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Finding Aid Index Request Information
Overview | Administrative Information | Container List
Each Finding Aid can be keyword searched using the Ctrl F function on your keyboard.
Manuscript Name | Papers of Neil Murray |
Manuscript Number | MSS 278 |
Last Updated | October 2021 |
Extent | 9 boxes + 1 AV box + oversized material |
Location | Special Collections, UNSW Canberra |
Abstract | Literary papers, including drafts of poems and songs, scrapbook material, manuscript collections. Also includes published words, including CDs, VHS, and audio tapes. Oversized material consists of posters and promotional material. |
Literary
A collection of literary papers of Neil Murray, created principally between 1992 and 2000, but including material dating back to the early 1980s. The collection includes drafts of poems and songs, notebooks, general and literary correspondence, published works containing reviews, articles and advertisements, programs, posters, compact discs, and both audio and video cassettes.
1982 - 2001
Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Murray_(Australian_musician)
Neil Murray is an Australian singer/songwriter, poet, novelist and playwright. He is a founding member of Warumpi Band (1980), and played with them until 1999. Warumpi Band was the first major rock group with mostly Indigenous members and to use Aboriginal languages in their lyrics. Murray has also had a solo career.
His works include the poetry collections Starting Procedure: Poems & Prose (To Read Aloud) (1980) and One Man Tribe (1999), the latter also published a spoken-word album. Musically, he has released two albums with Warumpi Band, Big Name No Blankets (1985), Go Bush! (1987), Too Much Humbug (1996). His first novel, Sing for Me, Countryman, was published in 1993. His solo albums include Calm & Crystal Clear (1989), These Hands (1993), Dust (1996), The Wondering Kind (2000). He also wrote the play King for this Place (1999), commissioned by and performed at Deckchair Theatre, Fremantle.
Murray was awarded the APRA Song of the Year Award in 1995 for My Island Home, also listed in the APRA Top 30 Australian Songs of All Time in 2001.
References:
Author record, Neil Murray, AustLit (www.austlit.edu.au), St Lucia: The University of Queensland, 2002-. [Retrieved from https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A14955 15/10/2018].
Island Home Music. (2018). Neil Murray: Biography. Retrieved from http://www.neilmurray.com.au/pages/bio.html, 15/10/2018.
Access: Open Access
This collection contains a variety of copyright material. Copyright is held by the creator of each item. Specific conditions for this collection are listed below. If no conditions are stipulated then the standard terms of the Copyright Act apply for published and unpublished items. Digitised material from manuscript collections is provided to clients by UNSW Canberra in good faith for private study and research only, and may not be published or re-purposed without the express and written permission of the individual legal holder of that copyright. Refer also to the UNSW copyright, disclaimer and takedown policy.
Copying: Check with Curator
Papers of Neil Murray, Special Collections, UNSW Canberra, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, MSS 278, Box [Number], Folder [Number].
The collection was acquired from Neil Murray in three consignments.
Australian poetry, poets, Australian poets, singers, songwriters, 20th century poetry, Australian novelists, novelists, 20th century music, playwrights, Australian playwrights.
Neil Murray 1956-
Warumpi Band
Neil Murray and the Rainmakers
Singer, songwriter, poet, writer
Folder 1
Correspondence, 1982 - 1989
Interviews in relation to music.
Folder 2
Warumpi Band – some song notes and lyrics, early 1980s
Photographs Warumpi Band.
Folder 3
Correspondence, 1979 - 1984
Correspondents include Russell Guy, Patrick McCauley.
Folder 4
Material from scrapbook folder, 1979 - 1983
Includes correspondence, poetry, ‘As the Crow Flies,’ Overland publication July 1981, no. 84 Ned Kelly Anniversary. Also includes a copy of Starting Procedure: Poems & Prose (to read aloud) (1980) and the photograph used for the cover.
Folder 5
Material from scrapbook folder, 1980 - 1986
Includes correspondence; newspaper articles – ‘Country poetry to read aloud’ and ‘Famous poets to give Alice concert’; Overland publication, April 1986, no. 102.
Folder 6
Old journal and notes, 1980s
Includes Walungurruka Tjukurrpa newsletter, September 1987; photograph.
Folder 7
Stories and articles, 1980s
Drafts of short stories and articles. Also includes material on Caz Aboriginal Art Gallery.
Folder 8
Early drafts and correspondence, 1978
Folder 9
Formative song lyrics and finished song lyrics, 1975 - 1979
Also includes drafts of poetry.
Folder 10
Poetry manuscript collection Let it Loom, November 1991
Folder 11
Formative song lyrics and finished lyrics, 1980
Also includes media clippings throughout the 1980s
Folder 12
Song lyrics, including developmental notes, 1989 - 1991
Also includes correspondence from Billy Marshall-Stoneking.
Folder 13
Fourth draft of screenplay Lasseter by Billy Marshall-Stoneking, 1983
Folder 14
Annotated typescript draft of play Burke and Wills, 1976
Folder 15
First draft Desert Stars, a screenplay for a movie, April 1988
Folder 16
Scene breakdown for Desert Stars, annotated, October 1987
Folder 17
Second draft of original screenplay of Desert Stars, December 1988
Folder 18
Other film projects, 1985 - 1987
Project titles include ‘The Clever Man’, an idea for a movie; ‘Turning the Stars up Full Blast’. An idea for a feature film; ‘Dust’, an outline; ‘Desert Stars’, a scene breakdown for a movie. Also includes correspondence, 1985 - 1987.
Folder 19
These Hands album – notes, lyrics scribbles, track sheets, 1985 - 1993
This folder included the AV material that is now AV 1.10 - 1.16.
Folder 20
Sing for me, Countryman draft and editorial report, 1993
Folder 21
Sing for me, Countryman draft with annotations, 1993
Folder 22
Poetry manuscript ‘Loom (selected works 1978 - 1994)’, 1994
Folder 23
Early and adolescent writings and notes, 1975 - 1987
Also includes an uncorrected draft for ‘The Clever Man’, an idea for a movie, 1987.
Folder 24
Miscellaneous Performance Returns, 1992
Folder 25
Acceptances, 1984 - 1993
Folder 26
Rejections, 1983 - 1994
Also includes some other related correspondence.
Folder 27
Lyric writing workshop ‘Strong Songs’, 1994
Includes media release from AusMusic and lecture notes.
Folder 28
Advertisement, review, programme timetable, 1993
Advertisement for a performance by Neil Murray & The Rainmakers at the Continental Cafe; review of Neil Murray & The Rainmakers performing with Mulil by Ross Clelland; Peek Whurrong coming home concert: programme and festival timetable.
Folder 29
Song writing: Notes & development of lyrics, c.1994
Folder 30
Sing for me, countryman, 1993
Folder 31
Music business – management correspondence, 7 October 1992 - 30 September 1994
Folder 32
Letters of significance sent re: Western District Koories, 1993 - 1994
Includes letters sent to ‘Uncle’ Banjo.
Folder 33
Letters to Eric Beach and Rob Novak, 1993 - 1994
Folder 34
Correspondence, 1980s
Folder 35
Outgoing letters, 1993
Note reads: ‘Re: novel, publishers, Varuna writing fellowship, attempts at poetry publication.’
Folder 36
Drafts of Desert Stars screenplay and notes, no date
Folder 37
Draft of Desert Stars screenplay with notes and emendations, no date
Folder 38
Desert Stars – a scene breakdowns and script editor’s report, 1987 - 1988
Includes two copies of the scene breakdown, October 1987 and the script editor’s report, 6 June 1988.
Folder 39
Desert Stars screenplay, first draft, April 1988
Folder 40
Desert Stars screenplay, second draft, December 1988
Also includes certificate noting that Desert Stars received a nomination for the Monte Miller Memorial Award for an Unproduced Script by an Associate Member.
Folder 41
Desert Stars screenplay, third draft, December 1992
Folder 42
Desert Stars screenplay, fourth draft, December 1993
Folder 43
Notebook, December 1993
Folder 44
Author tour folder for release of Sing for Me, Countryman, 1993
Includes media release and tour dates.
Folder 45-46
Draft of Sing for Me, Countryman with editorial notes, c.1992
Folder 47
Sing for Me, Countryman first draft, c.1992
Folder 48-49
Sing for Me, Countryman first draft, c.1992
Folder 50-51
Sing for Me, Countryman draft, 1992
Folder 52
One Man Tribe, 1999
Includes a copy of the final book, drafts of poems, text layout, marketing material.
Folder 53
Old bio, “Sing Your Destiny” graphics, c.1991
Folder 54
AMPCOM annual report and conference, 1996
Includes some related correspondence.
Folders 55-56
Gigs, 1993 - 2001
Includes pamphlets, ephemera, some correspondence, itineraries, posters. Not all material is related to musical performances; some are literary events.
Folder 57
Gigs, 1993 - 2001
Includes pamphlets, ephemera, some correspondence, itineraries, posters. Not all material is related to musical performances; some are literary events.
Folder 58
Recording 98-99 - lyrics, charts, notes, 1998 - 1999.
Folder 59
Lyrics, c.1996
Folder 60
Miscellaneous artwork, poetry, c.1997
Folder 61
Lyrics, c.1998 - 2000
Folder 62
Correspondence - general, 1995 - 2000
Folder 63
Correspondence – Rob Barnham Management & Productions, 1992 - 1993
Folder 64
“The Wondering Kind” – correspondence, notes, 1999 - 2000
Included the final album as a CD, now AV 1.17.
Folder 65
‘The Pool of Time’, film draft, no date
Folder 66
‘King For This Place’ play, 1997
Includes a first draft, promotional material and some other papers.
Folder 67
Press clippings, 1994 - 2000
Folder 68
Spiral bound manuscript of ‘Loom (selected works 1978 - 1994)’, c.1994
Folder 69
‘These Hands’ – correspondence and CD, 1990 - 1993
Housed the final album as a CD, now AV 1.18.
Folder 70-71
Song lyrics, roughs - Warumpi & self, c.1990s
Folder 72
Notebook, c.1993
Folder 73
Notebook, c.1993
Folder 74
Notebook, c.1993
Folder 75
Queensland Writers Centre, 2001
Contract and media for Poetry and Song workshop held on 26 May 2001.
Folder 76
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme, 1995
Folder 77
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme, 1997
Folder 78
Australian Book Review magazine, February-March 1989
Folder 79
The Edge magazine, August 1989
Folder 80
Rhythms magazine, no. 3, March 1995
Folder 81
Liquid Space magazine, vol. 1.1, August 1996
Folder 82
AMP magazine, no. 14, April 1997
Signed by Murray.
Folder 83
Stage passes, 1999, 2001
Includes stage passes for Big Day Out 1999, Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival 2001.
Audio-visual material.
AV 1.1
Audio tape, 2 November 1977
Australian Broadcasting Commission audio tape - Neil Murray, December, 2/11/77, Reel B of B, tape numbers UPH 1094.
AV 1.2
Audio tape, 2 November 1977
Australian Broadcasting Commission audio tape - Neil Murray, December, 2/11/77, Reel 1 of 3, tape numbers VPH 1385.
AV 1.3
Ampex audio mastering tape, no date
7-1/2 ips, i/v and v/o.
AV 1.4
BASF audio tape, no date
LGR 30 P-18/360m Pr. Nr 71778187 x A (7 in/1200 ft).
AV 1.5
BASF audio tape, no date
LGR 30 P-18/360m Pr. Nr 71778187 x A (7 in/1200 ft).
AV 1.6
Realistic audio tape, no date
549m/1800ft., 1.0ml/23μm 7”/18cm reel.
AV 1.7
Cassette tape, Big Name, No Blankets, Warumpi Band, 1988
AV 1.8
Cassette tape, Calm & Crystal Clear, Neil Murray, 1989
AV 1.9
Cassette tape, Go Bush!, Warumpi Band, 1987
AV 1.10
Cassette tape, These Hands, Neil Murray, 1993
This item was original housed in Folder 19.
AV 1.11
Audio compact disc, Sing Your Destiny, Neil Murray, 1993
This item was original housed in Folder 19.
AV 1.12
Audio compact disc, Holt Road, Neil Murray, 1993
This item was original housed in Folder 19.
