Finding aids for the Communist Party of Australia (Victorian Branch) collection at the University of Melbourne Archives are now available.
The collection, “one of the most significant from the CPA held in Australia”, spans much of the twentieth century.
The collection is restricted and researchers will need prior approval from the Search Foundation to use the files. The collection is divided into two main sections 1991.0152 and 1995.0107. A full description of the collection can be accessed via the University of Melbourne Archives.
In addition to posters, minutes, correspondence and subject files, there is a large photographic collection, and many of these are now available online via their catalogue. Also held by the Archives is a large (albeit incomplete) run of Tribune.
The Archives hold a number of related collections (see the online catalogue for details), including those by Ruth Crow, Philip Herrington, Bernie Taft, Ralph Gibson, George Cunningham, the International Bookshop, the Eureka Youth League, Audrey Blake, John Ellis, and Alvie Booth.
As I have already my ASIO file from that era, If I feel I’m getting forgetful, I must thank ASIO for being so efficient and keeping me up-to-todate with my daily routine during those years.