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HANRAHAN, Barbara (1939-1991)
PRG 961
Series List
Described as one of Adelaide's finest writers and artists, Barbara Hanrahan was
born at Thebarton in 1939. Her father died when she was only one year and one day
old, so she grew up with her Mother, Grandmother and little Great Aunt who was a
Downs Syndrome victim. In her own words "... it was a life cocooned by these three
women ... we lived in an old part of Adelaide, surrounded by scabbed asphalt
footpaths and old cedar trees dropping their berries. It was lovely to grow up there;
now, looking back, it seems with all its ugliness and ordinariness a paradise place."
The young Barbara studied art teaching at Adelaide Teachers' College; her career
began in 1960 with teaching three days a week at Elizabeth Girls' Technical School
and two days at Strathmont Girls' Technical School. When the Printmaking
Department was established at the South Australian School of Art she enrolled for
evening classes and was immediately captivated by this art form. In order to
progress and express her individuality she needed to break away from her beloved
Adelaide, so she sailed for London in 1963. There she studied at the London Central
School of Art where her work developed rapidly. Whilst supporting herself through
teaching appointments in England, her art was featured in more and more exhibitions
and began to sell.
Barbara was able to return on a visit to Adelaide, but she was in London when her
Grandmother died in 1968. This bereavement had a shocking impact on Barbara
who said ... "that death was what caused me without conscious planning to begin
writing". That writing turned into "The Scent of Eucalyptus", a semi-autobiographical
memoir of her childhood published in 1973.
The success of this book, which became synonymous with home for many South
Australians overseas, led to public expectation for more. Before her premature
death in 1991 she had written thirteen novels, two collections of stories, selected and
illustrated a superb limited edition of John Shaw Neilson's poetry, and continued to
produce an enormous amount of outstanding art which was presented at many onewoman and group exhibitions in Australia and overseas.
From the SLSA exhibition catalogue, 1994.
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Handwritten drafts of The Scent of Eucalyptus, a biography by
Barbara Hanrahan
1971-1972. 1cm
1
Typescript copy of The Scent of Eucalyptus.
1972-1973. 2.5cm
2
Manuscript notes and reference material (mainly letters)
collected for the Scent of Eucalyptus.
1971-1972. 2cm
3
PRG 961 Series list
Page 1 of 7
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Proof copy of the book of The Scent of Eucalyptus.
1973. 1cm
4
Novels by Barbara Hanrahan.
1973-1987. 15cm
[1. The Scent of Eucalyptus. (1973)
2. The Albatross Muff. (1977)
3. Where the Queens all strayed. (1978)
4. The Peach Groves. (1979)
5. The Frangipanni Gardens. (1980)
6. Dove (Hardback edition). (1982)
7. Dove. (Paperback edition). (1982)
8. Kewpie Doll (1984)
9. Annie Magdalene (1985)
10. Dream People (1987)
Some signed by the author
5
Posters.
ca.1987-1988, n.d. OUTSIZE (Art Collection)
[Three framed poster for books written by Barbara
Hanrahan, using her artworks.
1. “where the Queens all Strayed” (published 1978) 76cm
x 54cm
2. “ Dream People” (published 1987 incorporating “The
Eye of God” 76cm x 53cm
3. “The art of the Writer” using “sun and Moon and The
Eye of God” which was used as cover design for her
novel “Goodnight Mr Moon”. 95cm x 4.5cm
All dimensions are as framed.]
6
Sound recordings.
1978-1991.2 hours 50 minutes.
[Available on 6 cassette tapes with full transcript of one of
the interviews (no. 5.) available.
See the online Mortlock Library Archival catalogue for
details of these recordings.]
7
Artworks.
ca. 1962-1989. 55cm. OUTSIZE (art collection)
[Framed prints by Barbara Hanrahan . See Special List
for Series 8 for further details.]
8
Certificates, scholarships and diplomas awarded to Barbara
Hanrahan.
1947-1964. 1.5cm
9
School reports.
1952-1956. 0.5cm.
[Thebarton Girls Technical High School reports for
Barbara Hanrahan, first year to fifth year.]
10
PRG 961 Series list
Page 2 of 7
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Agreements with the Minister of Education for Barbara
Hanrahan’s entry to Teachers College.
1955, 1957. 0.5cm
[Each agreement document has duplicated copy.]
11
Invitations.
1959, 1960. 0.5cm.
