Course:ARST573/Australian Archives

This page will focus on the National Archives of Australia from its beginnings to today. This is done through and examination of its history, legislation, and Archival Descriptive standard the Series System. The Australian Society of Archivists also played a large role in brining Archives in Australia to where they are today.

Australian Flag

Image taken from page 114 of '[Outlines of Geography for the use of lower and middle forms of schools and of candidates for the Army Preliminary Examinations ... With numerous maps.]'

National Archives of Australia

Early Beginnings (1920- 1960)

National Archives of Australia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.

The Archives first found its start in the 1920’s when the Prime Minister William Hughes instructed departments to transfer war records considered to be of historical value to the War Museum. In the 1940’s Charles Bean argued that the history of the First World War had been hindered by the destruction of its records. Bean fought for the better preservation of the records of World War Two to prevent this from occurring again. Through his efforts a War Archives was established with Bean as the Chairman. Through this they produced guidelines for the proper disposal of the records. The archives were put in charge of records starting in 1901. In 1946 the Archives underwent one of its first name changes to The Commonwealth Archives Committee. They would oversee the disposal of past and future records. Agencies could not dispose of their records without permission from the archive, which would then take the records designated for permanent storage into custody. The Archives were in charge of the archival work of the War Memorial and the Commonwealth National Library.

National Archives of Australia Discovery Event - Human Brochure 101 Local Humans

The Commonwealth National Library appointed Ian Maclean the first Archives Officer in 1944. This is recognized by the Archive as the real beginning of the National Archives. He stressed to government departments that disposal meant that the records needed to be evaluated before destruction. In 1945 The Commonwealth National Library insisted that the prime objective of the Archive was to create efficiency in the executive arm of the government. To encourage efficiency and help departments with the evaluation of their records the Library Archives division developed training outlines for departmental records officers.In the 1950’s three more archives were added in Brisbane, Adelaid, and Perth in conjunction with facilities in Sydney and Melbourne to help cope with the need for more storage. The Commonwealth Archives Committee reminded the government that that they did not exist to simply store departmental records but that they were in fact one of the nations cultural resources. They stressed this idea because they lacked an access policy that would allow them to provide access to these records. As it stood a request would need to be sent to each individual department for permission. The time before records were considered accessible was over 50 years. Australia being a young nation at this time did not have many federal records that would not be restricted. In 1954 Theodor Schellenberg visited Australia with a Fulbright Scholarship to study Australian Archives. In his opinion he believed that access should be made available in less than 50 years. He was also of the opinion that archives did not belong inside of a Library and advocated for a National Archives of Australia.

National Archives of Australia Discovery Event - Human Brochure 101 Local Humans

Independence for the Archives

The National Library Act of 1961 gave independence to the Archives. It became the Commonwealth Archives office in the Prime Ministers department. This act may have given them their independence but it did not give them any real power. When it came to the departments that were not cooperating with the transferal of records, the Archive had no real power to force them to participate. Peter Scott in 1963 suggested that the series should become the basic freestanding element of the archival system in Australia. In 1966 the Commonwealth Records Series (CRS) began in Canberra. An access policy was put in place that introduced an official 50-year rule with World War Two records being available earlier. This change in access was not made widely known because the Archive at the time could not handle a mass rush of applications.

In 1970 they followed the lead that the British set forth by introducing a 30-year access policy. With this new policy a large amount of records were now meant to be available for access and research, unfortunately a significant backlog left these records impenetrable. In 1972 the first purpose built archive was completed in Villawood, Sydney. By 1975 $6 Million had been spent to make sure the building could accommodate and protect a variety of record formats such as film, microfilm, computer, and audio and videotape. This was the only purpose built archive to come to fruition.

Nisse Hut

In 1974 William Kaye Lamb , the former Dominion Archivist of Canada reviewed the Australian Archival system. Lamb stressed the idea that Archives were meant to preside over the care, handling, and character of records from the time of their creation to either their destruction or selection for permanent preservation. He believe the archives needed to be recognized and given authority through legislation and that the Archives of Australia had not done all that was necessary to make their records available to research. The Archives also received a new name this year; they were now called the Archives of Australia. Professor R Neale was promoted to Archives Director- General in 1975 and promoted the use of archival material. He faced an uphill battle trying to sell the idea of an authentic legislation for archives and lobbing politicians for more support during a time of a recession and governmental change. During this time many records remained in Nissen Huts , which were prefabricated steel structures that were originally designed during World War One. This caused a great amount of stress to archivists because the Nissen Huts could not provide adequate protection for the records. In 1976 the core of Australia’s records were put in immediate danger when a near by lake overflowed and threatened to drown the records.

