The Royal Historical Society is the peak body for historical societies throughout Victoria. Our role is to advocate on your behalf, support the local history movement and represent the interests of its members on the broader cultural map of Victoria.
In addition, Societies that are members of the RHSV receive the following benefits:
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT - Through such programs as the History Victoria Support Group and workshops held at the RHSV we are able to provide advice and technical skills in collections management, especially computer cataloguing and the raising of collection standards.
FIRST PORT OF CALL SERVICE - A call to the RHSV is often the first step for the public, researchers, film crews etc for information about historical sites, events, collections throughout the state. Referrals to societies can be made using contact details for affiliated societies in the RHSV Affiliated Societies Database.
CATALALOGUING EXPERTISE - The RHSV has developed a Victorian Local History Thesaurus and expertise at cataloguing using recommended software. Societies can have access to workshops and advice about cataloguing projects.
VICTORIAN LOCAL HISTORY DATABASE - Records from Societies' collections can be added to the Victorian Local History database, making records accessible world wide.
INSURANCE SCHEME - The RHSV has an insurance broker for a community insurance scheme providing cover for public liability and personal accident insurance.
INFORMATION ABOUT FUNDING - Through our newsletter, website and mc2 groups we regularly publish information about state, federal, Museums Australia (Vic.) and private funding programs.
PUBLICITY - Our newsletter regularly publicises 'Around the Societies' creating profile for your society throughout the wider local history movement. In addition the RHSV has regular radio spots on metropolitan and regional radio. Virtual communities using mc2 provide further opportunities to promote events.
FREE USE OF RHSV LIBRARY AND COLLECTIONS - Members of historical societies have free use of the RHSV library and collections. A research fee of $16.50 per visit applies to non members.
OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE PART IN RHSV PROGRAMS - The RHSV runs a monthly lecture series, schools of historical research, and excursions - many of these would available free of charge or at a substantial discount.
COPIES OF VICTORIAN HISTORY JOURNAL - A subscription to this peer reviewed journal on the history of Victoria is included the annual affiliation fee.
COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS - The RHSV organises or auspices collaborative exhibitions such as Making Tracks creating opportunities for societies to work together.
By affiliating with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria societies help to strengthen the profile of history within the state and have the opportunity to participate in the wider local history community.
The History Victoria Support Group a committee of the RHSV aims
to further the understanding of history, especially community history, across Victoria,
to support and promote the role and activities of the RHSV affiliated societies and
to maintain strong contacts between local societies, RHSV and the wider community
The History Victoria Support Group
holds Seminar Days four times a year
reports, discusses, develops and disseminates policies, activities and publications to help Societies increase the impact of the history movement
encourages the use of techniques including information technology to develop local history networks
provides information about and assists with funding applications for historical and heritage projects through a range of funding bodies
promotes RHSV and encourages the affiliation of local and specialist history societies
co-ordinates an integrated calendar of events across the network of historical societies and publishes it online
encourages the on-going stimulation of new initiatives of management of historical societies and their collections
The History Victoria Support Group provides practical information to help members of historical societies manage and promote their collections and activities and encourages active networking between members of historical societies throughout the state.
History Victoria Support Group provides advice on the establishment and running of historical societies, and issues such as incorporation, insurance, privacy and copyright.
A variety of workshops are offered including:
Increasing membership of societies
Preparing grant applications
Publicising your society - newsletters, brochures, booklets, calendars
Collection management
Managing paper based collections
Computer cataloguing
Indexing
Storage of collection materials
Display techniques
Copyright
Insurance and incorporation
My Connected Community
Local history research on the Internet
Website design and maintenance
Join the History Victoria Support Group mc2 - an online forum to discuss issues and share information about operating historical societies. Click here for more information
The RHSV has an insurance broker for a community insurance scheme providing cover for public liability and personal accident insurance.
It is important for historical societies that hold events involving the public to have public liability insurance. Even societies which don't have their own premises need to have public liability cover if they conduct public events, such as walking tours.
Contact details and other information about societies affiliated with the RHSV are provided in the Societies Affiliated with the RHSV Database - directory of historical and specialist societies in Victoria. The information in the database is provided by each society when the annual membership form is completed. The Societies Affiliated with the RHSV Database provides researchers with information to contact relevant societies.
A blog recording providing information for cataloguing projects.
Holsworth Local Heritage Trust
The purpose of the Holsworth Local Heritage Trust, a charitable fund within the Victorian Community Foundation, is to invite applications for grants from not-for-profit organisations such as historical societies, clubs, schools and museums in regional Victoria.
Grants of up to $1,500 are available for projects that will enable the preservation and appreciation, through publication, of any specific or general local history in regional Victoria.
Applications close in October each year.
Further information about this grant opportunity -
Guidelines Holsworth Local Heritage Trust
