Explore this year’s theme of Contested Histories using primary sources from the National Archives of Australia.
National Archives welcomes entries in any format. More details about accepted formats.
The National Archives has an extensive collection of Australian primary sources. Primary sources from the National Archives’ collection must be central to supporting your arguments, and referenced in your bibliography. You may also draw on primary sources from other collections, as well as secondary sources, to support your argument.
In considering your research for the category Using Primary Sources, you may wish to research the following topic areas or identities.
War
Japanese War Crimes in the Pacific: Australia’s investigations and prosecutions
Wartime internment camps in Australia
Immigration
The Immigration Restriction Act 1901 and the White Australia policy
Child migration
Good British Stock: Child and Youth Migration to Australia
First Australians
Aboriginal petitions
Aboriginal deaths in custody
British nuclear tests at Maralinga
Eddie Koiki Mabo and the Mabo case
Forced Adoptions
Forced Adoptions History Project
You may also choose to explore Contested Histories through your own topic selected from the National Archives’ collection.
You might also like to explore:
- most popular topics on the National Archives’ website
- personal stories of immigration to Australia at Destination: Australia
- records about Australians and New Zealanders in World War I and the Boer War at Discovering Anzacs
- records on Vrroom or RecordSearch
- official documents and transcripts on Documenting a Democracy.
Further information about the National History Challenge.
Sponsor Details
National Archives of Australia
National Office location:
Kings Avenue
Parkes ACT 2600
Our postal address:
PO Box 4924
Kingston ACT 2604
Phone: + 61 2 6212 3600
Website: Naa.gov.au