The file is comprised of: Early notes for dialogue, 2 leaves ; Letter to Richard Meale from Malouf, 1 leaf, 20 Jun 1979, with early dialogue notes on verso; Marked up copy of the Penguin Modern Classics 1960 published edition of Voss by Patrick White, sections of text marked in black pen, handwritten notes on last page and inside back cover.

Typescript draft of An Imaginary Life, 35 leaves (some leaves are double sided) with handwritten emendations in blue biro and pencil. Includes two drafts of the prologue. At the end of sections are handwritten numbers, possibly counting the number of words. On the final page is written 'Sydney Nov 1st 1976-Jan 7th 1977'. Accompanied by one handwritten note with ten sections and corresponding word numbers. Signed 'DM 8.3.86'.

One leaf, handwritten in blue ink, with notes by the author on the draft that accompanies it. Rewritten first draft of 'Birds' story, 21 numbered pages. According to the accompanying note: "Rewritten in Brisbane between March and early May 1981….contains the new material to be added, a second draft of the latter half of the book and notes made for background from a history of the 41st Battalion, Queensland".

Editorial material re: 12 Edmondstone Street
• Letter from Jeremy Lewis, Chatto & Windus to David Malouf, 20 Mar 1985, 1 page
• Editorial queries, 4 pages, typescript
• Revisions, 8 pages, typescript
• Insertions, 13 pages, photocopy of typescript

Correspondence, incoming, from 2002-2004:
2002 – 26 letters: Nick Enright (1); Ihab Hassan (3); David Rowbotham (2); Jaya Savige (3); John Ralston Saul (1); Others (16).

2003 – 12 letters: Bruce Beresford (1); Ihab Hassan (2); Geoffrey Lehmann (1); Jaya Savige (2); Others (6).

2004 – 12 letters: Bruce Beresford (1); Ihab Hassan (1); Gail Jones (1); Jaya Savige (2); Others (7).

Correspondence, incoming, from 2005-2007:
2005 – 8 letters: Gail Jones (3); Others (5).

2006 – 14 letters: Bruce Beresford (1); Espie Dods (1); Ihab Hassan (2); Gail Jones (1); John Ralston Saul (2); Jaya Savige (1); Penelope Seidler (1 - thanking him for speaking at the Harry Seidler Memorial); Others (5).

2007 – 15 letters: Ihab Hassan (1); David and Ethel Rowbotham (1); Jaya Savige (4); Others (9).

Correspondence, incoming, from 2008-2009, undated:
2008 – 12 letters: Gail Jones (2); Others (10).

2009 – 14 letters: Ihab Hassan (2); Gail Jones (1); John Ralston Saul (1); Others (10).

2000s undated – 19 letters: Eve Duncan (1); Gail Jones (1); David Rowbotham (1); Jaya Savige (2, one is a fragment only); Others (14).

Correspondence, incoming, from 2010-2012:
2010 – 11 letters: Peter Edwards (1 - enclosing an obituary of John Quinlem); Ihab Hassan (2); Ethel Rowbotham (1); John Ralston Saul (1); Others (6).

2011 – 10 letters: Murray Bail (1); Eve Duncan (1); Ihab Hassan (1); Others (7).

2012 – 6 letters: Eve Duncan (1); Gail Jones (1); Others (4).

Correspondence, incoming, from 2013-2016:
2013 – 14 letters: Bruce Beresford (1); Eve Duncan (1); Ihab Hassan (4); Gail Jones (4); Others (4).

2014 – 8 letters: Eve Duncan (2); Ihab Hassan (1); Gail Jones (1); Others (4).

2015 – 9 letters: Eve Duncan (2, incl. one unsent letter from Malouf to Duncan); Ian Sinnamon (1); Others (6).

2016 – 4 letters: Eve Duncan (2); Others (2).

Three unpublished (?) literary typescripts: A propos hitch-hikers [Short story], headed by later pencilled manuscript note '1956/57 Unpublished', 8 leaves; Hippolytus. A free version after Euripides, script, photocopy with handwritten emendations, 57 numbered leaves, possible what was contributed by Malouf to the Archive of Performances of Greek & Roman Drama? ; photocopied typescript for characters from Don Giovanni (an opera by Mozart)?, 9 leaves.