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Gold heritage medal for Dr Scott's Ekka book
A book co-authored by the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Dr Joanne Scott has won a gold medal in the National Trust of Queensland awards.
USC Associate Professor of History Dr Scott and Dr Ross Laurie of UQ spent four years researching and writing the 250-page book ‘Showtime: A History of the Brisbane Exhibition’, which was published in time for last year’s Ekka.
It was launched at the Museum of Brisbane in conjunction with a social history exhibition about the Ekka called ‘10 Days in August’.
Dr Scott recently flew from Canberra, where she is researching a new book, to Old Government House in Brisbane for the annual National Trust ceremony.
“I was thrilled when our book and the exhibition won a gold in the largest category, the Governor's Heritage Award,” a delighted Dr Scott said. “We accepted it from the Governor of Queensland Ms Penelope Wensley AO.”
Criteria for the category include projects that promote understanding of the heritage value of a place or activity, including research; and actions to conserve the cultural significance of a place or activity. Two other golds were issued.
The Trust citation praised “the nostalgic exhibition and the well-researched and richly-illustrated publication”. It is published by University of Queensland Press.
Dr Scott took her mother Lyn to the presentation and enjoyed networking with other heritage award winners.
“I’ve recently completed a Fellowship at the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra where I researched other Australian agricultural shows through newsreels from the 1910s to the 1950s,” she said.
“I’m now buried in thousands of records while working on the history of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which is intensive but fun.
“The project is funded by the Australian Research Council and will lead to a book on the first 100 years of Australia's central agency.”
– Julie Gatehouse