The Jane Hansen Prize for History Advocacy was established in 2020 to recognise the efforts of a group or individual that has advocated for the value of history, the work of historians and/or the importance of an education in history.
The prize is named in honour of Ms Jane Hansen AO whose passion for history and its advocacy is widely acknowledged. Through the Hansen Little Foundation, which aims to create a legacy of significant and positive change that inspires and enables Australians, Ms Hansen has provided generous philanthropic support for history and historians in a number of organisations, including the History Council of Victoria.
An annual prize of $1000 is offered. Winners will also be recognised with a certificate, acknowledgement via the HCV’s publications and social media, and year-long membership to the HCV Friends. The winner is announced in conjunction with the HCV's Annual Lecture each year.
Nominations (by others, or by self) will require the submission of examples of the person's advocacy of history (e.g. through radio, tv, newspaper, social media, letter-writing etc.) plus the results and responses. The prize is administered by the Board of the HCV.
Jane Hansen Prize Winners 2024
We are incredibly excited to announce the joint winners of the 2024 Jane Hansen Prize for History Advocacy!
The winners of our 2024 prize are:
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN)
The Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) is an independent peak membership body established in 2000 to provide support, advocacy, research and empowerment for survivors of past abuse and neglect in child welfare systems in Australia and New Zealand. CLAN has shown leadership in advocating for a more authentic, layered and nuanced history and, in doing so, generated vitality to a previously neglected field of public history. In the aftermath of the Royal Commission, CLAN won a Commonwealth grant to purchase a property to serve as a permanent home for the Australian Orphanage Museum, now established in Ryrie Street, Geelong. The unique museum is a remarkable achievement among CLAN’s contributions to the way history is presented and received in the community.
Read more about CLAN: https://clan.org.au/
Dr David Waldron
Dr David Waldron, from Federation University Australia (Ballarat), has been a tireless advocate for public history for many years, with a commitment to making history accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. Over the past decade, he has led a dynamic range of projects, community collaborations, and public engagement initiatives in Ballarat and its region. These efforts underscore his leadership in bringing marginalized histories to contemporary audiences, including working with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and those in the LGBTIQA+ community. David has a remarkable ability to communicate to diverse audiences. He is an active history podcaster, and regular presenter about history at festivals and on community radio.
Read more about David: https://lnkd.in/g7WvJg4S
The prizes were accepted in-person at our HCV Annual Lecture on Thursday 14 November at the State Library of Victoria. Thank you to all who applied for the prize - please keen an eye out for next years round!
HCV Chair Emeritus Professor Peter McPhee with prize winner Dr Frank Golding (representing CLAN).
HCV Chair Emeritus Professor Peter McPhee with prize winner Dr David Waldron.
Past winners:
2023: Peter Symons, who made an extraordinary commitment to the access and preservation of history research, through his successful efforts to lobby for Trove funding for the National Library of Australia.
2022: Gideon Haigh, historical researcher and journalist, who led the successful campaign to secure additional funding for urgent preservation of film and audio material at the National Archives of Australia.
2021: Sue Thompson, local historian and President of the Lilydale and District Historical Society and of the Museum of Lilydale (now the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum). You can watch the announcement at the 2021 Annual Lecture here and read the press release here.
The HCV welcomes enquiries from individuals and organisations that wish to sponsor awards and prizes in areas relating to history and the work of historians.
The HCV also welcomes donations at any time. All contributions help to support our work towards achieving our cultural purposes. Donations over $2 are deductible for Australian tax-payers.