Get ready for an inspiring professional learning event, hosted by RHSV’s Historical Societies Support Committee (HSSC)! Whether you’re joining us in-person at the iconic Drill Hall or tuning in globally via Zoom, this bumper program promises a full day of engaging, practical sessions.

We’ve curated a selection of popular presentations from recent years, each designed to tackle real-world challenges and offer actionable solutions for your organisation. Plus, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others, making this a day rich in learning and collaboration.

What’s on the Agenda?

Friday, 18 October Program

8:45am – 9:35am: Guided Walking Tour of Flagstaff Gardens (optional)

Start your day with a journey through one of Melbourne’s most historic sites. Explore Flagstaff Hill and its significance in the city’s pre-European history, as a signalling station, and as a former burial ground. A must-do for history enthusiasts! Early birds can enjoy coffee and pastries from 8am.

9:00am: Registration

Tea, coffee, and a chance to meet fellow attendees.

9:45am – 10:00am: Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country

RHSV President Emeritus Professor Richard Broome, AM, FAHA, FRHSV, FFAHS, will kick things off with an Acknowledgement of Country, followed by Rosalie Triolo outlining the day’s goals.

10:00am – 10:45am: Session 1 – Attracting New Visitors, Members, and Volunteers

Rosalie Triolo shares positive strategies for welcoming people from diverse backgrounds and securing the future of historical societies.

10:45am – 11:30am: Session 2 – Tips for Winning Grants

Grant writing doesn’t have to be daunting! Learn proven tips from Graham Goulding OAM, who has secured over $250,000 in funding for various organisations.

11:30am – 11:45am: Morning Tea

11:45am – 12:30pm: Session 3 – ‘Requiem for the Newsletter?’

Craige Proctor explores the future of newsletters in the digital age and whether they still hold value in a world dominated by social media.

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Lunch and Networking 

Enjoy lunch on-site and take advantage of a lightning tour of the RHSV’s collection at 1pm.

1:30pm – 2:15pm: Session 4 – Creating Engaging Events

Rosemary Cameron will provide practical tools and templates to make your events fresh, engaging, and resourceful, no matter the scale.

2:15pm – 3:00pm: Open Discussion

Participants and speakers dive deeper into earlier topics or introduce new ones for group discussion.

3:00pm – 3:15pm: Round-Up and Close

Rosalie Triolo highlights essential resources available to societies, ensuring support is at your fingertips 24/7.

Session Details and Speaker Highlights

Attracting New Members and Volunteers

Rosalie Triolo reveals how some societies are defying negative trends by actively attracting new members with a range of skills. This session offers practical tips to help you introduce at least one new person to your society in the next year.

With over 40 years in history education, Rosalie has led and advocated for the field at both state and national levels, earning numerous awards along the way. Her experience includes teaching Australian history in Victorian government schools and working across primary, secondary, and tertiary education. For the past 25 years, she’s also played a key role in developing specialist history teachers at Monash University.

Winning Grants

Graham Goulding OAM shares insights from his 40+ years of successfully securing grants. His session will leave you confident and ready to tackle your next application.

Graham, a retired teacher, has been writing successful grant applications since the 1980s, starting with education initiatives. In retirement, he has secured over $250,000 in funding for projects including Gippsland Immigration Park, the Walhalla Board of Management, and the Moe & District Historical Society. His expertise continues to benefit these important historical and community efforts.

‘Requiem for the Newsletter?’

Craige Proctor weighs up the merits of traditional newsletters versus social media, asking whether we risk losing something valuable by going fully digital.

Craige spent 14 years producing the Mortlake & District Historical Society’s newsletter and, since 2022, has taken on the Western Victorian Association of Historical Societies newsletter. Immersed in the world of local history publications, he has read countless newsletters from societies across the region. A pioneer in bringing historical societies online, Craige began managing Facebook pages in 2011 and, from 2014-17, presented for RHSV on community engagement through social media. He continues to support groups in building their digital presence.

Creating Engaging Events

Rosemary Cameron’s hands-on workshop will equip you with the tools to create engaging and sustainable events, from small talks to large-scale conferences.

Rosemary’s career has been centred on theatre and literary festivals, with a strong focus on both large and small-scale event management. She led Tour Guides Australia, where she crafted engaging tours, and in her current position as Executive Officer for the RHSV, she organises a diverse range of events. Previously, she directed the Melbourne Writers Festival, overseeing 400+ events in 10 days (2005–09), and the Brisbane Writers Festival (2003–05).

Support at Your Fingertips, 24/7

To wrap up the day, we’ll spotlight essential online resources you can access anytime, including valuable tools from the RHSV and the Federation of Australian Historical Societies. Whether you’re looking for research materials, guidance, or support, these resources are designed to help your society thrive long after the event.

Booking Information

Secure your spot by completing the booking form below. Registration closes at 4pm on Wednesday, 16 October.

For any issues on the day, contact us at 03 9326 9288 or via email at office@historyvictoria.org.au

Zoom Participants

You will receive the Zoom link 24 hours before the event.

For general enquiries, please reach out to Dr Rosalie Triolo OAM at rosalie.triolo@monash.edu

Join us for a day packed with inspiration, learning, and community as we celebrate History Month!

This is a History Month event