Opportunities and Events of Interest

Ron and Dianne Davidson Research Scholarship 2021 - Deadline 24 September 2021

Applications are now open for the Fremantle History Society’s one-year scholarship. The scholarship is valued at $2,000 for a research project relating to the history of Fremantle to be undertaken in 2022. The scholarship takes its name from and acknowledges the work and contribution of FHS life members and Fremantle historians/authors Ron and Dianne Davidson.

The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage new, high quality research which will contribute to the understanding of the history and heritage of Fremantle. Whilst the successful applicant will be expected to produce a work of academic quality based of factual research, they are also encouraged to pursue a topic, or angle on a topic not covered in existing literature on an aspect of Fremantle's history and/or heritage.

The format of the final piece is negotiable but is expected take the form of a monograph of between 5,000-8,000 words and can include photographs or other images/graphics.

Eligibility covers a broad range from community members, students, local historians, academics or individuals interested in Fremantle's history – anyone who shows enthusiasm about the prospect of completing a high-quality work celebrating Fremantle's past.

Submissions will be assessed by an independent scholarship selection committee and make a recommendation to the FHS Committee for consideration. Proposals will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • The research should be new or takes a new perspective on past research.

  • The proposal should be intrinsically connected to Fremantle.

  • The applicant can demonstrate the ability to complete the work to a high standard within the nominated time frame.

  • The research needs to be an innovative or creative approach to the chosen topic/theme.

  • Confirmation the proposed study is a piece of original work, not published elsewhere or submitted for another publication.

  • Application procedures: Applicants are required to complete the FHS History Research

Scholarship Application Form. Applications must be received by the Secretary of the Fremantle History Society, secretary.fhs@gmail.com or PO Box 1305 Fremantle 6159 by Friday 24 September 2021.

The successful scholarship recipient will be announced at the Fremantle Studies Day on 24 October 2021.


Book Prize for early career researchers or first-time published writers - Deadline: 31 December 2021

Submissions for the Donna Coates Book Prize 2021 are now open.

The annual award has been named after a leading scholar of Australian, Canadian, and Aotearoa New Zealand Studies and was initiated last year. The award is for a monograph published by an early career researcher (someone who is within eight years of being awarded their Ph.D. or six years from their first academic appointment) and/or someone who has published their first book. The work needs to include at least two of the three countries that are the focus of the network (Australia, Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand) and be published in the year in which the prize is promoted. Submissions are not confined to permanent residents or citizens of the three countries and the prize is open to all disciplines and to anyone in the world.  

An international adjudication committee will decide which book the prize will be awarded to. Winners of the prize will receive GBP150, have their book featured on the ACNZSN website, included in the ACNZSN fortnightly newsletter, and promoted on social media. For details on the submission requirements can be found at Book Prize – Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand Studies Network (ACNZSN). The deadline is 31 December 2021, with the winner announced by 30 June 2022.

The winner of the inaugural prize was James Keating’s Distant Sisters: Australasian Women and the International Struggle for the Vote, 1880-1914 (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2020). 

Flametree CreativeWinter 2021