Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1951-1992 (Creation)
Level of description
Series
Extent and medium
7 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The NSW Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed in 1817. The first meeting was held on 7th March, making it the oldest continuously operating organization in Australia. The Tasmanian Auxiliary was formed in 1819, followed by the Victorian Auxiliary in 1840, the SA Auxiliary in 1845 and the Queensland Auxiliary in 1855. The state Auxiliaries jointly formed a Commonwealth Council in 1925, which met annually. The affairs of the British and Foreign Bible Society were carried out in Australia by powers of attorney. In 1976 a constitution was drawn up and 'The Bible Society in Australia' was incorporated, with the Commonwealth Council being renamed the Australian Council. The stated aim of the Society was 'to promote and encourage the wider circulation, distribution and use of the Holy Scriptures...without doctrinal note or comment throughout the world..." A National Youth Division, Translation Department and Mission Support Division carried out the work of the Society, with State Secretaries in charge of each state division. It became and continues to be a member of the United Bible Societies. In 2010 the state divisions were dissolved to form a national organization - Bible Society Australia. The Bible Society Australia group now includes Koorong, Eternity newspaper and the Centre for Public Christianity.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Box 1:
Bible Society Forum – 1992
New Reader projects – 1991
New Reader project – correspondence – 1990-1991
Literacy for life – launch arrangements – 1991
USSR and Eastern European appeal – 1989
Box 2:
Membership – 1983-1984
UBS programs – 1982
UBS programs – 1983-1984
Youth Advance Program – 1985
UBS Africa Regional Centre – Nairobi – 1981-1983
Pilgrim International – 1984
Scanner calendar – 1985
Sower magazine – 1983-1984
The Sword magazine – 1984-1986
Challenge of Africa – 1983
Distribution – 1984
Box 3:
National Mailing Department – 1985
The Burundi exercise – 1978
Sing a long song sheets
Inside Bible Society staff newsletters – 1980-1984
Aerial colporteur – 1978
Visit of Oswald CJ Hoffmann – 1977-1978
Biggest book project (NSW) – 1985-1986
Box 4:
National Office – correspondence – 1983-1984
National Office – correspondence – 1984
National Office – correspondence – 1985
Box 5:
National public relations – 1985
ACT trade – correspondence – 1982-1983
ACT trade responsibility area – 1983
Trade managers’ conference – 1985
ACT trade – 1984-1985
Production and trade – 1977-1984
Box 6:
Visits to Australia:
Choi, Chan – 1975-1976
Cline, Marjorie – 1974
Hall, Russell – 1982
Houston, Tom – 1976-1978
Howlett, Byron – 1978-1981
Mpaayei, John – 1973-1974
Richard, Cliff – 1972-1983
de Sainz, Esther – 1972
Self, Russell – 1971-1980
Tidball, Bernard – 1971
Vallotton, Annie – 1971-1977
Wong, Violet – 1970
Box 7:
Donations 1981-1982
ACT financial correspondence – 1985
Children’s project 1984
Australian Council meeting – annual reports – 1981-1984
NSW – correspondence – 1984-1985
Background papers - 1983
Flags – 1968-1971
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Chronological within files. Files yet to be sorted.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Permission of Bible Society Australia required to access records 50 years old or less.