The full list for the humanities and creative arts may be consulted in the Excel file at this address:

http://www.arc.gov.au/era/journal_list.htm

I am pleased to note that the ARC has adopted many of the changes and additions which were requested by the AHA.

On the other hand, we are disappointed that History Australia has not received an A ranking, and we continue to believe that the current rankings do not accurately reflect the differences in quality and status between the leading history journals in Australia. We will continue to press this point whenever an opportunity arises.


Martyn Lyons
President, Australian Historical Association

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The Western Australian History Foundation's Objects are to: encourage interest in and knowledge of Western Australian history; promote the teaching of Western Australian history at all levels of education; promote research into Western Australian history, particularly from within the State's tertiary education institutions; assist with the production, publication and distribution of teaching materials based on research and linked to curricula for use at all levels of education; raise, manage and distribute funds for the furtherance of these objectives.

The Foundation utilises the interest money on its investment funds to foster its Objects. It is committed to financial support for the History Council of Western Australia. The money available to the Foundation to distribute in grants is limited and will fluctuate depending on the state of the investment market.

In accordance with these Objects and this financial situation, the Foundation has established the following grants programme.

Eligibility
Any individual or organisation with a project which falls within the Foundation's Objects (as stated above) is eligible to apply for a grant.

Terms of Grant
An application must demonstrate that it:

1. meets one or more of the Foundation's Objects (as stated above);
2. will result in some public outcome which encourages, promotes or assists Western Australian history; and
3. will produce historical material (or other public outcome) of good quality.

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1. A maximum of ten grants is offered for each conference. The final number offered will depend on the applications received and the budget for that year.
2. The maximum value of each grant is $400 for students resident in the country in which the conference is held, and $600 for students resident in countries overseas from the Conference.
3. The conference registration and up to two-thirds of the travel and accommodation costs involved in attending the Conference will be covered to a maximum of $400/$600.

1. Students must be enrolled in a postgraduate research degree in a relevant subject at a university at the time of the Conference.
2. At the time of the Conference, students must be members of the ANZSHM.
3. Student grant holders must present a paper on their research at the Conference.
4. Preference is given to: full-time students; longer-term members of the ANZSHM over newer members; student members who have not been awarded an ANZSHM Conference Grant before; and those who can demonstrate socio-economic disadvantage.
5. Papers must be solely authored by the student and based on the student's research. This requirement does not affect any subsequent publications from the paper (in, for example, our refereed journal Health & History) which may be dual-authored.

1. Applications for grants should be submitted as early as possible and prior to the conference.
2. Enquiries and applications should be directed to the ANZSHM's 2009 Conference Grant Co-ordinator, Dr Louella McCarthy, whose contact details are given below and will be posted on the Conference and ANZSHM websites.
3. Application forms are also available from the Conference Grant Co-ordinator. The application must include an estimate and other relevant details of the expected costs for the conference. These costs are the 'early bird' registration fee (note the early bird closing date of 31/7/09), and economy-level accommodation and travel.
4. An applicant's supervisor must confirm the applicant's student status and that the applicant will benefit from presenting at the Conference.
5. Confirmation of the award of a grant will be made once this process has been completed. Cheques or bank transfers will be initiated after the applicant has presented their paper.

Phone: (02) 9852 4641 or 0404 481 993

Applications may be submitted up to 28 August 2009. They will be considered on an individual basis as they are received.

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* * * FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

COMMONWEALTH FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REFORM

On 24 March 2009, the Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner, released exposure drafts of two bills designed to make obtaining information easier and enhance the Commonwealth government's accountability and transparency. The proposed bills establish a new Office of the Information Commissioner and aim to promote a 'culture of pro-disclosure across the Government'.

Of special interest to historians is a reduction of the Archives Act's 30-year rule for access to all documents to 20 years, and bringing access to cabinet notebooks from 50 to 30 years. The access is to be phased in over a 10-year period, with the initial multi-year release occurring on 1 January 2011. It is proposed that the Act be extended to cover documents held by service providers contracted to the Commonwealth government.

Also relevant are changes that are designed to make Freedom of Information applications much less cumbersome and expensive than is currently the case.

The draft exposure bills are available at http://www.pmc.gov.au/consultation/foi_reform/index.cfm. Submissions may be made with a closing date of 15 May 2009.

For Senator Faulkner's speech on the reform, 'Open and Transparent Government – The Way Forward', see http://www.smos.gov.au/speeches/2009/sp_20090324.html. A media release summarising the speech is at http://www.smos.gov.au/media/2009/mr_122009.html.

David Carment

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* * *

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA RESEARCH GRANTS

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* * * FREE SYMPOSIUM

WRITING CAPTAIN COOK

A symposium at the National Museum of Australia Sunday, 17 May 2009, 2–4.30 p.m. Free Bookings essential on (02) 6208 5021 Visions Theatre

The story of Captain Cook continues to interest historians and writers, and to capture the public imagination.

Historians Geoffrey Blainey and Maria Nugent, writer Jackie French, publisher Susan Hall and curator Martin Terry will discuss their recent books about Captain Cook’s first voyage, and share their views about why he still fascinates in twenty-first century Australia.

Further information
A/g Coordinator: Leanne Dempsey
National Museum of Australia
Phone: 02 6208 5101
Fax: 02 6208 5148

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Last modified by Carolyn Brewer
17 April 2009 1200
URL: http://www.theaha.org.au/newsletters/2009/newsletter9.htm