HCSA Historian Awards
Historian Awards 2024
The HCSA Historian Awards were launched in 2012, and seek to recognise the outstanding achievements of an individual or group who have made a major contribution in the field of history in South Australia. These achievements can encompass, but are not limited to, history teaching, historical research and scholarship, teaching, raising community awareness of our history and heritage (for example through presentations, exhibitions, traditional and digital publications), and strengthening the profile of history.
The awards may be awarded in the following categories: Historian of the Year; Emerging Historian; Life Long Historian; Digital Technologies Award; and Contribution to Regional or Community History (Individual or Group); Oral History Excellence (see below).
The Nominations for the 2024 Historian Awards will open from 1 January 2024. Closing date for submissions, 5 pm, Friday 5 April 2024.
The Oral History Excellence Award
Since 2021-2022, in conjunction with Oral History Australia SA/NT, the Oral History Excellence Award has been included as part of the HCSA Historian Awards. This is a brand new award, which recognises the best oral history presentation, in any format, that uses first person interviews with individuals encompassing unique life experiences and memories. The nominee can be either an individual or a group.
How to nominate a Historian
Please complete the nomination form and attach a citation (one-page maximum) setting out the case for the nominee in terms of how their achievements align with the award’s criteria.
A suggested citation could follow the following outline:
- Relevant background and relevant employment/volunteering/experience in history related fields
- Achievements/outputs (for example: publications, exhibitions and positions held)
- Community involvement and contribution
- Innovation/further details of interest
*Note: Nominations may be considered for up to three years following the initial application.
2023 winners
2023's winners were Lainie Anderson, Ricki Koopman and Danni Reade, Wayne Groom and Dr Carolyn Bilsborow, Alan Jones, Stephen Oppes, Prof Peter Monteath and Dr Philip Jones. Read more about the winners and their work here.
2022 winners
2022's winners were the Gumeracha & District History Centre, Helen Meyer, Adam Dutkiewicz, and Paul Mazourek. Read more about the winners and their work here.
2021 winners
2021's winners were Dr Anne Black, Dr Kristy Kokegei, Jeffrey Noble, Will Sergeant, and Don Loffler. Read more about the winners and their work here.
2020 winners
2020's winners were Rachel Bleeze, Eric Fuss, Barbara J. Lodge, and Paddy O' Toole. Read more about the winners and their work here.
Past Winners
2012
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Professor Eric Richards
South Australian Lifelong History Achievement Award: Dr Susan Marsden
Young South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Ms Skye Krichauff
2013
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Ms Patricia Sumerling
South Australian Lifelong History Achievement Award: Mr Ron Gibbs
Emerging South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Ms Elspeth Grant
2014
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Ms June Edwards
South Australian Lifelong History Achievement Award: Dr Brian Dickey
Emerging South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Ms Christeen Schoepf
South Australian Regional History Award: Ms Paula Bartsch
2015
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Mr Peter Donovan
South Australian Lifelong History Achievement Award: jointly awarded to Mr Tom Gara and Mr Graham Jaunay
Emerging South Australian Historian of the Year: Ms Carly Osborn
South Australian Regional History Award: Mr John Mannion
2016
South Australian Lifelong History Achievement Award: jointly awarded to Brian Samuels and Emeritus Professor Wilfrid Prest
Emerging South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Ms Cendall Slattery
South Australian Regional History Award: Mr Greg Slattery
2017
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Philip Payton
South Australian Lifelong History Achievement Award: jointly awarded to Lois Zweck and Bernard Whimpress
Emerging South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Allen Tiller
South Australian Regional History Award: Gill Starks
2018
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Romain Fathi
South Australian Lifelong History Achievement Award: Vivienne Szekeres
Emerging South Australian Historian Award: Jointly awarded to Steven Anderson, and the AdeLOL team, Dan Schmidt and Tom Stewart
South Australian Regional Historian Award: Judy Murdoch
2019
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Robert Kearney OAM
South Australian Lifelong History Achievement Award: jointly awarded to Dr Pauling Payne and Uncle Lewis Yerloburka O’Brien OA
Emerging South Australian Historian Award: Stuart Symons
South Australian Regional Historian Award: Helen Hennessey
2020
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Paddy O’Toole
South Australian Lifelong History Achievement Award: Barbara J. Lodge
Emerging South Australian Historian Award: Rachel Bleeze
South Australian Regional Historian Award: Eric Fuss of Burra
2021
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Will Sergeant
South Australian Lifelong Historian Award: Don Loffler, Motor Industry and Holden (GMH)
Emerging South Australian Historian Award: Dr Anne Black
South Australian Digital Technologies History Award: Dr Kristy Kokegei
Contribution to South Australian Regional or Community History Award: Jeffrey Noble
2022
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Adam Dutkiewicz
South Australian Lifelong Historian Award: Paul Mazourek
Contribution to South Australian Regional or Community History Award: The Gumeracha & District History Centre
Oral History Excellence Award: Helen Meyer
2023
South Australian Historian of the Year Award: Stephen Oppes
South Australian Lifelong Historian Award: jointly awarded to Prof Peter Monteath and Dr Philip Jones
Emerging South Australian Historian Award: Lainie Anderson
South Australian Digital Technologies History Award: Wayne Groom and Dr Carolyn Bilsborow
Contribution to South Australian Regional or Community History Award: Alan Jones
Oral History Excellence Award: Ricki Koopman and Danni Reade