University of Melbourne 1921-1969

Component identifier:

Series 27

Content Summary:

Herbert Brookes was on the Council of the University of Melbourne from 1933 until 1947, and from 1934 served on the Orchestra Advisory Committee. From 1926 until 1969 Ivy Brookes was a member of the Faculty of Music, and served with her husband on the Orchestra Advisory Committee of the University. In addition Mrs Brookes was a member of both the Board of Studies in Physical Education from 1938 until 1970 and the Board of Social Studies between 1941 and 1967. Two subseries have been formed; the first and larger contains Herbert's papers, the second those of his wife.

The correspondence between Brookes, Sir James Barrett, Sir Douglas Copland, R.E. Priestley and others concerns Priestley's appointment as Vice-chancellor in 1935, the new wing of the Conservatorium in 1934, the building and financing of Union House, opened in 1938, the Vice-Chancellor's residence, made possible by a gift from the Brookes and George Nicholas, and the conflict within the University Council during 1937 and 1938 which led to Barrett being succeeded as Chancellor by Sir John Latham in 1939. Brookes has loose notes on many of these issues, together with an incomplete set of minutes of Council, and Finance Committee meetings from 1933 until 1944. There is also a small number of papers concerning Herbert's association with Trinity College, as a member of its Council from 1921 until 1924.

The few papers concerning Ivy Brookes' role at the University have been divided into three parts. Placed first are copies of many of the meetings of the Faculty of Music from 1964 until 1966, together with notes made by Ivy concerning earlier days in the Faculty with reference to Sir Bernard Heinze. The papers of the Board of Social Studies in Physical Education consist of a file of printed material dating from 1956, but mostly during 1965, dealing with the Beaurepaire Physical Education Centre in 1956, and the proposed establishment of a Chair of Physical Education in 1965.

At the end of the subseries is an incomplete set of minutes of meetings of the Board of Social Studies between 1963 and 1966, printed material which concerns student quotas in 1963, and reports of a sub-committee on field-work in 1966.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers of Herbert Brookes were presented to the National Library in April 1967 by his widow Ivy Deakin Brookes. In October 1967 she deposited her own extensive collection, and together they form the Brookes Papers.

Names:

Brookes, Ivy

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