Johnno is Malouf’s most outwardly autobiographical novel and has been much praised as a realistic presentation of wartime Brisbane. It traces the childhood and early adult life of the narrator, and his relationship with the school rebel Johnno until Johnno’s untimely death. It was first published in 1975. This series includes two typescripts (both carbon copies) of the original manuscript version of Johnno. The earlier copy has extensive handwritten reworking by Malouf and uses the name “Johnny” throughout. In the later copy is again reworked and the author has manually changed “Johnny” to “Johnno.” There are significant textural alterations, cuts and additions, between these two drafts. Earlier drafts of the manuscript are held in the National Library of Australia collection and the top copy is held in the Fryer Library University of Queensland Press Archive. These typescripts provide a valuable link between the two. Published in 1975 by University of Queensland Press.

Child’s Play is an account of the experiences of an Italian terrorist and his special interest in his victim. It was first published in 1981 with another novella, The Bread of Time to Come (later changed to Fly Away Peter). It was republished in 1982 with two short stories, Eustace and The Prowler. This subseries includes manuscript drafts for original first draft, first typescript draft, and second typescript draft. All the drafts have explanatory notes by David Malouf.

Letters sent and received by Bruce Whiteside as the chairman of the organisation Heart of a Nation. Some of the outgoing letters are in the form of opinion articles written for publication in newspapers.

Notes and research material relating to foreign investment and land ownership in Australia. The material includes a copy of the maiden parliamentary speech by Wayne Goss MLA, newspaper cuttings and some correspondence.

A book of detachable membership cards for Heart of a Nation, containing unissued cards and the stubs of cards issued to members. The stubs record the names and contact details of members. The file also contains one blank page with Heart of a Nation letterhead, and two copies of an advertisement for Heart of a Nation published in the Gold Coast Bulletin on 4 June 1988.

This subseries consists of an internal memorandum issued by David Ettridge listing people not to be included in One Nation activity; a list of One Nation members on the Gold Coast; a copy of a certificate of registration of One Nation Western Australia; a One Nation candidate nomination form; a One Nation membership form; promotional ephemera for a One Nation fundraiser; newsletter number 1 of the Pauline Hanson Support Movement Incorporated; and a One Nation delegates' report

This subseries consists of revised drafts, working notes, index cards, proofs and correspondence relating to the novel Bliss. This novel had several working titles: 'Heaven's door', 'A garden at the end of the world', 'On the edges of the empire', 'A wonderful fool' and 'Waiting for the Barbarians'. Bliss was published in Australia by University of Queensland Press in 1981. This was Peter Carey's first novel and won the Miles Franklin Award 1981 and New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards 1982.

Oscar and Lucinda had the working titles 'Orphans', 'Broken Glass', and 'Holy Ghost'. Published in 1988 in Australia by University of Queensland Press. In the same year it won the Book Council Award (Australia), Booker Prize for Fiction (Australia) and Miles Franklin Award. Includes: Complete and incomplete drafts of Oscar and Lucinda and its working titles, including corrections, notes, correspondence, research material, publicity material, reviews, speech notes for the launch of Oscar and Lucinda. Oscar and Lucinda has won the Booker Prize 1988, Miles Franklin Award 1989, NBC Banjo Award 1989, Townsville Foundation for Australian Literary Studies Award 1988, and the Festival Award for Literature (South Australia) 1990.