Louisa Lawson House collection - NJSN_AC-016 1980 - 1994

Note: Individual Case Medical files, originally part of this collection, have been removed from these records and confidentially destroyed.

SERIES LIST:

Series No 1. Minutes Clinical Team / Mental Health Council, 1989 – 1994. (Box 1)
This series minutes weekly meetings of the Clinical Team which are typewritten on A4 loose-leafed sheets. The records are in chronological order.

Series No 2. Management Committee records, 1986–1996. (Box 2,3)
Management Committee records are generally grouped together and comprise minutes, correspondence and reports relevant to each meeting. Some handwritten documents are also contained within this series.

Series No 3. Wage records, 1989 – 1994. (Box 4)
This series comprises of loose-leafed A4 sheets with details of wages and hours worked by each employee completed by hand on printed templates. Other information includes cheque number and signature of Director.

Series No 4. Staffing procedures records, 1986-1998. (Box 5)
This series is a diverse set of papers encompassing many aspects running the facility. They are generally A4 loose-leafed sheets held in manila folders.

Series No 5. Workers’ and telephone statistics, 1986 – 1994. (Box 6)
Workers’ and telephone statistics series comprises handwritten journals, as well as bundled A4 sheets contained within manila folders. The series has been completed by hand and documents details of telephone servicing time.

Series No 6. Diaries, 1982, 1984 – 1988. (Box 7)
This series comprises six hard covered journals, for the time period 1982 to 1987, although the 1983 diary is missing. Daily entries list the daily appointments with little detail.

Series No 7. Office message books, 1982 – 1989. (Box 8)
This series comprises seven foolscap notebooks and one A4 notebook, labelled ‘Message book’, in which handwritten entries communicate directives to staff on a variety of subjects and activities, including notes of drop-ins, mail received or impending events. The period covered is April 1985 until September 1989 with a gap from May 1988 to February 1989.

Series No 8. Day books, 1982 – 1985. (Box 8)
A variety of foolscap journals comprise this series, one of which has pages missing and is damaged. Two hard-covered journals document the initial time period, followed by three foolscap notebooks, one of which is damaged with pages missing, complete the series. Handwritten entries describe in some detail many of the daily activities of the Centre on the left-hand side page with proposed or completed action ticked on the right-hand side page.

Series No 9. Women's health information, c. 1980 – 1989. (Box 9)
This series is generally comprised of A4 typewritten sheets held in manila folders providing a variety of information and references concerning drugs, alcohol, agencies and women’s health. While the majority of the material has not been produced by the staff of Louisa Lawson House, it gives insights into methods and practice extant during the 1980’s.

Series 10: Client statistics, 1985 – 1994 (Box 10)
This series documents various statistical activities concerned with clients and staff. Some material is typewritten and some handwritten on loose-leafed sheets and held within manila folders. One folder holds Minor Tranquiliser Clinic statistics for 1993-94, another contains various monthly statistics for emergency accommodation during 1987-90.

Series No 11. Financial records, 1984-1995 (Box 11, 12, 13, A3 journal)
The majority of this series comprises loose-leafed A4 sheets held in manilla folders, journals and report folders. The information documents the receipt and expenditure of funds in typewritten, handwritten and computer generated format, covering the period of 1984 until 1995. There is also a hard-covered journal 38.5cm x 30.5cm with handwritten entries documenting financial outgoings for the period of June 1987 to June 1993 with monthly bank reconciliations attached. There is a note handwritten by Joy Burrell explaining that earlier pages dating back to 1983 are missing.

Series No 12. Grants and subsidies submissions, 1985-96 (Box 14,15):
This series contains documents submitted to government agencies, both Federal and State, requesting funding for various drug treatment programs. Actual submissions, drafts and drafting guidelines are included in this series, usually typewritten on A4 loose leafed paper as well as some foolscap sheets.

Series No 13. Policy, procedure and guidelines (Box 16):
This series contains documents, some handwritten but usually typescript on A4 sheets, with activities associated with developing and establishing decisions, directions and precedents that act as reference for future decisions to guide the organisation.

