A commissioned history is an investment in the future.

HistorySmiths specialises in commissioned histories for schools, institutions, companies and private individuals. We have built an enviable reputation for high quality research and writing, as well as outstanding publication values; our books are academically rigorous, highly readable and visually appealing. We have extensive experience in managing projects efficiently to meet tight budgets and timeframes, working closely with commissioning bodies and steering committees, and encouraging broad participation through collaboration including oral history making. We work seamlessly with editors, indexers, designers, publishers and printers to ensure a meticulously crafted final product.

  • Book cover titled 'Crucible of Learning,' celebrating the PLC in Melbourne from 1875 to 2025, author Helen Penrose, with a historical black and white photograph of students in a classroom with large windows, desks, and scientific equipment.

    Commissioned by Presbyterian Ladies’ College (Melbourne) in celebration of 150 years

  • Book cover titled 'Torchbearers: A centenary history of Carey Baptist Grammar School' by Helen Penrose, featuring a stained glass window with a runner in the center.

    Commissioned by Carey Baptist Grammar School in celebration of its centenary

  • Book cover titled "TERRACE" with a subtitle "150 YEARS, 150 STORIES" of St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace. The cover features a red patterned fabric with a crest and a black-and-white photo of young people in scout uniforms, some playing musical instruments like a trumpet, at a scouting event. The author's name is Sophie Church.

    Commissioned by St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, in celebration of its sesquicentenary

  • Book cover titled "Light Dark Blue" with a subtitle about 150 years at Brisbane Grammar School, featuring a gold top section with a map background and a black and white photo of smiling children and adults in school uniforms and hats below.

    Commissioned by Brisbane Grammar School in celebration of its sesquicentenary

  • Commissioned by Brisbane Girls Grammar School in celebration of its sesquicentenary

  • Book cover titled 'A Vintage Class' by Sophie Church. The cover features a blue-tinted photograph of a soldier in uniform, wearing a cap and carrying a rifle, looking into the distance under a cloudy sky.

    Commissioned by the class of 1958–61, Royal Military College Duntroon

Our full catalogue of commissioned histories

  • 2025 – Helen Penrose, Wisdom, imagination and integrity: Brisbane Girls Grammar School 1875–2025

    2025 – Sophie Church, Terrace: 150 years, 150 stories of St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace

    2025 – Helen Penrose, Crucible of learning: PLC (Melbourne) 1875–2025

    2023 – Helen Penrose, Torchbearers: a centenary history of Carey Baptist Grammar School

    2023 - Sophie Church, Kindle the flame: 120 years of Ravenswood School for Girls

    2020 – Helen Penrose & Claire Levi, Rising pillars, open doors: a centenary history of Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School

    2019 – Helen Penrose, Light dark blue: 150 years of learning and leadership at Brisbane Grammar School

    2018 – Claire Levi, Bound by the green, gold and blue: St Kevin’s College

    2016 – Claire Levi, For the honour of our school: 120 years of Fintona Girls’ School

    2015 – Helen Penrose, A passion to serve: 100 years of Ivanhoe Grammar School

    2011 – Helen Penrose, The way to the stars: 150 years of The Geelong College

    2009 - Helen Penrose, She who conquers: a centenary history of Firbank Grammar

    2007 – HistorySmiths Pty Ltd, Involving learning: MLC 1982–2007

    2006 – Helen Penrose, Outside the square: 125 years of Caulfield Grammar School

    2002 – Weston Bate & Helen Penrose, Challenging traditions: a history of Melbourne Grammar School

    1997 (rev. 2010) – Helen Penrose & Catherine Waterhouse, Kostka: Xavier by the sea

  • 2026 – Helen Penrose & Sophie Church, Open home: 50 years of Metricon

    2018 – Helen Penrose & Sophie Church, Ingrained: a history of Reid Stockfeeds

    2018 – Helen Penrose, A trusted guiding hand: the evolution of Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd

    2015 – Helen Penrose, A century of care: St John of God, Ballarat 1915–2015

    2014 – Helen Penrose, Seeds of hope: St John of God Warrnambool Hospital 1939–2014

    2013 – Claire Levi with Barbara Fraser, By the community, for the community: a history of Timboon and District Healthcare Service

    2010 – Barbara Pertzel, A very personal service: a history of International Social Service Australian Branch 1955–2005

    2010 – Helen Penrose, To build a firm: the Maddocks Story

    2006 – Barbara Pertzel, For all creatures: a history of RSPCA Victoria (rev. by Helen Penrose, 2021)

