60 years of initiative

Our History celebrates the National Archives of Australia, highlighting a history of initiative and contribution to the archival profession, as well as its key role in democracy. The website includes documents and publications that trace the Archives' innovative approaches to managing and making accessible the archives of the nation.

	1944	Ian Maclean begins work as the first Australian Government archivist >> read Documenting a Nation by Hilary Golder Ian Maclean, Chief Archivist (1944–1968)

	1954	TR Schellenberg, Director of Archival Management, National Archives in Washington DC visits Australia and advocates for the establishment of a national archives. >> read The Visit of TR Schellenberg to Australia 1954 Master of Archival Administration thesis of Michael Piggott

	1964	Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Commonwealth Archives confirms the significant role of a national archives in collecting and keeping government records. >> read Interdepartmental Committee Report Keith Penny, Chief Archivist (1968–1970) Keith Pearson, Director, Commonwealth Archives Office (1970–1971) John Dunner, Director, Commonwealth Archives Office (1971–1975)

	1974	W Kaye Lamb, former Dominion Archivist of Canada, reviews the Australian archives system. His report affirms the responsibility of modern government archives for records 'from the time that they are created until they are destroyed or selected for permanent preservation'. >> read Development of a National Archives by W Kaye Lamb Robert Neale, 1st Director-General, Australian Archives (1975–1984)

	1984	The Archives Act 1983 came into effect on 6 June. For the first time Australia's Commonwealth archives are protected by legislation and the Australian Archives functions under a legislative mandate. >> read Archives Act 1983 and the Second Reading speeches in the Senate and the House of Representatives Brian Cox, 2nd Director-General (1984–1989)

	1994	The Archives sets new strategic directions and moves towards establishing a visible and known national collection of higher value records. >> read Playing for Keeps conference proceedings >> read The Records Continuum edited by Sue McKemmish and Michael Piggott George Nichols, 3rd Director-General (1990–2000) Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, Acting Director-General (2000–2003)

	2004	The National Archives of Australia has become a recognised national cultural institution taking a leadership role on the frontier of electronic recordkeeping. >> read Changes and Choices, 1994–2004 by Hilary Golder >> read Looking Back to the Future: 30 Years of Keeping Electronic Records at the National Archives of Australia by Simon Davis Ross Gibbs, 4th Director-General (2003– )