John Thomas Walker material regarding the Gould League of New South Wales

MLMSS 11604
ON 688

fonds

approximately 1920-1983

Textual Records, Clippings, Photographs, Ephemera, Graphic Materials, Drawings

9638542

0.32 metres of textual material (2 boxes)
212 negatives - 6 x 9 cm - black & white
5 negatives - 10 x 13 or smaller - colour

Named after ornithologist John Gould, The Gould League of Bird Lovers was established in in 1909 by the Victorian Education Department. The following year the NSW branch was established at Wellington Public School, its aim being to encourage teachers and students towards an interest in the study of native birds. The Gould League of Bird Lovers New South Wales merged with the NSW Young Tree Wardens in 1967. It subsequently dropped the term ‘Bird Lovers’ from its name and broadened its aims to cover conservation and environmental education. The Gould League of New South Wales ceased operating in 2010.

After attending Yass Public School, John Thomas Walker entered Sydney Teachers’ College in 1920. There he became involved in the Gould League of New South Wales after meeting Harold Hamilton the secretary-treasurer of the league and became his unofficial assistant. He became a patron of the league branches at Cordeaux Dam, Glenfalloch, Reid’s Flat, Murringo, Koorawatha, Collarenebri, Millthorpe, Smithfield and Scarborough while teaching at these schools. He was frequently requested by district inspectors of schools to address meetings of teacher about Gould League of NSW and display the league’s work. During his time with the Gould League of NSW he also became involved in editing its publications and upon his retirement from teaching became treasurer. He was heavily involved in organising and supporting the league’s camps and the Mates stories which were short stories ‘intended to perpetuate a spirit of mateship and a relationship between children and the creatures which share the environment.’ Mr Walker also authored various books on the Sutherland area of Sydney, such as, Two hundred years in retrospect : Kurnell-Sutherland 1770-1970 (1969) and Forby Sutherland (1968).

References:
Library acquisition file
NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education. “Gould League of Bird Lovers of New South Wales membership.” Accessed 15 September 2022.
https://www.schoolhousemuseum.org.au/collection/collection-stories/gould-league-membership-cards/
History of the Gould League. Milsons Point, N.S.W.: Gould League of N.S.W., 1979.

Contains correspondence, notes on bird life, manuscripts, clippings, photographs, negatives and ephemera

BOX 1
Folder 1
Miscellaneous material including newspaper clippings, children's school assignments, lyrebird postcard, Gould League NSW membership certificates, pencil drawing of a kookaburra
Folder 2
Three Teachers' College photographs, class photographs from Smithfield Public School, Scarborough Public School, Fairfield West Public School and unidentified school. Photographs of Gould League bird study camp at Wollumbin Wildlife Refuge, "Mullaculla" Menindee camp and Egelabra camp. Seven colour slides of lizards, birds, animals and insects.
Folder 3
Gould League of NSW minutes, camp reports, correspondence, bank passbook, 1971-1982 & undated
Folder 4
Mates Club passbooks, cheques, financial accounts and letters
Folder 5
Storytime passbook, cheque book, bank statements, trust fund documents

BOX 2
Folder 1
Mates stories and two drawings titled 'Umbularabri'
Folder 2
Mates stories, drafts
Folder 3
Bird life on the Southern Tablelands of NSW, typescript
Folder 4
Bird life on the Southern Tablelands of NSW, manuscript and notes for third thesis of the same name
Folder 5
Bird life on the Southern Tablelands of NSW, appendices and letter with feedback

ON 688
Negatives of Berida, Lamington, Euabalong, Castlereagh, Riley's Hill and Macpherson camps and ships at Jervis Bay.
Negatives of the Derwent river, TAS. Malanda Falls, QLD.
Negatives of a straw-necked ibis, lyrebird and recently born blue-tongued skinks.

Published periodicals catalogued separately:
Gould League songs & poems at H 2022/2688
Gould leaguer (Gould League of Western Australia), issue Kids Club supp. no. 8 at 372.305/1
Gould Leaguer (Beecroft, N.S.W.), Supplement issue no. 8, "Kids' club : plant one more in '74" at Q333.7205/20
Club topics news and views : official journal of Cronulla-Sutherland Leagues Club, Vol. 9, no. 1 (Jan. 1974) at 369.20994/2

This material is held in cold storage and requires 3 working days notice to retrieve. Please submit your request through Ask a Librarian - Applies to ON 688

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales