The Stan Masterson Collection

THE STAN MASTERSON COLLECTION

This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People,
the Aboriginal People of this land.

Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Peoples:  This post contains the names and likenesses of Aboriginal People who are deceased. 

Provenance Note: The Stan Masterson papers were officially donated to the University’s Archives in Special Collections by Dr Raymond Kelly in cooperation with the Masterson Family representatives: Robert Masterson, Di Barrack and Chris Masterson in 2023.  In 2024 an accession of all surviving papers and audio visual materials was compiled with the assistance of Samantha Dagg (from Hunter Workers formerly Newcastle Trades Hall Council) and Allisa Peachman (Indigenous Cadet from Rutherford Technology High School) working with University Archivist Gionni Di Gravio. Please note: this post is under construction, we would dearly like the names of all people photographed with Stan, so if you know, please let us know. best wishes.

A TESTIMONIAL TO STAN

“I am privileged to say that I was one of the many people, of all backgrounds, who would class Stan as a friend. Unfortunately, most have passed. Of the Goories still with us who will also have fond memories are Dr Ray Kelly, Louise Price (nee Campbell), Zelma Moran, Gloria Smith and June Rose/Thorpe (nee Clark).

Stan was well ensconced in the Goori fight for justice (particularly through the Trades Hall Committee) by the time I met him c.1975 and we subsequently shared many moments (including a trip to Canberra for FCAATSI) together in the fight.

We had few resources in the Goori community until the mid-80’s and Stan, along with others such as George Mulholland, Perc Haslam, Joy Cummings, Peter Barrack and Jack Doherty were the reliable allies we could count on for support.”  – John Heath Birrpai (Website)

STAN MASTERSON

By Robert Masterson

This is only a short overview of the support and lobbying my father Edward Stanley Masterson was to achieve over his lifetime.

He was a:

Committed Trade Unionist and was the Secretary of the Delegates committee for The Zarra Street Power Station.

He was the Electrical Trade union delegate to the Newcastle Trades Hall Council (NTHC).

Under the NTHC Umbrella The Aboriginal Advancement Committee was formed.

Da was a quiet unassuming man who in his quiet manner never gave away his powers as in dealing with the bosses of the electrical commission he never raised his voice when negotiating wage claims or disputes. He was so respected that the bosses attended his retirement dinner.

Da’s true passion was for his black brothers who he had a deep respect for.

As his daughter I will probably never know the full extent of the things he did or achieved.

Da was a quiet unassuming man who never self promoted.

The local Aboriginal Community affectionately knew Da as “Uncle Stan”.

When he was presented with a lifelong achievement award for his unconditional support for the Aboriginal people he was humbled by the standing ovation.

In the last year of Da’s life when his health had deteriorated and I was to spend a lot of time in his presence I was to ask him what were the factors that lead him to become so passionate about helping and supporting Aboriginal people and this is his answer

“My father used to voice his opinion that Aboriginal people were not treated right”

and this was the stepping stone to awaken my father to the treatment of coloured people.

Da’s Aunty Nellie had married an aboriginal man William Maynard and one of his sons Billy was of dark skin and Da was to see at first hand how he was treated differently to his other cousins.

This is some of his achievements and events he was involved in to support the advancement of Aboriginal people.

He was to help in the setting up of the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-op.

He was the chairperson of the Newcastle Aboriginal Support group.

He was involved with Keep the Keepa group and spent long hours working on the financial books.

In 1966 when the stockmen lead by Vincent Lingiari walked off Wave Hill Station for the betterment of his people, Da in his beloved Land Rover was to travel to the strike site and stay as a contribution to solidarity.

Over the ten years of the strike Da was visit several times to show support.

In August of 1975 when Gough Whitlam, the then Labour Prime Minister handed back the Aboriginal Traditional Land to Vincent Lingiarei, Da was there to witness this great event.

Da at the age of 82 was to fly to Darwin to celebrate the 40-year anniversary celebrations.

