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Media Release
New expert joins Australian History reference group
3 August 2007
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today announced that Mrs Elizabeth Ward has been appointed as a member of the Australian History reference group.
“Mrs Ward has extensive experience in education and curriculum development as a member of the Victorian Qualifications Authority, a former Chair of the New South Wales Board of Studies History Syllabus Committee and a former principal and head of history,” Minister Bishop said.
The reference group is working to provide advice on a model curriculum for the teaching of Australian history in Years 9 and 10. Mrs Ward will join existing members Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Blainey, Dr Nicholas Brown and Dr Gerard Henderson.
The reference group will continue the work that began at the Australian History Summit, and will build on the model curriculum framework constructed by Associate Professor Tony Taylor from Monash University.
The Australian Government has provided funding from this years Budget of $13 million over two years, to work with states and territories to develop core curricula standards in Australian History and other key subject areas in Years 10, 11 and 12.
Further information on the members of the reference group is attached.
Media Contacts:
Minister Bishop’s Office: Tory Vidler 0414 228 727
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Media-unit 02 6240 7300
Non-media queries 1300 363 079
Attachment
The members of the reference group are:
Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Blainey, AC - Ernest Scott Professor of History, University of Melbourne (1977-1988), Chancellor, University of Ballarat (1994-1998). He has published over 30 books on Australian history and world history. Professor Blainey pioneered the field of business history in Australia, and his book, The Tyranny of Distance, introduced a new phrase to Australian life. Professor Blainey’s interests range from sports and local histories, to the broad sweep he considers in The Causes of War and A Short History of the World.
Dr Nicholas Brown - Senior Fellow, History Program and Australian Dictionary of Biography, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University (ANU). He was Keith Cameron Professor of Australian History, University College Dublin (2002-2004). His main areas of research are in Australian twentieth century cultural, political and environmental history, and Australian biography. His major publications include Richard Downing: economics, advocacy and social reform in Australia (2001) and Governing Prosperity: social analysis and social change in Australia in the 1950s (1995). Dr Brown has extensive experience with the Australian Dictionary of Biography project at ANU.
Dr Gerard Henderson – Executive Director, The Sydney Institute. He is one of Australia's leading political and social commentators. Dr Henderson has a PhD in political history from the University of Melbourne. He writes a weekly column for The Sydney Morning Herald and The West Australian, comments each week on ABC Radio National Breakfast show and appears regularly Insiders on ABC TV. His books include Menzies Child: The Liberal Party of Australia 1944-94, Australian Answers, and Mr Santamaria and the Bishops.
Mrs Elizabeth Ward – Member of the board of the Victorian Qualifications Authority until 30 June 2007. Mrs Ward was Principal at Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC) in Melbourne from 1998 until 2006. She was Chair of the New South Wales Board of Studies History Syllabus Committee from 1993 to 1995 and Deputy Chair from 1984 to 1992. She has also been supervisor of the Higher School Certificate marking in History in New South Wales. In 1999, she was awarded a fellowship from the Australian Council for Educational Leadership. Prior to PLC, she was deputy headmistress at Abbotsleigh (1991-1997) and head of history at Ravenswood School in Sydney (1965-1980).
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