By Tanya Steele
The 2024 Victorian Community History Awards shortlist has been announced with Selby Community House amongst the nominated publications and projects in contention for the Victorian Premier’s History Award.
Celebrating the work of Victorian community historians, the shortlist for the 2024 Victorian Community History Awards was revealed on 4 March and included the locally produced film and podcast series ‘The People’s Movement: The Birth of Selby Community House.’
Minister for Government Services Natalie Hutchins said the 39 history publications and projects were shortlisted across 11 prize categories including the Victorian Premier’s History Award.
“Victoria has a strong history and these dedicated storytellers have worked tirelessly to help all Victorians better understand our past – I congratulate them on their nomination,” she said.
Selby House Manager Danielle Steele said Selby Community house is absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for a 2024 Victorian Community History Award.
“The People’s Movement: The Birth of Selby Community House was a labour of love, highlighting the incredible grassroots efforts that built one of Victoria’s first Community Houses,” she said.
“This recognition is a testament to the enduring impact of community-driven spaces like ours, which have been at the heart of Selby for nearly 50 years.”
Judy Wolff, Board Secretary of Selby Community House said the project was the brainchild of former manager Anna Reid, who was conscious of the trailblazing formation the House.
“She wanted its founder, Jocelyn Aytan, now in her late 80s and other early activists to tell their own stories,” she said.
Ms Wolff said the film has an exciting story to tell, of a small bush town that understood its needs, found its communal energy and took up opportunities from a fresh new Gough Whitlam government, in the heady days of global social change, of the post-Vietnam era, women’s liberation, environment movement and the emergence of Aboriginal land rights.
“Those early days changed many local people’s lives, especially women,” she said.
The Selby Community House is one of the oldest running, and Ms Wolf said planning for it started in the early 1970s, out of people’s kitchens.
“As the movement grew, the then Shire of Sherbrooke in 1975 gave them a dilapidated old house – built astride a creek, can you believe – which still runs under the house today,” she said.
“Humble as it was, the movement attracted lots of help from locals and even TAFE building students to make it usable. It is one of the very the first community or neighbourhood houses in Australia – It is fitting that we celebrate Selby Community House in its now 50th year.”
Of the film, Ms Wolf said her role was initially liaison.
“But volunteer roles have a habit of growing, and I had to learn an awful lot about film,” she said.
“Later, I proudly became the voice of the narrator.
Ms Wolf said they earned their place not only from the film but also a brilliant three-part podcast series and a grand photographic exhibition.
“For the film we commissioned emerging Upwey filmmaker Tadji Ulrich, and for the podcast, Emerald singer and broadcaster Riley Jordan,” she said.
Public Record Office Victoria Director and Keeper of Public Records said by sharing historical books, articles, oral histories, exhibitions and creative projects, these nominees help us all to better understand our past.
“I thank our nominees for their contribution to Victoria’s history,” they said.
All shortlisted nominees are up for prizes ranging from $500 to $2,000 – with one to be named the winner of the $5,000 Victorian Premier’s History Award.
Royal Historical Society of Victoria President Richard Broome AM said they look forward to celebrating these shortlisted nominees at the Victorian Community History Awards ceremony at the end of March and announcing our major prize winners.”
The Victorian Community History Awards are presented by the Public Record Office Victoria in partnership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria and supported by the Government.
“As the longest-running Community House in Victoria, this nomination is especially meaningful as we approach our 50th anniversary in November 2025,” said Ms Steele.
“Our history is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision,” she said.
“We’re honored that our work to preserve and share this story has been acknowledged by the Public Record Office Victoria and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.”
“This is the House’s gift to its community: to know its roots and its trailblazers,” said Ms Wolf.
The film and podcasts are available on the Selby Community House website, selbyhouse.org.au