Series No 14. Correspondence (Box 17)
This series is held in manilla folders and is comprised of loose-leafed A4 sheets bound together with tape. The documents comprise correspondence sent in and out from Louisa Lawson House, some are handwritten but most are typewritten. The records cover wide ranging matters in relation to administering the Centre.

Series No 15. Drug Tranquilliser Clinic resources, 1985-94 (Box 18)
This series comprises of a variety of documents, including newspaper clippings, brochures, booklets and loose-leafed sheets which are held in manilla folders. The material provides guidelines for the establishment and running of the Drug Tranquilliser Clinic including information on drug abuse, facts on minor tranquillisers, client forms, policy and procedures, objectives, staffing levels, funding and workshops.

Series No 16. Records of Closure, 1993-95 (Box 19)
This is an artificial series, comprised of A4 documents held in manilla folders, including Management Committee minutes, correspondence, industrial court proceedings, legal statements and reports. It appears that a variety of records, considered relevant, have been bundled together for the legal action that preceded the decommissioning process.

Series No 17. History and development of collective: (Box 20)
This series comprises a variety of documents which are grouped by subject in manilla folders. The documents provide information on the early history and development of the collective through newspaper clippings, scrap books, brochures and leaflets, variously handwritten and typewritten.

Series No 18. Annual reports, 1986-93 (Box 21)
This series provides a comprehensive description of the purpose, function and activities of Louisa Lawson House during the period of 1986 to 1993. Reports have been typewritten, generally on A4 sheets which have been stapled in booklet form. The format changes to A5 sheets in a 1990-91 report but seems to revert to the former in the next year. Some staples have been removed from booklets and separated with plastic paper clips, white tape or sheets with descriptive titles.

Series No 19. Program development and evaluation guidelines (Box 22)
This series encompasses a variety of documents created in the process of planning and coordinating the structure and functions of the Louisa Lawson House organisation. The series runs from 1984 to 1992 and comprises meeting notes, applications, blank samples and completed questionnaires (some dated, most undated), procedures documents and grant funding information. The documents are generally a combination of handwritten and typewritten format on foolscap and A4 loose-leafed sheets, although some booklets, leaflets and newspaper clippings are included.

Series No. 20: Staff resources, 1986-94 (Box 23)
This series runs from 1986 to 1994 and comprises material relating to staff recruiting and development, including general information in relation to equip staff with the knowledge to deal with clients. A variety of formats is present including a combination of handwritten and typewritten papers.

Series No. 21: Administrative files, 1983-1998 (Box 24, 25)
This series title has been assigned by the Archivist as the files reflect various aspects of running the organisation during the period of 1983-1998. The records are housed in manilla folders which have generally been listed according to the original title assigned by the organisation. Generally the physical characteristics of the records are loose-leafed A4 pages produced in both handwritten and typewritten format, relating to premises, insurance, staffing and client programs.

Series No 22. Index of resources and agencies (Box 26)
This series is a comprehensive index of white cards listing all the contacts and referral sources used by Louisa Lawson House. The dimensions of the cards are 20cm x 12.5cm. Extensive contact and referral information includes drug and alcohol services, emergency accommodation services and counselling services for specialised groups including Aboriginal women and Lesbian women.

BOX 1 CONTENTS

‘The World Turns Slowly’, Joy Burrell, University of Western Sydney, 1992. (Copy held in Library at 362.29386BUR).

Series 1: Minutes Clinical Team / Mental Health Council, 1989 – 1994:

1. Clinical Team Meeting minutes 1993-94;
2. Clinical Team Meeting minutes 1992-93;
3. Evaluation Tools (CHASP – Community Health Accreditation & Standards Program) 1992;
4. Clinical Team Meeting minutes 1991-93;
5. Clinical Team Meeting minutes 1993;
6. Business Meeting decisions 1989;90;91;
7. Mental Health Coordinating Council (1);
8. Mental Health Coordinating Council (2).
BOX 2 CONTENTS

Series 2: Management Committee records, 1986–1996:

1.Management Committee, 1993-95;
2. Management Committee, 1989–92;
3. Management Committee, 1990-93;
4. Management Committee 1988;
5. Management Committee Register of Members Minutes 1989-95;
6. Management Committee Meeting minutes, 1989–93;
7. Management Committee Meetings minutes, 1986-95.
BOX 3 CONTENTS