In 1978 the very first Freedom of Information and Archive bill took place and created strong clauses for the disposal and transfer of records, forcing agencies cooperation. In the 1980’s records management took up a large portion of the Archives resources and an emphasis was placed on making the most of the taxpayers resources. It was during this time that they embraced the Records Continuum model. The records continuum is "the whole extent of a record's existence. The related theory replaces the life cycle model by considering that records require management starting before they are created, eg. in systems design. This theoretical model more effectively allows for preservation and management processes to be applied to a record at any point in time, which is particularly relevant when dealing with digital records." National Archives of Australia Glossary

The Archives Act of 1983 brought about for the fist time legislation that protected the archives and a legislative mandate

Archives Act of 1983

The Archives Act of 1983 was a major step for the National Archives. Not only did it provide the archive with legislation for their existence but it also provided them with a mandate. The Act itself has been amended over the years to keep up with access policies and other needs of the archives but its original legislation is still mainly the same. The Archives Act of 1983

• Broadened the definition of Commonwealth records and acknowledged that the public had a right to access them.
• Established that the archives were to be the main advisor to agencies on evaluating and the decision of whether or not a record was meant for destruction or permanent archival storage.
• They are the only organization that has a set out mandate and the expertise to set standards for records management. At this time many of the archives and archivists knew agencies organization and origin better than the agencies themselves.
• The Act clarified that the archives were responsible for records that not only held legal and administrative value but also those that held historical or cultural value.
• The National Archives are required to encourage and assist in the use of these records and foster the cultural significance of the archival collection.
• The Act is like many other mandates and sets out the goal of the archives and clearly defines the terms necessary.
• The Act sets out all the rules and schedules the archive must follow from acquisition to the time a request of access must take.

In the original Act access was determined to be records over 30 years of age(history). Exceptions could and can still be made through requests that are reviewed by the archives and an external appeal can be made to federal court. In 2008 the Access policy was amended to 20 years. In 2014 the Act was amended again to take into account Consequential and Transitional Provisions Act of 2014. The Legislation sets out that the Archives are to collect the records of the Commonwealth. These records as stated by the Act are records of parliament, court records, regulations and arrangements relating to certain records, records of royal commission, cabinet notebooks, census information, and records of inter-governmental authority. The care of the materials is described through the location and custody of the records. The Act also mandates that the National Archive must keep up to date national registers and guides with the collection. This Act is what the Archives of Australia had desired for a very long time and finally acknowledged them as an equal to the National Library.

Objectives of act

To specify for a National Archives of Australia, Functions of Archives :

• To identify the archival resources of the Commonwealth
• Preserving and making publicly available the archival resources of the Commonwealth
• Oversee Commonwealth record‑keeping
• Determine standards and provide advice to Commonwealth institutions
• To impose record‑keeping obligations in respect of Commonwealth records.

Establishment, functions and powers of the National Archives of Australia

This section is broken into 3 parts. This Section is listed in detail in the act. The first being Establishment of the National Archives of Australia. This part states that there will be an organization by the name of the National Archive of Australia and that its functions are subject to this act. Its functions are that of making sure the conservation and preservation of the existing and all future resources of the Commonwealth and to encourage and foster the preservation all other archival resources that relate to Australia. The archives will also provide advice and assistance to any commonwealth institution in the creation, keeping, and management of current Commonwealth records. The archives will decide which material will constitute as archival resources. The archives must also seek out and obtain any records that the Director- General states out to be cared for by the archives. The archives should care for records that are in the Minister opinion should be cared for, even if they are not records of the Commonwealth. The Archives are responsible for encouraging, publicizing, and sponsoring the use of archival material and making this material accessible. The archives must conduct research and provide advice on the management and preservation of records. They must co-ordinate preservation and the use of archival resources.

