"Y" Club

Component identifier:

Series 11

Content Summary:

An incomplete set of minutes of the "Y" Club dating from 1918 until 1941, lists of members and a pamphlet published for the "Y" Club in 1920 entitled Socialism and education by "Radix". Members met monthly in Melbourne, and after dinner were entertained by a speaker. Members included Alf. Foster, R.S. Ross, Maurice Blackburn, Guido Baracchi and F. J. Riley.

Immediate source of acquisition:

F. J. Riley presented his large collection of personal papers, records of the Manufacturing Grocers' Employees' Federation of Australia, the Australian Labor Party and the Trades Hall Council, scrap books, pamphlets, photographs and newspapers to the National Library from 1949 until 1969. After his death in 1970, the residue of Riley's personal library joined the collection in accordance with his will, and the wishes of his widow, Mrs Anne E. Riley. At that time Sir Harold White, National Librarian spoke of Riley's "diligent habit of assembling for us material relating to the history of the Australian Labor Party and of the Trade Union movement. Our collections have been enriched not only by his regular donations but also by his guidance in directing us to other sources. He made a further contribution through careful documentation of much that he sent us, adding significance to its research value. Many students have been and will continue to be grateful for his interest and work in the preservation of this aspect, of our history".

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