Summary heading

Function and purpose

Series M3614 comprises photographs of individuals and important events occurring during Sir Joseph Cook’s career.  Many of the individuals featured are dignitaries, although some unidentified individuals appear to be relatives of Sir Joseph and Dame Mary Cook.  Of note are photographs of Joseph and Mary Cook’s attendance at the 1913 laying of a foundation stone for the 125^th anniversary of the first Government House in Parramatta while Cook was Prime Minister; photographs of the reception by Sir Joseph and Dame Mary Cook to Australian Boy Scouts in London while Cook was Australian High Commissioner; undated photographs of Anzac Day ceremonies in London involving the Cooks, and photographs of the launch of the ship “Bundarra”.  

Also included are portraits of Joseph Cook throughout his career as well as photographs of him in the uniform of a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, with Dame Mary at the opening of British Parliament, posing with other dignitaries and in retirement with Dame Mary.   Several photographs of royal family members are also in this series as is a family style group portrait featuring Governor-General Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson and his wife Lady Helen Munro Ferguson.

Many of the photographs are undated (hence dates have been estimated), some contain unidentified individuals, many are from unidentified sources while some are printed as postcards.

Related legislation

Using the series

Language of material

Physical characteristics

System of arrangement and control

Single number control symbols [1]-[15] have been imposed on the items in this series by National Archives. 

Relationships with other records

Finding aids

Access conditions

Series history

In 1993 the Cook family donated Sir Joseph Cook papers, including series M3614, to the National Archives of Australia.  The collection was initially located at the New South Wales Office of National Archives but was transferred to the National Office of National Archives in Canberra in 2001.

Provenance

Series M3614 is part of the personal collection of former Prime Minister Sir Joseph Cook, although also contains photographs of Cook’s wife, Dame Mary Cook, and of some unidentified relatives.  The Cook family donated the collection to the National Archives in 1993.

Immediate source of acquisition

Custodial history

Quantity in agency custody

Disposal history

Publication note

Additional information

End notes

Sources