‘In the hype surrounding the digitisation of archives, it is sometimes forgotten how enjoyable it can be to see and read original documents.’

Dr Megarrity, an independent scholar based in Townsville, is the first of five Fellows selected to work at the Centre in 2010-11 to have spent time in residence. ‘My APMC Fellowship project involves a comparison between the regional planning schemes of the Chifley and Whitlam Labor Governments. Both local government and regional development were elements of these planning schemes,’ he writes. ‘My first trip to Canberra largely involved studying government files in the National Archives of Australia and private papers in the National Library of Australia.’

‘It was a great privilege to spend time at the National Archives of Australia and the National Library of Australia, going through the papers of officials and Prime Ministers. In the hype surrounding the digitisation of archives, it is sometimes forgotten how enjoyable it can be to see and read original documents. Going to an archive also focuses the mind on the task, freeing you from the distractions of email, the web and other features of modern life. I am very grateful to the Australian Prime Ministers Centre for giving me the opportunity to travel and study in Canberra.’

To read the full report of Dr Megarrity’s trip, download the pdf (77KB).