    2003 – Helen Penrose & Catherine Waterhouse, Life is to be cared for: a history of Box Hill Hospital

    2001 – Catherine Waterhouse, A special place: A history of Bayley House, Brighton

    1999 – Catherine Waterhouse, Going forward in faith: a history of Melbourne Citymission

    1999 – Catherine Waterhouse, The Schizophrenia Fellowship of Victoria 1978–1999

    1995 – Helen Penrose, Bright sparks: the Brunswick Electricity Supply Department 1912–1994

  • 2022 – Sophie Church, A vintage class: Royal Military College Duntroon 1958–61

    2004 – Catherine Waterhouse, Growing up Catholic: a history of St Mary’s Hampton 1924–2004

    2001 – Barbara Pertzel & Fiona Walters, Manningham: from country to city

    2001 – Catherine Waterhouse, Delivering community: the Middle Park Mums 1970–2000

    2001 – Helen Penrose, Werribee Farm: a history 1892–2000

    2001 – Catherine Waterhouse, Xaverians on active service from South Africa to Vietnam

    1999 – Helen Penrose, Lifeline to India: a history of the Maytime Fair

    1999 – Helen Penrose, Red, black and khaki: cadets at Xavier College

    1999 – Fiona Walters, A better, gentler school: music at Xavier College

    1997 – Helen Penrose, Our war effort: life in Melbourne’s western suburbs 1939–1945

  • 2020 – Sophie Church (ed.), A clear view to broad horizons: the memoirs of Paul McKeown

    2005 – Barbara Pertzel, Stuart Stoneman: a life in the grocery trade

    2003 – Douglas George Phillips MC 1897–1950: a brief biography

    1999 – Barbara Pertzel, The sincere gift of himself: a biography of Eldon Hogan

  • The greatest compliment I can pay you is that I recognise the school in your language … It was no small undertaking you embarked upon and completed so well. You did brilliantly … to produce a finished product of the highest quality …

    — Mark Brusasco, Brisbane Grammar School

  • I’m delighted with your writing and your project management skills. We’re looking forward to our 40th anniversary and can’t thank you enough for your contribution.

    — Sue Phillips, CEO, Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd

  • We are very happy with the end result … Thank you both for all the work, I realise now what a big job it is … Well done on producing something we will cherish for the rest of our days.

    — Rosli Reid and Nick Reid, Reid Stockfeeds

  • Sophie … has very obviously gained a deep understanding of this subject and all the people involved. Without this empathy and understanding, she could not have brought all the characters to life so vividly and accurately. The book is superbly presented by the publisher and the carefully selected photos make a tremendously important contribution to the overall product.

    — Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) John Bullen OAM

  • It has been the greatest pleasure working with you. I have felt reassured by your calmness, your precise sense of timing, your commitment to your work schedule, your generosity in reporting regularly to us and your trust in allowing us to read and comment on your drafts.

    — Commissioned history client

  • Brisbane Grammar School could not have been better served than by Helen Penrose and HistorySmiths. Helen has been a professional historian throughout. Her sense of empathy – a hallmark of a great historian – was palpable.

    — Anthony Micallef, Headmaster, Brisbane Grammar School

  • The best school histories … illuminate the social and educational contexts of the times. They tell us something about how the school has contributed to the wider community. They are a valuable resource for those wishing to enter the profession or who seek to lead. ‘Involving learning’ is one of the very best.

    — Brian Caldwell, Professor Emeritus, University of Melbourne

  • You have done a fine job of bringing this project to completion, giving us all a publication which is beautifully presented, easy to read, and is in a very accessible style. The quality and relevance of the photographs and the degree of detail that you have been able to incorporate is impressive, giving easy referencing for any part of the Terrace story for people following up a particular interest. I was impressed with how you treated the College and its history with great respect.

    — Brother Barry Buckley AM, former headmaster, St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace

  • [Paul McKeown’s] memoirs are now provided in an uncomplicated, engaging, well-illustrated publication, admirably managed by Sophie Church of HistorySmiths, who has drawn upon a wide circle of Paul’s family, friends and professional acquaintances. She has skilfully integrated diverse contributions within the core text. The result is an informative and eminently readable account of the life of an outstanding Australian educator.

    — Robert Grant AM

  • Helen was in every sense an authentic historian; that is, she was evidence based. Her countless trips to state archives, working with the original documents made this a genuine work of scholarship. She values personal voice and her skilful development and use of oral histories and surveys was a hallmark of this project. This became in a real sense a community history ... Ultimately, I can offer no higher praise than this is truly a history worthy of our school.

    — Brian Short, former headmaster, Brisbane Grammar School