Special collections
Our Special Collections are home to thousands of culturally significant, unique and hard-to-find items. These collections offer a rich resource for staff and students and enable the research and teaching goals of the university.
Explore our collections
Science Fiction Collection
The Library has a large collection of comics, graphic material, periodicals and Australian science fiction fanzines, including the significant Leigh Edmonds Collection. Find out more
John Clements Collection
Collection of oral histories donated to the Library by John Clements, oral historian, peace activist and social historian. Find out more
Irene Greenwood Collection
Collection donated by Irene Greenwood, Australian feminist, peace activist, political activist, broadcaster and writer. The collection includes personal correspondence, radio transcripts, books, journals and papers of the organisations with which she was involved. Find out more
Harry Whittington (WISALTS) Collection
This collection combines the life and work of Henry (Harry) Whittington and the history and action of WISALTS into a single repository. It reflects the research, social activism, and community involvement of the farming communities in Western Australia. Find out more
Abortion Law Reform Association (W.A.) Papers
The collection consists of papers deposited by the Western Australian branch of the Abortion Law Reform Association (A.L.R.A.). These include reports, some correspondence, newsletters, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, pamphlets and journals covering the interests and activities of the Abortion Law Reform Association (W.A.) from its foundation in 1969 onwards. Find out more
Mills & Boon Collection
The Mills & Boon Collection consists of 3700 books collected over 30 years by Judy Anderson, previous Archivist at Film Australia. The collection of mainly post-World War 2 novels was donated to the library in 2008. Find out more
Bali Oral History Archive
Established as part of an Australian Research Council grant to Dr. Adrian Vickers and Dr. Carol Warren on Cultural Change in Bali. The intent of the project is to make available to researchers an on-line archive of interviews with contemporary Balinese describing their lives and their views on culture and change in their society in the twentieth century. Find out more
Peet Collection
The Peet Collection contains the library and personal papers of the journalist George Peet (1902-1985) who was on the staff of the Straits Times (Singapore) from 1923-1951. Find out more
Sir Walter Murdoch Collection
The Sir Walter Murdoch Collection is comprised of Sir Walter's library donated to Murdoch University, along with Sir Walter's handwritten catalogue of his collection, plus publications by or about Sir Walter. The collection also includes pamphlets, letters, clippings, and memorabilia. Individually catalogued monographs and a number of artefacts from Sir Walter's office and are held in display cabinets between Link Level 2 and the South Wing. Find out more
Pankhurst Collection
Source material documenting the United Kingdom Women's Suffrage Campaign, collected by Tara Books Ltd. of Winchester, England in 1977 and offered for sale as part of the "Blue Moon" Collection. Covers the period 1850-1930, with the majority of works published between 1900-1920. Find out more
Michael Durey Collection of History Microforms
Collection of History Microforms donated to the Library by Professor Michael Durey. Material in the collection was originally acquired to support research funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC). Find out more
Film Tie-in Collection
The collection contains books and printed material published in the second half of the 20th century, with a focus on late 20th century titles related to Australian and British films and television. Find out more
Paget Collection
The Paget Collection includes about two hundred works on various aspects of the Netherlands Indies such as the colonial history, economic development, adat or customary law and the colonial legal system. The majority of the works date from the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. Find out more
Western Australian Council of Churches Noonkanbah Documents
Collection of documents relating to the sacred sites on Noonkanbah Station and surrounding areas and the involvement of Uniting Church clergy in the August 1980 blockade of a convoy at Noonkanbah Station. Documents donated to Murdoch University Library by the Western Australian Council of Churches Library. Find out more
World Council of Churches Delegation Documents
Collection of documents relating to the visit of a World Council of Churches delegation to Broome and the Benedictine mission at Kalumbaru in 1981 and its impact on a dispute between Father Seraphim Sanz and members of the Aboriginal community. Documents donated to Murdoch University Library by the Western Australian Council of Churches Library. Find out more
History of Chiropractic Collection
The Chiropractic History Collection includes items predominantly representing donations to Murdoch University. The initial collection aims to create a physical and digital collection of historical chiropractic items, documents, photographs, video and audio recordings that will be available to scholars for research. Find out more
Become a Special Collections volunteer
We’re seeking motivated people with a love of science fiction, popular culture and historical manuscripts to be part of a unique opportunity to work with our Special Collections.
APPLY NOWAccess our stored collections
Selected items or collections are held in a closed area. You can request access using the form below. Access is conditional upon approval of the request and compliance of conditions of use. If you only need access to a particular item in a collection, use the In Store – Special Collection Item Request.
REQUEST ACCESS TO A COLLECTIONDonate your own work
Do you have a published or unpublished piece of your own work you’d like to donate? We are happy to accept items that enhance our special collections.
Donate now