History Support Services – what we give back
Looking to the future of History, we pay it forward!
To achieve our aim of ensuring that history is enjoyed, studied and celebrated in our community, we give back by supporting other organisations in cash and in kind.
Image credit: Dr Stephen Gapps delivering speech at the NSW Premiers History Awards, 2023. Photo taken by Gene Ramirez
NSW Premier’s History Awards
The HCNSW is proud to have been a sponsor of the NSW Premier’s History Awards for a number of years now, with Awards being held on the opening night of History Week every year.
The Awards are administered by the State Library of NSW in association with Create NSW.
The NSW Premier’s History Awards acknowledge the contribution of historical research to our culture and communities, and to society at large.
First presented in 1997, they honour distinguished achievement in history by Australian citizens and permanent residents.
More information about the NSW Premier’s History Awards, including its judges and prizes, can be found here.
The History Teachers Association of NSW Annual Awards
The History Teachers’ Association of NSW was formed in 1954 by Renée Fauvette Erdos (1911-1997), with the simple aim of providing a means for teachers to ‘meet and discuss the teaching of History and issues connected with our teaching of History’.
The HCNSW has supported the Australian History Prize, awarded by the History Teachers Association of NSW, since 2023.
We are delighted and honoured to be sponsoring this award which recognised the work of students who focused on Australian History and included original research within their Extension History Essay.
Our team have attended the History Teachers Association of NSW High Achiever’s Night to present the Australian History Prize to the winners, including our President Dr Stephen Gapps who has presented the prize to the award-winners over the last few years.
2025
Catherine Shirley with the winner (right) So-Jean Yun, and runner up (left) Jonathan Pan, 2025. Image credit: Provided by the HTANSW.
On Monday the 24th of March, the History Council of NSW was delighted to attend the History Teachers’ Association of New South Wales’ High Achievers Night at Chau Chak Wing Museum. Attending on behalf of HCNSW was Executive and Strategic Development Officer, Catherine Shirley.
Catherine reported that it was a fantastic evening, with such a buzz from all the winners, and a terrific keynote given by Professor Heather Goodall – see this post for a summary of the keynote.
Catherine was honoured to present two prizes sponsored by HCNSW to the winner and runner-up of the 2024 Australian History Essay Prize. The winner was So-Jean Yun, from Roseville College, and the 2nd place winner was Jonathan Pan from The King’s School. Congratulations to both So-Jean and Jonathan!
2024
Image credit: Provided by the HTANSW
We are delighted to announce First Place for the 2023 Australian History Essay Prize was awarded to Sarah Blaney of Sydney Girl’s High School, while Second Place awarded to Zoe Dyson from Kambala.
While Zoe was unable to attend on the night, Sarah was joined by her teacher Catherine Bavell from Sydney Girls High School to share in this wonderful achievement.
Our President Dr Stephen Gapps was honoured to present the Australian History Prize to Sarah on the night.
Sarah was awarded 1st place for her essay ‘Do museums still need objects? Discuss in relation to the Hyde Park Barracks’.
Zoe was awarded 2nd place for her essay ‘To what extent do historians contribute to the cultural memory of Ned Kelly?’
Have a read through the essays below!