The Lynette Russell prize was established by Professor Lynette Russell AM to encourage the creative engagement and deeper knowledge of a wider number of primary and secondary school students in this area.
The prize is awarded based on a project that displays knowledge, engagement and creativity, taking into consideration the year level of the student/s. The project submitted may take any form: written, visual, digital or performative. It may be a project or work completed in class or outside of class as an additional activity.
Lynette Russell Prize winners 2024
Briar Hill Primary School
Students from Prep to grade 6 at Briar Hill have been spent time observing their local environment and learning about the Wurundjeri seasons, and developing an appreciation of the deep knowledge, wisdom and connection that First Nations people have to the land and their expertise in caring for our environment. They have made a point of connecting with local elders. Younger students have created handcrafted items out of beeswax, wool and clay that represent elements from the Wurundjeri seasons, while grades 5 and 6 created maps of the Kulin nations and investigated traditional land care practices such as the burning-off season.
Clifton Hill Primary School
The school has been liaising with its Aboriginal families and completing Koorie Education Plans for Aboriginal students and is in the initial stages of developing a school Reconciliation Plan through the Narragunnawali Framework. For many years, the school has had a curriculum that teaches First Nations histories and exposes students to Aboriginal cultures. Over the past few years there has been an increased consciousness amongst the leadership and staff of the importance of being mindful of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their cultures in every aspect of the education program.
HCV Chair Emeritus Professor Peter McPhee with our prize winners.
Lynette Russell Prize winner 2023 - Bairnsdale West Primary School
Women left to right: Megan Liston, Angie McKail, Aunty Dottie (Dottie Moffatt, Koorie Engagement Support Officer), Sylvia Holland. Blokes left to right: Paul West, Doug Vickers ( principal), Peter McPhee, Grattan Mullett (Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC))
The 2023 prize was awarded to Bairnsdale West Primary School for their work alongside local Aboriginal people, the Gunaikurnai, educating and engaging students in local First People's histories. In December 2023, HCV Chair Peter McPhee attended a Bairnsdale West Primary School assembly to present the award:
McPhee reports:
I went to Bairnsdale West Primary School on 12 December to congratulate the school on the award of the 2023 Lynette Russell Prize for First Peoples’ History in Schools. Our announcement was: “This entry to the Lynette Russell Prize was a whole school effort by the Bairnsdale West Primary School with a great deal of substance, a sustained effort that was built into the school year, and a deep engagement with local Indigenous people and creative material.”
The school was delighted and responded: “At Bairnsdale West PS we are proud to receive this award and we remain committed to teaching the true history of Australia and acknowledge that it is an important part of reconciliation. Our local Aboriginal people, the Gunaikurnai, and their history should be celebrated, and we will continue to work closely with local Koorie groups to inform our school community about this. Our motivation is to have a positive influence in the wider community by helping others to understand the ongoing impact of colonisation on our First Nations People.” The school assembly was a moving and unforgettable event.
Application information
Examples might include:
- School gardening program that follows a First Nations’ seasonal calendar and weather knowledge.
- Projects that focus on First Peoples' lives and events.
- Exploration of school’s activities around Reconciliation.
Award
The prize will consist of a cash payment of $500 and a certificate. The use of the prize will be determined by the teacher or Koori Engagement Support Officer, as appropriate, in consultation with students.
Winners will also be recognised with acknowledgement via the HCV’s publications and social media, and a year-long membership of the Friends of the HCV.
Resources
Possible resources can be found here:
Aboriginal Change Makers Y7-10 resource
You can fill out an application form here: https://forms.gle/wwMPZCSuHrjq8b5u5
Terms and conditions
The prize will be awarded at the discretion of the judging panel (as outlined under ‘Selection process’ below). The prize could be awarded to an individual student, a group of students or a class in years F-10 for a project that focusses on Australian First Peoples.
Eligibility
Applicants must be undertaking their schooling in Victoria.
Nominations
Students, groups or classes will be nominated by their educators or Koori Engagement Support Officer as appropriate. Applications are required to provide:
- a digital or hard copy of the project or, if that is not possible, a detailed description and samples.
- a completed entry form listing name, contact details, signature and date. The closing date for applications is 15 October.
Selection process
The Schools Prize for First Peoples’ History will be administered by a judging panel of three members with expertise in education and appointed by the Board of the HCV, consisting of a Board member as chair and including at least one First Nations person. The decision of the panel will be final.
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.