The Second section is Powers of Archives.The archives may do anything that is necessary or convenient to complete its functions. They may establish and control repositories or other facilities to house or exhibit material of the Archives. The archives must survey, appraisal, accessioning, arrangement, description and indexing of Commonwealth records. They must make arrangements to acquire copyright of the material that forms the archival records of the Commonwealth. Record Matters of the structure and functions of Commonwealth institutions. The archives shall make copies by microfilming or otherwise as long as it does not infringe upon copyright. The must publish indexes of, finding aids, and other guides to the archival material. The archives has the authority to decide upon the disposal and destruction of Commonwealth records. Train all persons and if requested the Archives must assist in any Commonwealth institutions training of persons who will be responsible for keeping current Commonwealth records. The Archives is responsible for obtaining any equipment that will be necessary for retrieving or obtaining information from records. The archives is also responsible for providing information and the facilities to any one who wishes to use any of the accessible archival material. If the Archives agree to care for records from any person other than that of a Commonwealth institution, they will create an agreement upon subjects including but not exclusively the extent of access.

The Third part of this section is designated to information about records that are not part of the archival resources of the Commonwealth. There is nothing in this Act that requires the National Archives to accept and care for commonwealth records that have not been determined to be a part of the resources of the Commonwealth.

Establishing the Director General

This section establishes the Director General who will be appointed or engaged under the Public Service Act 1999. The director general has the power in the name of the Archives to exercise any powers and perform any duties that by this act that are apart of this Act imposed on the archives. The Minister may give instructions to the Director General in the performance of his duty as General in accordance with this Act. What the Director General may establish The Director General may establish in writing that a determined specified Commonwealth record or other material is part of the archives of the Commonwealth.

Advisory Counsel

This section determines and establishes the Australian Advisory Council. This Section lays out the Advisory Counsels:

• Functions.
• The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Council.
• The Deputies of members.
• The Remuneration and allowances of members.
• The termination of an office member.
• The resignation of an office member.
• The resignation of a member.
• Meetings of the Council.

Commonwealth Records

This section is divided into Five sections.

Division 1—Preliminary

• Records of the Parliament
• Court records
• Regulations and arrangements relating to certain records
• Archives may be given custody of certain records
• Records of Royal Commissions etc.
• Cabinet notebooks
• Census information
• Records of inter‑governmental authorities

Division 2—Dealings with Commonwealth records

• Disposal, destruction etc. of Commonwealth records
• Advice to Council on disposal practices
• Alteration of Commonwealth records
• Transfer of certain Commonwealth records to care of Archives
• Archives to have access to records
• Records of companies or associations that cease to be authorities of the Commonwealth
• Exemption of certain records
• Commonwealth records to be available to Commonwealth institutions
• Non‑disclosure of Census information

Division 3—Access to Commonwealth records

• Records in open access period to be publicly available
• Consultation with States
• Exempt records
• Identification of exempt records
• Forms of access
• Conditions in respect of proper care of records
• Access to part of exempt record
• Information as to existence of certain documents
• Notification of decisions

Division 4—Review of decisions

• Internal reconsideration of decisions
• Applications to Administrative Appeals Tribunal
• Powers of Tribunal
• Constitution of Tribunal for proceedings about certain exempt records
• Modification of section 42 of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975
• Parties
• Inspector‑General of Intelligence and Security must be requested to give evidence in certain proceedings
• Onus
• Tribunal to ensure non‑disclosure of certain matters
• Production of exempt records
• Complaints to Ombudsman
• Automatic stay of certain decisions on appeal

Division 5—Miscellaneous

• Arrangements for accelerated or special access
• Protection against certain actions
• Access to records apart from Act
• Security classifications
• Transitional provisions relating to access

Care of Materials of the Archives

This Section describes Where the Location of Materials of the Archives can be located and The custody of material of the archives other than by the archives themselves.

Location of material of the Archives

• Archival material shall be kept at such places as the Director‑General considers appropriate.
• When Considering location the Director General will take into account

1. The convenience for persons who will be accessing the material.
2. The appeal of keeping related material in the same place
3. The appropriateness of keeping in a State or Territory material that relates in particular to that State or Territory or to places in that State or Territory.

• The Copies of the Archival record may be kept in locations the Director General deems appropriate.

Definitions

This Section is a detailed glossary of terms and definitions used in the Act.

National Archives Today

The 1990’s brought about a change in the Archives priorities. In 1993 the archives created the Public Works program and the Australian Archives moved to the department of Communications and the Arts. In 1994 it was no longer seen as an option to make records known and available but that it was an essential part of the Archivists job. The Archives recognized that over half of their inquiries were coming from genealogists and they cultivated an enthusiasm for family history. In 1994-1995 an evaluation of the temporary records was done and they advised agencies that they would no longer be accepting short-term records. This meant that if the records were to be destroyed in less than 30 years the archive was not going to take them. They did not however leave agencies high and dry. They helped agencies develop standards for their own storage of their materials that were now in their charge.

Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra

In 1997 Archives management arranged to take over the East Block in the Parliamentary Triangle in Australian Capitol Territory building. Although an administrative landmark was in need of restoration, to complete this process they used photos of the building found in the archive. In 1998 the archive was given the name it holds today as The National Archives of Australia. The organization is a national cultural institution and maintains reading rooms in every state and territory of Australia. The new headquarters in Parkes Australian Capitol Territory, had room for;

• exhibitions both permanent and temporary.
• School and community group tours.
• Reading rooms designed to provide assistance to researchers.

1998 also brought about the Publication of Federation which is a guide to the records and provides a list of relevant materials in the Archives, Libraries, Museums, and Galleries of Australia. The tern of the millennium saw with it an effort in technological change for the Archives, from digitization on demand to a growing website and online database. In 2008 an amendment to the Archives Act that allowed access to a majority of records in the National Archives to be reduced to only 20 years. This amendment would be phased in over a 10-year period.

National directors

• 1944–1968 - Ian MacLean, Chief Archivist
• 1968–1970 - Keith Penny, Chief Archivist
• 1970–1971 - Keith Person, Director, Commonwealth Archives Office
• 1971–1975 - John Dunner, Director, Commonwealth Archives Office
• 1975–1984 - Robert Neale, Director-General, Australian Archives
• 1984–1989 - Brian Cox, Director-General, Australian Archives
• 1990–2000 - George Nichols, Director-General, Australian Archives/National Archives of Australia
• 2000–2003 - Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, acting Director-General, National Archives of Australia
• 2003–2011 - Ross Gibbs, Director-General, National Archives of Australia
• 2011–Jan 2012 - Stephen Ellis, acting Director-General, National Archives of Australia
• 2012 - present - David Fricker, Director-General, National Archives of Australia

Special projects

Who am I?

The Who am I? project commenced in 2009 and was funded by the Australian Research council. The goal of the project was to investigate the role played by archiving and record keeping practices in the construction of identity for those who experienced out of home ‘care’ as children. This included members of the Stolen Generations and Forgotten Australians. One of the outcomes of the project was the creation of web resources called Pathways, which was later revised and extended to become Find & Connect Victoria. Research was conducted by the University of Melbourne (Cathy Humphreys, Gavan McCarthy, Cate O'Neill, Rachel Tropea, Margaret Kertesz and Andy May), and in partnership with 15 other organizations.

Forced Adoptions History Project

The Forced Adoptions History Project was announced on the day of The National Apology. The forced adoption practices occurred predominately in the second half of the twentieth century and were cases in which forced adoptions were carried out from young mothers who were seen unfit for motherhood and had their children removed against their will.

National Apology for Forced Adoptions Logo

The National Archives was to deliver a website, exhibition and education program. The main goals of the website are to increasing awareness and understanding of individuals affected by forced adoption practices, and to share individual experiences of forced adoption.The main features of the Website are:

• An overview of forced adoptions and how these policies and practices occurred.
• An interactive historical timeline of legislation and events affecting adoption and forced adoption practices starting at 1896 and continues currently through 2014.
• Information is provided on the effects of forced adoptions all that whom touched. The website also provides the ability to share individual experiences, and read others’ contributions.
• Information about how to access adoption records in each state and territory can be found. This includes contact details for the relevant department and steps to accessing the records.
• The contact details of support services.
• Adoption statistics are also available.
• The Website also provides a list of references that further explore forced adoptions and other related issues.
• Updates on the development of the Forced Adoptions History Project exhibition and education resource
• A Glossary can also be found on the website.

Series System

“A method of describing records and their contexts of creation and management over time. It involves the separation of records from their contextual descriptions. In practice this means that records, the people or organisations that create and manage them and/or the business they describe are each individually registered as separate descriptive entities. They are then linked to enable a full and informative representation of records, their context and their administration through time.” National Archives of Australia Glossary

A technique of creating finding aids using the series as the primary level of control, rather than the record group or fonds.- SAA glossary

The series system is a method used by Australian archives to describe their records and their records contexts of creation and Management over time. This system has been used in Australia for almost Forty years. One of the fundamentals to the system are the links between registered records and context entities . Another is an understanding that the relationship between entities is dependent and time-bound (rather than fixed and timeless) and that the dependent nature of these relationships must be described . What makes the Series system unique from other Archival systems is that it registers individually

• Records
• The person(s) or organizations that create and manage the records
• The business they describe

Peter Scott developed the Series System in 1964. Originally it focused on the persons and corporations involved, but now functions and activities are becoming more frequent implantations to describe the context of the records creation . The series system can describe different types of entities and document these entities in relationship to each other at a certain point in time or over a course of time. There are 3 entity types. Business, Records, and People or Agents.

