Awards FAQs

The John Oxley Library Award is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the appreciation of Queensland history. No monetary award is gifted.

The John Oxley Library Community History Award is awarded to a community organisation or group who have made an outstanding contribution to the preservation, recording and sharing of Queensland history. The recipient receives a one-off $5,000 gift.

Both awards are given out annually.

John Oxley Library Award

• Open to Australian residents in any discipline or form of expression. This includes but is not limited to, researchers, artists, creatives, filmmakers, digital media practitioners, musicians and composers, curators and arts professionals, writers, independent scholars and other creators.  
• The John Oxley Library Award is awarded to an individual.  
• Interstate residents are eligible.  
• Individuals cannot self-nominate for this category.  
• Nominees do not need to be currently employed.  
• A post humous nomination can be made in this category.  
• The achievement being recognised can be a specific activity, or a combination of contributions/activities over time.  
• University or Australian Research Council (ARC) research teams are ineligible. 
• Projects that are a component of post graduate studies are ineligible.  
• Current State Library of Queensland employees and board members are ineligible.  
   

John Oxley Library Community History Award 

• Open to Australian community organisations or groups. 
• The John Oxley Library Community History Award is awarded to an organisation or group, not an individual who is part of an organisation or group.  
• Interstate organisations or groups are eligible.  
• Individuals cannot self-nominate for this category. 
• University or Australian Research Council (ARC) research teams are ineligible. 
• Projects that are a component of post graduate studies are ineligible.  
• Current State Library of Queensland employees and board members are ineligible.   

John Oxley Library Award is a recognition only award with no monetary stipend. 

John Oxley Library Community History Award recipient receives a one off payment of $5,000. Supported by Queensland Library Foundation.

Funds can be spent at the discretion of organisation to support their area of historic interest.

Nominations for both awards are welcome via SmartyGrants all year round. 

No. As 'impact' is a key selection criterion, nominations must come from someone else who can recognise and support your work.

Your nominations should address the selection criteria set out in the Guidelines. You may also include links to relevant online projects or initiatives. You also have the opportunity to upload pdf documents or images (maximum of 3 attachments).

Yes. You can save your work as many times as you like before you submit.  

Nominations are accepted all year round, but selection takes place after the annual Queensland Memory Awards call for applications and nominations closes, generally mid-year. Recipients are chosen by a judging panel and announced at the Queensland Memory Awards ceremony, usually in November.

Yes.

The process is as follows: 

• nominations for both awards are submitted via Smarty Grants.
• nominations are checked for completeness and eligibility by State Library of Queensland.
• a longlist of both internal and external nominees is developed by State Library for both awards
• the longlist of nominees is forwarded to an independent judging panel made up of professionals with expertise in the area of Queensland history
• judges read and assess the nominees against the selection criteria.
• judges decide on a shortlist and then award the applicant with the highest merit against the selection criteria as the successful applicant.

Each Award has specific selection criteria used by the judging panel to assess nominations and choose a recipient annually. These criteria are detailed in the Awards Guidelines document.

Please read the document carefully and keep the criteria in mind when answering the questions in the nomination form.

Selection Criteria - John Oxley Library Award

1. Significance - high quality, original and creative output(s) in the field of Queensland history 35%
2. Impact - advanced public understanding and appreciation of Queensland history, including fostering new perspectives 35%
3. Professionalism and leadership - role model for others and encouraging best practice 30%

Selection Criteria - John Oxley Library Community History Award

1. Significance - significant and relevant output(s) in the field of Queensland history 35%
2. Impact - increasing community access to and awareness of Queensland history, increasing capacity and/or capability of the sector and community  35%
3. Collaboration - collaborative approach to project/s and demonstrates sharing of knowledge  30%

The judging panels for the John Oxley Library Awards is made up of representatives from the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) sector or historians specialising in Queensland history. 

The names of all judges are published on the Judging webpage after the judging process is completed each year.

Recipients and nominees are notified of the outcome about six weeks after the annual Queensland Memory Awards application and nomination period closes, once judging is complete. Notifications are sent to the email address used to submit the application in SmartyGrants.

• If possible, attend Queensland Memory Awards announcement event, usually held each November, to accept the award, or send a representative.
• Participate in any media coverage about the award

You can request feedback. Please email fellowships@slq.qld.gov.au 

Yes. Nominees work must be relevant to Queensland history. 

No, but they must reside in Australia 

Yes. You will need to provide three referees. 

Keep up to date on the latest news via the Queensland Memory Awards website, or contact fellowships@slq.qld.gov.au.