The collection is largely concerned with three generations of the Delprat/Teppema family, documenting their lives in the Netherlands, Australia, Argentina and Uruguay. It is distinguished by the remarkably complete and well-ordered nature of the family's correspondence, particularly between Tania Teppema/Hemblys-Scales and her parents. There are also letters of Daniel Delprat (1816-1840) and his son F.A.T. Delprat (1820-1933); letters and papers of Guillaume Delprat and his wife Henriette (1894-1937); material relating to the musical career and travels of Carmen Delprat (1904-1956); personal and diplomatic papers of Peter Teppema (1912-1960), photograph albums, diaries, invitations, press cuttings and several extraordinary items of realia, notably a nineteenth century tortoiseshell-bound Dutch bible; a ceremonial Japanese lacquered bowl presented by the Emperor of Japan and a lacquered box containing Japanese insignia and ribbon. The collection also contains material on Sir Douglas and Lady Mawson and photographs and other items relating to Broken Hill and the Newcastle Steelworks.