[Invitations to Barbara Hanrahan to inaugural ceremony
of presentation of Diplomas in Art at National Gallery,
Adelaide, 15 May 1959, and an invitation to her
grandmother MRS J.P. Goodridge for the presentation of
diplomas and prizes in the Union Hall, University of
Adelaide on 10 May 1960.]
12
References.
1962-1977. 0.5cm.
[References for Barbara Hanrahan from the Education
Department of South Australia, Norwood Girls Technical
High School, Alvering Second School, London, Falmouth
School of Art, Cornwall, central School of Art and Design,
London, Torrens College of Advanced Education,
Adelaide.
13
Papers relating to lecturing appointments contracts.
ca. 1961-1977. 0.5cm
[Appointments relating to Adelaide Teachers College,
South Australian School of Art, College of Art & Design
(Portsmouth, England) Torrens College of Advanced
Education and Salisbury College of Advanced
Education.]
14
Letters relating to Barbara Hanrahans’s artistic career.
1965-1977. 0.5cm
[Includes letters relating to printmaking course, Royal
College of Art, (1965) appointment in art department of
management periodical, (1968) advice of receipt of grant
application by Inner London Education Authority (1976)
and letter from Bonython Gallery director (1977).
15
Account to Art Gallery of South Australia
1975. 0.5cm
[Account for purchase of five etchings]
16
Letters from Mrs R. Wisbey, Barbara Hanrahan’s mother.
1971. 0.5cm
[Letters include background information on Barbara
Hanrahan’s parents and childhood in Adelaide, sent to
her in London.]
17
PRG 961 Series list
Page 3 of 7
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Letter to Mrs R. Wisbey.
1969. 0.5cm
[Written from London 11 February 1969 after a heavy
snow fall while Barbara Hanrahan was travelling on a
train to Portsmouth.]
18
Rough notes on family relationships.
n.d. [pre-1973?] 0.5cm.
[Notes made by Barbara Hanrahan about family
members possibly background information for ‘The Scent
of Eucalyptus’?]
19
Farewell card.
ca.1965. 0.5cm.
[Signed by her students in Common course A, South
Australian School of Art, when Barbara Hanrahan
returned to England in 1965 to the course at the Central
School of Art in London.]
20
Cheque notice
1977. 0.5cm.
[From Midland Bank Ltd., London for payment of £22.16
from sale of Barbara Hanrahan’s paintings in Biella, Italy.]
21
Video tapes about Barbara Hanrahan.
1991-1994. (4 tapes).
[1. Video made for State Library 1994 Exhibition, narrator
Barbara Holbourn, Pictorial curator (10 min), using
material featured in the exhibition.
2. Barbara Hanrahan reading from her book ‘The Scent
of Eucalyptus’ (3 mins); this extract was used in (3).
Below.
3.Video: ‘Introducing Barbara Hanrahan: Artist and Writer
1939-1991’ narrator Isabel Storey, made for State Library
of SA, 1994. Features the author reading extract from
‘The Scent of Eucalyptus’.
4. Video footage of interviews with Elizabeth Mansutti
and Craig Munro at Writers Week, 1992 Adelaide
Festival; and discussion about Barbara Hanrahan’s work
at an American institution (Rawlins College?) after her
death in 1991.]
22
Exhibition catalogues and invitations.
1988-1992. 1cm.
[Exhibitions at Grahame Galleries, Brisbane (1988,
19889, 1990, 1992) Royal SA Society of Arts (1992),
Kensington Gallery Norwood (1992) and Adelaide
Festival Writers Week (1992) and State Library of south
Australia (1994).]
23
PRG 961 Series list
Page 4 of 7
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Essay by Ronda Goodridge.
n.d. 0.5cm.
[Essay titled ‘Hindmarsh Town and School: its history and
Progress’ by Barbara Hanrahan’s mother while a student
at Hindmarsh Central School in Grade VI.]
24
Note book of Ronda Goodridge.
ca.1932. 1cm
[Illustrations drawn by Barbara Hanrahan’s mother
reproduced in ‘The Advertiser’ and stories written for ’The
Mail’ . A drawing in ink titled ‘Svengali’ is stuck in the note
book and won the young artist first prize in a competition
for West Theatre.]
25
Pen and ink sketch by Ronda Goodridge.
n.d. 0.5cm
[Sketch titled ‘The Flame of Peace’
26
Certificates awarded to Ronda Goodridge.
