MS 7711 comprises: 1. Typescripts and photocopies of Myra Roper's travel diaries to China and Russia, 1958-1977, and an article by Roper titled "The re-education of Pu Jie". 2. Typescripts, photocopies, notes, photographs and clippings relating to Roper's travels to China, 1965-1981. 3. Photocopies and typescripts of articles on China and North Korea written by Roper and newspaper clippings (2 boxes).
The Acc01.246 instalment comprises diaries, drafts, notes, cuttings, photographs, slides, subject files, printed matter and audio cassettes. China is the predominant theme (16 boxes, 2 cartons).
Educationalist, writer, China expert and broadcaster. Myra Ellen Roper was born in Haworth, England, in 1911. She studied English literature at Cambridge University and graduated with a Teacher's Diploma at London University before embarking on a teaching and administrative career in England and Canada. In 1947, she moved to Australia as principal of the University Women's College at Melbourne University, a position she retained until 1960. She became a member of the University Council and of the Melbourne State College Council. She was also a member of the Board of the Elizabethan National Theatre Trust, 1956-1974. In 1961 she travelled to the USSR. Roper first visited China in 1958 as part of an Australian women's delegation invited by the All China Women's Federation. Other trips followed as she developed an interest in contemporary China and, in 1963, she returned to make a documentary film for television.
In Australia Roper joined the Committee for a New China that lobbied the government to recognise China. She also published several books on China's recent history including China: a world so changed (with C.P. FitzGerald, 1972), Emperor's China, people's China (1981), and Modern Chinese history, 1793-1949: from first European contacts to the Communist Revolution (1982). She undertook radio and television broadcasts on such topics as the theatre, modern English usage and current affairs. In 1985, Roper was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to international relations and, in 1990, she received the Zelman Cowan Medal for service to adult education in Victoria.
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