In 1971 when the NT government ruled against Aboriginal people in favour of a mining company four Aboriginals set up a beach umbrella on the lawn in front of Parliament House proclaiming it to be an Aboriginal Embassy, Da once again travelled to support the cause, and after the brutal police demolition

Da was to show his respect by writing many letters condemning this police action.

Da traveled to Taree to support the local group when they were refused entry to the Local Hotel. Da made many friends at the Purfleet settlement and would always call in when traveling the highway.

Every year Da would lead the May Day March proudly displaying the Aboriginal Flag.

Da celebrated NAIDOC Week every year up until his health would no longer allow him to.

Da and other members of the Newcastle Aboriginal Support achieved many positive outcomes too many to mention here.

I would like to finish by quoting from the Wollutuka Website.

Stan was along term friend of Wollutuka and the wider Aboriginal Community. The support group chaired by Stan were great advocates for Aboriginal rights and equality, forging a strong relationship with Wollutuka. Stan and the group were unwavering in the plight to promote self determination through education and were responsible for developing a scholarship that continues to support many Aboriginal students through their university studies. Stan played a major role in the establishment Durungaling College, which provided accommodation for young Aboriginal women to access training. 

Stan kindly donated his 30-year collection of books materials and photographs, including some of his own personal accounts of experiences to contribute to the resources that assist in guiding knowledge and research within the University.

In 2011 The University of Newcastle and the Wollutuka Institute presented Da with the inaugural Reconciliation Award, recognising his outstanding passion, support and contribution to working with Aboriginal people towards equality and empowerment.

HUNTER REGION ABORIGINAL CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED

C4309 (i) Hunter Region Aboriginal Co-operative Limited. Signed Minute Book from its formation on 11/4/1972 to 26/5/1978.

C4309 (ii) [The Riven Individual File] File containing copies of agenda, minutes, papers relating to Hunter Region Aboriginal Co-operative Limited, from its inception as proposal from the Newcastle/Maitland Committee of Co-Operative For Aborigines Limited on the 1/2/1972 to 21/11/1977. With notice of General Meeting, 16 May 1978.

C4309 (iii) Hunter Region Aboriginal Co-operative Limited. Inwards Correspondence, 1975-1978.

C4309 (iv) Hunter Region Aboriginal Co-operative Limited. Outwards Correspondence, including financial documents 1972-1977.

C4309 (v) Hunter Region Aboriginal Co-operative Limited. Financial Papers, 1974-1978.

 

FEDERAL COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF ABORIGINES & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS

C4310 (i) Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait islanders. Agenda, Minutes and Papers 1963-1978.

 

NEWCASTLE TRADES HALL COUNCIL (NTHC)

C4310 (ii) Newcastle Trades Hall Council. 1961-1976. Including material relating to Labour Movement activism (1964-1976); NTHC Meetings (1961-1975); Invitations, Public Meetings, May Day Events; University of Sydney (1970-1972); ACTU (1961+)

 

NEWCASTLE TRADES HALL ABORIGINAL ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

C4310 (iii) Newcastle Trades Hall Aboriginal Advancement Committee. 1970-1977. Including Regional Indigenous committees documentation, Provincial Aborigines Committee (1971-1972); Land Rights Conference and Campaign (1976-1977); Queensland Indigenous & Torres Strait Islander Act; NTHC Aboriginal Advancement Committee & Education Sub Committee papers and correspondence, incl. anti-Apartheid Committee (1970-1973?); Purfleet Aboriginal Advancement League (1971-1972); Correspondence from Newcastle Campaign Against War & Racism (1972).

C4310 (iv) Newcastle Trades Hall Aboriginal Advancement Committee. Financial Statements, Receipts and Expenditure, November 1968 – March 1972.

C4310 (v) Newcastle Trades Hall Aboriginal Advancement Committee. Constitution and Policy documents. 1969 Correspondence relating to Smiths General Contractors Pty Ltd, firm founded by Mr Bill Smith and Mr Bob Smith, 1981.