Series 2: Management Committee records, 1986–1996 (Continued):

1. Management Committee Meetings minutes, 1994-95;
2. Management Committee Meetings minutes, 1995;
3. Management Committee Meetings minutes, 1995-96;
4. Business meeting minutes 1986-88;
5. Business meeting minutes 1989-90;
6. Office memos.
BOX 4 CONTENTS

Series 2: Wage records, 1987 – 1994:

1. Louisa Lawson Centre Wage records 1994;
2. Louisa Lawson Centre Wage records 1993-94;
3. Louisa Lawson Centre Wage records 1992-93;
4. Louisa Lawson Centre Wage records 1993;
5. Louisa Lawson Centre Wage records 1991-92;
6. Louisa Lawson Centre Wage records 1990-91;
7. Louisa Lawson Centre Wage records 1987-88.
BOX 5 CONTENTS

Series 4: Staffing procedures records, 1986-1998:

1. Time log c1990;
2. Volunteers 1987-90;
3. Women's Special Service Centres Guidelines c1987;
4. Workers' areas of responsibility 1987-89;
5. Workers' hours, days of employment 1987-89;
6. Workers' Compensation 1988-90;
7. Workers' Job Descriptions 1986-89;
8. Client statistics sheets [personal information has been removed];
9. Health workers work conditions c1989-91;
10. Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia membership, 1995.
11. Louisa Lawson House publications, 1987-88;
12. Procedures, 1990-98;
13. Japanese women’s visit, 1992;
14. Health promotion planning, undated;
15. Health Task Force reports, 1995-98.
BOX 6 CONTENTS

Series 5: Workers’ and telephone statistics, 1986 – 1994:

1. Phone statistics: May 1987 – July 1987;
2. Phone statistics: Mar 1987 – May 1987;
3. Phone statistics: July 1987 – March 1988;
4. Phone statistics: November 1986 – March 1987;
5. Phone statistics: April 1986 – July 1986;
6. Phone statistics: July 1986 – November 1986;
7. Phone statistics: January 1985 – April 1986;
8. Phone statistics: March 1988 – December 1988;
9. Phone statistics: 1991 – 1992;
10. Workers statistics: 1990-1991;
11. Workers statistics: 1990-1991.
BOX 7 CONTENTS

Series 6: Diaries, 1982 – 1988:

1. Diary 1982
2. Diary, 1984;
3.Diary, 1985;
4. Diary, 1986;
5. Diary, 1987;
6. Diary, 1988.
BOX 8 CONTENTS

Series 7: Message books, 1982 - 1989:

1. Message book, April 1985 – February 1986;
2. Message book, February 1986 – July 1986;
3. Message book, July 1986 – July 1987;
4. Message book, July 1987 – October 1987;
5. Message book, October 1987 – February 1988;
6. Message book, February 1988 - July 1988;
7. Message book, February 1989 - May 1989;
8. Message book, June 1989 – September 1989.

Series 8: Day books, 1982 - 1985:

9. Day book, March – November 1982;
10. Day book, September – October 1983;
11. Day book, November 1983 – April 1984;
12. Day book, July – October 1985 (damaged, pages missing);
13. Day book, November 1984 – April 1985.
BOX 9 CONTENTS

Series 9: Women's health information, c. 1980 – 1989:

1. Women's Health Information Index;
2. Annotated Index of Drug & Alcohol Agencies – Quick reference guide 1986;
3. Anti-depressant drugs information;
4. Mind development papers;
5. Drug classifications – overhead transparencies;
6. Women & minor tranquillisers.
BOX 10 CONTENTS

Series 10: Client statistics, 1985 - 1994:

1. Client statistics, 1985-86;
2. Client statistics, 1986-87;
3. Client statistics, 1987-88;
4. Client statistics, 1988-89;
5. Client statistics, 1989-90;
6. Client statistics, 1991-92;
7. Client statistics, 1993;
8. Client statistics, 1993-94;
9. Client statistics, 1987-90
10. Client statistics, 1994.
BOX 11 CONTENTS

