John R. Laverty was a Research Assistant for Professor Gordon Greenwood. In the early 1950s, Laverty produced these research summaries to facilitate Greenwoods work in writing the history of the first twenty years of the Brisbane Municipal Council and some aspects of Brisbane's early history. The two bound volumes were complied by Matthew Fuchs in 2004, and comprise photocopies of carbon copy typescript. Volume 1 contains: a survey of Council activities, evidences of city development, the growth of Brisbane city, animal nuisance issues, the Brisbane Bridge and water supply. Volume 2 contains more detailed information about the city such as cemeteries, ferries, Port of Brisbane, parks and recreation reserves, the Town Hall, roads, sewerage, street improvements and city transport.

Research materials, monographs, correspondence, proofs, newspaper clippings, speeches, drafts, reporters' notebooks, budgets, reports, town plans, annecdotes, briefing notes, media releases and requirements, interview transcripts, scrapbooks, publications, opinion surveys, publicity materials, photographs, videos, audio cassettes, campaign materials, minutes, financial plans, submissions, warrants, summons, diaries, testimonies. Papers relating to the academic career of Dr. Siracusa. Research material for Siracusa's book "Sallyanne : portrait of a Lord Mayor". Also papers relating to the Fitzgerald Commission of Inquiry and ex-Queensland Police Commissioner, Terry Lewis.