Ernies Awards records compiled by Meredith Burgmann

MLMSS 12106/Boxes 1-19, Box 20X

fonds

1993-2023

Textual Records, Clippings, Ephemera

9677553

3.38 metres of textual material (20 boxes) - typescript

Originally founded by State Labor MP Meredith Burgmann, the Ernies Awards were named for Ernie Ecob (1930-2000), secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union (formerly the Shearer’s Union) for his comment that, 'women aren't welcome in the shearing sheds, they're only after the sex'. The 'Ernies' began as a small event in May 1993 to celebrate the resignation of Ecob from the Union and grew into a well-publicised gala, supported by leading women across politics, media and the arts. The annual awards, attended by feminists of all political leanings, were held at New South Wales Parliament House and judged the most sexist remarks made by public figures during the year. There were various award categories including political, judicial, media and industry categories, with the main award being the 'Gold Ernie', a trophy with a portrait of Ernie Ecob and a sheep rampant atop a brass plinth. The ‘winners’ for each category were decided by the loudest booing from the audience. After three decades of calling out sexism in public, political and cultural life, the volunteer-run group ceased in 2022.

References:

1. "History." The Ernies. Accessed 15 February 2024.
https://ernies.com.au/history/

2. Library correspondence file

This collection comprises the organisational records for the running of the Ernies Awards, including annual nominations, associated publicity, and logistics for the event itself, including invitations.

A. Administration files, includes invitations, speeches on the night, correspondence regarding nominations, and administration. Also includes dinner menus, handouts for dinner, media alerts and releases.

BOX 1
Folders 1-8, 1993-2000

BOX 2
Folders 1-4, 2001-2004
Folder 5, RSVPs and assorted tables, 2004
Folder 6, 2005

BOX 3
Folder 1, 2006
Folder 2, Tom Cruise, April's copy, 2006
Folders 3-7, 2008-2012
Folder 8, Ernies website (EO), 2012
Folder 9, 2013

BOX 4
Folders 1-9, 2014-2022
Folder 10, Additions, all time at end of 2022
Folder 11, Ernies articles, April's copy, 2007-2023

B. Nominations, short list, includes news cuttings, handwritten notes, printed copies of emails.

BOX 5
Folders 1-10, 1993-2002

BOX 6
Folders 1-5, 2003-2006, 2008

BOX 7
Folders 1-6, 2009-2014

BOX 8
Folders 1-8, 2015-2022

C. Nominations, non-short list, includes news cuttings, handwritten notes, printed copies of emails.

BOX 9
Folders 1-5, 1995-1999

BOX 10
Folders 1-2, 2000
Folders 3-5, 2001-2003

BOX 11
Folder 1, 2005
Folders 2-3, 2006

BOX 12
Folders 1-2, 2008
Folders 3-4, 2009

BOX 13
Folders 1-2, 2010
Folders 3-4, 2011

BOX 14
Folders 1-2, 2012
Folder 3, 2013
Folders 4-5, 2014

BOX 15
Folders 1-3, 2015-2017

BOX 16
Folders 1-5, 2018-2022

D. Media reports of the Ernies Awards

BOX 17
Folders 1-26, 1993, 1995-2022, most with title 'April's copy'
Folder 27, Published work, articles written by Meredith Burgmann and Yvette Andrews, 2007-2023

E. Production and launch of 'The Ernies book, 1000 terrible things Australian men have said about women'.

BOX 18
Folder 1, Book administration, 2007
Folder 2, Book launch administration, 2007
Folder 3, Book marketing, 2007
Folder 4, Book writing and producing, 2007
Folder 5, Nominations, 2007
Book, Burgmann, Meredith and Andrews, Yvette. The Ernies book: 1000 terrible things Australian men have said about women (Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin, 2007)

F. Visual aids and materials, used on the award nights of the Ernies, including sexist photographs and caustic comments as well as nominations, cartoons, commentary, and photographs.

BOX 19
Visuals, 1993, 1995-2009, 2012, 2014-2021
Visuals, Book launch, 2007
Visuals, nominations and caustic commentary, approximately 1998-2014
Visuals, copies or not used, approximately 1998-2008
Visuals, all dated, approximately 1997-2007
Visuals, probably duplicates?, approximately 1994-2012
Visuals, approximately 1998-2004

BOX 20X
Folder 1, Visuals, nominations and caustic commentary, approximately 2004-2007
Folder 2, Visuals, photographs, Ernies awards dinners, approximately 1993-2014

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder

Scope and content listing derived from donor supplied list.