Dr. Julie Collins, an architecture historian at the University of South Australia, has been honoured with South Australia’s prestigious 2024 Historian of the Year Award. Her dedication to delving into the state’s rich architectural heritage and advocating for its conservation earned her this accolade.
The 2024 awards, announced during the culmination of South Australia’s History Festival, also commend individuals and groups contributing significantly to the field of history across the state, spanning from Burra to the Barossa, and from Gawler to Tailem Bend.
Matthew Fitzpatrick, President of the History Council of South Australia, underscores that these annual awards aim to spotlight both professional and amateur historians who diligently research, celebrate, and safeguard the state’s past, often labouring for decades without widespread recognition.
“To understand the past is to better appreciate what the future might hold,” Prof Fitzpatrick says.
“We are indebted to our award winners and nominees who’ve poured their hearts into history
projects across the state, and made South Australia a richer place for it.”
The 2024 award winners are:
- Historian of the Year: Dr. Julie Collins, a renowned historian and curator at the University of South Australia’s Architecture Museum, oversees a collection of 500,000 artifacts. Through recent projects examining South Australia’s sleepouts, department store buildings, Adelaide Oval, and clock towers, Julie has effectively raised historical awareness and engaged new audiences.
- Digital Technologies Award: Dan Schmidt captivates audiences with his unique blend of thorough historical research, interviews, and engaging storytelling through podcasts and radio platforms such as ABC Radio Adelaide and FiveAA.
- Emerging Historian: Samuel Doering has made remarkable strides in his field within a short span of time, conducting research on Vietnam military history and German and Lutheran migration into the Barossa. His dedication even extends to learning German to translate historical documents.
- Excellence in Oral History: Christeen Schoepf played a pivotal role in establishing the ‘Story-Lab’ recording studio in Port Pirie, facilitating the preservation of local oral histories. Additionally, she has contributed to publications for local history groups and developed content for ‘Story Towns’ podcasts.
- Regional and Community Award: The Tailem Bend Historians Association has revitalized the town’s disused railway station, integrated Aboriginal history with colonial narratives, and commemorated significant events such as the death of Mounted Constable Charles McCullagh.
- Distinguished Lifelong Historians: Once again, the judges faced a challenging decision as two exceptional nominees emerged. Meredith Satchell has played an integral role in the advancement of Burra’s renowned historical precincts, spanning numerous years. Her contributions include spearheading a World Heritage nomination, orchestrating the heritage plaque project, publishing a range of captivating works on the Burra region, and crafting self-guided historical walks. Meanwhile, Martin Walker has devoted over five decades to meticulously researching and amassing a collection documenting the postal and telecommunications history of South Australia. His endeavors encompass curating an exhibition showcasing South Australian philatelic and post office history for the joint Texas/South Australian sesquicentennial, participating in the 2019 Epic Flight Centenary organizing committee, and providing material for an exhibition in Turkey highlighting Gawler’s role in World War I.
- Wakefield Press Essay Prize: Amanda Wells garners this year’s coveted award for her outstanding essay titled “Halting Chowilla Dam: Salt, Science, and River Murray Politics in the 1960s.”
The recipient of the Wakefield Prize award is granted a $500 book voucher from the publisher. All other award recipients are presented with a $250 book voucher from Wakefield Press, along with statewide recognition and a one-year membership to the History Council of SA. Additionally, the winner of the Excellence in Oral History Award receives a one-year membership to Oral History Australia SA/NT.
