Guide to the Papers of Ellis Blain, 1961-1978

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Summary

Collection number:
MS 8982
Extent:
0.7 metres and (5 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Ellis Blain, National Library of Australia, MS 8982, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Availability:
Available
Access conditions:
Available for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

The papers relate to the later part of Blain's career as a broadcaster. Letters from family, publishers, and the listening public make up the bulk of the collection. The fan mail to the program 'Let's find out' in both 1968 and 1970 is quite considerable. Blain received rejection letters for several of his publishing proposals, including a book on the ABC which was eventually published by Methuen.

There are scripts for radio plays and feature programs, drafts of 'Life with Aunty', photographs, cutting books and newspaper clippings. There is considerable research material for his programs.

Biographical Note:

Ellis Blain was born in Sydney in 1914. He was educated at Knox Grammar School, and worked for the Australian Broadcasting Commission for almost 40 years before retiring in 1974. He is best remembered for his long-running programs 'Let's find out' and 'Away from it all'. 'Let's find out' came to an abrupt end in 1970 when Blain made a strong attack on international arms trafficking between the UK and South Africa. Blain's other programs in the 1960s included 'Treasury of Sound', 'Words and music', 'Workshop for Jazz', 'Rhythm unlimited', and 'Ellis Blain's guests'.

Blain married for the first time at the age of 22 and in 1959 he married Anne Deveson. Jenny Blain was his third wife.

His personal recollection of life behind the microphone, Life with Aunty : forty years with the ABC, was published in 1977, two years before his death at the age of 64 in 1979.

Provenance:

The papers were donated by Ms Jenny Blain, the wife of Ellis Blain, in 1994.

Access and use

Conditions Governing Access:
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2672118).
Conditions Governing Use:
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Ellis Blain, National Library of Australia, MS 8982, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact:
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