The 2024 NSW Premier’s History Awards, with $85,000 in prize money, were announced TONIGHT [6 September 2024] at the State Library of NSW as part of NSW History Week.
Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said: “Historians have the unique ability to resurrect the voices, moments and events of the past. This evening, we honour the exceptional dedication and achievements of our storytellers, whose research brings to light untold or overlooked histories and offers fresh perspectives that inspire future generations.”
“Congratulations to this year’s winning historians, writers, creators and producers.”
The 2024 NSW Premier’s History Awards winners are:
Australian History Prize ($15,000)
Courting: An Intimate History of Love and the Law by Alecia Simmonds (La Trobe University Press in conjunction with Black Inc.)
General History Prize ($15,000)
Systemic Silencing: Activism, Memory, and Sexual Violence in Indonesia by Katharine E McGregor (University of Wisconsin Press)
NSW Community and Regional History Prize ($15,000)
Reaching Through Time: Finding my family’s stories by Shauna Bostock (Allen & Unwin)
Young People’s History Prize ($15,000)
Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim (Allen & Unwin)
Digital History Prize ($15,000)
The Dark Emu Story by Allan Clarke, Jacob Hickey, Darren Dale and Belinda Mravicic (Blackfella Films & ABC)
The Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize ($10,000)
Kriegies: The Australian Airmen of Stalag Luft III by Kristen Alexander (Self-published)
State Librarian Dr Caroline Butler-Bowden said: “For 50 years, the Library has supported the vital work of researchers, writers and historians through our prestigious Fellowships program. Many of our fellows have gone on to win notable awards, including the NSW Premier’s History Awards. Their incredible contribution in sharing their knowledge and discoveries is immensely valuable both today and for future generations.”
Of the winners, Senior Judge Professor David Lowe said: “The winners for this year include emerging and senior scholars and others who enrich historical knowledge from different vantage points and life stages. In all cases, they demonstrate the value of deep research that provokes new thinking on how the past intrudes insistently on our present. I congratulate all winners, and their publishers and producers, for adding significantly to our understanding of the human condition and how we see ourselves in relation to what has come before.”
The NSW Premier’s History Awards are administered by the State Library of NSW in association with Create NSW. We are pleased to acknowledge the support of the History Council of NSW and the Anzac Memorial Trustees for their establishment and sponsorship of the Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize.
