The collection documents the life of Joyce Scarlett (nee Melville) including: her time at Sydney University in the 1930's, where she was active in student politics; her work as a teacher of English (by correspondence) to newly arrived immigrants; and her career as a broadcaster and scriptwriter for the Australian Broadcasting Commission in New South Wales and Western Australia. The collection comprises correspondence, ABC radio scripts, photographs, diary extracts and notebooks from the 1950's relating to interior design, cooking and catering. An itemized list is housed with the collection material.