Guide to the Papers of William Key, 1926-2006

Request this via the Catalogue
 

Summary

Collection number:
MS 9967
Creator:
William Illiad Aeneas Key (1907-2004)
Extent:
0.56 metres and (3 boxes + folio items)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of William Key, National Library of Australia, MS 9967, [file number]'.
Availability:
Available
Access conditions:
Available for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

Papers relating to Key's life and career. The collection incudes photographs, programs of performances, biographical material relating to Key and two folders of typescripts of what appears to be autobiographical reminiscences.

From Key's time as a variety show performer there are the script, musical score, cuttings and posters for the production 'Cinderella Pantomime' and a large travel diary containing diary entries, scripts, promotional flyers and photographs relating to his tour with the 'Sparkles and Flashes Company'.

Biographical Note:

William Key was a musician and a variety show performer. He was born in Adelaide on 29 May 1907 to William Indus Key and Beatrice Matilda Key (née Evans). At the time his father was a flautist with the Theatre Royal in Adelaide. Key undertook his schooling in Adelaide at the Collegiate School of St. Peter. From his family, Key inherited a propensity for wanderlust and a love of music and sailing.

When he finished his schooling, Key joined the South Australian Public Service, with the idea of rising to a good position. In 1924 he left the security of this job to join Muriel Matthew's travelling vaudeville show billed as the 'Sparkles and Flashes Company', touring remote parts of southern Australia.

During the 1920s Key also toured with his brother, Arthur Key, presenting their 'Cinderella Pantomime'. 1930 found the brothers in Manly performing an act they called 'Electra', which involved an electric current being passed through Arthur's body.

In the 1930s, Key was engaged as a professional musician, playing the double bass with, amongst others, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Musica Viva Society and the ABC Orchestra. In September 1934 he was admitted to membership of the Orchestral Section of the Royal Philharmonic Society of Sydney.

In 1943 Key was issued with a Certificate of Competency as a Master of a British Yacht by the Minister for Trade and Customs, Melbourne. In July of that year he joined the Royal Australian Navy. He was discharged in November 1950, having attained the rank of Lieutenant.

In his later years, Key was employed as a Harbour Master with Sydney Harbour ferries. In December 1974 he was issued with a Certificate of Competency as a Marine Motor Engineer and in August 1975 a Certificate of Competency as Master of a Harbor [sic] and River Steamer. Both certificates were issued by the Maritime Services Board, Sydney.

William Key died on 5 April 2004. His ashes were scattered in Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii, by the Chaplain aboard HMAS Success.

Provenance:

The papers were donated to the Library in April 2006 by Noreen Walsh, a long time friend of William Key.

Arrangement:

The papers have been arranged by the Library and listed by folder title.

Access and use

Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is available for reference.
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 William Key, National Library of Australia, MS 9967, [file number]'.
Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact:
Contact us