8 December 2022
History Makers school video challenge winners announced
Schools from all over Australia have shared in prizes awarded by the National Museum of Australia and project sponsor, the Gandel Foundation, as winners of the inaugural History Makers school challenge.
National Museum Director Dr Mathew Trinca announced the History Makers prize winners today at a ceremony in the Museum’s Gandel Atrium.
Between June and November 2022, the Museum invited school students to tell stories about Australia’s defining moments – local, national and global – that have shaped Australia and will continue to shape us into the future.
Schools from around the country submitted video entries about the historical and contemporary defining moments that matter to them.
Students explored a wide range of defining moments in Australian history including the arrival of convicts in Australia, the bombing of Darwin, the Wave Hill Walk-Off and the passing of the Sex Discrimination Act. Others showcased moments significant for their local communities.
Museum director Dr Mathew Trinca commended the program for promoting Australian history and starting important conversations in schools around the nation.
‘Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom has taken important moments in our history to students around Australia. The History Makers challenge has made it possible for those students to speak back to the Museum and tell us about the moments that matter to them,’ Dr Trinca said.
Winners and runners-up were awarded in the categories of regional stories, research skills, collaboration, creativity and clever use of technology. Winning schools received $2,000 and runners-up $500.
John Gandel AC and Pauline Gandel AC of the Gandel Foundation praised the range of entries and the enthusiasm shown by participating schools.
‘History Makers has demonstrated the extent to which school students are engaged with and passionate about Australian history. We are delighted to see the diversity of entries from schools and congratulate all participants,’ Mr Gandel said.
National Museum Schools and Engagement Manager Marissa Beard said she is thrilled to include the work in the Museum’s resources.
‘We have been impressed by the creativity and empathy of students. We are excited to include their voices through our Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom,’ Ms Beard said.
The ceremony was attended by Stephen Gandel, representing project sponsor Gandel Foundation.
The winning schools are: Belair Primary School (SA), Binalong Public School (NSW), Darwin High School (NT), Galilee Catholic Primary School, Bondi (NSW), a homeschool (Qld), Mandama Primary School (Vic), Orana Catholic Primary School, Willetton (WA), Quairading District High School (WA), St Francis School, Lockleys (SA) and St Patrick’s Primary School, Gundagai (NSW). Runners-up are: All Saints College, Bull Creek (WA), a homeschool (NSW), Khancoban Primary School (NSW), St Francis School, Lockleys (SA), St Thomas School, Goodwood (SA) and Victory Christian College, Strathdale (Vic).
You can watch the winning and runners-up entries at History Makers Digital Classroom
Media contact: Matthew Heap 02 6208 5148 | 0459 949 172 or media@nma.gov.au
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