Coastal People" "Murray People", "Mountain People" and "People of the Plains". [n.d.]
A7771(v)
Copy of 1980 Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Land Rights and Sacred and Significant sites Report.
A7771(vi)
Copy of Puleeta Cessnock Corrective Centre Issue 2 Dec. 1986
A7771(vii)
1 folder of news clippings relating to Aboriginal cave paintings, Eric Taggart of Broke, Kamilaroi, Tom Dillon grave at Sandgate Cemetery (last full blood Aborigine of the Hawkesbury River Tribe, the Darook) and typescript signed by Percy Haslam entitled "Darkinoong Defloration of maidens at Murray's Run. At site of Ceremonial cave with symbolical paintings in charcoal." [c.1975].