THE PAUL O'NEILL SCHOLARSHIP

Born in 1928, in St. John's, Newfoundland, Paul O'Neill graduated from the national academy of Theatre Arts in New York in 1948. He was a professional actor in the U.S. and England until 1954. He returned to Newfoundland and became a CBC producer, retiring in 1986. He is author of The Oldest City The Story of St. John's, considered the definitive history of the city.

In 2003 the HSA established the Dr. Paul O'Neill Scholarship in recognition of his contributions to the study and promotion of Newfoundland and Labrador culture and history. The scholarship is valued at $1,000.00 and is awarded annually to an undergraduate student at Memorial University enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program. There is no restriction by major or minor, but applicants must show academic excellence, enthusiasm and interest in some area of Newfoundland Studies as part of their degree program.

Recipients of the Dr. Paul O'Neill Scholarship have been:

2008 Sara Pitcher, Bonavista

2007 Matthew Byrne, St. John's

2006 Darryl Maddigan

2005 Vicki Barbour, St. John's

2004 Susan Tobin, Marystown

2003 Maria Hillier, St John's

HISTORY AND HERITAGE WRITER'S AWARDS

In 2004 the HSA established an award for excellent use of Newfoundland and Labrador history in creation of their work. The Writer's Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador short lists four titles each year, from two categories. In odd years the categories are Non-Fiction and Poetry. In even years children's literature and Fiction are chosen.

Recipients of the History and Heritage Award have been:

2004: Children and Fiction Shortlist: Maura Hanrahan, The Doryman, Flanker Press; Kevin Major, Ann and Seamus, Groundwood Books Carmelita McGrath, The Boston Box, Killick Press

Winner: Robin McGrath, Donovan's Station, Killick Press

2005: Non-fiction and Poetry Shortlist: Des Walsh, The Singer’s Broken Throat, Talonbooks; Mary Dalton, Merrybegot, Signal Editions; Debbie Morrissey Stafford, Yes My Dear, Archetype Print, Ltd.

Winner: Maura Hanrahan, Tsunami, Flanker Press,

2006: Children and Fiction Shortlist: Leo Furey, The Long Run, Key Porter Books; Nellie Strowbridge, Far From Home, Flanker Press; Harold Davis, The Starrigans of Little Brook Bottom, Creative Book Publishing

Winner: Michael Crummey, The Wreckage, Doubleday Canada,

2007: Non-fiction and Poetry Shortlist: Mary Dalton, Red Ledger, Véhicule Press; Robin McGrath, Covenant of Salt, Killick Press; Patrick O’Flaherty, Lost Country: The Rise and Fall of Newfoundland, 1843-1933, Long Beach Press

Winner: Gerhard P. Bassler, Vikings to U-Boats: The German Experience in Newfoundland and Labrador, McGill-Queen’s University Press

2008: Children and Fiction Shortlist: Paul O’Neill, How Dog Became a Friend, Pennywell Books; Susan Chalker Browne, The Land of a Thousand Whales, Tuckamore Books; Paul Rowe, The Silent Time, Killick Press;

Winner: Bernice Morgan, Cloud of Bone Knopf Canada