Record series
Secretary's General Correspondence Files, Alpha-Numeric System
VPRS 1811
1940 - 1973
Open
North Melbourne
Agencies
This record series was created by:
Housing Commission of Victoria ( VA508 ): 1940 - 1973
Agencies responsible for this record series: Department of Human Services ( VA 3970 ): 1996 - present
Date Range
Series date range: 1940 - 1973
Series in custody:
1940 - 1973
Contents in custody:
1940 - 1973
Function / Content
This series constitutes the general correspondence created and received by the Secretary of the Housing Commission. The position of Secretary, created in 1937, assumed responsibility for formulating schemes to meet requirements of adequate housing for persons of limited means. The Secretary was responsible for submitting proposals to the Minister with respect to legislation and conferring with Government departments, municipal councils and public statutory corporations. The office of the Secretary preformed an essential role in the central management and administration of the Housing Commission providing central control, supervision, administration and co-ordination.
The majority of the Secretarys files cover the establishment and management of new estates. However, correspondence related to a broad array of issues ranging from Aboriginal Affairs to Auditor-General audits is also included in this series.
The records in this series have significant value in documenting the management of issues and the development of new policy and schemes for the Housing Commission for a period of over thirty years.
How to use the records
Consult the Records Description List for VPRS 1822 Register of Secretarys General Correspondence Files, Alpha-Numeric System.
Scan the Register to identify files of interest and consult the Records Description List for VPRS 1811 Secretarys General Correspondence Files, Alpha-Numeric System to identify the unit(s) required.
Recordkeeping system
The correspondence of the Secretary of the Housing Commission was registered and controlled within an alpha-numeric system. The record keeping system comprised two series.
When correspondence was received or created, registry staff would consult VPRS 1822 Register of Secretarys General Correspondence Files, Alpha-Numeric System to determine whether a subject file had been registered previously. If no file existed staff would compose an appropriate file title.
Details of the newly created file were recorded in the Register by subject classification and file number. The Register also documented file movement, recorded disposal action such as destroyed and provided cross references to related files.
Each file in VPRS 1811 Secretarys General Correspondence Files, Alpha-Numeric System was allocated a two part registration number. For example a file documenting Aboriginal Affairs was registered as A4. The primary classification letter A related to the subject title while the secondary classification meant that it was the fourth file registered in the A section.
