This series consists of press clippings - from newspapers, magazines, and other publications - that pertain to topics with which Mary Andrews had a particular connection. A large number of clippings deemed to be of insufficient interest have been disposed of (see below).
Preserved items in this series relate to the work of the Deaconess Institution, and to the topic of the role of women in the church - particularly the Anglican Church of Australia.
Articles on the Deaconess Institution describe activities in Deaconess House (excluding articles which refer to Mary herself in her capacity as principal or in citation, which are included in Series 21), ancilliary activities of the Institution such as the hospitals, the ordination of deaconesses, and the activities of Deaconess House graduates and other deaconesses in Australia and worldwide.
Additionally, Mary Andrews kept a small collection of articles relating to former Deaconess House trainee Miss (later Dr) Barbara Ferguson, who went on to do missionary work in Vietnam.
The articles on the role of women in the church cover historical milestones including the reestablishment of the Order of Deaconesses, the admission of women to the Anglican Synod, the ordination of women as Deacons, and the ordination of women as Priests in various parts of Australia and worldwide, along with reports on the controversial nature and debates surrounding the events.
Articles on the role played by women in church organisations belonging to other denominations are also included. Note: articles relating directly to the Movement for the Ordination of Women have been included in Series 8.
The majority of papers in this series were collected by Mary Andrews herself, but a small number show signs of having being forwarded to her by friends. In most cases the articles have been cut out with scissors, and an attempt has been made to preserve the header to show which publication they originated in. In some instances - but not all - this has also resulted in the preservation of evidence of the original date of publication. Some articles were previously attached to a paper backing with mounting putty [Blu-tack]. This has been removed in most cases - where removal was possible without damaging the article - and the dried putty remnants disposed of along with the backing-paper.
A large number of clippings preserved by Mary Andrews have been disposed of on the grounds that their content was well-documented elsewhere and/or not within the scope of this collection. Topics included:
China - particularly reports regarding the Three Self Patriotic Movement (the authorised Christian church in China), but also a large number of articles reporting on the aftermath of the Tianenmen Square protests of 1989.
The Anglican Church, particularly the activities of clergy within the Diocese of Sydney, including obituaries (note that all articles regarding the role of women within the Anglican Church have been preserved).
Activities - particularly ecumenical ones - of other Christian denominations (similarly, articles relating to women's ministry in other Christian denominations have also been preserved).
Aged care and healthy living.
General women's interest.
Annual Honours listings and reports on other Members of the Order of Australia.
*The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, royal visits to Australia, and the activities of Governors-General of Australia, state Governors, and their wives.
Articles pertaining to organisations with which Deaconess Andrews was affiliated have been inserted in the relevant Series pertaining to that organisation.
Additionally, duplicates in this series have been disposed of. Priority has been given to copies in better states of preservation or which retain additional contextual information.
