The Thomas W. Shapcott Papers contain original manuscripts and typescripts of a number of his literary works, including poems, short stories, novels, plays and libretti. Other typescripts included relate to editorial work, translations, reviews and reader reports. There are also a number of typescripts by other authors sent to Shapcott for review.
Subject files relating to literary competition and prize judging, conferences and overseas travel in relation to literature and cultural exchange.
Correspondence with Bruce Beaver, Barbara and Charles Blackman, John Blight, Alec Bolton, Colin Brumby, Ilija Casule, Chatto & Windus and The Hogarth Press, Rosemary Cresswell, Rosemary Dobson, Michael Dransfield, Geoffrey Dutton, Ninette Dutton, Michele Field, Rodney Hall, Gwen Harwood, Margaret Hodge (later Shapcott), Janette Turner Hospital, Elizabeth Jolley, Nancy Keesing, Roger McDonald, David Malouf, Olga Masters, Michael Ondaatje, David Rowbotham, Dimitris Tsaloumas, University of Queensland Press (UQP), Chris Wallace-Crabbe, Judith Wright and many others.
Correspondence with and records from a few literary bodies and association, including the Australian Society of Authors and the Literature Board.
Research papers on topics treated in literary works, particularly Karoly Pulszky
School and work-related papers and records such as school and university records, early employment and partnership contracts, job applications and annual financial records, including tax returns.
Scrapbooks, containing newspaper cuttings, ephemera and correspondence.
Papers relating to awards and honours received by Shapcott, including the Struga Prize for Poetry.
The papers also contains some photographs and personal memorabilia, such as book club lapel badges.

Collection of correspondence from friends and fellow writers, mostly poets, editors and critics, discussing poetry, literary journals in Australia, personal news. Also copies of poems enclosed with letters or included in them. The earliest letter is dated 31 Nov. 1933. The great bulk of letters was written in the 1960s and 1970s. In all there are over 900 letters and a large number of unsorted postcard communications. The collection also includes some of Gwen Harwood's outgoing correspondence, and mss of her poems, with some biographical material and photographs. Correspondents include: Bruce Beaver; Peter Bennie; John Beston; Kevin Bowden; Vincent Buckley; Nancy Cato; Alexander Craig; Margaret Diesendorf; R.D. Fitzgerald; Frank Green; Rodney Hall; Rex Hobcroft; A.D. Hope; Evan Jones; Frank Kellaway; James McAuley; Roger McDonald; James Penberthy; Craig Powell; Thomas Riddell; Keith Russell; Thomas Shapcott; Larry Sitsky; Vivian Smith; Norman Talbot. Includes folder of letters, with some poems, to Ann Jennings, 1959-1988. There are also some photographs and audio recordings.

Correspondence relating to literary awards, functions and festivals, publishers, anthology requests, eisteddfods; books of poetry collections; festival brochures and entry forms; photographs; literary magazines and newsletters; biographical statements; manuscripts of poems.
Bulk of papers 1970-1984.

This collection contains published and unpublished manuscript and typescript drafts of poems and some prose pieces by John Blight, correspondence with individuals including Thomas Shapcott, Judith Wright, Bruce Beaver and Barbara Giles, and organisations, newspapers and literary societies. Also included are congress and festival pamphlets and papers, newspaper clippings and family photographs.

Original song sheet, one leaf, with music and lyrics by Bill Jones, handwritten in pen on printed musical staff. The name 'Dot Rass' is noted in pencil at the top right corner. Dated 7 July 1964. The lyrics relate to racial segregation in public houses (pubs). It is accompanied by a sheet of handwritten lyrics, same date.