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James Dawson’s Scrapbook James Dawson's 'Scrapbook' is a fascinating collection of clippings and assorted manuscript material dedicated to a number of themes, particularly those that reflect his interest in Aboriginal issues.

Many of the news clipping have Dawson identified by name as the author; while others are clearly his work under an alias (‘The Australian’ and ‘Giff-Gaff’ are two ). 

The scrapbook also contains newspaper articles written by others that are of interest to Dawson. He has included his responses to some of these articles and others, in turn, are responses to Dawson’s newspaper articles and published writing. 

The original of this scrapbook was donated to the State Library of Victoria in 2018 by Susan Cole, the great great granddaughter of James Dawson 

Here is the digitized, searchable version of James Dawson’s Scrapbook: 

*If you need access to higher resolution of the Dawson PDFs please visit our Heritage Centre.

Dawson Scrapbook – Searchable PDF Volume 1/7

Click here to view Volume 1

*Try a search for these key words; bagpipes, vineyard, language, masons, murderous…

If you try searching some items, for example; bee or emu… it can be more difficult so we will at times add some points of interest for each volume. In volume 1 on Page 10 you can discover an article on Ligurian Bees, on Page 27 & 28 you can discover information about local Aboriginal Language, including the word ’emu’, that Isabella Dawson collected.

Dawson Scrapbook – Searchable PDF Volume 2/7

Click here to view Volume 2

*Try a search for these key words; sheep, jury, wool, farm…

In volume 2 on Pages 4-7  you can discover information about Aboriginal mounds documented by James Dawson, including sketches.

Dawson Scrapbook – Searchable PDF Volume 3/7

Click here to view Volume 3

Dawson Scrapbook – Searchable PDF Volume 4/7

Click here to view Volume 4

Dawson Scrapbook – Searchable PDF Volume 5/7

Click here to view Volume 5

Dawson Scrapbook – Searchable PDF Volume 6/7

Page 13 “Large Bones Found”
Page 27 “Whisky”
Page 39 “The Camperdown Museum” & “A Plea”
Page 54 “The Trees Lament”

Click here to view Volume 6

Dawson Scrapbook – Searchable PDF Volume 7/7

Click here to view Volume 7