The papers cover Bishop Garnsey's career in the Church and in education from the time of his return from Oxford in 1938 to his retirement. They document his work as Headmaster of Canberra Grammar School and Bishop of Gippsland, and his involvement with the Australian Student Christian Movement, the ecumenical movement, the Australian Council of Churches and the Australian College of Theology. There is also material on the many controversial issues he spoke out on, including Australia's involvement in the war in Vietnam.