Entries are now open for the Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize. The Prize is being awarded as part of the NSW History Awards and is valued at $10,000.
The Military History Prize is for a work of non-fiction published in book or e-book form, on the involvement of Australians in wars, campaigns, battles and/or peacekeeping operations since the granting of limited self-government to NSW in 1855.
All works must have been first published, broadcast or screened and made publicly and commercially available between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.
In the spirit of Anzac, the Prize is open to any works where at least one of the principal authors is a citizen and permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand.
Further details about the intent and eligibility criteria of the Prize can be found below. Before entering, we encourage you to read the Guidelines.
Entries close Thursday 3 April at 5pm. Please note a discounted early-bird entry fee of $75 applies until 5 pm, Thursday 13 March 2025. Entries received after this time are $100.
View the previous winners and shortlists via the dropdown menu below.
View the winners and shortlists
2024 Winner and Shortlist
Winner
Kriegies: The Australian Airmen of Stalag Luft III by Kristen Alexander (Self-Published)
Read the judges' comments
Shortlist
The Chipilly Six: Unsung heroes of the Great War by Lucas Jordan (NewSouth Publishing)
Read the judges' comments
Flawed Hero: Truth, lies and war crimes by Christ Masters (Allen & Unwin)
Read the judges' comments
2023 Winner and Shortlist
Winner
Soldiers and Aliens: Men in the Australian Army’s Employment Companies during World War II by June Factor (Melbourne University Publishing) Read the judges comments
Shortlist
The Scrap Iron Flotilla: Five Valiant Destroyers and the Australian War in the Mediterranean by Mike Carlton (Penguin Random House Australia)
He belonged to Wagga: The Great War, the AIF and returned soldiers in an Australian country town by Ian Hodges (Australian Scholarly Publishing)
Highly Commended
The War Game: Australian war leadership from Gallipoli to Iraq by David Horner (Allen & Unwin)
Frequently asked questions
What type of events does the Military History Prize encompass?
The subject matter for the Prize covers the broad scope of military history including combat and non-combat roles (eg nursing); battle front and/or home front history and both conflict and peacekeeping service. The impact of military events on Australia and its people is an eligible subject.
Are works on Australia’s frontier conflicts eligible for the Military History Prize?
Books on Australia’s frontier conflicts are not eligible for the Military History Prize but are eligible for the Australian History Prize category in the NSW History Awards.
Do the works have to be completely factual?
It is intended that all works submitted for the Prize should be non-fictional. However, the use of fictional techniques, eg re-enactments, for exposition or dramatization for works such ‘as a broadcast film, television or radio program, DVD, podcast, website or application for mobile/handheld devices’ are permitted if the content that is being presented is essentially factual.
Are children’s books eligible for the Military History Prize?
Children’s books are not eligible for the Military History Prize but are eligible for the Young Peoples History Prize category in the NSW History Awards.
About the awards
The NSW History Awards were first presented in 1997 to honour distinguished achievement in history by Australian citizens and permanent residents. The Awards acknowledge the contribution of historical research to our culture and communities, and to society at large.
Past winners have included Alan Atkinson, Joan Beaumont, Stuart Macintyre, Ken Inglis, Inga Clendinnen, Bruce Scates, Mark McKenna, Warwick Thornton, Sean Scalmer, Ann McGrath, Nadia Wheatley and Grace Karskens.
The NSW History Awards are administered by the State Library of NSW in association with Create NSW. The State Library of NSW are pleased to acknowledge the support of the History Council of NSW, and the Anzac Memorial Trustees for their establishment and sponsorship of The Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize.