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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 | Records of Poetry Australia |
Manuscript Number | MSS 015 |
Last Updated | September 2021 |
Extent | 5.25 m (42 boxes) |
Location | Special Collections, UNSW Canberra |
Abstract | The collection comprises records of Poetry Australia collected by John Millett |
Literary
The collection comprises poetry submissions, correspondence, galley proofs and published copies of Poetry Australia; self published and small press poetry sent to Millett on reciprocal basis or because of his editorship of Poetry Australia, together with some correspondence to Grace Perry and South Head Press. The Academy Library has arranged the collection in chronological order from 1963-2000 (no attempt has been made at further sorting of the correspondence). The bulk of the collection spans 1987-1994.
1960-2000
Following a dispute with the Poetry Society of Australia in 1964, for which she had been editor of Poetry magazine since 1961, Grace Perry founded Poetry Australia and the publishing house South Head Press.
Committed to producing a fine poetry magazine devoid of factions, Perry published a diverse range of styles and subjects in Poetry Australia. The magazine also fostered emerging Australian poets, sponsoring many workshops, literary seminars and visits from overseas writers. Commemorative issues were devoted to Francis Webb and David Campbell and special regional issues devoted to Australian states and territories were also produced. In addition, the work of individual poets such as John Tranter, Jennifer Maiden, John Millett, Heather Cam, Peter Goldsworthy and Meredith Wattison was featured in special issues. In 1985 a selection of poems mostly by well-established poets appeared in Poetry Australia : twenty one years, celebrating twenty-one years of publication.
Perry aimed to produce a magazine of international significance while maintaining a strong Australian presence. To this end, the work of many international writers, including translations, appeared in Poetry Australia, but most issues did not identify the contributors' nationality. International contributors included Ezra Pound, Ted Hughes, Seamus Heaney, Richard Murphy and Margaret Atwood. Translations included early Russian poets by Rosemary Dobson and David Campbell, Laurence Springarn's translations from Portuguese and Mark Scrivener's translations of German classics. Poetry Australia also published special issues of New Zealand, Canadian, Italian, Japanese, Dutch and Flemish, American, Gaelic, French, Austrian, Swedish and Papua New Guinean poetry.
In 1985 the magazine won the NSW Premier's Special Literary Award. Grace Perry died in 1987. John Millett continued as editor until 1992 when Poetry Australia ceased production. Millett subsequently helped to establish the Poetry Australia Fund and this fund was instrumental in the establishment in 2002 of the magazine Blue Dog : Australian Poetry, which editor Ron Pretty declares is in 'direct line of succession from Poetry Australia'.
Editor: Perry, Grace - Date: 1964-1973
Editors: Perry, Grace and Murray, Les (a.k.a. Murray, Leslie Allan; Murray, L.; Murray, Les A.) - Date: 1973-1979
Editor: Perry, Grace - Date: 1980-1987
Editor: Millett, John - Date: 1988-1992
References:
AustLit : the resource for Australian literature, April 2006.
Access: Check with Curator
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
Records of Poetry Australia, Special Collections, UNSW Canberra, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, MSS 015, Box [Number], Folder [Number].
The collection was acquired from John Millett in several consignments from 1986 to 2000, and in two consignments from Herbert Jaffa in 1994.
Further manuscript material relating to Poetry Australia may be found in the Academy Library, UNSW Canberra, Australian Defence Force Academy in the papers of:
John Millett at MS 14
Jeff Guess at MS 86
Craig Powell at MS 152
Margaret Diesendorf at MS 228
Further papers of Poetry Australia are held by the State Library of New South Wales at Personal papers of John Millett, together with records of Poetry Australia at MLMSS (number not listed as of 10 June 2008).
Further papers of John Millett are held by the State Library of New South Wales at John Millett ML3161.
Further papers of Grace Perry are held by the State Library of New South Wales at MLMSS 1433.
This collection originally included a number of publications, listed below. These works have been catalogued separately and added to the Library's main collection.
Bien, Jeff. Prosody at the Café du Coin. Kingston, Ont.: Quarry Press, 1996.
Bowden-Kelly, Murray. Variety : the spice of life including supplement. Merredin, (W.A.): M. Bowden-Kelly, 1977.
Cooperman, Robert. Trial of Mary McCormick. Niagara Falls, New York: Slipstream, 1990.
Faust, Clive. Leavetakings. Kyoto, Japan: Origin Press, 1986.
Gradussov, Alex. Bleak prospects for the muscle heart : poems. Darwin: Washing Machine, 1992.
Jones, Billy. The blue chair. Melbourne: Fling Poetry, 1987.
Laird, John, selector. The Australian experience of war : illustrated stories & verse. Darlinghurst, N.S.W.: Mead & Beckett, 1988.
Millett, John. Voyeur from Australia. Brigham, Quebec: Samisdat, 1988.
Moore, Donald. Phaal. [Newcastle, N.S.W.: Nimrod Publications], 1988.
Perry, Grace. I am the songs you sing and other poems. Sydney: Consolidated Press, 1944.
Perry, Grace. Staring at the stars, and other poems. [Waverley, N.S.W: R.R. Perry, 1942].
Peters, Robert. Breughel's pig. Berkeley, Calif.: Illuminati, 1989.
Peters, Robert. The gift to be simple : a garland for Ann Lee. New York: Liveright, [1975].
Peters, Robert. Hawker. Greensboro: Unicorn Press, 1984.
Peters, Robert. Hunting the snark : a compendium of new poetic terminology. New York: Paragon House, 1989.
Peters, Robert. Poems : selected and new, 1967-1991. Santa Maria, CA: Asylum Arts, 1992.
Peters, Robert. Snapshots for a serial killer : a fiction and a play. San Francisco: GLB Publishers, 1992.
Peters, Robert. Zapped : two novellas. San Francisco: GLB Publishers, 1993.
Pretty, Ron. Bald Hill with gliders : poems. Wollongong, N.S.W.: Five Islands Press, 1991.
Pretty, Ron. The habit of balance. Wollongong, N.S.W.: Five Islands Press, 1988.
Trachtenberg, Paul. Ben's exit. Cherry Valley, NY: Cherry Valley Editions, 1994.
Trachtenberg, Paul. Making waves. Huntington Beach, CA: Cherry Valley Editions, 1986.
Trachtenberg, Paul. Mercury tea. Mansfield, Tex.: Latitudes Press, 1988.
Trachtenberg, Paul. Short changes for Loretta. Wheaton, MD: Cherry Valley Editions, 1982.
Watson, Maurice T. Time. Concord, CA: Small Poetry Press, 1999.
Paterson literary review, 2001.
Scarp, 1996-2001.
Zeitschrift fur Kulturaustausch, 1992.
Australian poetry, periodicals, poetry
John Millett 1921-
Grace Perry 1927-1987
Poetry Australia, Blue Dog: Australian poetry
Editors
Folder 1
Poetry Australia correspondence with Grace Perry, and a copy of North side arts festival, 1963-1980
Folder 2
Miscellaneous personal correspondence to Grace Perry, 1985-1987
Folder 3
Miscellaneous poetry drafts and a photocopy of 'Return journey' by Grace Perry, [1960-1987]
Folder 4
Poetry Australia correspondence and notes, 1970-1979
Folder 5-6
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1980
Folder 7
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1981-1984
Folder 8
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1985
Folder 9
Proofs for Poetry Australia no. 103 entitled These walls, this floor, edited by Philip Behham, 1985
Folder 10
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1986
Folder 11
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1987
Folder 12
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1987
Folder 13-14
Proofs for Poetry Australia no. 110 entitled North and South : new poetry from New Zealand, edited by Rob Jackaman, 1987
Folder 15
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1988
Folder 16-18
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1988
Folder 19
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1988
Folder 20
Correspondence, notes and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 111/112, edited by Millett, 1988
Folder 21
Correspondence and typescript photocopy for Poetry Australia no. 114 entitled Down the lake with half a chook, by Philip Hodgins, published by ABC Enterprises, Crows Nest, NSW, 1988
Folder 22
Correspondence, paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 115 entitled Replacing fuses in the house of cards, by Jeff Guess, published by South Head Press, Berrima, NSW, 1988
Folder 23
Correspondence and poetry drafts for Poetry Australia no. 116 collected and translated by Christine Michel and Ross Manser, 1988
Folder 24-25
Poetry drafts, paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 116 collected and translated by Christine Michel and Ross Manser, 1988
Folder 26
Correspondence, printed copy of 'The poet's theme', by Louis Simpson, poetry drafts and paste-up copy for Poetry Australiano. 117, edited by Millett, 1988
Folder 27-28
Proofs for Poetry Australia no. 118, edited by Millett, 1988
Folder 29-31
Paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 119 entitled The body the altar, special edition of poems by Grace Perry selected and translated into German by Margaret Diesendorf, 1988
Folder 32
Correspondence between Christine Michel, John Millet, and contributor biographies for Sud : revue litteraire, 1986-1989
Folder 33-37
Poetry Australia correspondence with the Australian Bicentennial Authority, 1980-1989
Folder 38-43
Correspondence and contributors entries A-E for the UTA French Airlines and Rothmans Foundation competitions, 1987-1989
Folder 44-50
Correspondence and contributors entries F-M for the UTA French Airlines and Rothmans Foundation competitions, 1987-1988
Folder 51-57
Correspondence and contributors entries N-W for the UTA French Airlines and Rothmans Foundation competitions, 1987-1988
Folder 58-65
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1989
Folder 66-73
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1989
Folder 74-78
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1989
Folder 79
Poetry Australia correspondence relating to Australia Council and NSW government grants, 1986-1989
Folder 80
Proofs for Poetry Australia no. 120, edited by Millett, 1989
Folder 81-82
Paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 120, edited by Millett, 1989
Folder 83-85
Correspondence, paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 121 entitled Psyche's circus, by Meredith Wattison, 1989
Folder 86-88
Correspondence and contributors drafts for Poetry Australia no. 122 entitled On struggle street : an anthology of new poets, guest editor Dorothy Porter, 1989
Folder 89-90
Paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 122 entitled On struggle street : an anthology of new poets, guest editor Dorothy Porter, 1989
Folder 91
Poetry Australia Trade Mark Application correspondence, 1987-1989
Folder 92-93
Correspondence and poetry for Maryland poetry review, guest editor: John Millett, Vol 4, no. 1, Fall/Winter, 1989
Folder 94-95
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1990
Folder 96-103
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1990
Folder 104-111
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1990
Folder 112-115
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1990
Folder 116-118
Paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 123-124 entitled The narrative challenge, edited by Millett, 1990
Folder 119-122
Correspondence, drafts, paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 125 entitled The moon's hook, by Heather Cam, 1990
Folder 123-125
Correspondence, drafts, paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 126, edited by John Millett, Winter 1990
Folder 126
Correspondence and drafts for Poetry Australia no. 128, edited by John Millett, Summer 1990
Folder 127-128
Paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 128, edited by John Millett, Summer 1990
Folder 129
Poetry Australia correspondence relating to Australia Council and NSW government grants, 1990
Folder 130-134
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1991
Folder 135-142
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1991
Folder 143-150
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1991
Folder 151-153
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1991
Folder 154-156
Drafts, paste-up and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 129, edited by Millett, Autumn 1991
Folder 157-158
Drafts, paste-up and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 130, edited by Millett, Winter 1991
Folder 159-161
Correspondence, drafts, paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia (N.S.W. issue) no. 131, edited by Millett, Spring 1991
Folder 162-164
Correspondence, drafts, paste-up copy and proofs for Poetry Australia no. 132, edited by Millett, Summer 1991
Folder 165
Poetry Australia correspondence relating to Australia Council and NSW government grants, 1991
Folder 166
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1992
