Prizes for the 2011 Australian Legal History Essay Competition have been awarded to Christine Iacono of Macquarie University (in the Tertiary Students Category) and Ben Nam of Year 11 at James Ruse Agricultural High School (in the Senior Secondary School Students Category).

Christine’s essay addressed the question whether, from a legal perspective, the “Rum Rebellion” against Governor Bligh on 26 January 1808 can be justified. It will be published in the forthcoming issue of the Australian Bar Review.

Ben’s essay addressed the Essay Competition’s set question about the law of contract as it relates to rewards offered to the public. Ben is a second-time winner of the Competition. In 2008, as a Year 8 student at St Pius X College, Chatswood, he won a prize in the Junior Secondary Student Category.

Christine and Ben will each receive a formal certificate, cash and a book voucher from Abbey’s Bookshop (www.abbeys.com.au) as a personal prize for their respective essays. Ben’s school will also receive a cash award and an Abbey’s book voucher.

The Society has also awarded Certificates of Merit to entrants in the Competition. In the Tertiary Students Category, Merit Certificates have been awarded to Martin Bernhaut (Sydney University/College of Law), Rosa Grahame (Australian National University), Leah Mills (University of New England) and Alice Rumble (ANU). In the Senior Secondary School Students Category, Merit Certificates have been awarded to James Begeng, Michael Loomes and Ciaan Perera, all of Year 11 at St Pius X College, Chatswood.