Summary

Typed draft of a letter written by Dr Dorothy Howard addressed to Reverend R. M. Trudinger, the Superintendent at Ernabella Presbyterian Mission, circa 1954-1955. Dr Howard introduces herself, briefly outlining the purpose of her research project. She explains that although the confines of her Fulbright scholarship prevent her from undertaking extensive research into the area, she is eager to learn more about Aboriginal children's games after visiting Sydney's La Perouse School and reading publications by Charles Mountford (incorrectly spelt 'Mumford') and Walter Roth on the subject. In particular, Dr Howard seeks examples of the influence of Aboriginal games on those of non-Indigenous children. Dr Howard proceeds with questions regarding the types of games played by Aboriginal children at the Mission. She writes that Miss Roberts, an employee in the Foreign Mission Office, showed her photographs depicting children playing with leaves and an Aboriginal teacher working at the Mission. She asks if this teacher could provide a detailed list of her students games.

One of a collection of letters written to and from children's Folklorist Dr Dorothy Howard between 1954 and 1995. Dr Howard came to Australia in 1954-55 as an American Fulbright scholar to study Australian children's folklore. She travelled across Australia for 10 months collecting children's playground rhymes, games, play artefacts, etc. The original fieldwork she collected during this period is held in the Australian Children's Folklore Collection (ACFC) at Museum Victoria and includes index cards, letters and photographs.

Physical Description

Typed letter in black ink on paper. Typed printed on one side only. Includes typed and handwritten corrections.

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