Historical information

Nina Steane was the daughter of Sydney Carroll. He was the son of John Whiteman and Alice Cornwall, born in Melbourne in 1877. After a short marriage his parents separated and he chose to live with his father.
Alice resumed her maiden name and became successful in the Mining Industry in Ballarat. She owned the Midas Mine on the Dowling Forest Estate, Victoria. She was known as Madame Midas. Returning to London her business thrived and her company the 'British Australasian Mining Investment Company' was floated in London in July 1889. It is said she became a millionaire at 30.

Sydney Carroll was born George Frederick Carl Whiteman (1877-1958). Sydney was heavily involved with the theatre and was manager of a number of London theatres. He founded the Open Air Theatre in 1933. A new complex was been built on the site in 1975. He was part-author of several plays, published a book on dramatic criticism as well as being a drama critic.

Nina Steane (Carroll) was born in 1932 and studied Art at the Cheltenham School of Art. She then went to Oxford University where she studied Literature. After Oxford she married John M Steane and they had three children. They lived in Southport, Kettering where she exhibited her art until the mid 1970s. In 1976 John became Oxfordshire's County Archaeologist and so moved to live in the area. Here Nina showed her art as well as in London and other parts of the country as well as abroad
Nina died in 1990, aged 57.

Physical description

.1 Type written letter on white paper. Addressed "Dear Sir" and signed "Nina Steane" (copy)
.2 Type written letter on white paper. Addressed "Mrs Steane" and signed by "E J Barker" Principal of Ballarat School of Mines and later Director of Ballarat College of Advanced Education. (copy)
.3 Type written letter on white paper. Addressed "Dear Mr Barker" and signed "Nina Steane" (copy)
.4a Copy of hand written information on The Midas Mine
.4b continuation of information

Inscriptions & markings

.1 Signature of Nina Steane. Dated July 6th 1973
.2 Signature "EJB". Dated 20th July 1973
.3 Signature of Nina Steane. Dated July 26th 1973