Winner announced for the 2021 Chief Minister’s Northern Territory History Book Award
The Honourable Michael Gunner, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory announced the winner of the 2021 Chief Minister’s Northern Territory History Book Award in a ceremony at the Library today. This year's winner was The Bible in Buffalo Country, Oenpelli Mission, 1925-1931, a book about the early years of a remote West Arnhem Land mission.
The expert judging panel of historians and academics were impressed by this year’s submissions.
“The submissions for 2021 varied widely, from academic to droving history, First Nations intergenerational histories, early settler and mission history; we were engaged and absorbed in the historical works presented and appreciated the range of writing styles” the panel said.
The panel also highly commended Maisie Austin, Matthew Stephen and the Cummings Family for their book, The Cummings Family: Family, Belonging and Connection to Country.
The books shortlisted for the Award were:
- Maisie Austin and Matthew Stephen, The Cummings Family: Family, Belonging and Connection to Country. Darwin: NT Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, 2020
- Sally May, Laura Rademaker, Donna Nadjamerrek, Julie Narndal Gumurdul, The Bible in Buffalo Country: Oenpelli Mission 1925-1931. Canberra: ANU Press, 2020.
- Derek Pugh, Port Essington: the British in North Australia 1838-49. Darwin: 2020
- Brian Reid, Power & Protection. The contest between the Government Residents and the medical Protectors of the Aborigines in South Australia’s Northern Territory. Darwin: Historical Society of NT, 2020.
The 9 entries were:
- Maisie Austin and Matthew Stephen, The Cummings Family: Family, Belonging and Connection to Country. Darwin: NT Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, 2020.
- Maisie Austin, Mona's Memories. Darwin: 2020.
- James Cox, Dillon: The Drove to Port Darwin. Melbourne: 2020.
- Sally May, Laura Rademaker, Donna Nadjamerrek, Julie Narndal Gumurdul, The Bible in Buffalo Country: Oenpelli Mission 1925-1931. Canberra: ANU Press, 2020.
- Derek Pugh, Fort Wellington: The British of North Australia 1827-29. Darwin: 2020.
- Derek Pugh, Port Essington: the British in North Australia 1838-49. Darwin: 2020.
- Brian Reid, Power & Protection. The contest between the Government Residents and the medical Protectors of the Aborigines in South Australia’s Northern Territory. Darwin: Historical Society of NT, 2020.
- Kim Scott, Pushing Longshots: Bruce Litchfield, Architect, His Top End Years 1939-1948. Katherine: 2020.
- Annie Sinclair, Old Darwin – Revisited. Darwin: 2020.
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Chansey Paech said "Once again, this year’s Award is a vital key to preserving the Northern Territory’s fascinating and unique history. I am proud that the Northern Territory Government sponsors this Award to keep our history alive, not only for our current generation, but for many generations to come. The story of the tumultuous years of the Oenpelli mission should be read by all people interested in Northern Territory history, because without this book, much of this history would be lost.”
The Chief Minister’s Northern Territory History Book Award has been administered by the Northern Territory Library since its creation in 2004.