Guide to the Papers of June Epstein, 1935-1999

Summary

Collection number:

MS 8578

Creator:

Epstein, June

Extent:

(25 ms boxes + 1 large folio box + 1 map folio)

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of June Epstein, National Library of Australia, MS 8578, [series and/or file number]'.

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Available for reference. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

The papers in this collection document much of the life and career of June Epstein.

A large proportion of the material comprises papers relating to her career as an author and includes research material, drafts and reviews for a number of both published and unpublished works. There are also papers relating to Epstein's work with the Australian Broadcasting Commission and her musical accomplishments, as well as newspaper cuttings, a small collection of personal papers and appointment diaries spanning several decades. There is very little in the collection relating to Epstein's work as a teacher and academic.

There is a small amount of general correspondence. It consists of correspondence relating to publication of Epstein's books, letters of appreciation from readers, correspondence relating to employment and congratulatory letters received on being awarded an Order of Australia Medal. Major correspondents include the Australian Broadcasting Commission, York Bowen, Benjamin Britten, A.E. [Alfred Ernest] Floyd, Henry Geehl (Professor of Music, Trinity College, London), Margaret Holmes, Hephzibah Menuhin, Dorothy Ross (Headmistress, Melbourne Church of England Girls Grammar School) and Camilla Wedgwood.

Biographical Note:

June Sadie Epstein is an author, musician and former teacher and academic. Born in Perth on 29 June 1918, she married Julius Guest (original name Weingeist) in 1949, with whom she had three children.

Tragedy struck the Epsteins early in their marriage when their first son, John Carey, was left severely intellectually disabled as a result of contracting encephalitis at a very young age. Unable to care for him at home, they placed him in residential care at Kew Cottages in Melbourne. Tragedy struck again when their second son, Philip Ross, died at the age of six, severely physically disabled from a brain tumour. These tragedies were to have a profound effect on Epstein's life, leading her to a lifetimes involvement in championing the causes of people with disabilities.

Epstein has been a prolific writer. Her first published work, a collection of plays for children, was published in 1951 and she has gone on to publish more than fifty works in a variety of genres. They include short stories, children's books, plays, biographies, musical scores and her autobiography. Most of her biographical works recount the life stories of people with disabilities, and were written in an attempt to raise public awareness about the disabled.

In 1931, Epstein commenced studying the piano in Perth under Gertrude Carey. At seventeen, she became the first person in Australia to be awarded a three-year scholarship by the Trinity College of Music, London. She took up the scholarship in 1936 and went on to attain her Teachers Diploma. On completion of these studies, she was awarded a London University Scholarship to study for a Bachelor of Music. This study was interrupted by World War II and Epstein returned to Australia in 1940. On her return, she undertook a three-month national recital tour for the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

Epstein has maintained a long involvement with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), mostly working on children's educational programs. She has been variously a recitalist, accompanist, scriptwriter, broadcaster and composer. As well as her work with the ABC, she has composed several musicals for student productions and amateur musical societies.

Epstein began her teaching career in 1942, taking up the position of music teacher at Frensham School in Mittagong, NSW. From 1946 to 1949 she was Director of Music at Melbourne Church of England Girls' Grammar School. During this period, Epstein also began taking a weekly choral class at the Kindergarten Training College, Melbourne, following on from Dr Alfred Floyd. She remained with this institution, which later became the Melbourne College of Advanced Education, Institute of Early Childhood Development, until 1976, attaining the position of Senior Lecturer-in-charge of Music. Epstein was elected the first Honorary Life Member of the Graduates Association, in recognition of her services to the community in the field of pre-school music.

In 1986, Epstein was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her service to the arts and the welfare of people with disabilities.

Provenance:

The papers were acquired in instalments from June Epstein. Two larger instalments were received in 1994 and 1999 and three smaller ones in 1993, 1994 and 1996.

Arrangement:

The National Library has imposed its own arrangement on the papers.

Indexed terms

Names:

Epstein, June

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is available for research.

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 June Epstein, National Library of Australia, MS 8578, [series and/or file number]'.

Location of this collection:

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Contact:

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