The Victorian Government is celebrating the work of the state’s community historians with the shortlist of the Victorian Community History Awards revealed today.
Minister for Government Services, Natalie Hutchins, announced 39 history publications and projects have been shortlisted across 11 prize categories including the Victorian Premier’s History Award.
She said each nominee has shared the history of Victoria, including maritime and war histories, women’s histories, local stories and Indigenous history.
“Victoria has a strong history and these dedicated storytellers have worked tirelessly to help all Victorians better understand our past – I congratulate them on their nomination,” said Ms Hutchins.
Biographies and oral histories are among the shortlisted projects, including a book on the life of the father of Australia’s pop music industry Jack O’Hagan, and a 15-part podcast series sharing the stories of the Melbourne women activists who opposed the Vietnam War and National Service Act from 1965-1972.
The first ever book on Australian trans history, exploring the lives of trans and gender-diverse Australians – Transgender Australia: A History Since 1910 by Noah Riseman has also been shortlisted.
Sports historian Graeme Pilkington was shortlisted for his article ‘Australian Rules football is unique among world professional sports in that it rewards a near miss’.
All shortlisted nominees are up for prizes ranging from $500 to $2,000 – with one to be named the winner of the $5,000 Victorian Premier’s History Award.
“We look forward to celebrating these shortlisted nominees at the Victorian Community History Awards ceremony at the end of March and announcing our major prize winners,” said Royal Historical Society of Victoria President, Richard Broome AM.
The Victorian Community History Awards are presented by the Public Record Office Victoria in partnership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria and supported by the Victorian Government.
A full list of nominees is available at: prov.vic.gov.au.
