Correspondence, 1949–1987
Administrative papers, RSPAS, 1970–1994
Language journals, 1939–1966
Turkic language research notes, 1940s
Language research papers: Papua New Guinea, 1950s–90s, Solomon Islands, 1950s–90s, Pacific languages, Australian languages, 1950s–90s, languages – general, 1950s–90s
Atlases and maps, 1932–1980s
Index cards
Language recordings, 1950s–1990s: Papua New Guinea, 1956–1970,
Australian Aboriginal, 1957–1964, Solomon Islands, 1965–1970
Conferences and seminars, 1965–1970
Published articles by SA Wurm, 1940–2000
Periodicals, 1935–1981
Personal documents, 1922–1988
Awards, 1967–1988
Academic gown and large format material
Maps, 1940–1975

Some correspondence is in German and other languages, and many research materials are in other languages and scripts including short-hand. Most language recordings have not been copied for reference; some are available through Paradisec (www.paradisec.org.au).

Part 1 - These papers mainly relate to Gunther’s time as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), and include some papers relating to Gunther’s time as the Director of Public Health and Assistant Administrator in Papua New Guinea. The main subject categories are:

1. Political papers dealing with the period before independence in Papua New Guinea (folders 1-13)
2. Political papers pertaining to independence (folders 14-17)
3. Economic papers – Waigani papers (folders 18-20)
4. Economic papers – Bougainville papers (folders 32-34)
5. Education papers (folders 35-110)
6. Personal papers (folders 112-118)
7. Administrative papers (folders 119-136)

Part 2 - These papers document many aspects of Gunther’s administration of public health in Papua New Guinea (folders 137-239). They include Gunther’s files on various health issues, including malaria, leprosy, scrub typhus, nutrition, kuru and tuberculosis. Also includes papers on medical education, the Mount Lamington volcanic eruption and the South Pacific Commission.

Largely consists of material on HIV/AIDS in the Asia/Pacific region. Also contains materials on other health and governmental issues. See box list for more details.

Language maps, transcripts, 16 mm film reels re Pidgin dialogue, sound reel tapes re Gugadji language, departmental report, minutes, newsletters and material relating to Prof Stephen Wurm and Tom Dutton.