Ron Austin papers

MLMSS 12251

fonds

1958-2018

Graphic Materials, Clippings, Ephemera, Photographs, Textual Records

9683660

0.32 metres of textual material (2 boxes), includes photographs - typescript
298 photographic prints - colour
203 negatives - 35 mm - colour

Ronald Patrick Austin (1929-2019), born in Maitland, New South Wales, to William Eric and Millicent Austin, was a pioneering LGBTQI activist. He joined the Redemptorist monastery at 16 and left at 21 to study art in Newcastle, later moving to Sydney. Austin worked for the Children's Library and Craft Movement and spent most of his career supervising an after-school care centre in Erskinville, Sydney.

In 1971, Austin became involved with the gay and lesbian rights group, Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP) and conceived the idea of organising a gay parade in 1978, which has become the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. As a 78er, he was a dedicated gay activist throughout his life and the Mardi Gras "Most Fabulous Parade Entry" award is named after him.

Reference:
Library acquisition file

This collection formed part of the Estate of the late Ronald Patrick Austin, which was left to his nephew, who invited Robert French to take possession of Austin's material.

SERIES 1
Ron Austin papers

SERIES 2
Ron Austin photographs and negatives

This collection is arranged into two series by format

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 PXA 8006

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