The John Ferry Award  is awarded annually to recognise outstanding local and community histories within New South Wales.

The award has been established through donations from the history community to honour the memory of John Ferry (1949-2004). An exemplary teacher and community historian he played a major role in practising and encouraging quality local studies during his career as a school-teacher, and then as lecturer and senior lecturer at the Armidale College of Advanced Education and University of New England.

2011 John Ferry Award

The John Ferry Award for 2011 has been presented to Margaret Eleanor Rodwell for her essay ‘Working the Land Laws: Manipulation and Management of Free Selection on Ollera Station, Guyra, 1860-c.1914’. The award was presented at the Royal Australian Historical Society conference dinner on Saturday 29 October 2011 at the East Maitland Bowling Club. In her winning essay, the author has provided a fine example of a local history that serves to not only shed light on a specific district but can also serve to contribute to knowledge on the subject across a much broader area.

To read the Judges' report please click on the link on the right hand side of this page.

Donate to the John Ferry Award!

The History Council is still collecting donations for the John Ferry Award. Donations are tax deductible. If you would like to make a donation please contact the office or download the form in the right hand column of this page.

Previous Winners

2010 Toby Martin

“Country Music Capital: Heritage in Tamworth”

2009 Dr Karen Agutter

"The Importance of Broken Hill: Fighting the Unjust Treatments of Friendly Aliens in Australia during WWI".

2008 Stephanie Louise Hanson

‘”Electrical Wonders of the Present Age”: Cinema-going on the Far South Coast of NSW'.

2007 Lorina Barker

'“Hangin’ out” and “Yarnin”: Reflecting on the Experience of Collecting Oral Histories'.