Series 11: Financial records, 1984-95:

1. Receipts 1990 – 91;
2. Expenditure donation account;
3. Receipts 1991 – 92;
4. Expenditure / Receipts 1991 - 92;
5. Petty cash receipts, 1991 - 92;
6. Petty cash reimbursement, 1990;
7. Receipts, 1992 - 93;
8. Petty cash receipts 1992 - 93;
9. Receipts and accounts;
10. Grant notebook;
11. Financial records, 1989-90.
BOX 12 CONTENTS

Series 11: Financial records, 1984-95 (Continued)

1. Cash receipts journal, 1990-91;
2. Grant receipts journal, 1990-91;
3. Donation expenditure journal, 1991-92;
4. Cash book, 1984-91;
5. Petty cash book, 1983-1988;
6. Cash book and journal, 1992-93;
7. Cash book, 1994;
8. Receipts, 1993-94;
9. Receipts, 1993-94;
10. Donation audit journal, 1987-88;
11. Audit journal, 1987-88;
12. Receipts audit journal, 1987-88;
13. Audited financial reports, 1989-95;
14. Taxation 1983-89.
BOX 13 CONTENTS

Series 11: Financial records, 1984-95 (Continued)

1.Cash book income summaries, 1993-94;
2. Bank reconciliations, 1993-94;
3. Grant account journal, 1989-1993;
4. Grant account journal, 1990-93;
5. Donation account journal, 1988-89;
6. Grant account journal 1989-94;
7. Grant account receipts journal, 1989-90.
BOX 14 CONTENTS

Series No 12: Grants and subsidies submissions, 1985-96:

1. Submission, 1990-91;
2. Submission (1), 1990-91;
3. Submissions, 1991-92;
4. Submissions to Health Department, 1992-93;
5. Submissions, 1993-94;
6. Submission, 1994-95;
7. MTC Submission, 1994-95;
8. Submission Status of Women, 1995;
9. Submission, 1995-96;
10. Funding grants submission, 1980-88.
BOX 15 CONTENTS

Series No 12: Grants and subsidies submissions, 1985-96 (Continued)

1. Minor Tranquilliser Clinic expansion submission, 1989;
2. MTC submission to Drug Offensive, 1989-90;
3. Submission, 1988-89;
4. Submission to Office of the Status of Women project grant,1988-89;
5. Submission to Women’s Health Services, 1987-88;
6. Submission to Drug and Alcohol Authority, 1987-88;
7. Submissions, 1986;
8. Submission, 1985;
9. Various submissions, 1989;
10. Funding submissions from other refuges;
11. Submissions kit;
12. Submission performance agreement, 1992;
13. Grant applications, 1989-94.
14. Grants performance agreements, 1992-93.
BOX 16 CONTENTS

Series 13: Policy, procedure and guidelines, 1989-94:

1. NSW Drug and Alcohol Services Self-evaluation Kit, 1992-93;
2. Job descriptions, meetings procedures, forms and programmes, 1991-92;
3. Policy and procedure manual, 1993;
4. Policy manual, 1990-92;
5. Procedure manual, 1990-91;
6. Policies and procedures draft originals, 1990;
7. Constitution, c. 1994;
8. Mission and goals, undated;
9. Long-term projections, 1988;
10. Client suggestions, undated;
11. Policy development, 1985-89;
12. Office procedures, 1993-94;
13. Newsletters, c.1994.
BOX 17 CONTENTS

Series 14: Correspondence, 1988-95:

1. Correspondence out, 1993-95;
2. Correspondence out, 1993-95;
3. Correspondence in, 1991-94;
4. Correspondence in, 1991-94;
5. Correspondence in, 1991-94;
6. Correspondence out, 1990-92;
7. Correspondence out, 1990-92;
8. Correspondence out, 1988.
BOX 18 CONTENTS

Series No 15: Drug Tranquilliser Clinic information, 1985-94:

1. Drug tranquilliser articles, 1985-94;
2. Abuse, addiction, withdrawal articles, 1984-87;
3. Naturopath forms, c. 1992;
4. Guidelines for submissions, 1992-93;
5. Resource Kit, 1985;
6. Training workshop, 16.3.1986;
7. Correspondence, 1992-94;
8. Clinic artwork;
9. Trank notes, 1993-96.
BOX 19 CONTENTS

Series No 16: Records of Closure, 1993-95:

1. Closure and decommissioning of Louisa Lawson House, 1993-95;
2. New Management Committee business, 1994;
3. Health Department review, 1994;
4. Legal matters in relation to closure, 1994;
5. Legal matters relating to takeover by South East Sydney Area Health Service (SESAHS), 1994;
6.Legal matters relating to takeover by SESAHS, 1994;
7. Department of Health Grant and Consumer Affairs notices, 1993-94;
8. Management Committee minutes, 1993-94;
Note: 2 x files follow, but not listed--access closed until 31/12/2035.
BOX 20 CONTENTS

Series No 17: History and development of collective, 1980-95:

1. History and foundations, 1982-87;
2. Press clippings, 1982-94;
3. Collective Minutes, 1980-84;
4. Early notices, 1984-89;
5. Louisa Lawson House programs, 1987-93;
6. Notices and programmes, 1987-95;
7. Funding, finances, correspondence, 1982-87;
8. Halfway house history and similar projects, c.1985-86;
9. Original working papers, undated;
10. Political contacts, 1987;
11. Revised policy, procedures, 1985-88;
12. Requests for information on LLH services, 1987-90;
13. Resources ordered or purchased, 1988-89;
14. Staff development kit, undated;
15. Media contacts, 1982;
16. Forms, handouts, sketches development, c.1988;
17. Group programme leaflets, 1991-93;
18. Information on funding, history and development of collective, c.1985-86.
BOX 21 CONTENTS

Series No 18.: Annual reports, 1986-93:

1. Annual Report, 1986-87;
2. Annual Report, 1987-88;
3. Annual Report, 1988-89;
4. Annual Report, 1989-90;
5. Annual Report, 1990-91;
6. Annual Report, 1991-92;
7. Annual Report, 1992-93.
BOX 22 CONTENTS

Series No 19: Program development and evaluation guidelines, 1984-92:

1. Community Service guidelines c.1984;
2. Meeting minutes, Friends & Supporters of LLH, 1988-89;
3. Program evaluation sheets 1987-88;
4. Program evaluation sheets 1987-89;
5. Program evaluation sheets, undated;
6. Program evaluation sheets, 1988;
7. Doctors' mailing list (St George area), undated;
8. Program development, 1993-98;
9. Book sale, undated;
10. Media advertising, 1982-1992;
11. Celebration Day, 9 March 1988;
12. Group programs, 1988-93.
BOX 23 CONTENTS

Series No. 20: Staff resources, 1986-94:

1. Staff rosters, undated;
2. Union of Social Welfare Workers material, 1986-92;
3. Working contracts, 1991-93;
4. Workers' job descriptions, c.1993;
5. Workers’ interview questions, 1985, 1986;
6. In service week 1988;
7. In service week 1989;
8. In service week 1990;
9. Staff evaluations, 1991;
10. Staff evaluations, 1990;
11. Staff evaluations, 1987-89;
12. Student evaluation reports, undated.
13. Illustrations menopause, c.1989;
14. Domestic violence information, 1993;
15. Eating disorders information, 1992-94;
16. Alexander technique information, 1982-88;
17. Workers’ library register, c.1993;
18. Shaitsu massage service general information, c. 1990-91;
19. Conference participation, c.1993;
20. Centre for Education and Information on Drugs and Alcohol, CEIDA, 1994.
BOX 24 CONTENTS

Series No. 21: Administrative files, 1983-98:

1. Insurance, 1984-90; 1993-95;
2. Insurance 1993-95;
3. Insurance 1995-98;
4. Property maintenance, c. 1988;
5. Housing Department lease, c. 1983-88;
6. Housing Department lease, c.1992-94;
7. Development application to Rockdale Council, 1988;
8. Moving premises, 1990-91;
9. Department of Housing emergency accommodation unit, 1987;
10. Department of Health correspondence, 1987-89;
11. Department of Health grants information, 1984-88;
12. Activity reports, 1993-94;
13. Department of Health activity reports, 1992-94;
14. Department of Health activity reports, 1990-92;
15. Department of Health activity reports, 1990;
BOX 25 CONTENTS

Series No. 21: Administrative files, 1983-98 (Continued)

1. Department of Health minutes, 1990.
2. Certificate of Incorporation, 1989;
3. File plan, undated.
4. Photographs, undated;
5. Photographs, 1985-89;
6. Mailing list, c. 1993;
7. Annual Louisa Lawson House award, 1989;
8. Mental Health week, 1987;
9. Lobby campaign, 1988;
10. Framed Certificate of Incorporation.
BOX 26 CONTENTS

Series No. 22: Index of resources and agencies:

1. Index of resources and agencies, A – C;
2. Index of resources and agencies, D – K;
3. Index of resources and agencies, L – P;
4. Index of resources and agencies, Q – Z.

RESTRICTIONS ON REPRODUCTION

Reproduction rights owned by Jessie Street National Women's Library. You may save or print this image for private research. If you wish to use it for any other purpose, you must complete Request Permission to Publish form. RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLICATION:

ACCESS CONDITIONS

NOT FOR LOAN.

The majority of material is available for research. However, two files (Box 19: files 9 and 10) are closed to pubic access until 31/12/2035.

The majority of material is available for research. NOT FOR LOAN.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Louisa Lawson House (LLH) was named after Louisa Lawson, an Australian feminist who championed women's rights at the turn of the nineteenth century through her activism and her newspaper, ‘The Dawn’.

The Louisa Lawson Mental Health and Alternative Therapy Centre was opened in 1983, at Arncliffe, in the St George area of Sydney, New South Wales. It was started by a group of feminist women who had experienced hospital treatment for stress, anxiety and depression, together with the traditional medical approach to these problems. Many of these people realised that the treatment had not cured their problems and were therefore looking to more long term help in overcoming their psychological issues.

It was run as “an alternative Mental Health and Therapy Centre for women...run by qualified professional women” to assist women of all ages and backgrounds. It interacted with many other women's groups and advocated for women in psychiatric hospitals.

Earlier, in January 1980, a Women's Half-way House / Retreat meeting had been organised. Two sub-groups were formed – a Mountains group and a City group. The name of Louisa Lawson House was chosen and these meetings continued for the next two years until the Centre was officially opened.

The founders of the Centre, under the auspices of the Leichhardt Health Centre, lobbied hard for funding and for suitable accommodation. They wanted to establish a therapeutic centre where women could be offered a range of alternative, drug free options, such as counselling, acupuncture, naturopathy and chiropractic treatment.

The Housing Department gave them accommodation for a refuge to be used by women leaving the psychiatric system. Their grant was to include a health worker and was set up for an initial 12 month period. The Centre was able to provide general support, counselling and alternative therapies for women. In 1985, as the Centre developed, two health workers were employed.

By 1988 there were five full-time paid workers operating on a collective basis, consisting of four counsellors and one administrator. The Centre operated autonomously under a management committee. It was part of the greater body of the Women's Health and Resources Foundation Ltd of NSW. LLH was a central resource amidst other women's services, community services and the extended welfare network. Several doctors in the local area provided medical support and regular meetings were held with social and welfare workers.

Women using the Centre over the years had found the various programs helpful and successful in allowing them to return to a more normal and healthy life in the community. However, in July 1994 the government of the day decided to withdraw funding for the Centre. Some limited funds become available from an anonymous donor in order to keep LLH open for a few more months only. It was finally closed by the Health Department at the end of 1994.

Much of this information has been taken from the following book: “The World Turns Slowly: Drug treatment alternative” by Joy Burrell. This is a self-published title, printed in 2002. The book was donated to Jessie Street National Women’s Library by the author who was the coordinator of the LLH during its lifetime.

RESTRICTIONS ON REPRODUCTION
Reproduction rights owned by Jessie Street National Women's Library. You may save or print this image for private research. If you wish to use it for any other purpose, you must complete Request Permission to Publish form.

DATE OF ACQUISITION

31 January 2002
EXTENT

6.84 linear metres

Jessie Street National Women's Library

English