Record series
Minutes of the Executive Council
VPRS 1080
1851 - present
Open
North Melbourne
Agencies
This record series was created by:
Executive Council ( VA2903 ): 1851 - present
Agencies responsible for this record series: Executive Council ( VA 2903 ): 1851 - present
Date Range
Series date range: 1851 - present
Series in custody:
1851 - 2013
Contents in custody:
1851 - 2013
Function / Content
This series records details of Executive Council meetings. The Executive Council is a body created under the Governor's Instructions which since 1851 gives effect to Cabinet and Ministerial decisions. These minutes, therefore, touch on all areas of Government policy. Executive Council meetings are also known as the Governor-in-Council.The Executive Council is the body whereby the Victorian Government formally makes decisions and authorises actions of Government even though the original discussion and decision is taken in Cabinet (a body not formally established in any legislation). In situations where statutes provide that the Governor-in-Council may make proclamations, orders, regulations, and so on, the Governor is also formally acting on the advice of the Council in line with previous Cabinet decisions.
How to use the records
Researchers should refer to the record item list to identify the date range in which they are interested, and then the volume with the specific years in which they are interested.The Minutes of the Executive Council were indexed in VPRS 1079 Indexes to the Minutes of the Executive Council. Early volumes in this series provide a name and subject index to entries in the minutes. References are to page and not minute numbers.
Recordkeeping system
The volumes in this series are arranged chronologically, with each volume assigned a consecutive volume number starting from 1. Individual volumes span various periods until 1912 when the creation of four three-month volumes for each year began.The entries within the volumes are given an annual single number system, starting with 51/1 in 1851. These numbers are cited in subsequent minutes for cross-reference purposes.
The minutes themselves were initially written or typed in prose form. Margins on the left hand side of each page were used to identify the matter under discussion. From 1889, certain items, such as appointments and regulations, appear in the form of cuttings (taken possibly from the Victoria Government Gazette) which have been pasted on the page.
The format of these volumes changes from 1912 when the minutes take the form of bound draft orders submitted at the meetings. Individual orders submitted during each meeting are grouped together according to the Minister responsible for their submission. Orders submitted during each meeting are preceded by the actual minute. This usually consists of a single page summary of the members present and the orders submitted. This page is still allocated a minute number.
Although early volumes contain alphabetical index pages, these were never used. The series is controlled by VPRS 1079, Indexes to the Minutes of the Executive Council. Early volumes in this series provide a name and subject index to entries in the minutes. References are to page and not minute numbers.
From 1912 Indexes predominately list names of persons appointed to the Public Service. There are a number of gaps within the indexes. Subject indexes are to be found at the start of every volume of minutes between 1912 and 1963. Once again references are to page and not minute numbers.
