Skydoctor: based on the adventures and experiences of a flying doctor in the 1950s, 1956-1996

Component identifier:

Series 4

Content Summary:

Len Dawson wrote his memoirs of his working life as a flying doctor in the Royal Flying Doctor Service after his retirement in 1980. The first draft was written by Dawson in 1982. Dawson engaged a ghostwriter, Pamela Odyjk, to redraft the work in 1991. This draft was extensively edited by Jan Elith in 1993-1994 to create the final version that was published by Dawson in 1995.

The papers document the progress of Skydoctor from the first handwritten draft to the published version. There is also correspondence relating to researching, obtaining permissions and attempting to find a publisher for the book. Correspondents include K.G. Knight (Secretary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service), Russel Pardoe, John Pearn, Jim Murtha (relating to the De Havilland Drover), Brian Warren (letter concerning pilot Trevor Corbett restricted), Brian Crane, Ivan Neale, Pamela Indyjk, Tom House, Pat Tully and Lloyd McKay.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated to the Library in three instalments in 1993 and 1995. The 1995 instalments were donated under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme.

Names:

Dawson, Len, 1929-

Contents

Access and use