History hero

Seventeen-year-old Baulkham Hills High School student Divyansh Saxena was declared the ‘NSW Young Historian of the Year 2011’ at a ceremony at NSW Parliament House late last year. He also went on to claim the title ‘National Historian of the Year’. Divyansh achieved this distinction as a result of his impressive entry into the National History Challenge. As History extension was a part of his HSC course, this enterprising young man had been engaged in extensive research on the subject throughout the year. His essay on the opening of the National Museum of Australia which was a part of his major work fitted in beautifully with this year’s competition topic ‘Defining moments of 2011’, and he was encouraged to enter into the Challenge by his teachers.

The National History Challenge is an annual research-based competition for students in Years 5-12 designed to encourage young Australians to explore their past, investigate communities and develop an interest in history. The competition is supported by the Australian government through the Quality Outcomes Programme, administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The entries are judged on the quality of research and adherence to the topic, combined with the use of community resources and effective presentation. School students who fall into the acceptable category submit their entries and have a chance to progress from School to Regional to State and eventually, National finals.

Divyansh was elected the State finalist for Years 11 and 12, competing against at least 3000 entrants. He was confirmed as the national winner by Education Minister Peter Garret at a ceremony at Canberra Parliament House on November 22.

Divyansh was the only student to enter from his school, and was elated to receive the news of his success. “The ceremony at the Parliament House was for the finalists and I was surprised when they told me I was also elected as ‘Young Historian of the Year’. I was then asked to give an impromptu speech,” he said.

Even though no one in his family is particularly interested in history, Divyansh endorsed it as one of his two favourite subjects, English being the other. “I like history because it gives us a chance to learn about the cultures of the past. It is interesting to know how people lived back then and how things have changed since,” he stated.

The 3000-word essay Divyansh submitted for the National History Challenge was well researched using the internet, publications, theses by historians and teachers, and perusing through archives at the State Library of NSW. Giving an overview of his submission Divyansh explained, “My essay was written on the opening of the National Museum of Australia as a ‘defining moment’ in our nation’s history. I believed this was a defining moment because it was the first time a nationally constituted vessel was being approved to document and present our historical past in what seemed to be an ‘official’ record of our past.” However, what cemented this Museum’s opening as a ‘defining moment’ were the culture wars that broke out in the immediate aftermath of the Museum’s inauguration. The way the Museum had constructed and written Australia’s history was perceived as casting a negative light on Australia’s past, and the Howard government believed that the Museum had failed to provide a positive celebration and a narrative of our history. “The Museum’s academics believed that they provided a balanced interpretation of our past, and were fair and justified in their documentation. Ultimately, this conflict was a ‘defining moment’ because it allowed us to re-examine our nation’s identity through the past, specifically in relation to our multicultural and Indigenous histories, and demonstrated that History is as much a political tool as an academic pursuit,” he added.

Divyansh’s work was highly acclaimed as is evident from the accolade he received. Here’s what the judges had to say about the Year 11/12 National Historian of the Year: “This paper addressed the contemporary historical issue of our national identity. It clearly identified, understood and analysed the complex distinction between political and cultural views of the place of historical debate in this country. In a wellsynthesised and original approach, Divyansh explored the historiography of the opening of the NMA, and how it constitutes a defining moment in a nation’s history. Divyansh showed a clear understanding that history is mutable and subject to revision.” a wellsynthesised and original approach, Divyansh explored the historiography of the opening of the NMA, and how it constitutes a defining moment in a nation’s history

The year 2011 brought even more success for Divyansh who sat for his HSC and aced it with 99.6%. He plans on pursuing a degree in International Law at Uni and in studying history as well.

Even though there’s nothing on the calendar right now, encouraged by his success, this young historian is determined to keep on the lookout for more competitions at uni.

The 3000-word essay Divyansh submitted for the National History Challenge was well researched using the internet, publications, theses by historians and teachers, and perusing through archives at the State Library of NSW.