C4310 (vi) Newcastle Trades Hall Aboriginal Advancement Committee. Project outline regarding training of Aboriginal teachers, 1972. With Electoral Map of Australia.

C4310 (vii) Newcastle Trades Hall Aboriginal Advancement Committee. File containing Aboriginal Nations & The Australian Constitutional Conference notes 23-24 May 1997; A Proposal for the Establishment of an Aboriginal Rural Village Project n.d.; Letterheads; Notes on Points of Discussion on Aboriginal Land Rights for N.S.W.; Copy of “Australia’s Expendable Babies…From Dreamtime to Nightmare” The Case for Dr. Archie Kalokerinos. “ This pamphlet was made possible by decision of a Symposium on Racism held at Newcastle, N.S.W. in April 1972. “ Notes on Trip to Northern Territory, 1979; Journal pages, 1973; Leaflets, Wollotuka Booklet. Date range: 1960s – 2002.

PUBLICATIONS

C4311 (i) Identity. 1971-1982 (Imperfect). Issues: Vol.1 No. 1 July 1971 – Vol.1 No.7 July 1973; Vol. 1 No. 10 March 1974 – Vol.1 No.11 July 1974; Vol. 3 No. 10 October 1979 – Vol. 3 No. 11 November – December 1979;Vol. 4 No. 1 October 1980 – Vol.4 No. 7 June 1982.

C4311 (ii) Aboriginal and Islander Identity. 1976-1979 (Imperfect). Issues: Vol. 2 No. 10 October 1976; Vol. 3 No. 1 January 1977 – Vol.3 No.4 January 1978; Vol. 3 No. 6 April 1978 – Vol.3 No. 9 January 1979.

C4311 (iii) Aboriginal News. 1973-1980 (Imperfect). Issues: Vol. 1 No. 1 June 1973 – Vol. 1 No. 5 February 1974; Vol. 1 No. 7 June 1974 – Vol. 1 No. 9 October 1974; Vol. 1 No. 11 February 1975 – Vol. 1 No. 12 April 1975; Vol. 2 No. 1 June 1975; Vol. 3 No. 1 February 1976 – Vol. 3 No. 9 1980.

C4311 (iv) Churinga A.P.A. The Official Journal of The Aborigines’ Progressive Association. 1964-1971 (Imperfect) Issues: 1964; [March 1966 Cover Only];July-September 1967; June-August 1968;June-September 1969;December 1969-February 1970; May 1970; December 1970-February 1971.

C4311 (v) New Dawn A Magazine for the Aboriginal People of New South Wales. 1973-1974. Issues: Feb 1973; May 1973; June 1973; April 1974; May 1974.

C4311 (vi) A selection of Aboriginal related publications, 1965-1985 including: The Victorian Aborigines The Past, and its Effect of the Present Minority. Decisions to be made for the future. By Pauline Pickford, July 1965.; Kirinari Place of Learning Aboriginal Children’s Advancement Society Vol.2 No. 2 September 1969 – Vol.2 No. 3 December 1969-February 1970; Smoke Signals Journal of the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. Vol. 9 No. 2 December 1970 – Vol.9 No.3 March 1971; Alchuringa Vol. 1 No. 2 March-May 1972; Black Power White Power, 1972; The Central Australian Aborigines Congress Constitution. Adopted at Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia, on Saturday 9 June 1973; Directions. Policies of the National Aboriginal Conference, 1985.

