A MENTONE Girls’ Secondary College student related to the hero of one of Australia’s most celebrated events has won the Australian National History Challenge.
The topic of her entry was her great, great, great grandfather Peter Lalor, who led the miners in their fateful stand against the authorities at the Eureka Stockade in 1854.
Madison Lalor, who’s in Year 7, submitted a film entry to the challenge – which had the theme Leadership and Legacy – for the judging in Canberra earlier this month.
The research-based competition invites Years 5-12 students to research and create entries that consider the legacy and/or leadership demonstrated by an individual, organisation, group, event or historical document – so the choice of Peter Lalor is apt.
They get the chance to be historians, researching world history, examining Australia’s past, investigating their community and “exploring their own roots”.
Madison, 13, knows well the story of Lalor’s leadership qualities in uniting the miners against an oppressive Colonial regime, and his legacy in helping create a democratic state where the values of the common man are highly valued.
One could argue that Madison herself is his legacy.
“I decided to do a film entry on him using my iPad,” she said. “A film tells more and is a lot more interesting than an essay.
“I used the Puppet Pals app with a puppet speaking as my voice and did some filming at Ballarat – near the site of the stockade – and at my house.
“I researched the topic on the internet and through talking with my dad, who is very proud of his ancestor.
“I knew a little bit about him but didn’t know he was the leader of the whole rebellion.”
The judges were impressed by her entry, which they judged the best in Victoria and then the entire country.
Federal Labor Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus met Madison, her mum Jane, dad Fintan, and sister Darcy, at Parliament House. “I was very pleased to meet Madison there to congratulate her on her success in winning the Australian National History Challenge,” he said.
“I congratulate her on her hard work and well-deserved success and wish her all the best for her future study.”
As the national winner, Madison received a medallion and a cash prize of $300 as well as the expenses-paid trip to the awards ceremony. Her prize included a guided tour of cultural institutions, including the National Archives, in her first visit to the capital.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 16 December 2015
The original version of this article incorrectly stated Mark Dreyfus is the Federal Liberal Isaacs MP. Mr Dreyfus is the Labor member for Isaacs. The article was amended on 18 December 2015.
