Summary heading

Function and purpose

This series consists of 77 condolences books and over 80 files of letters, cards and telegrams received following the disappearance of Harold Edward Holt on 17 December 1967, towards the end of his second year as Prime Minister.

Condolences books were opened on 20 December in each Australian state and territory (Northern Territory, ACT and Norfolk Island), where they were made available in a suitable public place for those who wished to sign them. Other condolences books were opened in Australian Embassies, Consulates and Trade Commissions overseas and at special Memorial Services. In most cases, the books were closed after three days, although several of the overseas ones remained open until the end of the month and a small number into the first week of January 1968. These books were generally signed by senior members of the foreign government (but not necessarily the Head of State) where they were opened, by diplomatic representatives of other countries, Australian and other embassy and consular staff, representatives of international organisations and companies, and by Australians living overseas or visiting the country at the time. Most of the books are leather-bound although, overall, the size and quality varies considerably. Those from London, Washington and Madrid are particularly fine. A few were originally intended for use as a visitors' book or consist of loose sheets subsequently bound. The overseas condolences books were returned to Australia through diplomatic channels and were made available to Holt's widow, Mrs Zara Holt.

Most of the letters, cards and telegrams (which number over 3,000) are addressed to Mrs Holt personally, including those sent through the Department of External Affairs or a Member of Parliament. They include expressions of sympathy from Heads of State and royalty, local government, community organisations, branches of political parties, professional bodies, churches, personal friends and associates, and a large number from individual members of the Australian public (men, women and young people). Many of the individual letters refer to the experience of personal loss in the writer's family, the circumstances of meeting Holt, hearing of his disappearance or attending one of the numerous Memorial Services held for him. Others include religious literature or a poem. A few files also include letters of congratulation to Mrs Holt on being created a Dame (June 1968). The process of acknowledging such a large number of letters, telegrams and cards (some of which were attached to floral tributes) was enormous. Copies of the replies are not generally in the files, although there are some originals whose mailing out was apparently overlooked. Responses to Heads of State and other prominent persons appear to have been completed by February 1968, but acknowledgement of the remainder was done over a five week period in May-June.

The series provides insight into the diversity of sympathy (official and private, Australian and overseas), Australian social and political sentiment at the time, and individual comments on Holt as a person, his ministerial career, as Prime Minister and his international standing.

The records were transferred to archival custody from the Prime Minister's Department in February 1969. A single number system has been imposed by National Archives staff, although some letters in the series show evidence of an original filing system probably maintained by the former Prime Minister's personal staff.

This series description was revised as part of the Prime Ministers Papers’ Project (September 2001).

Related legislation

Using the series

Language of material

Physical characteristics

System of arrangement and control

Relationships with other records

Finding aids

Access conditions

Series history

Provenance

Immediate source of acquisition

Custodial history

Quantity in agency custody

Disposal history

Publication note

Additional information

End notes

Sources