National History Challenge
The National History Challenge is a research-based competition for students from Primary to year 12. For the theme for this year and entry information go to www.historychallenge.org.au.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Australian War Memorial jointly support the National History Challenge by sponsoring a special category, Australian Wartime Experiences. This category enables students to research Australia's wartime history and gain an understanding of the service and sacrifice of the men and women who served Australia in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. If you have any questions about this special category, please email commemorations@dva.gov.au or phone 133 254.
Prizes
State/Territory winners will receive a cash prize of $200. National winner/s will receive a cash prize of $300 and travel to Canberra to attend the National Presentation Ceremony at Parliament House. The National History Challenge covers travel, meals, accommodation and incidental costs to, from, and whilst in Canberra.
2011 National Winner
Alexandra McKinnon from Narrabundah College, ACT was named the National Winner in the special category In War and Peace (now Australian Wartime Experiences) at the 2011 National History Challenge Presentation at Parliament House.
Miss McKinnon responded to the theme Defining Moments with an essay on the 1942 bombing of Darwin. You can read her winning essay here. [With permission from the History Teachers’ Association of Australia.]
In this image: Alexandra McKinnon with Minister for Veterans' Affairs Warren Snowdon.
Getting started with your research
More than a million servicemen and servicewomen have served Australia in wartime. The impact they had on the places they served in and the memories they left behind are worthy of study.
In considering your research for the Australian Wartime Experiences category you may wish to investigate some of the following topic questions:
- How has the way Australians remember the First World War changed over time?
- Why do will still commemorate the Anzacs today?
- How do peacekeeping operations fit into the Australian understanding of conflict? How do you think they will be viewed in the future?
- How did the war impact on the lives of serving Australians?
- How have Australian servicemen and servicewomen contributed to world peace?
- How has the Australian perception of war changed over time?
Or, you can develop a project around your own ideas by researching a person or an event:
- an Australian soldier, nurse, sailor, airman or airwoman;
- someone from your own family;
- a particular conflict or peacekeeping mission; or
- a veteran from your own community.
Useful websites