Archives

Archives

The College archives

The archives contain the administrative records and papers of the RANZCOG and its predecessors dating from 1947. The holdings also include a significant collection of personal papers and photographic and audiovisual materials, including rare films featuring obstetrical and gynaecological procedures from the 1940s.

The archives are largely housed at College House in Melbourne. Additional archival material is also held in the College's Regional and New Zealand offices.

The Holdings

Offical records

The archives collection comprises the official 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 collection also includes several significant collections of personal papers of past Fellows of the College.

Major collections include:

• Browne, Professor Francis James (1879-1963)
  Obstetrician, gynaecologist. Papers on his research in antenatal and postnatal care.
• Forster, Dr Frank Menzies Cameron (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, Professor Rodney Phillip (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

Items of historical interest

The archives also houses an audiovisual collection of slides and photographs, glass slides, audiotapes, videotapes and rare historical films.

These include early films 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 written by Professor James Y Simpson, Professor of Midwifery, University of Edinburgh, regarding his former coachman, 1857.
• Original indenture for James Florance, aged twelve years, to serve as apprentice to his father, William Florance, surgeon, apothecary and man-midwife, 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, 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 ( 124KB)

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 old 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 in residence 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Contact

The Archivist

For further information please contact the archivist:

Mrs Rosalind Winspear
Archivist

© RANZCOG