The Queensland Family History Society has been helping people trace their family history in Queensland and throughout Australia and the world since 1979.

External Awards

External Awards

The Queensland Family History Society, and a number of its members, have been privileged to receive recognition for outstanding contributions to family history and the history of our broader community.

The Centenary Medal, presented by the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, is awarded to those who have contributed exceptionally to the history and heritage of Queensland.

2019 Dorothy Jeffrey

Dorothy, a previous President and long-time volunteer at QFHS, was one of three people who received this award in 2019.

Now aged 84, Dorothy was still very active and spending a lot of her time helping with the publication of the seventh of the QFHS school pupil indexes.

In addition, as a resident of Mitchelton for many years, she had a wealth of information about the suburb and surrounds from its early days. One of Dorothy’s largest contributions was to the community-driven Mitchelton Turns 150 digital celebration project in 2007 . The information she gathered is still of great benefit to researchers of family history.

She was also an active member of the Enoggera Historical Society and the North West Branch of the National Service Association. She assisted Dr. John Pearn AO with information on residents and buildings of Bank Street, Newmarket for his book on the street.

Her indefatigable work over the years was thus rewarded by this wonderful medal. Read more about it here.

Dorothy passed away in 2024.

Dorothy's obituary.

This award recognises and rewards outstanding continuing voluntary contributions made by senior Queenslanders to their communities independently or through organisations with which they are associated.

2013 inaugural winner: Dorothy Jeffrey

Dorothy’s award recognises her contribution to the Queensland Family History Society in roles including a term as President, a member of the Publications Committee, and a representative of the Society at functions run by other organisations. Dorothy has represented our Society at many of these functions, preparing material and selling our publications and other research material—at Government House Open Days, History Queensland fairs, Toowong Cemetery, and Enoggera and District Historical Society.

Her other involvement includes indexing primary records of Queenslanders; Dorothy has indexed over 520,000 records. She has also spent countless hours at the National and State Archives preparing material for indexing. Dorothy continues to index primary records.

Well known for her friendliness and genuine interest in others, Dorothy has assisted many members with their research problems. She recently assisted members at a workshop to improve their online research skills.

Beyond the Queensland Family History Society, Dorothy has contributed to the Boonah State School 125th reunion in 2003, the Newmarket State School centenary celebrations in 2004, and 150th anniversary of settlement in the Mitchelton district. She spent over 6 months collecting stories and photographs for the publication, Mitchelton Turns 150, launched at the Mitchelton Library in September, 2007.

Not content with this, the last few years Dorothy has added selling ANZAC badges to her long list of volunteer jobs in recognition of her late husband’s time in National Service. Well into her eighth decade, she shows no signs of reducing her voluntary work—a truly wonderful effort from a spritely and gracious lady who is well respected in family history and community circles. She represents the very highest values of an active, involved, community spirited, and, above all, a helpful and dedicated senior.

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The three winners of the inaugural Senior Volunteer Award: Barry O’Driscoll, Marian Johnson, and the late Dorothy Jeffrey with Professor Tony Webber AM, Michael Rayner AM, and Bruce Howden OAM.

Read more about the Senior Volunteer Award.

The Award for Meritorious Service to Family History is the most prestigious award in the field of family history in Australasia, conferred by the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO). The Council of the Federation may make the award at each triennial Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry, from candidates nominated by member societies. 

We congratulate our QFHS members who have received this award.

  • Shauna Hicks, 2009
  • Paul Mackett, 2009
  • Rosemary and Eric Kopittke, 2006
  • Marianne Eastgate, 1991
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Marianne Eastgate

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Rosemary and Eric Kopittke

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Paul Mackett

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Shauna Hicks OAM

The Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO) awards the Nick Vine Hall Award annually to member societies for the best family history journal/newsletter in Australia and New Zealand. This award is provided to encourage AFFHO member societies to produce quality journals/newsletters, and to honour Nick Vine Hall AM.

2020 Runner-up, Category B, Societies with more than 500 members: Queensland Family Historian

2019 Runner-up, Category B, Societies with more than 500 members: Queensland Family Historian

2017 Runner-up, Category B, Societies with more than 500 members: Queensland Family Historian

2016 Runner-up, Category B, Societies with more than 500 members: Queensland Family Historian

2010 First Place, Category B, Societies with more than 500 members: Queensland Family Historian

National Trust Queensland presents this award annually to recognise excellence, innovation, and best practices in conserving and valuing Queensland’s environmental, cultural, and architectural heritage.

2010 Gold Award, Queensland founding families (QFHS publication), Community Awards Category

The Community History Award recognises the rich history of Queensland’s diverse communities and seeks to encourage the communication of those histories in varied formats. This award was inaugurated in 2010.

2010 Highly Commended, Queensland founding families (QFHS publication)

The Library Award, presented by the State Library of Queensland, promotes the value of historical knowledge to Queenslanders’ continuing understanding of themselves and each other, and recognises an outstanding contribution to the appreciation of Queensland’s History.

2007 Queensland Family History Society Publications Group
The QFHS Publications Group won the inaugural John Oxley Library Award for raising the profile of Queenslanders from all walks of life who have contributed to our history, not just the leaders in politics and business.