The Tom Brock Collection is one of the finest in rugby league in the country and consists of a wide variety of publications including books, reports, magazines, newspaper cuttings, photographs, videos and memorabilia. It was enhanced by the addition of the Kevin Ryan Collection.

The Tom Brock Collection was initially recorded by Jennifer Bolton, Master of Information Management-Archives/Records at the University of New South Wales. She produced the first catalogue of the Collection in 2000. The Collection was housed at the Library of the University of New South Wales until 2006 when it was moved to the State Library of New South Wales.

During his lifetime, Tom Brock assembled a large and significant collection of books, periodicals, notes and pictures relating to sports history in general and to rugby league football in particular. After Tom’s passing in 1997 and the subsequent formation of the Tom Brock Bequest Committee, the Tom Brock Collection was held at University of New South Wales Library. In 2006, the collection was transferred to the Mitchell Library at the State Library of New South Wales.

The collection is a major resource for the history of rugby league in Australia, with particular reference to the South Sydney club. It contains published material such as club and league annual reports, official match programs, coaching manuals and player biographies. Material such as this can be located on the State Library of New South Wales Catalogue. A quick way to search the catalogue is to use the keywords ‘Tom Brock Collection’ along with other keywords relevant to your research (e.g. Tom Brock Collection Clive Churchill).

The Tom Brock Collection also contains a wealth of unpublished material. Included are Tom’s notes and newspaper cuttings on players, photograph albums, and correspondence files from Tom’s days as South Sydney club historian. To find more information about this component of the Tom Brock Collection, view the record on the Manuscripts, Oral History and Pictures Catalogue.

When the Tom Brock Collection was located at the University of New South Wales, Jennifer Bolton compiled a comprehensive 356-page guide to its contents. Although location numbers changed following the collection’s transfer to the State Library, this book is still a useful starting point for researchers. Contact us if you would like to receive a copy of the guide.

Before visiting the Mitchell Library, please see the State Library website for more information on opening hours and applying for a Library card.

A sample of the printed material in the Tom Brock Collection.

Original correspondence from the Tom Brock Collection, MLMSS 7957, Box 1 (TB14).