AustLit

'The papers of Australian writer Iris Milutinovic (1910-) consist chiefly of correspondence and literary manuscripts documenting her career 1946-1984 (bulk 1955-1978). Also included are published materials, clippings, diaries, scrapbook material, financial information and audio recordings.

'The papers are arranged in three series: Correspondence, 1946-1984, Literary Works, 1955-1978, and Miscellaneous, 1963-1980.

'Correspondence is subdivided into personal and literary correspondence. Arrangement within these subseries is alphabetical by author with relevant copies of outgoing correspondence filed with the appropriate incoming correspondence. Correspondence specifically related to a manuscript is generally filed outside this subseries with the literary work concerned. All correspondence (888 items) is indexed in the incoming (777 items) or outgoing (111 items) correspondence indexes which form a part of this finding aid.

'The personal subseries consists of correspondence from family and friends, as well as letters concerning personal business matters. Mrs. Milutinovic's concerns and opinions are expressed in letters to various newspaper editors, broadcasters and government officials. The correspondence of literary organizations, other Australian and Tasmanian writers, editors, publishers, broadcasters and fans comprise the literary subseries and serves to document Milutinovic's struggle to write and publish despite poor health and economic difficulties. The bulk of the literary correspondence involves Milutinovic's extensive radio scripts aired by the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

'Correspondents include a number of persons at the Australian Broadcasting Commission (A.B.C.), Richard Beilby (author), Muriel Binding (step-niece), Irene Burgess (local writer), Mary Durack (author), Phyll Evan (writer and teacher), Zoe Evans (music teacher), Norma Ferris (A.B.C.), Jane M. Fleming (A.B.C.), Irene Gibson (teacher and radio broadcaster), Margaret Giordano (Tasmanian writer), Anne Godden (of Thomas Nelson Australia Ltd.), Cherry Grimm (writer), Dorothy Hewett (poet, playwright), A.J. Holdsworth (editor), Dorrit Hunt (local writer), Nancy Keesing (author), Catherine King (A.B.C.), Dame Enid Muriel Lyons (cousin, writer, politician), Amy Macaulay (artist), John D. McLaren (editor), Oscar Adolf Mendelsohn (writer), Ian Morgan (A.B.C.), Phyllis Moss (artist), Stephen Murray-Smith (editor), Pat Osborne (sister-in-law), Hal Porter (writer), Pamela Relton (columnist), Vincent Serventy (naturalist, writer), Valerie Sisson (writer), Robert Stephens (local historian), Katherine Strehlow, T.G.H. Strehlow (educator), Erica Underwood (A.B.C.), Freda Vines (writer), Beverly Wardle (writer, broadcaster), and Helen Helga Mayne Wilson (writer).

'Literary Works are filed alphabetically by title irrespective of genre or whether published or not. Cross references are included for identified variant titles, though the researcher should be aware that much of Milutinovic's writing was autobiographical in nature and many of her works are closely associated or somewhat related to one another. Stories were also sometimes rewritten from one genre to another, so that a radio talk might also appear as a short story, or vice-versa. As is the case with correspondence, any contracts or financial documents relating to a particular work have also been filed with the literary work.

'Occupying 7 boxes, this subseries comprises the heart of the collection and consists of articles, short stories, a large number of radio talk manuscripts, a radio play ( "Grandmother Pritchard's Victory"), and two novels ( "The Street of Seven Tongues" and Talk English Carn't Ya) in various stages of production (notes, holograph drafts, typescripts, setting copy, galleys, proofs). There are a small group of unidentified writings and some lists of writings compiled by Milutinovic.

'The subject matter of the writings ranges widely among Milutinovic's own experiences in western Australia and Tasmania, local history, family lore, contemporary mores, social issues, current events and such diverse topics as cats, cookery, fishing, gardening, language, immigrants and cultural assimilation, and whaling. Milutinovic believed her Scope radio broadcasts in particular would interest Americans because it is virtually "a small, clear window on Australian ideas and beliefs."

'The Miscellaneous series includes audio recordings, miscellaneous clippings, and financial information arranged chronologically insofar as possible. Of special interest are the audio recordings, which include a letter recorded by Milutinovic and a taped broadcast of her short story "The Blonde Cat," which is read by Alistair Duncan.

'It should be noted that Mrs. Milutinovic selected what she felt were appropriate items to form this collection of papers. Frequently she annotated correspondence, manuscripts and other materials to identify persons, explain circumstances, importance, etc.' (Source: Library catalogue)