AV 1.13
Audio compact disc, Far Away, Neil Murray, 1992
This item was original housed in Folder 19.
AV 1.14
Audio compact disc, These Hands, Neil Murray, 1993
This item was original housed in Folder 19.
AV 1.15
Audio compact disc, Carnivale Live On Tour Compilation, various artists, 1993
This item was original housed in Folder 19.
AV 1.16
VHS tape, Holy Road and Sing Your Destiny, Neil Murray, c.1993
This item was original housed in Folder 19.
AV 1.17
Audio compact disc, The Wondering Kind, Neil Murray, 1999
This item was original housed in Folder 64.
AV 1.18
Audio compact disc, These Hands, Neil Murray, 1993
This item was original housed in Folder 69.
AV 1.19
Cassette tape, Far Away, Neil Murray, 1992
AV 1.20
Cassette tape, Dust, Neil Murray, 1996
AV 1.21
Audio compact disc, This Bliss, Neil Murray, 1996
AV 1.22
Audio compact disc, Give This Day, Neil Murray, 1996
AV 1.23
Audio compact disc, Fire of Love, Neil Murray, 1996
Promotional release not intended for general distribution.
AV 1.24
Audio compact disc, Eddie Mabo, Neil Murray, 1999
Promotional release not intended for general distribution.
AV 1.25
Audio compact disc, Late This Night (radio edit), Neil Murray, 1999
Promotional release not intended for general distribution.
AV 1.26
Audio compact disc, Good Light in Broome, Neil Murray, 1999
Promotional release not intended for general distribution.
AV 1.27
Audio compact disc, Reconciliation Council: We’ll Build a Nation, Neil Murray and the Kormilda College Students, April 1999
CD Master 44.1KHZ. Kakadu Studios.
AV 1.28
VHS tape, The End of the Corrugated Road and Sissy, ABC, July 2001
The End of the Corrugated Road, duration 27’ tx: July 9, 11:00pm
Sissy, duration: 27’ tx: July 10, 11:00pm (2001)
Posters and other oversized material.
OS 1
Poster, ‘Windy Mick and the Falcon’, 1993.
58.5cm (H) x 42cm (W)
OS 2
Poster, Neil Murray (ex-Warumpi Band) and the Rainmakers, c.1993.
75.5cm (H) x 50.5cm (W)
OS 3
Poster, Neil Murray (ex-Warumpi Band) and the Rainmakers Debut Album Calm & Crystal Clear out now, c.1989.
105cm (H) x 75cm (W)
OS 4
Poster, Neil Murray These Hands new album out now includes the singles Holy Road and Far Away, 1993.
64cm (H) x 45cm (W)
OS 5
Poster, Neil Murray Far Away single out now on CD and cassette, 1993.
75.5cm (H) x 51cm (W)
OS 6
Poster, Moruya Festival of Music, 1994.
42cm (H) x 29.5cm (W)
OS 7
Calendars with handwritten notes, 1991 - 1992
OS 8
Poster, Neil Murray Good Light tour, c.1998
59cm (H) x 42cm (W)
OS 9
Poster, Paul Kelly in concert, 2001
Post text: SunFEM and MusicMax present Araluen Thu 27 & Fri 28 September. Special Guest Neil Murray. HOT 100 and MusicMax present MGM Grand Lawns Sat 29 September. Special Guests Vika & Linda plus Neil Murray. Tickets $35 on sale at MGM Grand Darwin hotel reception.
59cm (H) x 42cm (W)
OS 10
26 posters, Warumpi Band, c.1996
Poster text: Return of Araluen Warumpi Band special guest. Two shows. Wed. 11 & Thurs. 12 Dec. 7.30pm. Tickets $10 with concession. Book now… Araluen Box Office Territory Business Supplies.
36cm (H) x 51cm (W)
OS 11
3 posters, Neil Murray The Wondering Kind, 2000
Poster text: The New CD from one of Australia’s most acclaimed singer/songwriters. Includes Late This Night, Eddie Mabo and Good Light in Broome. CD launch performance 8pm Saturday 15 April Studio Theatre, Darwin Entertainment Centre. Tickets $20/$15. Book on 8981 1222.
