On Thursday evening, 22nd of August, the RHSV was fortunate to celebrate its 115th birthday at Government House at a soiree hosted by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC who is patron-in-chief of the RHSV.
The Hon Sonya Kilkenny MP, Minister for Planning, was present and also delivered a speech, following that of the Governor. Emeritus Professor Richard Broome AM, the RHSV’s President was the final speaker of the evening.
It was a splendid evening and our deepest thanks go to the Governor.
The guest list was as impressive as our longevity: government officials, past and present, business leaders, historians, academic rock stars, RHSV Councillors, committee reps, our hard-working staff, and, of course, our fabulous volunteers who keep this ship sailing.
Hitting 115 years is no small feat, especially for an organisation powered by the passion and dedication of volunteers. We’ve been at this since 1909, preserving stories, promoting Victoria’s past, and supporting over 350 affiliated societies. And guess what? We’re just getting started.
As we look ahead, we’re committed to expanding our collection and diving even deeper into the histories of the diverse cultures that make Victoria the vibrant place it is today. Sure, we’ve got our fair share of challenges (funding, finding a permanent home), but we’re ready to tackle these head-on.
A massive thank you to everyone who’s been part of this incredible 115-year journey. Here’s to many more years of keeping Victoria’s history alive!