The records in this series were accumulated by Sir John McEwen as Minister for Trade, Minister for Trade and Industry, Deputy Prime Minister, Acting Prime Minister, Prime Minister, Australian Country Party Leader and in various capacities on parliamentary and party committees.

A number of items, including 83, 86 and 103, for example, include documents reflecting Mr McEwen's Prime Ministership. Other items may also include such documentation while others would have been created and used when Mr McEwen was Acting Prime Minister on a number of occasions.

The series includes press cuttings, transcripts of radio and television interviews, statements, speeches, papers, printed material, booklets, election and promotional material, copies of Hansard debates, black and white photographs, letters and other forms of correspondence, notes and notebooks (including speaker's notes), memoranda, telegrams, records of conversations, reports, working papers, one vinyl record 45rpm, surveys, background information and reference papers.

Subjects covered include, for example:

• Budgetary matters
• Trade, including European Common Market; trade with other countries including Japan (car industry) and USA; copies of trade agreements and trade promotional material; addresses as Country Party leader and Trade Minister to Parliament and to domestic and international business leaders
• Primary industries including sugar, beef and wheat industries and export markets
• Development of Northern Australia
• Conscription
• Devaluation of the Pound Sterling and decimal currency
• State and federal elections (including elections results and campaign arrangements, and electoral redistribution
• Country Party matters
• A visit by the British Royal family.