62.5cm (H) x 43cm (W)
OS 12
Poster, The Genes, 1997
Poster text: EP out now. The Genes: Sunshine Pocket. Appearing in concert.
Signed with a note reading ‘Thanks Sue for all your great support. Nolan Angell. Morgan Angell.’
29.5cm (H) x 41.5cm (W)
OS 13
Poster, Lahi Gabua: light the fire, Drum Drum, c.1996
42 (H) x 29.5cm (W)
OS 14
Poster, Same Make Different Model, Harmony Day, Department of Immigration & Multicultural Affairs, 2000
59cm (H) x 42cm (W)
OS 15
Poster, YOU ME aUStralian, Harmony Day, Department of Immigration & Multicultural Affairs, 1999
59cm (H) x 42cm (W)
OS 16
3 posters, Neil Murray CDs $30 each, c.2000
Poster includes a street sign with a list of Neil Murray songs. Far Away, Big Truck, Holy Road, Fitzroy Crossing, This Bliss, […] Street, Calm and Crystal Clear, Native Born, Tjapwurrung Country, Goodlight [sic] in Broome, My Island Home.
Also includes an A4 print of the same design, which lacks the ‘CDs $30 each’ text.
42cm (H) x 29.5cm (W)
OS 17
3 posters, Warumpi Band live at the Fly by Night Musicians Club, 2000
Poster text: PEEDAC pty ltd Perth Employment and Enterprise Development Aboriginal Corporation, Indigenous 2000 Event Management, AGT Aboriginal Group Training present Warumpi Band live! at the Fly By Night Musicians Club with special guest Lois Olney Friday 7th July, 8.00pm. Fly By Night Club, Holdsworth Street, Fremantle. Tickets available through BOCS, Mills Records and at the door. Warumpi Band will also be performing at the Indigenous Cultural Expo, The Esplanade, Perth, Saturday July 8th, 11am - 10.30pm.
42cm (H) x 29.5cm (W)
OS 18
Posters, Warumpi Band with Wild Water at Marrara Indoor Sports Stadium, 1999
Poster text: Jam Itt Productions presents: in their only Darwin performance before the Big Day Out tour Warumpi Band with: Wild Water at the airconditioned Marrara Indoor Sports Stadium plus: The Glyde Monkeys. Friday, January 15th 1999 8:30pm. Tickets available from: Sounds of Music – Casuarina. CD City Hi-Fi – Darwin. Curved Air – Palmerston. Soundtracs – Katherine. $10.00 PreSale. $12.50 at the Door. Bar open.
42cm (H) x 29.5cm (W)
OS 19
Poster, Salamanca Writers Festival, 1995
Poster text: University of Tasmania Writers Union and Salamanca Arts Centre inc presents Salamanca Writers Festival 1995. Friday 17 March – Sunday 19 March at Salamanca Arts Centre. Featuring over 30 guest writers from overseas, interstate, and Tasmania. Including: Bill Bryson, Paul Bailey, Louis Nowra, Isabel Huggan, Tracy Harvey, Vitali Vitaliev, peter porter, Anna Fienberg, and Paul Kane. Panels. Readings. Performances. Workshops. Exhibitions. Young Writers Day - 17 March. A ‘Fair’ with Writing – 17-18 March. Fringe Festival – 15-19 March. Featuring: Neil Murray. Louis de Paor + friends. Salamanca Writers Festival (002) 240 029.
Centre of poster consists of a drawing of a typewriter on a desk, the shadow of a figure stretching behind it. The typewriter has a sheet of paper inserted, with text reading ‘The keys rattled and moved… The shadows walked like skeletons.’
Poster also lists sponsors, including logos.
90cm (H) x 32cm (W)
OS 20
2 posters, Neil Murray The Wondering Kind, 2000
Poster text: The New CD from one of Australia’s most acclaimed singer/songwriters. Includes Late This Night, Eddie Mabo and Good Light in Broome.
62.5cm (H) x 43cm (W)
OS 21
Poster, Neil Murray Good Light tour, c.1998
Poster is signed by Murray with note reading, ‘Margo – I hope this year brings you joy and happiness’.
59cm (H) x 42cm (W)