Applications close 5pm Tuesday 30 July 2024.
The RHSV is looking for a part-time Archives Officer to work 2 days per week on two large heritage-focused collections.
We have received funding to employ an Archivist for 5 days per week for 3 years to catalogue these two large collections. The 5 days per week will be split between our current Gidleigh Archivist (3 days per week) and this new Archives Officer position which is 2 days per week.
read more...An elegant colossus reaches for the sky
” Captured by amateur photographer Pierre Robin in early September 1959, this is one of the last photographs to capture the solid presence of the Colonial Mutual Building on the north-west corner of Collins and Elizabeth streets.
It rises here from a busy urban setting, trams running along the two major thoroughfares, jostling for space with pedestrians and vehicles. In the foreground is an iconic two-toned Holden FE station wagon,
read more...Congratulations Ruby Louise Oosthuizen!
The annual Don Gibb RHSV Australian History Prize is awarded to the La Trobe University student who gained the highest mark in the third-year subject ‘Making History’ and , in 2024, the prize was presented to Ruby Louise Oosthuizen. Ruby made a podcast: ‘The Whitewashing of Australia’s Ecological History Seen Through the Tale of a Platypus’. Ruby is completing a double degree in Science and Arts. She earned a cash prize and an RHSV membership,
read more...We hope to be able to make an announcement soon about the launch of the Victorian Community History Awards 2024.
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We look forward to welcoming as many members as possible to the RHSV’s Special General Meeting (SGM) and Annual General Meeting (AGM). To register for the SGM and AGM or to record your apologies please click here. You can use the same link to book for the Weston Bate Oration which follows the AGM (with a short break for refreshments). Non-members too are always welcome.
On Tuesday evening,
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Our 4th podcast, VOICES FROM MELBOURNE’S CHINATOWN, is available for download from Spotify.
In this episode of our History Victoria Podcast, Past Lives, Sean Reynolds interviews Mark Wang, CEO of Melbourne’s Chinese Museum to explore the evolving identity and culture of the vibrant Chinese-Australian community.
Mark delves into his family’s deep roots in Victoria, tracing back to his great-great-grandfather who arrived before the gold rush.
Librarian / Library Technician
Jillian Hiscock, our Collections Manager, is always looking for volunteers with library skills and experience. She says …
If you like order and making sure that items in a collection are findable, we are looking for volunteers familiar with library operations, as a librarian or library technician to work with and assist the Collections manager to :
PROV is facing more than just funding cuts at the moment.
A bill was introduced into the Legislative Assembly this week by the Government that would, amongst other things, see the abolishment of the Public Records Advisory Council. Given the importance of the PRAC in advising the Minister and the Public Records office on the operation and implementation of the relevant Act, and subsequently the storage and archival of public records, we were looking for feedback from the perspective of historical societies,
read more...The Royal Historical Society of Victoria has written to The Honourable Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Government Services regarding the faltering funding for the Victorian Community History Awards and PROV’s essential grants program, Local History Grants. These two modestly funded program are essential to the ongoing well-being of Victoria’s 350 historical societies which are a much-loved feature in every electorate across Victoria.
Richard Broome, RHSV President, has also written to all our members asking them to lobby the Minister and their local member to ensure that funding is secured for the quadrennial period 2024 –
read more...We are delighted that Mortlake & District Historical Society will be hosting our first regional seminar for 2024.
We will release the full program and booking details shortly.
In the meantime, why not plan a weekend, or longer, in the Western District?
Mortlake is an historic settlement which lies at the base of Mount Shadwell, an extinct volcano. The town, which has a large number of impressive bluestone buildings,
read more...The 1.68 hectare bush garden and historic home of Australia’s second Prime Minister Alfred Deakin is on the lands of the Wadawurrung People, in the middle of “old Lonnie” (Point Lonsdale, VIC). Ballara is under threat of auction and development.
Join the campaign to save Ballara for the nation and to give it a future.
THE THREAT
Ballara on Victoria’s Bellarine peninsula, remains in the hands of Deakin’s descendants. However, it is now under threat.
read more...Through a donor we’ve been able to commission talented artist, Alissa Duke, to do a series of sketches of life at the RHSV. So, if you come in to the Drill Hall over the next few weeks you might see Alissa sketching corners of our library, our volunteers lunching together, books (of course!), suitcases, manuscripts etc These sketches will appear in our 2023 Annual Report and I hope they’ll end up in the book shop as ‘merch’.
read more...We are thrilled to announce that the RHSV welcomes a new Marketing Officer, Sean Reynolds, this week. Sean says, “I’ve had over two decades leading marketing and content production for global companies, such as Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. I’ve spearheaded strategic campaigns across digital platforms, TV and emerging social media channels. When I’m not finding the core story to connect the audience with brands, you’ll find me geeking out over history with my “Melbourne Ghost Signs”
read more...On Monday 4 December, Tuesday 5 December and Wednesday 6 December 2023 the RHSV History Victoria Bookshop will stay open late for Christmas shopping.
The bookshop is stuffed to the gills with great books on every and all aspects of Victorian history – there is something for everyone.
We’ll be serving some Christmas cheer and there will be free wrapping service too. Come and join us.
Check out books on shipwrecks or crime.
read more...A reminder that the RHSV will be closed for Melbourne Cup Day.
We will also be closed for 2 weeks between Christmas and New Year – closing on Friday 22 December and reopening on Monday 8 January 2024.
For any emergencies whilst we are closed please phone 0400387877: Rosemary Cameron.
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239 A'Beckett Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 
Office & Library: Weekdays 9am-5pm
03 9326 9288 
office@historyvictoria.org.au