The National History Challenge is a research-based competition for students from Years 5 to 12, 19 years of age or younger, in Australian schools. It gives students a chance to be an historian, investigating their community and exploring their own past. It emphasises and rewards quality research, the use of community resources and effective presentation. You can find out more on the National History Challenge website at www.historychallenge.com.au.

The JCPML actively supports the National History Challenge, sponsoring a prize each year in the special category The life and times of John Curtin. Information about the 2008 Challenge will be provided here once available. You can view some of the themes and winning entries from previous years by following the links provided further down this page.

2007 theme Lessons from the Past

National prize winner in the JCPML special category: Campbell Davis of Birdwood High School in South Australia for his essay John Curtin: A lesson in Political Popularity.

2006 theme Turning Points

National prize winner in the JCPML special category: Jacinta Livingstone, Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Queensland, for her essay Australia looks to America.

2005 theme Australians All

National prize winner in the JCPML special category: Stephanie Giles from Korowa Anglican Girls School, Victoria, for her web resource Raising the Curtin.

2004 theme Celebrations in Australian history

National prize winner in the JCPML special category: Louise Upshall from Hawker College, ACT, for her essay John Curtin: Celebration of a wartime leader.

2003 theme Conflict and resolution in Australian history

National prize winner in the JCPML special category: Oliver Rourke from Shore School, NSW, for his essay Conflict and resolution: the life and times of John Curtin. 

2002 theme Journeys & voyages

National prize winner in the JCPML special category: Tom Cooper, Shore School, NSW, for his essay John Curtin: A journey from high school dropout to the leader of Australia through its darkest days.

2001 theme Making our nation

National prize Winner in the JCPML special category: Benjamin Weber, Shore School, NSW, for his essay In what ways did the life and times of John Curtin influence the making of our nation.

2000 theme Achievers and achievement

National prize winner in the JCPML special category and Australian Young Historian of the Year:  Alysia Debowski, Year 10, Presbyterian Ladies College, Perth, Western Australia for her essay A rare achiever.

1999 theme Working together

National prize winner in the JCPML special category: Marcus Fitz-Gerald, Anglican Church Grammar School, Brisbane, Queensland, for his essay Working together through the life and times of John Curtin.