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      Fryer Library Online Exhibition
 
 

Father Hayes with former Fryer Librarian, Mrs Nancy Bonnin

Source:
UQFL2 Box 2 Photo 658

 

Bookplate of H.B. Muir, book collector & publisher of limited editions

Source: UQFL2 Box 27 & parcel 28

 
One Man's Gift

Source: Art Journal N1.A5

So, how did the items on the preceding pages, and the many other items in the Hayes collection, come to the University of Queensland?

Father Hayes had long said that he wished his collection to remain in Queensland, where it had been assembled.

For several years, he had lent items from his collection to staff and students at the University, in particularly to a Senior Lecturer in English, Cecil Hadgraft, and his students.

He always referred to his collection as a reference collection ­ he never claimed to have read it all, but rather had books available to refer to at any time, and it was on this basis that he lent material.

In early 1967, a letter on the University of Queensland letterhead arrived for Father Hayes. In it, Vice­Chancellor Sir Fred Schonell, wrote:

"I have the honour and the pleasure to convey to you an invitation from the Senate of the University of Queensland to accept the Degree of Master of Arts 'honoris causa', in recognition of your work in connection with the preservation of Australian literary material essential for the study of Australian literature, and for your services to education and as a benefactor of the University of Queensland."

The degree was conferred in a ceremony at Brisbane City Hall on April 26, 1967

Source: University Photo Collection AL/P/10
The fame of Father Hayes' and his collection extended well beyond the University. In September 1964 the John Oxley Memorial Library of Queensland (now part of the State Library of Queensland) wrote to Hayes. They were compiling a collection of Aboriginal folk tales, and had been told that Hayes may be able to help them. In September 1965, the librarian of the fledgling Macquarie University wrote to Father Hayes asking if he was interested in selling any or all of his collection to the University. These are just two examples of how widely the fame of the priest and his collection had spread.

Father Hayes fell ill and was admitted to St Vincent's Hospital in Toowoomba during September 1967. Realising this was his final illness, he made the arrangements which saw his vast collection of books, manuscripts, documents, anthropological and geological specimens and assorted realia sent to the University of Queensland.

 

Front: Fr. Hayes ; Middle: Nancy Bonnin, Cecil Hadgraft, Derek Fielding ;
Back: Spencer Routh, Father Bob Flynn, Fr. Kevin Ryan

Source: University Photo Collection AG/P/113

Source: Fryer Library Hayes Donor File

On 26 October 1967 at 3pm a ceremony took place in the Darnell Art Gallery at the St Lucia campus. Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sir Fred Schonell, accepted the material on behalf of the University.

Six trucks transported 80 large crates and 400 cartons to the University.

The previous pages illustrate just some of the many fine and varied examples of items from the Leo Hayes collection in the Fryer Library. Other items from his collection are now housed in the University's Anthropology and Geology Museums.
 
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  Last Updated: 17 August 2009.