The Ron Rathbone Local History Competition is set for a major revival as it approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026.
A proposal before Council will see the introduction of a multi-stream program comprising of the Ron Rathbone Major Prize, the Peter Orlovich Young Historian Award, and a pilot Historian-in-Residence Program.
This proposal follows a review of the Ron Rathbone Local History Competition that, if approved at the May Council Meeting, will launch in June 2026.
The Botany Historical Trust and the St George Historical Society both provided valuable input into the review of the Ron Rathbone Local History Competition.
The inclusion of the Peter Orlovich Young Historian Award will be a fitting tribute to Peter Orlovich who passed away in 2026.
Peter, a member of both the Botany Bay Historical Trust and the St George Historical Society, was a long-term judge of the Ron Rathbone Local History Competition where he generously shared his expertise and supported emerging local historians.
The revised program will be funded through a combination of the existing Local History Prize budget and external grant funding. The Historian-in-Residence pilot program will be supported through a NSW State Library Local Priority Grant, with any minor shortfall to be managed within existing operational budgets.
The Ron Rathbone Local History Competition was established in November 2005 by the former City of Rockdale to ensure future generations understood the history of the local area, and Mr Rathbone's significant contribution as a historian, author, and civic leader.
The inaugural competition held in 2006, was expanded following local government amalgamation, to include the broader Bayside Local Government Area.
It has since operated as an annual program supporting historical research through Open and High School categories.
Mayor Edward McDougall said:
"The Ron Rathbone competition plays an important role in keeping our local history alive and available for future generations," Mayor Edward McDougall said.
"These changes will ensure this competition continues to encourage historical research into our diverse and vibrant history."
