The Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) 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
- First Port of Call Service
- Cataloguing Expertise
- Victorian Local History Catalogue
- Insurance Scheme
- Information About Funding
- Local History Networks
- Publicity
- Free Use of the RHSV Library and Collections
- Opportunities to Take Part in RHSV Programs
- Subscription to the Victorian Historical Journal
- Collaborative Projects
- Disaster Support
- Holsworth Local Heritage Trust
- Victorian Community History Awards
- Bookshop
- History Week
- History Week Banner Grants
- Guide to Managing Historical Societies
Professional Support: Through such programs as the History Victoria Support Group (HVSG) 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 and collections throughout the State. Referrals to societies can be made using contact details for affiliated societies in the RHSV Affiliated Societies Database.
Cataloguing Expertise: The RHSV has developed a Victorian Local History Thesaurus and expertise at cataloguing. Societies have access to workshops and advice about cataloguing projects.
Victorian Local History Catalogue: Records from societies’ collections can be added to the Victorian Local History Catalogue, 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 newsletters, website, My Connected Community (mc2) groups, blogs, Twitter channel and Facebook page we regularly publish information about state, federal, Museums Australia (Victoria) and private funding programs.
Local History Networks: Through the HVSG, mc2 and RHSV programs we create networks bringing benefits for support, information sharing and bulk purchasing.
Publicity: Our newsletter runs regular ‘Around the Societies’ pages, and we give all our affiliated societies opportunities to publicise their events and achievements a couple of times throughout the year. In addition the RHSV has regular radio spots on metropolitan and regional radio. The RHSV also promotes affiliated societies’ events via it’s Twitter channel. Virtual communities using mc2 provide further opportunities to promote events within the local history network.
Free Use of the RHSV Library and Collections: Members of historical societies have free use of the RHSV library (including free wi-fi) 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 are available free of charge or at a substantial discount.
Subscription to the Victorian Historical 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.
Disaster Support: The RHSV acts as a referral service for affiliated societies requiring disaster support. The HVSG mc2 provides additional information about caring for collections.
Holsworth Local Heritage Trust: The RHSV provides advice and support to the ANZ Trustees in allocating grants for publishing. Grants of up to $2,000 are available for projects that will enable the preservation and appreciation – through publication – of any specific or general local history in regional Victoria.
Victorian Community History Awards: The Victorian Community History Awards (VCHA) recognise excellence in historical method. The various categories acknowledge that history can be told in many and varied formats with the aim of reaching and enriching all Victorians. From 2011 the VCHA will be delivered as a partnership between the RHSV and the Public Record Office Victoria. Prior to 2011 the VCHA were run by Information Victoria in partnership with the RHSV.
Bookshop: The RHSV also runs a bookshop in which societies, historians and other authors can sell their publications.
History Week: Every year in the last week of October, the RHSV runs History Week. Societies affiliated with the RHSV have the opportunity to particpate in History Week by adding their events to the History Week website. All History Week events are promoted by the RHSV.
History Week Banner Grants: To celebrate History Week each year, the RHSV invites affiliated historical and heritage groups to participate in the History Week Banner Grant program. Successful grant recipients are assisted in the design and creation of a promotional banner for their society. All banner production costs are met by the RHSV.
Guide to Managing Historical Societies: The RHSV has also produced an online guide to assist historical and heritage groups manage their organisations. The information and resources in the Guide to Managing Historical Societies is potentially very useful to affiliated societies.
By affiliating with the RHSV, societies help to strengthen the profile of history within the state and have the opportunity to participate in the wider local history community. If you have any queries regarding affiliation, please contact us.
