Norman McCann Summer Scholarships at the Library
Norman McCann Summer Scholars 2006. L - R Avan Stallard, Dunya Lindsey, Agnieszka Sobocinska, Georgia Shiells
The Library’s Summer Scholarships scheme has been running for five years, with fifteen scholarships awarded to date. The scholarships were initially funded with an anonymous donation from then Library Council member Norman McCann, who wanted to encourage use of the Library by young researchers. Norman ’s widow Pat has generously continued to support the scholarships, now named in Norman ’s honour.
In 2006, Norman McCann Summer Scholarships were awarded to four PhD candidates in Australian universities. Dunya Lindsey from Monash University examined the diaries, letters and novels of the ‘Young Irelander’ movement convicts. Georgia Schiells from Melbourne University researched the experiences of ‘white aliens’ – non-British European immigrants to Australia during 1920–30. Agnieszka Sobocinska from Sydney University took on the ambitious topic of Australians travelling to Asia from 1939 to the present day. Avan Stallard from the University of Queensland researched the concept of the Great South Land as depicted in early cartography.
Summer scholarship recipients receive return airfares from their home cities, a living allowance of $300 per week, and meals and accommodation at a university college during their six week tenure. More importantly, they receive special support so they can make the best use of their time. Apart from 24/7 access to the Library, free copying and office accommodation, summer scholars are assigned a ‘buddy’ to facilitate their access to collections and services, they are feted at welcoming morning teas in the various sections of the Library, and even lent bicycles to make it easier for them to get around Canberra.
Library staff see the scholarships as providing a very special research experience for recipients and a ‘behind the scenes’ insight into the Library. Avan Stallard wrote at the conclusion of his 2006 scholarship: “You must be extremely proud of the culture within the Library – engaged, engaging, helpful, generous. The Library impressed me as a fine institution and an excellent resource. The scholarships certainly achieved their aim of fostering goodwill amongst up-and-coming researchers and my time there was very valuable for my research.”
Agnieszka Sobocinska commented: “I found the program to be extremely beneficial. Now that I’ve had time to process the ‘finds’ I made during my time at the Library. I’m even more impressed with the collections and the fact that I had the opportunity to search through them at my leisure. The research I did at the Library will no doubt inform much of my work in the next few years.”
Norman McCann Summer Scholarships are available to Australian citizens aged under 30 years who have completed at least an honours degree and are intending to pursue further study in the field of Australian history or Australian literature. Each year, National Library News publishes articles from the summer scholars about their research. Applications for the 2007 Norman McCann Summer Scholarships will close on 30 September 2006 . More information is available from the Library website at www.nla.gov.au/jobs/infoserv/apply.html
Margy Burn
Assistant Director General
Australian Collections & Reader Services