Folder 167-174
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1992
Folder 175-178
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1992
Folder 179
Correspondence and published copy of from Down under (poetry of Australia and new Zealand), published in Visions International, no. 40, 1992
Folder 180
Correspondence relating to Paterson literary review, 1992
Folder 181
Poetry Australia correspondence relating to refunds and claims, 1991-1992
Folder 182-187
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1993
Folder 188-195
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1993
Folder 196
Poetry Australia correspondence relating to the People's poetry festival, 1993
Folder 197
Poetry Australia correspondence relating to complaints, 1988-1993
Folder 198-201
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1994
Folder 202-207
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1994
Folder 208-209
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1995
Folder 210-212
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1995
Folder 213
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1998
Folder 214
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 1999
Folder 215
Poetry Australia correspondence, business material and contributors drafts, 2000
Folder 216
Poetry Australia correspondence with Herbert Jaffa, 1985-1995
Folder 217-222
Poetry Australia poetry drafts and correspondence with Robert Peters and Paul Trachtenberg, 1983-1995
Folder 223-224
Poetry Australia poetry drafts and correspondence with Rob Jackaman, 1985-1995
Folder 225
Poetry Australia poetry drafts and correspondence with P.J. Etienne, 1985-1995
Folder 226
Poetry Australia poetry drafts and correspondence with David Price-Gresty, 1988-1989
Folder 227
Poetry Australia poetry drafts from Paul Francis Primrose
Folder 228
Poetry Australia poetry booklets from Janice L. Downes (6)
Folder 229
Poetry Australia poetry draft from Barry Klemm
Folder 230
Poetry Australia poetry draft from Bev Manners, 1991
Folder 231
Poetry Australia poetry draft from Con Smeulders, 1991
Folder 232
Poetry Australia poetry draft from Bruce Beaver entitled Letters to live poets, [1969]
Folder 233
Poetry Australia correspondence and poetry drafts from Erik La Prade, 1988-1991
Folder 234
Poetry Australia correspondence and proofs (2) of The collected poems of Timothy Edward McGrath M.S.C., edited by Ruth O'Hea, 1988
Folder 235
Incomplete set of Poetry Australia indexes, 1964-1988
Folder 236
Poetry Australia notebook containing poetry submissions, 29/10/1970-[1987]
Folder 237
Poetry Australia correspondence and coloured art roughs for covers from Thora Ungar
Folder 238
Poetry Australia newspaper clippings
Folder 239
Poetry Australia receipt book, 1978-1979 and 1988, and time record diary for 1985
Folder 240
Poetry Australia printers blocks for numbers 1-17
Folio 241
Galleys, page proofs and related correspondence for Poetry Australia issues no. 110, 111/112, 115, 116, 1987-1988
Folio 242
Galleys, page proofs and related correspondence for Poetry Australia issues no. 117, 118, 1988
Folio 243
Galleys, page proofs and related correspondence for Poetry Australia issues no. 119, 120, 121, 122, 1988-1989
Folio 244
Galleys, page proofs and related correspondence for Poetry Australia issues no. 123-124, 128, 131, 1990-1991; article on Grace Perry, 1977; copy of Howl, vol 2, no. 1, May 1991 and copy of Editions, September 1990
Folio 245
Poetry Australia scrapbooks (2) containing correspondence, drafts of articles and reviews
Folio 246
Poetry Australia Subscribers lists
Folder 247
Photographs:
The Poetry magazine third birthday party, Wednesday, 1st July 1964 x 2
South Head Press, 1986
Grace Perry's house, Berrima, 1986
Folder 248-249
Audio cassettes:
Grace Perry readings x 2
Oversize 1
Poetry Australia number 122 paste-up, 1989
Oversize 2
Poetry Australia number 123/124 paste-up, 1990
Oversize 3
Poetry Australia number 126 paste-up, Winter 1990
Oversize 4
Poetry Australia number 127 paste-up, 1989
Oversize 5
Poetry Australia number 128 paste-up, Summer 1990
Oversize 6
Poetry Australia number 130 paste-up, Winter 1991
Oversize 7
Poetry Australia number 131 paste-up, Spring 1991
Oversize 8
Poetry Australia number 132 paste-up, Summer 1991