Renée Erdos Award

2019 - Dr Estelle Lazer

The winner of the 2019 Renée Erdos Awardis Dr Estelle Lazer, archaeologist, physical anthropologist, outstanding teacher and mentor. She has earned an international reputation for her work on the human remains from Pompeii. Estelle is well known to thousands of Australian teachers and students of Ancient History who have attended her many presentations at HSC Study Days conducted by HTANSW, her visits to schools, her contributions to teacher professional development days in the city and the country as well as the tours she has conducted with Academy Travel to Pompeii and other ancient sites

Estelle was involved in the analysis of the resin cast of the Lady of Oplontis that was brought to Sydney amidst great excitement in 1994. Her years of work for her doctoral research on the skeletal remains from Pompeii established her international reputation. For Australian students of Ancient History, Estelle is our home-grown international celebrity, featuring in a number of documentaries about Pompeii. She is also the author of indispensable scholarly publications including Resurrecting Pompeii.

One of Estelle’s great talents is her ability to communicate her knowledge, bringing together theory and practice in an interesting and engaging way. Her public lectures, podcasts, documentaries and radio interviews appeal not only to scholars, but also the general public. Estelle was presented with her award by HTANSW President Robyn McKenzie at the 2019 State Conference Cocktail Reception.

2017 - Trent Hugler

The 2017 award recognises the extraordinary achievement of Trent Hugler from Parramatta High School in the 2016 HSC. Trent achieved 1st in Ancient History, 2nd in History Extension and 3rd in Modern History. He says, "I have a strong passion for history as it is an incredibly dynamic and continuously evolving field that is engaging, intellectually rigorous, and fulfilling."
Trent will continue his study of History by pursuing a Bachelor of Ancient History at Macquarie University. "My dream career from this is to become a field archaeologist working on international excavations in Egypt and Europe".

Trent is shown here with his teachers, Ms Helen Kougelos (L) and Ms Luisa Cossu.

2015 – Kate Cameron

Kate Cameron who is well-known not only to the legions of students she has inspired in her high school classrooms, but also to a host of history teachers who have benefitted from her expertise and experience through a range of Professional Development programs and publications over many years. Kate is a former President both of HTANSW and of the national body, the History Teachers' Association of Australia. She was also a long-time editor of Teaching History and is currently co-ordinating HTANSW's regional professional development program. Kate's most recent career appointment was as Senior Assessment Officer at the NSW Board of Studies. Prior to this Kate taught in secondary high schools in western Sydney, including Penrith, Katoomba and then at Mt Druitt where she was Head Teacher, History for many years. Kate won a Premier's History Scholarship in 2004 and travelled to Russia to research the life and career of Alexandra Kollontai. In 2010 Kate received a citation from the NSW History Council in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the teaching and learning of History. Kate has also lectured in History Method at Macquarie University and has published texts for both junior history and senior Ancient History. Her most recent publication, Discovering History, co-authored with Dr Jenny Lawless, was written for the new K-6 Australian Curriculum and received a 2013 Australian Educational Publishers Award.

This Renée Erdos Award recognizes Kate Cameron as an outstanding historian and communicator and a thorough professional who has demonstrated a special vocation for those whose educational needs are greatest.

2013 – Dr Jennifer Lawless

The 2013 award acknowledges Jenny's long contribution to history in NSW and her many achievements. Jenny is a former President of the HTANSW. In her role as Inspector with the NSW Board of Studies Jenny has overseen the revision of many history syllabuses and played a critical role in the implementation of the Australian Curriculum: History, in NSW. Prior to joining the Board of Studies Jenny taught history in a number of western Sydney secondary schools and also lectured in history method at Macquarie University, the University of Sydney and the University of Western Sydney. Jenny's expertise in history has been recognised with a number of awards including a Churchill Fellowship, an Endeavour Scholarship and two Australian Military History Scholarships. Her PhD focused on the experiences of Australian POWs captured at Gallipoli. Jenny is the author of many popular history texts. Most recently her Discovering History primary series, co-authored with Kate Cameron received a 2013 Australian Educational Publishers Award.

Jenny Lawless was presented with her award by HTANSW President Bernie Howitt at the 2013 State Conference Dinner.

2011 – The Hon. Bob Carr

In 2000 Bob Carr set up the NSW Premier's History Teacher Scholarships which have now given numerous history teachers access to overseas study opportunities. Bob Carr also presided over the introduction of mandatory junior history courses and the wonderful History Extension course, both bolstering NSW's reputation as the 'history state'.