2026 John Oxley Library Awards

The Queensland Memory Awards support the documentation, preservation and sharing of Queensland’s memory—past and present—through fellowships and awards.

The John Oxley Library Awards recognise individuals and community organisations that have made outstanding and innovative contributions to documenting and sharing Queensland’s history.

Use this form to nominate either:

• an individual for the John Oxley Library Award (recognition only), or

• an organisation or group for the John Oxley Library Community History Award (includes a one-off gift of $5,000).

Nominations are accepted year-round, but for the 2026 Awards, the cut-off date is midnight, Friday 1 August 2025.

Refer to the Awards Guidelines for more detail. All nominations are assessed against the published selection criteria.

These awards are supported by sponsors and donations through the Queensland Library Foundation.

The John Oxley Library Award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the appreciation of Queensland history. The award is granted annually to promote the value of pursuing historical knowledge and its role in shaping Queenslanders understanding of themselves and each other.

The achievement being recognised may relate to any aspect of Queensland's social, political, economic and cultural life; and may take any form, occurring in any context, and extending over any period of time. 

View the list of previous recipients.

The John Oxley Library Community History Award is gifted annually for outstanding contributions by community organisations or groups in the preservation, recording and sharing of Queensland history. This Award celebrates the people involved in projects that help Queenslanders better connect with their stories, both past and present.  

View the list of previous recipients.

John Oxley Library Award

• Open to individuals only
• Interstate residents eligible
• Self-nominations are not accepted
• Nominees may be retired or not currently employed.
• Posthumous nominations are accepted
• The achievement may be a specific activity or reflect a body of work
• University and ARC research teams are ineligible

John Oxley Library Community History Award

• Awarded to organisations or groups (not individuals within them)
• Open to Australian-based community organisations or groups
• No individual nominations
• ARC/university research teams ineligible
• Current State Library staff/Board ineligible

• External nominations for both awards are welcome using this SmartyGrants online nomination form.
• You can nominate an individual for the John Oxley Library Award or an organisation or group for the John Oxley Community History Award.

• An independent judging panel made up of professionals with expertise in the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) sector assess all nominations.  

• Judges assess each nomination against the selection criteria outlined in the Awards Guidelines.    

• Judges decide on a shortlist and a successful nominee for each category.  

• Judges select the nominee who best meets the selection criteria as the successful applicant. Only one recipient is awarded per category each year.

• The judges may, at their discretion, consult with other experts to assist in evaluating the merits of each nomination.  

• The outcomes of the judging process are final, and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into regarding decisions or the judging process.  

• Judges may choose not to award a category if no nominations meet the required standard. They may also select a highly commended nominee from a previous year, retained on a longlist.  

• The names of the judges will be published at the conclusion of the judging process.  

If you have any questions please contact State Library of Queensland.

Phone: 07 3840 7887
Email: fellowships@slq.qld.gov.au  
Web: State Library of Queensland - Queensland Memory Awards   

1. Read the Awards Guidelines.
   
   
2. Complete this SmartyGrants form. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.
   
   
3. Preview the nomination form before submitting. Mandatory fields, word count limits and file size limits apply. All mandatory fields must be completed to submit.
   
   
4. Once you start your form, you can save and edit it as many times as you like before submitting it. No changes can be made after submitting it.
5. Your nomination should address the selection criteria outlined in the Awards Guidelines and will need to include:
   • a concise description of the individual or organisation or group being nominated
   • description of a nominated group or organisation's achievements
   • two (2) referees.
     
     
6. You have the option of attaching any supporting material, such as letters of support.
   
   
7. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your nomination. Important: if you do not receive this email, please check your junk folder. If you cannot find the email, immediately contact State Library at fellowships@slq.qld.gov.au or (07) 3840 7887.