(Picture: Blacktown City Council Manager Library Services Joy Bourke, Years 7-9 winner Jaya Singh and Mayor Brad Bunting)
Fascinating insights into Western Sydney's First Nations history and heritage sites have been uncovered by the winners of the 2024 Blacktown City Mayoral History Prize.
An examination of the experiences of First Nations People on Dharug land, the history of St Bartholomews Church and Cemetery at Prospect, and a study of the place from where Sunnyholt Road took its name were the winning entries.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting congratulated the winners at a ceremony this month and said the entries highlighted a rich and diverse history.
"Blacktown City has many fascinating stories, from the Traditional Owners' custodianship of the land, to early European settlement and cultural evolution," he said.
"It's important to keep sharing these stories so we can maintain a connection to the past and where we have come from."
The winner of the Years 7-9 category was Jaya Singh of Blackett, who researched First Nations People's history and struggles on Dharug land.
Jaya showed how Aboriginal people made baskets and used them for fishing. She also detailed their challenges during European settlement and the impact of racial discrimination.
The winner of the Years 10-12 category was Pranjal Pal of Blacktown.
Pranjal traced the history of St Bartholomews Church and Cemetery, including the advocacy of explorer William Lawson and the inspiration from the church in England of the same name.
Les Tod OAM of Woodcroft won the 17 years and over category for his research on the Headingley property at 7 Redwood Street, Blacktown.
Les analysed facts about the building originally named "Sunnyholt", including those who lived there and community links.
The winners received cash prizes and their entries will be published on Blacktown City Libraries' comprehensive history resource: Blacktown Memories https://blacktownmemories.recollect.net.au.
The Blacktown City Mayoral History Prize was first awarded in 2008 and encourages an interest in the rich and diverse history of the area.
