Local History Prize returns for 2022
The year before that, the Local History Prize competition was open to people over the age of 18 and saw André Brett as the competition winner with his paper ‘The while blows and we are whisked into a tunnel: Railways and the environment in...
Wollongong City Council media release: Tuesday 5 April 2022
Wollongong City Libraries’ Local History Prize is back and we’re calling for new and original research that explores a part of Wollongong’s local history.
Starting in 2016, the Local History Prize gives armchair experts, history buffs and amateur researchers a chance to stretch their investigative muscles for a chance to win $5000.
From now until Friday 29 July 2022, anyone over the age of 18 can enter an original piece of research that explores an aspect of our local history of their choosing, in 5,000 – 10,000 words.
“The Wollongong City Libraries’ Local History Prize is a great way to encourage a love of learning outside the confines of the classroom or university lecture hall,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
“We’ve been running variations of this competition since 2016, and have received some fascinating entries over the years, that shine a light into hidden corners of our past and tell our community’s stories. Each entry we receive is added into the library’s Local Studies collection as a way to contribute to our ongoing documentation of the Illawarra’s history.
“A big thank you must go the Friends of Wollongong City Library who have kindly sponsored this year’s event and have been a huge proponent of this competition over the years.”
Last year, the Local History Prize competition was open to local primary school children in years three to six, who were tasked with choosing a historic photo from the library’s Illawarra Images collection as a starting point to research and write. The wining student received $100 and won their school another $100 to go towards their school library.
Griffin, a Year 4 student from Corrimal East Primary School, was the 2021 winner whose entry shined a light on the Dalfram sculpture at Port Kembla and the story behind it.
IMAGE: Dalfram' photograph, from Illawarra Images, P12198 that inspired Griffin's entry.
The year before that, the Local History Prize competition was open to people over the age of 18 and saw André Brett as the competition winner with his paper ‘The while blows and we are whisked into a tunnel: Railways and the environment in Illawarra, 1870s-19151’ . You can reserve a copy of this by visiting the Wollongong City Libraries' catalogue.
Local History Prize details
WHAT: Submit your research exploring a part of the Illawarra’s local history in 5,000 to 10,000 words.
PRIZE: $5000. All entries will be added to the Wollongong City Libraries’ Local Studies collection.
WHO CAN ENTER: Anyone over the age of 18 years.
DEADLINE: Friday 29 July 2022. For Terms & Conditions, the entry form and more information, visit the library’s Local History Prize webpage.
