The collection contains personal files created by him during his term as South African Ambassador to Australia, from 1988 to 1992. The files include general correspondence with the Australian public and various government departments, correspondence regarding Tothill's official visits and engagements, and an extensive collection of letters from the public commenting on his media interviews, speeches and column 'South African Opinion' in the Weekend Australian. There are also numerous requests for the three compilation volumes of his column, David Tothill's South African Opinion I (1990), South African Opinion II (1991) and South African Opinion III (1992).