Premier and Minister for the Arts Nathan Rees today announced a shortlist of 17 print, audio and film works for the 2009 NSW Premier’s History Awards.

“History enriches our knowledge of ourselves, our lives, and the communities in which we live,” Mr Rees said.

“Now in their 13th year, the Premier’s History Awards honour the contribution of Australian historians.

“This year’s short-listed works were chosen from 182 nominations and cover topics as diverse as disabled WWI veterans, volunteer servicemen in Hiroshima, the story of Australian surfing, the work of Charles Darwin, race relations in Kempsey and African American identity.

“I congratulate the shortlisted entrants and thank them for their invaluable contribution to the historical narrative of Australia and the world.

“We’re committed to helping more people engage with the arts and I hope the NSW Premier’s History Awards will motivate people of all ages to spend more time reading and perhaps even writing about history.”

The awards, worth a total of $75,000, are in the categories of Australian History, General History, NSW Community and Regional History, Young People’s History and Multimedia.

The winners of the 2009 NSW Premier’s History Awards will be announced at a presentation dinner on Tuesday, October 27 2009 at the Mint.

This year’s selection panel comprised Emeritus Professor Ros Pesman (Chair), Dr Margo Beasley, Dr Peter Cochrane, Dr Josephine May, Ms Mari Metzke and Dr David Roberts.

Film-maker Michael Caulfield, who produced the Logie Award winning ABC series Australians at War, will deliver the 2009 History Awards Address.

Read the full Media Release

Read the Judges' comments on the 2009 shortlist