On 25 November, Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner, announced the recipients of the Australian Prime Ministers Centre Fellowships and one Summer Scholarship.

The Australian Prime Ministers Centre (APMC) at Old Parliament House offers a program of fellowships and summer scholarships. These allow researchers to explore the history of Australia’s prime ministers and how they shaped the Australia we live in today. The Fellowships are selected by an independent selection panel convened by Old Parliament House representing national collecting institutions and the academic community.

The 2008-2009 research subjects cover a diverse range of topics, including:

• the crucial role that radio played in Joseph Lyons’ successful 1931 election campaign
• the roles of former Prime Ministers Hawke and Fraser in the human rights campaign for Soviet Jewry
• the relationship between John Curtin and Sir Robert Menzies and Japan’s first minister to Australia Tatsuo Kawai
• biographies of Stanley Melbourne Bruce, Billy Hughes and Joe Lyons
• the role of John McEwen in developing Australia-New Zealand relationships, particularly the Australia-NZ Free Trade Agreement in 1965

Recipients of the 2008-09 APMC Fellowships are Dr David Bird, Professor Carl Bridge, Dr David Lee, Professor Philippa Mein-Smith, Mr Michael Piggott, Mr Nick Richardson, Dr Suzanne Rutland and Mr Bob Wurth.

In addition to the Fellowship program, which is aimed at established researchers, Summer Scholarships are presented to students and graduates just starting their research careers. Summer scholars work on research projects which contribute to Old Parliament House’s public history program, with a focus on prime ministers. This year’s recipient is Ms Isabelle Barrett Meyering.

The APMC Research and Scholarship Program is now in its second year and is proving to be a valuable initiative supporting scholars, creative workers and archivists working in the fields of political science and history, with prime ministers as a major part of their focus.

More information about the APMC Research and Scholarship Program, including a full list of 2008-2009 recipients and projects, can be found on the APMC website .