The Australian Society of Authors, 1962-1997

Component identifier:

Series 17

Content Summary:

Stivens was the driving force behind the formation of the Australian Society of Authors (ASA). During his time in England, Stivens had found the British Society of Authors a great support. On his return to Australia he determined to establish a similar organisation and, together with Jill Hellyer and Walter Stone, lobbied for an Australian equivalent. The ASA was formed in 1963, with Stivens being appointed as its first President.

Having initially anticipated a six-month involvement with the Society, Stivens was to be closely involved with it for its first eleven years, in the roles of both President (1963-64 and 1966-73) and Vice-President (1964-66). Stivens turned his considerable talents to the task of establishing the rights of Australian authors within the commercial sphere. He co-authored the Society's first book on contracts, provided numerous articles for the press and for the Society's own publications and spoke at meetings and seminars. In 1967 Stivens was honoured as Foundation President, and in 1977 was made a Life Member of the Society.

Papers in this series relate to Stivens' involvement with the Society. There are early papers about the history of the Society, including minutes from the first meeting at which a Society was proposed (24 Oct 1962), and minutes of the first meeting of the newly formed Society (15 May 1963). There are notes and cuttings relating to a number of topics of relevance to Australian authors; correspondence; reports, agenda and minutes of meetings covering a number of years; an incomplete set of The Australian Author, the quarterly journal of the ASA and an incomplete set of ASA newsletters.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were purchased from Stivens in several small instalments from 1971 to 1973 and in one large instalment from Stivens' companion, Juanita Cragen, in 1999.

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