Australian Frontier, 1950-93

Component identifier:

Series 4

Content Summary:

Australian Frontier was established in 1962 with the aim 'to promote effective contact, communication and relationships among people that they and the churches may better undertake their responsibilities in society' (21 years of Australian Frontier, 1988, p.32). Australian Frontier was administered by the Australian Frontier Commission, chaired from 1962-71 by Sir James Darling and later by Evan Walker (1976-81), Judi Kiraly (1981-86) and Michael Henry (1986-). Directors of Australian Frontier include Peter Mathews (1963-75), Chris Phillips (1975-78) of Sid Spindler (1979-82) and Michael Henry (1979-93).

A major part of Australian Frontier's work has been organising 'consultations' on a variety of topics relating to community life and problems such as the needs of the aged, migrants, youth, Aborigines and the handicapped, prisoner rehabilitation, education and the impact of automation. Consultation reports have been produced from these activities.

Engel was involved in Australian Frontier since its inception and served as Honorary Secretary, Commissioner (1976-88), Vice Chairman (1965-72) and Acting Chairman (1972-73)

The records comprise minutes, reports, publications, correspondence and other papers maintained by Engel during his involvement with the organisation and its predecessor, the Ecumenical Institute. They document many of Australian Frontier's activities including consultations held in 1961 relating to its formation, the Future Directions Conferences of 1980 and 1981, the proposed Institute for the Study of Man and Society, as well as Engel's book 21 years of Australian Frontier.

The papers have been arranged into three sequences: files containing material bearing the Australian Frontier filing code, other files and loose papers.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated by Frank Engel in 1985 and 1995. Further material was added in 2003 and 2009.

Contents

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