The collection contains correspondence, school and university records, photographs; papers, commissions and badges relating from military service in the First World War for Jack Fryer and his brothers who served in World War One. There are papers relating to the Fryer Family and the establishment of the Fryer Memorial Library of Australian Literature.

This collection includes : 'The Great Barrier Reef and its origins'; 'Great Barrier Reef investigations'; 2 photographs; handwritten notes entitled 'Great Barrier Reef : manuscript notes made during reading at Geological Survey Library, London 1935'; one folder entitled 'Chemical analyses of coralline material from bore at Michaelmas Cay' (includes graphs). There is a map of Great Barrier Reef ca. 1925, which hung in Richards' office; William Branwhite Clarke medal; Carnegie Corporation medal; and hammer belonging to Richards.

Six medals awarded to Spencer Routh for his academic achievements. They are: Who’s Who Keyring, 2008. -- TJ Ryan Memorial Medal, [engraved] 1949, 28 mm diameter. -- Lilley Memorial Medal, [engraved], 1949, 16 mm diameter. -- Byrnes Memorial Medal, [engraved], 33 mm diameter. -- Australian Dictionary of Biography Medal, [engraved], 2000, 63 mm diameter. -- University of Queensland Centenary Commemorative Medallion, 2010, 60 mm diameter.