This file contains correspondence and reports relating to CSIRO computer uses and needs at the University of Melbourne and elsewhere.

There are letters to Thomas Cherry from EA Cornish of the Mathematical Division of the CSIRO and from F Hirst of the Computation Laboratory at the University.

The report 'Review of CSIRO Computer Utilisation' contains statistical data and explanatory notes on the the use of the CSIRAC machine under the following summary headings: 1. Utilisation of CSIRAC during 1958-59; 2. C.S.I.R.O. usage of CSIRAC; 3. Summary of C.S.I.R.O. Projects on CSIRAC during 1958-59; 4. Computing Projects deferred or declined for CSIRAC; 5. C.S.I.R.O. Computing at other centres; 6. Survey of Future Computing Requirements.
Section 3. includes explanations of projects undertaken by each of the listed divisions of the CSIRO and the computer hours used.

The report 'The Computing Facility for CSIRO' outlines projected computer requirements for the organisation (undated).
Correspondence details:
Undated Report (1958-59) ‘Review of CSIRO computer utilisation’ (as above).
22/7/59 EA Cornish/CSIRO to T.M. Cherry CSIRO computer useage current and projected.
24/7/59 F. Hirst to T.M Cherry Computer useage by CSIRO and others. Suggesting CSIRO grant increase.

This file contains correspondence and reports relating to investigations into future computer needs.
There is an original and a copy of a report entitled 'Short Statement on Computer Needs at the University of Melbourne', which describes the operating features of the CSIRAC computer and the quantity of hours of operation for the period 1957-1960. The report makes the observations that operating time increased over those 3 years and that the machine will prove inadequate for some future uses. The report outlines the characteristics of a computer to meet future requirements.

Both the original and the copy have annotations. Handwritten notes on the original discuss the possibility of sharing use of a new machine with CSIRO.
There is a letter to Professor Cherry from Geoff Hill regarding an investigation, by the Research Committee of the Professorial Board, into computer needs.

There is also a copy of a letter to the Vice-Chancellor from the Universities Commission regarding an investigation of the computer needs of universities in general.
Correspondence details:
Undated Report ‘Short Statement on Computer Needs at the University of Melbourne’.
(2xcopies) as above.
21/7/59 Geoff Hill to T.M. Cherry Research committee of the Professorial Board discussing future computer needs.
26/9/60 Australian Universities Commission to G.W. Paton, Vice-Chancellor Survey of universities’ EDP needs.

This file contains correspondence from Frank Hirst requesting a new computer for the Computation Laboratory, and relating to CSIRO grants.
Corrrespondence details:
Undated Report ‘The Computing Facility for CSIRO’ (as above).
27/7/59 T.M. Cherry to F. Hirst Congratulations on report/future space requirements/ replace CSIRAC.
30/9/59 F. Hirst to L. Martin Report on Computational requirements and building requirements.
30/9/59 F. Hirst to F.W.G. White/CSIRO Report on computational requirements and building requirements.
7/10/59 F. Barnes to F. Hirst Australian Universities Commission/computational requirements.
12/5/61 G.W. Paton to CSIRO Grant renewal request.
1/8/61 F.W.G. White to G. Paton Grant increase approval minus lecture fees for T. Pearcey.
23/10/61 F. Hirst to J.N. Greenwood New digital computer required for Computation Laboratory.