C4311 (vii) A selection of Aboriginal reports and publications, 1974-2002 including: Readings from the Walgett Aboriginal Education Conferences 1971-1974 (Aboriginal N.C.A.E. Enclave); Opus October 1977; Aboriginal Fostering and Adoption. A Review of State and Territory Principles, Policies and Practices. Report of the Working Party of the Standing Committee of Social Welfare Administrators – Presented to the 1983 Spring Conference of Social Welfare Administrators, October 1983; BHP ‘Ribbons of Steel’ Ngoroe-Kah Indigenous Performance Aboriginal Corporations present ‘Aboriginal Steel Workers Speak’ Research Compiled by John Maynard, 1999; The “Raising White Awareness” Hearing: An initiative of the Newcastle Aboriginal community assisted by the Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group. Newcastle City Hall, 14 July 1988; Awabakal Newsletter, [June?] 2000 with inserts; “Let’s Get On With It”: Report of The Hunter People’s Inquiry into a Treaty. Prepared by Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group, June 2001; Wollotuka Department of Aboriginal Studies Newsletter July 2002.

C4311 (viii) Copy of Fighters and Singers: The Lives of Some Australian Aboriginal Women. Edited by Isobel White, Diane Barwick, Betty Meehan. Sydney: George Allen & Unwin, 1985 (Stamp: Aboriginal N.C.A.E. Enlave)

C4311 (ix) Copy of: Land Claims in NSW Reprinted by the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, May 1981.

C4311 (x) Themes for a Change by Professor Colin Tatz. An Abschol Publication. Includes two publications “Education and Land Rights: Australian and South African Ideologies” by Colin Tatz Professor of Politics, The University of New England, Armidale. N.S.W. (This paper was presented to the 43^rd ANZAAS Conference, Brisbane 24-28 1971) and “Aborigines: Law and Political Development” by Colin Tatz.

C4311 (xi) Publications: Black News Service Vol.2 No.3 May 1, 1976; Black News Service Vol.2 No.4 June 28, 1976; Report: Further Steps Taken In Social Welfare Programs by Mr. Bill Hayden, M.P. Minister for Social Security [ 1973?]; Brochures on Aboriginal Training Scheme and Development, July 1969, 1973; Black Power [1970s?]; Report: Weipa A Reassessment by Frank Stevens Department of Industrial Relations School of Economics University of New South Wales, 1 January 1969.

NEWSCLIPPINGS

C4312 (i) Newsclippings file relating to Aboriginal issues, 1973-1988.

C4312 (ii) Newsclippings file relating to Aboriginal issues, 1989-1998.

C4312 (iii) Three large format news magazines featuring Aboriginal/First Nations stories including: “Hate Thy Neighbour” by Victoria Laurie (The Australian Magazine, August 23-24 1997); “Reconciling the Past” [Cover title: “Bringing It Home: Heartfelt reflections on the stolen generations” by Carolyn Swanson (The Newcastle Herald Weekender 21 February 2009; Indigenous Newslines: A Magazine on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues, September-November 2011.

C4312 (iv) Gurindji. File containing newsclippings, newsletter, documents and notes on Gurindji Aboriginal people of Wattle Creek Northern Territory and Aboriginal Land Rights Campaign. 1965-1986.

C4312 (v) File containing newsclippings relating to Aboriginal/First Nations people issues, 1938-2002.

 

NEWCASTLE TRADES HALL COUNCIL ABORIGINAL ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

C4313 (i) Newcastle Trades Hall Council Aboriginal Advancement Committee. Inwards Correspondence File, 1966-1985.

 

HUNTER REGION ABORIGINAL CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED

C4313 (ii) Hunter Region Aboriginal Co-Operative Limited. Minutes, Inward Correspondence and papers, 1972-1978.

 

AWABAKAL NEWCASTLE ABORIGINAL CO-OP and NEWCASTLE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

C4313 (iii) Files from an original lever arch file containing Financial reports, newsletters, correspondence and papers pertaining to the activities of the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-op and Newcastle Aboriginal Community Association. 1973-2001

 

STATE ABORIGINAL CONFERENCE (1968) AND REPORTS

C4313 (iv) State Aboriginal Conference Reports including Report from Conference Organisers Covering Country Areas [1968]; Questionnaire: Aborigines in NSW: What Should Be Done? (1968); Report of the Minister on the working of the Aborigines Act, 1969 for the year ended the 30 June 1971; Aborigines (Amendment) Bill, 1973; Land Rights for NSW leaflets (1973). 1968-1973.

