Special Categories

Using Primary Sources from the National Archives

Sponsored by the National Archives of Australia

Using primary sources from the National Archives of Australia

The National Archives’ collection is vast and diverse. It documents the full range of Australian Government activities since Federation in 1901. The Australian Constitution and many documents on Federation are in the National Archives.

This category promotes the use of primary sources (archival records) from the National Archives of Australia.

NEW in 2010!
In celebration of the Australian Constitution, an extra prize will be offered in this category.

  
Two options for an essay topic
Students should choose one of the following options for their essay topic:

(1) The Constitution – creating a nation

(2) Delving into the National Archives collection – choose one of the following topics: human rights, immigration, environment, national enterprises, gender, or science and technology.

 

 How to enter
 
To be considered for prizes in thie category, students must:

  

Prizes

One winner will be selected from each state and territory for each of the two topic options. Each will receive a cash prize of $200. Two national winners – one for each topic option – will be selected from the state and territory winners. National winners will receive a further cash prize of $300, and an expense-paid trip the Canberra to attend the national awards ceremony for the National History Challenge, and to visit national cultural institutions including the National Archives of Australia.

  

Getting started

Vrroom

Students can use Vrroom, the virtual reading room website at www.vrroom.naa.gov.au, to discover how easy it is to find surprising and tantalising primary sources relevant to their topic. In late February, Vrroom will include a link to the National History Challenge 2010 and a selection of records relating to each topic. And there will be questions to get students thinking about celebrations, memories and history.

Learn about using primary sources

To find out about using primary sources, students are encouraged to look at www.naa.gov.au/learning/schools/national-history-challenge/using-archival-records.aspx

Learn more about the National Archives collection

To get a quick overview of the breadth of the National Archives collection, students can get a copy of the booklet, Our Collection. Send an email to the address below.

Previous winning entries in this category

To see previous years’ winning entries, go to www.naa.gov.au/learning/schools/national-history-challenge/winning-entries.aspx

 

 For more information, contact:

Rhonda King
Education Officer
National Archives of Australia
Tel: (02) 6212 3792
Fax: (02) 6212 6230
Email:
education@naa.gov.au