• Business or functions are documented in the Records.
• Records are used by People or Agents.
• Agents and People do business.
• People and Agents create and manage Records.

Linking entities is essential to the Series System. An essential function of the Series System is its capacity to document and preserve the context of relationships between entities. There are five relationship rules:

1. Relationships are reciprocal
2. The type of relationship must be clear
3. Multiple relationships of the same type are allowed
4. Always use dates to show when a relationship was effective
5. Keep a record of historical relationships

One of the most informational resources to learn about the Series System is ‘‘‘Describing Archives in Context; a Guide to Australian Practice’’’. Published by the Australian Society of Archivists. This guide provides:

• An introduction to the Series System
• A discussion of the development and functionality of the series system
• Principles of the Series System description
• Components of the Series System- entities
• Components of the Series System- relationships
• Components of the Series System- Metadata Elements
• And additional implementation considerations

Archives of Australia

There are a great number of Archives in Australia here is a list of some of the National institutions.

National institutions holding archival material

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

Lawson Crescent

ACTON ACT 2601

Australian National Maritime Museum

2 Murray Street

Darling Harbour

SYDNEY NSW 2009

National War Memorial

Australian War Memorial

Treloar Crescent

CAMPBELL ACT 2612

National Film and Sound Archive

McCoy Circuit

ACTON ACT 2601

The National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

CANBERRA ACT 2600

National Museum of Australia

Lawson Crescent

Acton Peninsula

CANBERRA ACT 2600

The University Archivist Noel Butlin Archives Centre

ANU Archives Program

Australian National University

Menzies Building 2

ACTON ACT 0200

National Gallery of Australia Canberra

National Gallery of Australia

Parkes Place

CANBERRA ACT 2600

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

18 King George Terrace, Parkes

CANBERRA ACT 2600

State and Territory Government Archives

Australian Capitol Territory

Territory Records Office GPO Box 158

CANBERRA ACT 2601

New South Wales

NSW State Records

PO Box 516

KINGSWOOD NSW 2747

Northern Territory

Northern Territory Archives Service

Kelsey Crescent

MILLNER NT 0810

Queensland

Queensland State Archives

435 Compton Road

RUNCORN QLD 4113

South Australia

Research Centre: 
State Library of South Australia

Corner North Terrace and Kintore Avenue

ADELAIDE SA 5000

Tasmania

Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office

91 Murray Street

HOBART TAS 7000

Victoria

Public Record Office Victoria

PO Box 2100

NORTH MELBOURNE VIC 3051

Victorian Archives Centre

NORTH MELBOURNE VIC 3053

Western Australia

State Records Office of Western Australia

Alexander Library Building

Perth Cultural Centre

PERTH WA 6000

The Australian Society of Archivists

The Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) was founded in 1973 after a rise in archival practice and need . Previously operating under a section of the Library Association of Australia (LAA) since 1951. Archives and Manuscripts was originally published under the LAA but editor Bob Sharman in 1973 advised an end to the journal unless he received stronger support from the archival profession . In August of 1973 a steering Committee was formed to investigate the possibility of forming an archival society. These Members consisted mainly of archivist in the Sydney/ Canberra area as to simplify meeting. (April 1 1974 Newsletter )

Committee members

Newsletter April 1 1974

• Michael Saclier (Convenor)
• Pat Quinn (Archivist, Bank of N.S.W)
• Gerald Fischer (Archivist, University of Sydney)
• John Cross (Senior Archivist, Archives Office of N.S.W)
• Chris Hurley (Senior Archivists, Registration and Disposal A.C.T(replaced by Max Franklin))

Assistance from

• Paul Wilson (Archivist, Queensland State Archives, Brisbane)
• Anne Green (Common Wealth Archives Office, Melbourne)
• Margaret Medcalf (Battye Librarian, Perth)
• Mary McRae (Principle Archivist, Archives Office of Tasmania, Hobart)

Seventy-Four People attended the first meeting was held in April 1975 at the Australian National University. During this meeting a constitution was adopted and a counsel had been elected.

