Brotherhood of St Laurence

What is in the BSL Archives?  

The archives collection contains an extensive set of primary sources including papers, photographs and audio-visual materials spanning from the early 20th Century to today. These records offer insight into the history of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the many varied social welfare and poverty programs and activities that the Brotherhood has been engaged in.

The archives are organised chronologically and discoverable in the Library catalogue.  

The archive has been arranged into 3 categories (Series): 

This Series contains a large set of published and unpublished materials including books, reports, correspondence, and other assorted papers. 
This Series contains a large set of historic and contemporary photographs, negatives, and slides, including black & white photographs of BSL activities and staff, photo albums (eg. Father Tucker’s from WWI), and donated collections of photographs and photo albums.  

David Scott Collection.  

David Scott was a director of the Brotherhood, a socially progressive community icon, and a key figure in the history of community organisations and social advocacy in Australia. The David Scott collection contains records spanning from 1930 to 2011. Assembled by Scott when preparing his biography, it offers crucial insights into Scott’s early life and his role in various Australian and international organisations, government agencies and political movements. . 

This collection is arranged into 5 categories (Series): 
• Series 1: The Early Years  
• Series 2: Social Work & Community Development  
• Series 3: East Timor  
• Series 4: Post-Brotherhood Life, Professional Work and Activism  
• Series 5: Scott’s Biography & General Topics  

Jessica Millott Collection  

The Jessica Millott collection is housed in the Brotherhood of St. Laurence Social Policy Library in Fitzroy, Victoria. 

Jessica Millott began working with the Brotherhood as a volunteer in 1951 at Carrum Downs then at the Coolibah from 1953. After 11 years as a voluntary helper, she took up the position of Coolibah Club manager at the start of 1962. She remained as manager for 23 years and in 1980, was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours list. In 1981, Jessica Millott retired after 30 years with the Brotherhood. 

In 1984 St Mary’s Mission House, Fitzroy was converted into a rooming house for 25 people and renamed Millott House in honour of Jessica Millott. 

The collection has been arranged into the following 4 categories (Series): 

  • Series 1: Personal Notebooks & Diaries 
  • Series 2: Coolibah Club Membership books 
  • Series 3: Coolibah Club Miscellaneous notes and ephemera 
  • Series 4: Coolibah Club Material Aid 

Life chances archive

The Social Policy Library are the custodians of a vast range of materials relating to the Life Chances Study. 

Running over 14 stages from 1990, Life Chances was a unique longitudinal study that examined how family income, social class, ethnicity and gender affect the lives of individuals. Different stages of the study have focused on different issues, from services for young children to experiences of school and finding a job. Looking at diverse aspects of the life course, the study has contributed important insights into the dynamic interrelationship between individual lives and social and economic policy on the life chances of the participants.

It concluded in June 2024 after 34 years.

Over the years, the Life Chances study has resulted in 23 reports, 10 journal articles, 42 presentations and papers, 3 films, 1 book and 2 book chapters. The first film made in 1995 was aired on SBS TV and screened at international film festivals. 

For further information and access to the Archives collection, contact the BSL Social Policy Library at library@bsl.org.au.

http://www.bsl.org.au/research/social-policy-library/

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