Archives
The Archives
The archiveswere established in 1985 in the Old College House at
8 La Trobe Street Melbourne.The Archives consist of the administrative
records of the RANZCOG and its predecessors dating from 1947.
The holdings also include an extensive collection of personal papers
and photographic and audiovisual materials.
Since 1993 the Archives repository has been situated at College
Hopuse. Additional archive material is also held in the College's
Regional and New Zealand offices.
The Holdings
Offical records
The Archives collection comprises the official administrative records
of the College and its predecessors, the Australian and New Zealand
Councils of the RCOG, The Royal Australian College of Obstetricians
and Gynaecologists (RACOG) and the Royal New Zealand College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RNZCOG). Dating from 1947, holdings
are from the various College committees and associated bodies.
Personal papers
The Archives also includes several significant collections of
personal papers of past Fellows of the College.
Major collections include:
- Browne, Francis James (Professor) 1879-1963.
Obstetrician, gynaecologist. Papers on his research in antenatal
and postnatal care.
- Forster, Frank Menzies Cameron (Dr) 1923-1995.
Obstetrician, gynaecologist, medical historian. Papers on his
research in birth control, obstetrics, sexology and the history
of medicine, particularly relating to Australia.
- Shearman, Rodney Phillip (Professor) 1928-1993
Obstetrician, gynaecologist. Papers on his research in maternal
and perinatal mortality, reproductive endocrinology, family planning
and contraception.
Other personal papers include those of Dr Ian Cope, Mr Barry Kneale,
Dr Margaret Mackie, Dr F A Maguire, Mr Ian McDonald, Dr George Simpson
and Mr Malcolm Stening.
MRCOG Case Record Books
The Archives include case record books of Members of the Royal College
of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG) dating from the 1930s
which provide a unique insight into the practices of the time.
Items of historical interest
The Archives also house an audiovisual collection of slides and
photographs, glass slides, audiotapes, videotapes and DVDs.The DVDs
include material transferred from film of procedures dating from
the 1940s featuring obstetrical procedures including lower segment
extraperitoneal caesarean section, breech delivery and Ventouse
extraction.
Other items of historical interest include:
- Letter from Professor James Y Simpson, Professor of Midwifery,
University of Edinburgh, regarding his former coachman, George
Taylor 1857.
- Original indenture for James Florance, aged twelve years, to
serve as an apprentice to his father, William Florance, surgeon,
apothecary and man-midwife, Dorset, England, 1841.
- Letter written by Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, offering her
resignation as Patron of the Royal New Zealand College of Obstetricians
and Gynaecologists, 1996.
Significant Benefactors
The Forster & Maguire Collections
For further information see the following articles:
-
The FA Maguire Collection at the RANZCOG
ANZJOG 2004; 44: 280-282 - Rosalind Winspear
-
A College benefactor: Frank Forster – obstetrician,
gynaecologist, medical historian and bibliophile
ANZJOG 2004: 44:3-5 - Rosalind Winspear
Frank Menzies Cameron Forster (1923 - 1995) made an outstanding
contribution to obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia. A passionate
medical historian, he donated his entire medical history collection
of books, pamphlets, medical instruments, research papers, decorative
objects and obstetrical and gynaecological ephemera to the College
in 1987. Forster was an inspirational lecturer with encyclopaedic
knowledge,who specialised in assisting women with difficult
deliveries throughout his career, and designed a specialised
instrument for inserting a cervical suture, the 'Frank Forster
needle' More
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Access
Accessing the archives
The archives are primarily for the use of College staff, members
of the College and Friends of the College Collection.
Members of the public and bona fide researchers seeking access
are requested to apply in writing to the Archivist giving details
of their research topic. Please note that fees apply.
Records of more than 30 years are generally available for reference.
Access to more recent records may be available upon request.
Reference and research service
A reference and research service is available to members of the
public upon request.
Please note that fees apply.
Viewing the archives
Visitors are welcome to visit the archives collection. Viewing
is by appointment only.
The Archivist is available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.00am
to 5.00pm
Contact
The Archivist
For further information please contact the archivist:
Mrs Rosalind Winspear
Archivist
© RANZCOG
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