Two publications from the island have received commendations at the 2023 Victorian Community History awards.

"Once upon an Island" – the book produced by the team at the Advertiser last year, celebrating the history of Phillip Island, received a Commendation in the Collaborative Community History category.

The category was for work which involved significant contributions from several individuals or groups.

The Friends of Churchill Island Society (FOCIS) received a Commendation in the History Interpretation Award for "Whispers from the Past". The award recognised the most outstanding local history project presented in a unique format.

Other Gippsland publications recognised at the awards included:

• "From Rural Health to Community Strengthening: The Story of the Mirboo North and District Community Foundation", by Dr Julie Fenwick.
• "Livingston: A One-Teacher School in the Gippsland Hills, 1913-1938" by David Harris - an article in the Victorian Historical Journal.

The awards were announced last Friday in a ceremony at the Arts Centre in Melbourne.

President of the Royal Historical Society Victoria Emeritus Professor Richard Broome AM said: "The judges had another exceptional pool of entries to choose from this year and every community historian who participated should be applauded for their commitment to local history."

A history of St Kilda's "golden age" between 1841 and 1900 - "St Kilda 1841-1900: Movers and Shakers and Money-Makers" by Carmel McKenzie won the Premier's Award.

Award winners in 12 categories spanned a wide breadth of the state's history, covering diverse topics including 19th century St Kilda, the 1970s Pram Factory, the loss of "Marvellous Melbourne" and contemporary social media takes on the urban environment.

See the full list of winners at: www.historyvictoria.org.au/victorian-community-history-awards/2023-victorian-community-history-awards-winners/

"Once upon an Island" is available from the Advertiser office at 60 Chapel Street, Cowes, online at www.pisra.com.au/once-upon-an-island-history-book, Turn the Page bookshop in Cowes and select local stores.