With our 75th Anniversary approaching this year, NCOSS – the Council of Social Service of New South Wales – is keen to acquire items of historical interest which will assist us in celebrating our achievements since our establishment in 1935.

In general we are looking for:

• early NCOSS publications, especially from pre-1960s and the 1930-40s in particular;
• documents and papers relating to Council activities such as meetings, forums and “talk-ins”;
• photographs of NCOSS staff, board members and the work environment/former offices;
• newspaper and magazine articles reporting Council initiatives and activities;
• sound or video recordings of media (radio/television) engagements;
• related paraphernalia; and
• personal stories and memories of Council work.

If you or a family member had involvement with the Council and have any such items that you are willing to donate or loan to us we would be very grateful. Our greatest interest is in material from before the 1980s however all items offered will be greatly appreciated.

To discuss donating or loaning items to NCOSS, please contact:

Stephen Crowley
NCOSS Communications Officer
phone: 02 9211- 2599 ext 115
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Examples

Items that NCOSS would be particularly happy to receive include (but are by no means limited to):

Copies of Social Service: this newsletter was first published by NCOSS in June 1942 on a monthly basis. It was then relaunched as a journal in July 1946, and again relaunched in January 1951 this time with a new format and numbering commencing from Volume 1, Issue #1. The publication schedule was variously monthly or bi-monthly and it appeared in a number of different formats thru until it was relaunched as a newsletter in 1975 before being renamed NCOSS News (but not renumbered) in May 1984.

NCOSS is particularly keen to acquire copies of issues published  from 1942 thru 1955.

The photo at right shows copies of Social Service from (clockwise from top right): October 1942, January 1951, May/June 1964, April 1975 and September/October 1973.

Material related to the Central Index: The Central Index was a groundbreaking initiative undertaken by NCOSS in 1936. It registered people who required assistance allowing for a coordinated response to their needs by charities. The program was  ultimately very successful and lasted for many years.

NCOSS is extremely keen to  acquire any physical material related to the operation of the Index (such as correspondence, cards, files).

Recordings of weekly 2CH radio talks and discussions: during the 1940s NCOSS was involved in a weekly show for discussion of social needs and problems on radio 2CH. Whilst it is highly unlikey any recordings were ever made of these broadcasts NCOSS is curious to know and, if so, acquire copies. At the very least there may be notes, documents or photographs from one or more of these broadcasts.

Media clippings/recordings: NCOSS has been in the news since its inception - for example, by 1937 the Council's Central Index had been mentioned in the The Sun, Daily Telegraph Herald and Labour Daily. We would be interested in newspaper or magazine clippings and copies of television or radio broadcasts that reference NCOSS programs, policy and/or people.

Photographs pre-dating 1985: Although NCOSS has an extensive photographic archive of people, places and proceedings from the late 1980s onwards there is very littlebefore that time. Any pictures which give an indication of the work environment, public engagement and personnel of the organisation would be very much appreciated.

1996-98 Christmas cards: since 1996, NCOSS has produced a limited number of Christmas cards for distribution to member lists, etc. Although NCOSS has copies of these cards from 1999 onwards we are extremely keen to reacquire samples from 1996, 1997 and especially 1998.

Memories and stories: we would very much like to hear from people who have been involved with the organisation over the years who would like to share with us their experience of their time at NCOSS - stories of projects, events, departments and politicians from down the ages.  

Any other paraphernalia: it can be hard to qualify what might fall into this catch-all category, except to say that it may be an item (for example, a flier, card or even a t-shirt) that has been produced by the Council to promote an event, activity or product. Or it could be official correspondence or something totally unique and unexpected like a stamp bearing the Councils name and address from before we moved to Albion Street. The older the better!

The photo at right shows copies of NCOSS Annual Reports from (left to right):1938, 1943-44 and 1947-48 and also (at front) a printed invitation to the 1947 AGM.

How you can help: a lot of old material of the kind mentioned above invariably makes its way to garages, spare rooms, basements or attics - stacked or packed in boxes - and might remain there forgotten for many years before eventually being tossed out. Moving residence/office is the number one way that this kind material is ultimately discarded. NCOSS itself has clearly been guilty of this too!

If you, your organisation or someone you know has had a past association with NCOSS - either as a staff member, board member or financial member - then chances are you or they may have something to send our way to help us celebrate our 75th Anniversary.

It doesn't matter how seemingly trivial the publication, photograph, object or item is - if it's NCOSS related please let us know about it.

To discuss donating or loaning items to NCOSS, please contact:

Stephen Crowley
NCOSS Communications Officer
phone: 02 9211- 2599 ext 115
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it