VPRS 10028 Central Correspondence Files, Single Number System

Full description

This series comprises central correspondence files containing inward and copy of outward correspondence of the State Coal Mine (VA 720). They are grouped by subject and as such, are representative of the work of the mine, but do not include all documents about the mine's operations as individual documents held outside files were not located.

Most of the correspondence is pre-1932, when a new recordkeeping system was introduced. Items that have been added post-1932 have been done so because they are on specific, slowly aggregating topics such as Annual Reports. For subsequent series, refer to VPRS 10031 Central Correspondence Files.

The correspondence covered a range of topics, including many personnel issues such as employment and worker's compensation. In addition, there was correspondence relating to the supply of goods and services to the mine and its staff, reports related to engineering and other aspects of the mine's operations and correspondence with other agencies within the Government as well as contact with individuals and organisations within Wonthaggi and the surrounding district. This series also included some files from the mine's first operations, during which time the recordkeeping system was not as clearly followed as it was subsequently.

Much of the material relates to the ongoing relationship between the Mine and its parent agencies of the Department of Mines (VA 612) 1909-1911, Victorian Railways Commission (VA 2876) 1911- 1934, and the Board of Lands and Works (VA 744) 1934-1951 which later changed its name to the Department of Transport (VA 673) which was also known as the Ministry of Transport 1951-1992.