Dear Maree,

> Could anybody advise me of a source or even better a do-it-yourself method
> for Elmers glue?

Try the one.net.au homepages below:
Following is an excerpt that might help, 
Regards, Tony

Mondrragon and Nygaard (Am.J.Dermatopath., 1:253-254, 1979) described
their experience with Elmer's Glue-All (known in Australia as
Aquadhere). This is a casein glue. Casein is a milk-cheese
phosphoprotein that is used to make paints, plastics and glues. They
found that sections adhered as well as albumen and in contrast did not
absorb any of the stains with the exception of silver stains which
developed a white film. Unlike albumen and serum, there were no
problems of microbial growth. Suggested use: 

Dip slides into a 0.5% aqueous solution of aquadhere (to help mix the
glue use gentle heat) and allow slides to dry or, Add Aquadhere to the
flotation bath to a concentration of 0.5%. Aquadhere is non-toxic,
inexpensive and simple to use and store. 

Tony Henwood
Senior Scientist
Anatomical Pathology
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Sydney, AUSTRALIA

http://www2.one.net.au/~henwood
http://www.pathsearch.com/homepages/TonyHenwood/default.html