Peter Symons wins Jane Hansen Prize for History Advocacy

Peter Symons

Every Australian historian knows the immense value of Trove. But when Government funding cuts to the National Library of Australia threatened the survival of this indispensable online archive, writer, historian and valued PHA member Peter Symons stepped up to save it.

This week, the History Council of Victoria recognised Peter’s tenacious campaign to save Trove with the 2023 Jane Hansen Prize for History Advocacy. Established in 2020, the prize honours Jane Hansen AO, a philanthropist with a passion for history and advocacy.

Peter’s initiation of a well-supported petition and unstinting efforts to publicise the need for funding for Trove contributed greatly to the continuation of its funding. Thanks to Peter and other history advocates, the National Library of Australia can continue its important work of collating, digitising and making Australia’s historical records available to everyone through Trove.

On behalf of the PHA (Vic & Tas) branch, congratulations Peter for your well-deserved win and all your valuable work advocating for Trove.

About Peter Symons

Peter Symons is a published fiction writer, historian, freelance editor and teacher. You can read more about his work at his website: https://petersymons.org/