Mission

The mission of the ASA – “The Australian Society of Archivists provides leadership for the profession and advocates for archives and record keeping”

Objectives of the Society

• promote the preservation and care of Archives.
• Establish/ maintain communication / co-operation among archivists/ their institutions/ users.
• Maintain standards of archival practice
• Maintain standards of administration
• Maintain standards for professional conduct.
• Determine and establish standards for archival professional training and qualifications.
• Encourage research into archival practices and the collection and dissemination of this information.
• Publication of the societies journal and other resources relating to the society.
• Promote understanding and appreciation of archives amongst the general public.
• Encourage the efficient and responsible use of archives.
• Stimulate and promote a professional identity amongst archivists.
• To co-operate with other organisations and groups with complementary objectives.
• Provide a voice for archival concerns.

Counsel Members

As provided by the ASA website

• President - Kylie Percival (University of Adelaide Archivist and Manager, University Archives and Recordkeeping at the University of Adelaide) Elected August 2012
• Vice President - Adelaide Parr (Record Analyst at the University of Melbourne) Elected October 2013
• Secretary – Julia Mant (Archives and Records Manager at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)) Elected October 2013
• Treasurer – Ian Sutherland
• Managing Editor- Dr. Louis Trott – Elected October 2013
• Councillor – Gionni Di Gravio (University of Newcastle Archives)
• Councillor- David Bloomfield (Tasmanian Archives)
• Councillor- Jenny Pearce (Archivist at The King’s School Parramatta)
• Councillor- Steven Stefanopoulos – (Heritage Collection and Records Manager at Loreto Mandeville Hall, Toorak)

Presidents of the Past

As provided by the ASA website.

• 8/2012 - current --Kylie Percival
• 10/2010 - 8/2012 --Pat Jackson
• 8/2008 - 10/2010 --Jackie Bettington
• 10/2006 - 8/2008 --Kim Eberhard
• 9/2004 - 10/2006-- Catherine Robinson
• 11/2000- 9/2004 --Stephen Yorke
• 8/2000 - 11/2001-- Gavan McCarthy
• 8/1998 - 8/2000 --Adrian Cunningham
• 5/1996 - 8/1998-- Kathryn Dan
• 5/1994 - 5/1996-- Mark Stevens
• 5/1992 - 5/1994-- Paul Brunton
• 6/1990 - 5/1992-- Christopher Coggin
• 6/1989 - 6/1990-- Anne-Marie Schwirtlich
• 4/1987 - 6/1989-- Peter Crush
• 7/1985 - 4/1987-- Clive Smith
• 5/1983 - 7/1985-- Baiba Berzins
• 5/1981 - 5/1983-- Lindsay Cleland
• 5/1979 - 5/1981-- Margaret Jennings
• 5/1977 - 5/1979-- Gerald Fischer
• 4/1975 - 5/1977-- Michael Saclier

Their website provides Code of Ethics, Rules and By Laws , Mission goals and Values, and Advocacy

Journal Archives And Manuscripts

Archives and Manuscripts is the Journal published by The Australian Society of Archivists. The Journal actually has existed since the 1950’s before the society separated. The publication has always been a window into Australian archival writing. There have been 3 major periods of the writing since the separation of the Australian Society of Archivists .The first began in 1976 to 1990. During this period the tone of the journal was that of practical reporting on the experience of archivists rather than on any archival theory . The next period is that of the 1990’s. Maggie Shapley who was one of the editors during this period stated that the journals purpose was to educate and inform rather than to encourage Australian archivists to publish or to be a forum of scholarly communication . The readers during this time wanted both Australian and oversee content. The final of the 3 major periods is the journal since 2001. Since this time the journal has been increasingly used and sited abroad. The Journal developed from a typescript to an internationally respected online journal. Recent years the journal has been publishing on a variety of subjects such as information policy, education, metadata, recordkeeping and identity and appraisal . The journal has also made it its goal not to shy away from controversial archival subjects.

Membership

Becoming a member of the ASA provides many great Benefits and there are different types of memberships to choose from .

Membership Types

Individual

• Professional Membership, Available to University Graduates who have worked in recognized archival institutions for a period of time and costs $330.00 per year.
• Professional retired $ 100.00 per year
• Associate 190.00 Per year
• Associate Concession $75.00 Per year
• Associate Special Student rate $50.00 per year

Institutional

• Institutional A “Recognised archival institutions and other such government institutions, business corporations, universities and other institutions as the Council deems to have compatible interests” $625.00 per year
• Institutional B schools, religious organisations and historical societies and other such similar societies and non-profit organisations as the Council may from time to time determine $300.00 Per year