High Commissioner To The United Kingdom, 1977-83

Component identifier:

Series 21

Content Summary:

Following the return of the Fraser Government in the November 1980 elections, Garland was offered the post of High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and took up duty in 1981. In 1983 the Hawke Government appointed A.R. Parsons to replace Garland.

The series contains a variety of material on Garland's period at Australia House, as well as some dating to the time of Gordon Freeth and James Plimsoll as High Commissioners (1979-80). There are office files of correspondence and cablegrams, inquiries about migration to Australia, and papers concerning visitors, especially Australian politicians and officials. Garland's daily program as High Commissioner is recorded in office diaries. Other papers concern invitations received, functions, the running of Stoke Lodge, the involvement of Lady Garland - an accomplished pianist - in music and ballet organisations such as the Royal College of Music. Christmas cards received by the Garlands occupy four boxes.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The first instalments of the Garland Papers were presented to the Library by Victor Garland in 1975. Between 1976 and 1981 eight further instalments of papers were received from Garland's Perth electorate office and his office in Parliament House, Canberra. Further papers were received from Sir Victor in London in 1993.

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