Guide to the Papers of Jim R. Fraser, 1946-1970

Summary

Collection number:

MS 2802

Creator:

Jim R. Fraser

Extent:

26.73 metres and (136 archive boxes + 13 ms boxes + 1 small folio)

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Jim R. Fraser, National Library of Australia, MS 2802, [box number and series and/or folder number]'.

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Part available for research; part requires permission for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

The collection documents Jim Fraser's career as the Member for the Australian Capital Territory from 1951 until his death on 1 April 1970. It consists of subject files which include correspondence relating to constituent matters, speeches, transcripts of weekly broadcasts on Radio 2CA and telecasts on Channel 7, press cuttings, photographs and printed material.

Researchers of Canberra with its unique place in Australian society will find this collection rich in primary and secondary source material.

Of significant interest to political scientists is the group of papers relating to events within the ACT Branch of the Australian Labor Party prior to the general election of 1969. They relate to the pre-selection ballots of 1968 and 1969.

Finally the collection contains some of the vast number of messages of condolence received by Mrs Helen Fraser and their son Andrew in April 1970.

Biographical Note:

Jim Fraser was born in Derby Tasmania on 8 February 1908, the third son and fifth child in the family of seven of Donald and Constance May Fraser (nee Hadley). Constance May Hadley was a school teacher and Donald Fraser was an hydraulics engineer and manager of the tin mine at Derby.

After completion of his schooling at Launceston High School, Jim Fraser spent some time working as a chainman and axeman in his father's survey party. From 1927 until 1935 he taught in a number of one-teacher schools in country areas of Victoria. In December 1935 he took up a position as a journalist on the Glen Innes Examiner where he remained until 1941 when he enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force.

From 1941 until 1943 Jim Fraser served as a Gunner in the 21st Field Regiment and from 1944 until 1945 in the Public Relations Field Unit in Papua New Guinea. During this time he wrote many personal stories of troops in the field. These stories were published in relevant country newspapers through-out Australia and they created much interest. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1946 with the rank of Sergeant, Jim Fraser joined the Department of Information in Canberra. In February 1948 as an A1 Grade Journalist he was appointed Press Secretary to Senator Nicholas McKenna, Minister for Health and Social Services in the Chifley Government and after its defeat in December 1949, Fraser remained on McKenna's staff as his private secretary.

During the years from 1946 until 1951 Jim Fraser was a member of the executive of the Canberra branch of the Australian Journalists Association and from 1949 until 1951 he represented the Australian Labor Party on the ACT Advisory Council. Jim Fraser contested the general election of 1951 and became the Member for the Australian Capital Territory in the House of Representatives joining his brother Allan who had won the adjacent Seat of Eden-Monaro in 1943. For sixteen years the Fraser brothers had the unique honour of serving together in the House of Representatives.

The general elections of 1954, 1955, 1958, 1961, 1963, 1966 and 1969 were successfully contested by Jim Fraser; the 1969 election was won with a record majority of 67.75% of the vote.

During his years in the House of Representatives Jim Fraser was a member of the Select Committee to inquire into and report upon the Hansard of the House of Representatives; Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on the A.C.T. from 1957 until 1970 and a member of the Privileges Committee from 1964 until 1970.

In 1959 Jim Fraser married Miss Helen Rowland of Glen Innes. Their son Andrew was born in 1960. Fraser died in Canberra on 1 April 1970, following a short illness. A State Funeral Service was held at the Presbyterian Church of St Andrew, Canberra, and was attended by many thousands of his constituents.

Gough Whitlam in paying tribute to Jim Fraser in the Federal Parliament on 7 April 1970 said that he was "above all a representative... he was single mindedly the representative of the people who elected him. Partly this was due to the nature of his position. He was not only member of the House of Representatives for the Australian Capital Territory but also acted as Canberra's mayor, senator and ombudsman. Even more it was his character and part of his nature to believe that the problems of the people - his people - were his own. He accepted that role enthusiastically with all the burdens and all the frustrations it involved. The task involved was enormous".

Immediate Source of Acquisition:

Jim Fraser's papers were presented to the National Library in 1970 by his widow, Mrs Helen Fraser of Canberra.

Indexed terms

Names:

Jim R. Fraser

Conditions Governing Access:

Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1168728).

Conditions Governing Use:

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Jim R. Fraser, National Library of Australia, MS 2802, [box number and series and/or folder number]'.

Location of this collection:

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Contact:

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