 

RACISM

C4313 (v) Correspondence, papers, articles and reports on the origin of racism in Australia, including Black Panther Party Australia platform and program; ABSCHOL minutes; Newcastle Symposium on Racism held April 15-16, 1972. File date range: 1968-1975 [All files were originally housed in a lever arch file labelled “Racism”]

 

PUBLIC ADDRESSES & SPEECHES

C4314 (i) [Manuscript/Typescript] File containing variety manuscript and typescript copies and speech cards of “Coming Together Day” Speech delivered Stan Masterson, 28 November 1993.

[DOWNLOAD] Typescript – Coming Together 1993. Speech by Stan Masterson delivered 28 November 1993 [2.6 MB PDF]

PUBLICATIONS

C4314 (ii) Variety of Aboriginal related publications, notes and newsletters, 1967-2006

 

COMMITTEE TO DEFEND BLACK RIGHTS

C4314 (iii) File of materials including newsletters, correspondence, papers and flyers relating to Committee to Defend Black Rights, 1968-1988.

ASSORTED MATERIALS

C4314 (iv) Assorted hand written letters, email correspondence, Aboriginal seminars flyers, meeting materials relating to treatment of Aboriginal peoples, 1968-1998.

ABORIGINAL LAND RIGHTS

C4314 (v) Correspondence and papers relating to Aboriginal Land Rights, 1968-2007.

C4314 (vi) Correspondence, Reports and papers relating to Australian Territories, ABSCHOL, Conferences, Social Discrimination, Education, Aboriginal Embassy Canberra, 1965-1976.

C4314 (vii) Legislation, 1967-1984

 

NEWCASTLE TRADES HALL COUNCIL ABORIGINAL ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

C4314 (viii) Newcastle Trades Hall Council Aboriginal Advancement Committee Correspondence, Receipts to Charles Perkins and H.C. Coombs, 1968-1980.

 

ASSORTED MATERIALS

C4314 (ix) Journey for Justice File 1971 and related correspondence, notes, news clippings and materials, 1964-1983

C4314 (x) Get Up and Dance. Written by Ray Kelly. Directed by Brian Joyce. Dramatic Production, partial scripts, notes, meetings transcripts. 1988 – [2003]

C4314 (xi) Assorted meeting reports, correspondence, notes, speeches relating to Aboriginal issues and organisations including Co-operative, 1970-1978

PHOTOGRAPHS

A4314 (xii) Photographs [1970s-1990s]

CARDS

A4314 (xiii) Newcastle Trades Hall Council Aboriginal Advancement Committee dinner invites, concerts, balls, and Legal Service advice for Aboriginal People, 1970-1984

MEDIA ARTS

C4314 MEDIA ARTS (IN POST BAG)

CD and DVD Material donated 28/2/2024 by Robert Masterson and Di Barrack: 

No. 6 Aboriginal 16-7-2001 – Koompahtoo – Celebrating Aboriginal Week 2001 (24 Photographs)

No. 7  – “Aboriginal 16/10/01” – Ray Kelly Paul Walsh at tree planting ceremonies (Currawong Project) at YallarwahPlace 2001 (24 Photographs)

No. 14 – No Label – Corroboree Event at Wollotuka circa VC Roger Holmes Era 1996-2004 (24 Photographs)

No. 20 (No. 2) – No label – Event at Wollotuka circa VC Roger Holmes Era 1996-2004 with John Lester, John Heath, very young Nathan Towney. (24 Photographs)

No. 23 (No. 2) – No label – Aboriginal Marches at Toronto, Newcastle and Flag Raising at Christ Church Cathedral – Uncle Bill Smith (24 Photographs)

