In 2022 the RHSV, along with many other organisations, will be pulling out all stops to celebrate the sesquicentenary of the Education Act 1872. This ground-breaking legislation mandated that primary education in Victoria would be free, secular and compulsory.

The Dept of Education is encouraging primary schools to partner with their local historical societies – so  we are encouraging historical societies to contact their local primary school and plan some activities. Which is easy to say but what activities are age appropriate? How do we make them fit the curriculum? Who do we contact? What is an appropriate length of time for an event? Do we go to the primary school or do they come to us? Do we let small children handle objects from our collection? How do we make an event interesting?

In this forum we will be talking about all aspects of creating and holding events that engage primary school aged children. We intend to have several case studies from historical societies who are already successfully working with their local students.

This will be a structured discussion and we want everyone to come away with good ideas that their historical society can use to connect with their local primary school. Whilst this is aimed at 2022 and the celebration of education across Victoria the ideas should be adaptable for every year and every situation.

If you’d like to present a case-study or you have ideas you’d like to share please contact Rosemary Cameron