1933-1934. 0.5cm.
[Certificates awarded by S.A. School of Arts and Crafts
for examinations in Drawing for Reproduction (1933,
1934) and Object Drawing (1933).]
27
Mementos of Barbara Hanrahan’s father.
ca.1915-1940. 15cm. PART OUTSIZE
[Items relating to her father William Maurice (‘Bob’)
Hanrahan who died in 1940. See Special for Series 28
for further details.]
28
Childhood drawings by Barbara Hanrahan.
ca.1944-1989. 0.5cm
[crayon drawing of a girl with a basket walking by a tree.]
29
Photographs of the Hanrahan family and Adelaide suburbs.
c.1893-1989. 4 albums.
Family photographs of the Hanrahan, Collins and
Goodridge families and copies of photographs of
Thebarton and Mile End District taken by Barbara
Hanrahan on a return visit to Adelaide in 1973.
30
Pressed flower.
1973. 0.5cm
[Easter daisy flower sent by Mrs Ronda Wisbey to
Barbara Hanrahan in 1973 as a reminder of home.]
31
PRG 961 Series list
Page 5 of 7
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Books collected by Barbara Hanrahan and Mrs Wisbey.
ca.1928-1952. 13.5.cm. Printed
[1. ‘The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and
Cuddlepie’.
2. ‘Alice in Wonderland’
3. ‘A Child is Born’.
4. ‘Peg’s Fairy Book’ (given to Barbara Hanrahan by her
mother Christmas 1945. Some of the line illustrations
have been painted over by its owner).
5. ‘Australia since 1606: a history for Young Australians’.
Includes marginalia drawings by Barbara Hanrahan.
6. ‘The March of Civilisation’. Includes marginalia
drawings by Barbara Hanrahan.
7. ‘The Girls Own Annual’. Given to Ronda Goodridge by
her mother Iris Goodridge, 1928.]
32
Manuscript by Barbara Hanrahan about her work and beliefs.
1984. 1992. 0.5cm. Photocopy.
[An unpublished piece copied for the original held by her
partner Jo Steele. Apparently written in 1984 with
additions notated on page (1) as being added 6 August
1992 - by another hand.
33
Manuscript of extract from novel: ‘Michael and me and the sun’.
1991. 0.5cm. Photocopy
34
Newspaper cuttings relating to Barbara Hanrahan.
1994. 1cm.
[Articles relating to the Barbara Hanrahan Memorial
Exhibition in 1994 at the State Library and Thebarton
district was and renaming of Mile End Street.]
35
Photographs of the artist’s works.
n.d. 1.5cm
[Coloured photographs of prints by Barbara Hanrahan
including three posters for published works.]
36
List of student works.
ca.1960-1962. 0.5cm.
[Barbara Hanrahan’s student prints and drawings,
possibly exhibited at a four-person exhibition at Hahndorf
ca. 1962. Shirley Megson was one of the other exhibiting
artists.]
37
PRG 961 Series list
Page 6 of 7
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Two photographs of Barbara Hanrahan.
ca.1961. n.d. 0.5cm.
[Barbara Hanrahan and Shirley Megson in publicity
photograph for their Hahndorf exhibition ca. 1962, and
photograph by Michael Kluvanek used in the catalogue
for the Barbara Hanrahan Memorial Exhibition at the
State Library of South Australia, 1994.]
38
Profiles about the artist.
ca.1994. 1cm
[Background details about Barbara Hanrahan, translated
into Italian, Greek and Vietnamese, used during the State
Library’s exhibition in 1994.]
39
Transcript of interviews
1984.
[1. Transcript of deBerg tape no 1261 of Barbara
Hanrahan, and 2. the interview with Jenny Palmer,
December 1982 for the ‘Bulletin’ literary supplement.]
40
Slides of Barbara Hanrahan’s artworks.
1992-1993. 3cm. OUTSIZE Photographic transparency
[Slides prepared for Grahame Galleries & Editions,
Milton, Brisbane. Two lists of titles accompany.
OUTSIZE (SHELVES).]
41
Index to ‘The Scent of Eucalyptus’
1994. Typescript.
[Prepared by Glen Ralph, Wilmar Library, Lockleys,
published for the Thebarton Historical Society. Indexed
under subjects: Barbara Hanrahans’s family, schools,
streets of Thebarton, People, Places and Things.]
42
PRG 961 Series list
Page 7 of 7