No. 24 (No. 3) – No label – Yamuloong Bush Tucker Tours Launch?, State Member Bryce Gaudry, Uncle Ron Gordon, Ray Kelly, Speeches (24 Photographs)

No. 25 – No label – Gathering of Young People; dancing; Visit to Rock Art site (unidentified locations) “Hands off PBS” demonstration (Macquarie St. Sydney) – (24 Photographs)

No. 26 – No label – Various presentations, Ray Kelly, Vera Deacon, Rodney Knock (Aboriginal Support Group); Gatherings, speeches (unidentified locations) 1990s (24 Photographs)

No. 30 – No label – Women’s Group; School Event (unidentified school and location) 24 photos

No. 31 – No label – Unidentified People, gatherings, presentations; Wollotuka event with Chancellor  Professor Trevor Waring, Professors Lester, English, Mick Didge, Aunty Nola Hawken, 1990s 

No.32 – No label – Various groups, individuals, baby, dancers, “Princess Awabakal Abikale” nd

No. 33 – No label – Aboriginal Support Group (Rodney Knock, Vera Deacon et al); family birthday; meetings; Protest NSW State Parliament Macquarie Street Sydney.

No. 37 – No Label – Presentations with David Blair, Daryn McKenny; Freedom Ride 2005; Newcastle Council WorimiDates Family protest. (24 Photos)

No. 40 No 1 – “Delete” – Aboriginal March Church Street? Newcastle, Flag at Christ Church Cathedral; Sacred Heart Church; Group in bush setting with grass tree; family photographs (24 Photos)

No. 55 – “Aboriginal March” – Aboriginal people marching down street of Toronto with politicians Greg Piper, Peter Garrett; Eagle Hawk “This is the Place that Remains Awabakal Country” Unveiling Displays. (37 Photos)

No. 56 – ‘Aboriginal’ – NAIDOC Week 2006 Lunch and Dinner and Day Events with politicians Milton Orkopoulos, Peter Garrett, Greg Piper, and Speakers incl Ray Kelly, Uncle Ron Gordon (24 photos)

No.57 – No label – Freedom Day Celebrations with Linda Burney to commemorate Gurindji Wave Hill Walk Off 1966, Aboriginal speakers; dancers, guests. Circa 2000s (37 Photographs)

No.58 – Gurindji Freedom Day – Freedom Day Celebrations with Linda Burney to commemorate Gurindji Wave Hill Walk Off 1966, Aboriginal speakers; dancers, guests. Circa 2000s (37 Photographs)

No. 59 – Gurindji – 2006 Commemorations of Gurindji Wave Hill Walk Off 1966, on location. (24 photographs)

No. 60 – Freedom Day – Gurindji – 24 August 2006 (29 Photographs)

DVD – Slide Show – 1973 Trip to Wattie Creek

Wave Hill Audio CDs – Compile 1-5

Further Reading

Stan Masterson Collection: Papers of Newcastle Aboriginal activist to see the light of day

See more

 

ARC Discovery Grant Team to Work With Stan Masterson Collection

IN240100027 Dr Raymond Kelly; Professor Kate Senior; Professor John Maynard; Professor Richard Chenhall; Professor Victoria Haskins; Dr Frances Edmonds; Professor Kathleen Clapham; Mr Gionni Di Gravio

Ngukurr to Newcastle: intercultural collaboration and influence. This interdisciplinary project will explore the intercultural contributions of residents from a remote Aboriginal community both on their own community and the broader Australian society. In doing so it aims to challenge dominant deficit-centred view points of remote Aboriginal communities and instead examine these communities as sites for lively intercultural exchanges. It will support community members to collect and document stories about the people who were an are influential and in doing to engage in Indigenous histories from an Indigenous perspective. Collaborative engagement with the community will ensure that these stories are preserved in accessible forms so that they are accessible for future generations and future leaders.

Gionni Di Gravio OAM
University Archivist & Chair, Hunter Living Histories