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The discussions and debates that led to the creation of our state boundaries are a fascinating piece of our history .
Local history
Decorated historian says nothing was ‘ inevitable ’ about how Australia was formed .
By Wade Zaglas
Wollongong-based historian Dr Andre Brett is the recipient of the Australian Academy of Humanities ’ 2021 Max Crawford Medal .
The Max Crawford Medal is Australia ’ s most prestigious award for achievement and promise in the humanities , and is awarded to an Australian-based , early-year scholar every year .
Brett was nominated by Professor Sean Scalmer , who described this year ’ s winner as “ among the best of his generation of historians working in and on the history of Australia and Zealand ”. Being legally blind , Brett is also an example and an inspiration of what one can achieve when they follow their passion .
After being conferred his PhD in History at the University of Melbourne , the researcher has gone on to receive a number of grants and prizes . He has also researched at every major state and national repository in Australia , and has published numerous articles in well-respected journals .
However , Brett is not strictly an academic : he has enjoyed a “ second career ” as a public historian , “ producing content for exhibitions and television ”. Currently , he is an honorary fellow at the University of Wollongong .
Brett was shocked to take out this year ’ s award , telling people he “ still can ’ t believe it ”.
“ I have worked with fantastic , supportive people , and in this I have been extraordinarily lucky ,” he said .
Brett ’ s research has been hailed as “ prolific ”. In particular , his work on the “ intersections of history of transport , economic history , and environmental history ” has provided other historians and researchers with critical insights . “ From his doctoral study of New Zealand ’ s former provincial governments and through his publications on Australian higher education history and his research on the history of the Moriori people of Rēkohu / Chatham Islands , nominator Professor Scalmer believes that Dr Brett is ‘ recasting what it means to be an academic historian in Australia .’”
Brett is also a proud “ train buff ”, and one of his key passions is researching and documenting how railways affected the environment in both Australia and New Zealand from the mid-1800s to the First World War .
“ Those railways defined our floodplains and altered the hydrology of our environment . Communities which had never experienced flooding were suddenly inundated after the railways were constructed ,” Brett said .
Brett ’ s research in this area will be included in a book with the working title Scars in the Country : Railways in Australian and New Zealand Environments .
He admits he is attracted to the “ more colourful moments in history ”, particularly histories involving failure or unintended consequences . His latest research project involves exactly that — the successful separation of Victoria and Queensland in Colonial Australia , “ and the plethora of unsuccessful ones such as the Riverina , New England , North Queensland and Otago , which all sought ( but failed to achieve ) standalone status as colonies of their own ”.
“ It ’ s important to remember that all of Australia and New Zealand , other than Western Australia , were once a part of New South Wales . The discussions and debates that led to the creation of our state boundaries are a fascinating piece of our history ,” the historian said .
“ Nothing was inevitable about the emergence of seven British colonies in Australasia and we could live in a trans- Tasman federation of ten states – or NSW might still have the entire east coast .”
President of the Australian Academy of Humanities Professor Lesley Head congratulated Brett on receiving the medal , acknowledging the diversity of his research and employment of media to bring history to life to new audiences .
“ Andre is a remarkably accomplished historian whose research extends across several fields ,” she said .
“ He should be commended for the way in which he has brought our history to life , and to many new audiences , through his use of media . On behalf of the Fellows , I warmly congratulate André on his remarkable achievements to date and we all look forward to following what I ’ m sure will be a long and distinguished career .”
The Max Crawford Medal celebrates the career of eminent historian Emeritus Professor Max Crawford , one of the founders of the first academic journal dedicated to Australian history ( Historical Studies ). He is also widely recognised for influence in the way history was being taught in Australian schools and universities and played a critical role in the creation of The Australian Academy of the humanities . ■
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