North Shore Historical Society research essay competition

About

The North Shore Historical Society invites all local history enthusiasts to write an essay about North Sydney LGA’s rich, diverse and vibrant history!

Entrants can write an original research project based on any aspect of North Sydney’s history, such as:

Historically significant buildings and developments
Parks and natural environmental features
Events of interest
Local heroes and people of note
Organisations, community groups, schools, churches, and charities
Politicians and political movements

Prizes

1 x $1000 for one winning entry of maximum 4,000 words excluding footnotes and bibliography
(At the judges' discretion) 1 x $250 for runner up prize

Judging criteria

Entries will be judged based on well their work fits the following criterias:

Criteria
How closely the work relates to the history of the North Sydney Council Local Government area. Research may be submitted on any topic that is related to any part of the Council area.
How much original historical research and consultation of primary and secondary sources the work involves. Entrants must submit an original piece of research.
How well the sources used are documented in footnotes and/or in a bibliography.
How much new information, or how many new historical connections or interpretations, the work provides.
How strongly the work adheres to its chosen topic or theme.
The professional quality and the style of the work and ease of comprehension (presentation, layout, spelling, grammar, etc)

The Society reserves the right to withhold the prize awards if entries are judged inadequate. The judges’ decision will be final.

Entries close on Tuesday 30 June 2026.