Iconic retelling of the Robin Miller story in the running for NSW History Award

Soaring with the Sugarbird Lady, Dianne Wolfer’s account of one of Western Australia’s most inspirational women, is shortlisted for the 2025 Young People’s History Prize.

Described by the judging panel as a ‘powerful and engaging demonstration of how biography can build historical awareness in young people’, the book was praised for its sound historical research and for developing young readers’ historical literacy around agency, motivation and impact.

From the judges’ report:

‘This inspiring life story of a pioneering nurse and pilot, set largely across the 1940s to 1970s, connects the historical abstract to real human lives and issues, including gender equity, remote communities and inequities in urban versus regional health care, making the past personal and emotionally resonant … It champions gentle heroism, and readers will walk away not just informed, but inspired by how the actions of one individual can benefit the lives of so many others.’

The Young People’s History Prize ($15,000), awarded for a work that increases the understanding and appreciation of history by children and/or young adults.

The winners will be announced at the State Library of NSW on Friday 5 September 2025 to celebrate the start of NSW History Week. 

The NSW History Awards are administered by the State Library of NSW in association with Create NSW. We are pleased to acknowledge the support of the History Council of NSW, and the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial Building for their establishment and sponsorship of the Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize. 

More information:

https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/awards/nsw-history-awards/young-peoples-history-prize