Lane Cove Historical Society History Prize 2017

historical society history prize

Have you got what it takes to enter this year’s Lane Cove Historical Society’s 2017 History Prize and be in the running to win $2000?

LCHS Logo

The aim of the Lane Cove History Prize is to encourage original research into the history of Lane Cove and its environs, extending knowledge of the area and its people. It is intended that the research will contribute to an enriched understanding of Lane Cove, both past and present. [1]

The results of the research will be published in the LCHS Journal and lodged with the Lane Cove Library Local Studies Unit for the wider information of the public, and preserved for the use of future researchers.

Original research may well involve documenting knowledge about some person, event or phenomenon not hitherto documented.  Equally, such research may take some known person, event or phenomenon and offer some fresh perspectives or insights, achieving a new understanding and interpretation. Any research offered for the Lane Cove History Prize must also be original in the sense that it has not been offered elsewhere, either in another prize or, for example, in completion of some degree program of study.

For the 2017 Lane Cove History Prize, entrants may submit

EITHER

An essay (illustrated where appropriate) of 5,000 to 7,000 words,

OR

An Oral History produced digitally as a video or audio recording on USB stick or disc of 30-45 minutes’ duration. This must be accompanied by a written transcription (in Microsoft Word format).

2016 Winner Margaret Clark (Right)
2016 Winner Margaret Clark (Right)

Conditions of Entry

  1. Entrants must complete and sign an official entry form and lodge it together with their entry in the Lane Cove History Prize.
  1. Written entries must be submitted on disc or USB stick in Microsoft Word, and accompanied by two hard copies.
  1. Oral history entries must be submitted in good quality video or audio digital mode and accompanied by a well-written transcript of any talk or any accompanying voice over narration.
  1. It is important to note that it is the responsibility of entrants to ensure that their entries are properly submitted and received. No poorly presented entries will be accepted.
  1. Entries must be in English.
  1. Entrants may submit more than one piece of research if they wish. A separate entry form is required for each entry.
  1. Copyright of any research work submitted remains with the author of the work at all times, and will be acknowledged in any publication.
  1. In awarding the Prize, the Lane Cove Historical Society Inc. retains the right to publish the manuscript or Oral History Project, and a copy will be lodged in the Lane Cove Library.
  1. The successful entry may also be made available on the LCHS website.
  1. The judges shall have the discretion to divide the prize equally between entrants they consider of equal merit.
  1. The entries will be judged on individual merit. The judges reserve the right to award no prize if they deem there are no entries of sufficiently high quality. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  1. Entrants do not need to be residents of Lane Cove.
  1. Only individuals, not organisations or societies, may enter; however, entries with joint authors are permitted.

Judging

The judging panel will consist of two persons, one of whom will be Dr. Kay Leiper, the President of the Society, while the other is yet to be nominated.

Entrants are advised to consider the criteria below before entering the competition.

  1. How closely the work relates to the history of Lane Cove and its environs. Research may be submitted on any topic that substantially relates to Lane Cove; the relevance of the work to Lane Cove will be one of the main judging criteria.
  1. How much original historical research and consultation of primary and secondary sources the work involves.
  1. How well the sources used are documented in footnotes or endnotes and in a set of references in the form of a bibliography.
  1. Whether or not the work includes new information, be that a genuinely new topic, or new information about some topic that has been documented before.
  1. Whether or not the work has a consistent theme or a cohesive argument.
  1. The professional quality and the style of the work and the writing itself (spelling, grammar, layout, etc.).

7. An essay should be no less than 5,000 and no more than 7,000 words, including references.

8. An Oral History Prize entry should be digital video or audio production on disc or USB stick of 30-45 minutes’ duration, and accompanied by a clear, well-written and complete transcript of any talk.

Closing date

All entries must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 31st August 2017.

Any enquiries should be directed to Dr. Frances Christie [email protected]

 

[1] The term “Lane Cove and its environs” refers to the modern Municipality of Lane Cove—Lane Cove, Lane Cove West, Lane Cove North, Greenwich, Northwood, Longueville, and Linley Point. It is acknowledged that in the past “Lane Cove” covered a much broader geographical area, for it embraced parts of modern Hunters Hill, and Woolwich, North Sydney, Chatswood and suburbs north to Gordon. Hence, submissions will be accepted when these areas are introduced into a study of the period in which these areas constituted “Lane Cove”.

lchs prize


 

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