A talented Year 10 student from Sydney has taken out Australia’s most prestigious history award for school students at the National History Challenge awards.
The 2020 National Young Historian of the Year is Brio Dos Santos-Lee from Sydney Girls High School.
Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education, Andrew Gee, said this year’s competition was fierce, with more than 7,000 entries from more than 600 schools across Australia.
“The year 2020 has been one of the most eventful in recent history, with the bushfires, drought and COVID-19 pandemic disrupting many aspects of everyday student life,” Minister Gee said.
“I am glad to see the challenges of this year have not impacted on students’ enthusiasm for history.
“This year’s theme of ‘Contested Histories’ brought about many topics ranging from Angus McMillian’s legacy to the significance of historical monuments.
“Students from across Australia have researched and explored contested histories, demonstrating a passion for exploring and understanding the past.
“This challenge has allowed aspiring young historians to broaden their understanding of people, societies and culture, and of how we came to live in the world we do today.
“I congratulate all of the students who participated in this year’s National History Challenge. History forms a vital part of Australia’s unique culture and I encourage you to continue pursuing your interest in investigating the past.”
The other category National winners are as follows:
Category | Name | School |
National Young Historian | Brio Dos Santos-Lee | Sydney Girls High School (Sydney, NSW) |
Year Level 11-12 | Lily Farrell | Loreto College (Adelaide, SA) |
Year Level 10 | Brio Dos Santos-Lee | Sydney Girls High School (Sydney, NSW) |
Year Level 9 | Chanhyeok Wang | Telopea Park School (Canberra, ACT) |
Year Level 8 | Sienna Weerakody | St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School (Perth, WA) |
Year Level 7 | Akshaya Krishnamurthi | Presbyterian Ladies’ College (Melbourne, VIC) |
Year Level 7 | Jessica Bao | Presbyterian Ladies’ College (Melbourne, VIC) |
Year Level 7 | Ayla Chetty | Presbyterian Ladies’ College (Melbourne, VIC) |
Year Level 5-6 | Arlo Temple | Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School (Sydney, NSW) |
Asia and Australia | Aaron Rucinski | Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Sydney, NSW) |
Democracy | Jemima Pinto-Menezes | Rossmoyne Senior High School (Perth, WA) |
Sport | Mim Grice | Champion Bay Senior High School (Mount Tarcoola, WA) |
Women’s History | Millie Patterson | Geraldton Grammar School (Beresford, WA) |
Portrait Power | Holly Alp | Loreto College (Marryatville, SA) |
Portrait Power | Lucy Hoskins | Loreto College (Marryatville, SA) |
Indigenous | Angus Duncan | Brisbane Grammar School (Brisbane, QLD) |
Indigenous | Tom McCarthy-James | Brisbane Grammar School (Brisbane, QLD) |
Australian Wartime Experiences | Charles Merrifield | Denmark Senior High School (Denmark, WA) |
Using Primary Sources | Ella Bibby | Mount Saint Joseph Girls’ College (Altona, VIC) |
Museum Exhibit | Arlo Temple | Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School (Sydney, NSW) |
Each State and Territory Young Historians and the Young Historian of the Year have been announced at ceremonies around the country.
The Australian Government is providing $836,500 over 2015-16 to 2019-20 for the National History Challenge.
