General comments
You could approach this issue by investigating individuals, or by thinking in terms of organisations and their interaction with government.
- Refer to the general comments on finding records relating to women and children in PROV, and finding records relating to women's issues in PROV.
In terms of records created by Victorian government organisations:
- PROV has extensive holdings of the former Conciliation and Arbitration Boards (VA 1010 - known as Wages Boards between 1896-1981). Search PROV's online catalogue under VA 1010 for the complete inventory (list) of public record series created by the Conciliation and Arbitration Boards. Among the series held which might prove useful are:
- VPRS 5467 Minute Books (in custody: 1896-1993; quantity 722 units). These are minute books of the various bodies responsible for arbitration and determination of awards for various trade and industry groups.
- VPRS 5466 History Files [Determinations] (in custody: 1896-1983; quantity 211 units). The Determinations relate to wages and conditions of work of a particular group or category of workers in either a specific trade, a branch of a trade, or a related group of trades.
- VPRS 11204 History Files [Awards] (in custody: 1901-1990; quantity 16 units). These files maintain the history of any variation made to a particular award.
- PROV has significant holdings of the former Industrial Relations Commission 1981-1993 (VA 1009), which replaced the Industrial Appeals Court/Court of Industrial Appeals 1903-1981 (VA 1011). Search PROV's online catalogue under VA 1009 for the complete inventory (list) of public record series created by the Industrial Relations Commission. Among the series held which might prove useful are:
- VPRS 5998 Transcripts of Hearings and Determinations (in custody: 1919-1939; quantity 3 units)
- VPRS 11211 Register of Decisions (in custody: 1943-1981; quantity 4 units)
- VPRS 5468 Case Files, Single Number System (in custody: 1943-1982; quantity 215 units)
- VPRS 9599 Case Files, Annual Single Number System (in custody: 1983-1996; quantity 1210 units; a portion of this series is subject to an access closure)
- VPRS 9600 Board Hearing Files (Award Variations Portion only transferred) (in custody: 1983-1988; quantity 92 units).
- PROV has significant holdings of records of the Public Service Board (VA 886), including major runs of correspondence files, various series of summary records of persons employed in the State public sector and disciplinary records. These could prove useful in researching women in the Victorian Public Service. Search PROV's online catalogue under VA 886 for the complete inventory (list) of public record series held that were created by the Public Service Board. NOTE: Partial access closures apply to some of these series.
- National Archives of Australia holds some Commonwealth records relating to industrial affairs in Melbourne. Refer to their guide Collections in Melbourne, in particular Industrial Relations.