Recent News

Introducing Claudia, our new Images Collection Officer

Welcome Claudia Donovan, the newest member of the RHSV team! She will be joining us mid-May to start her new...

Congratulations 2024 Victorian Community History Award winners

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the 2024 Victorian Community History Awards! We extend our heartfelt thanks for your...

Welcome Joanna and Oliver!

Our two newest staff members will be joining us next week. Oliver Sperlich, who will be filling a brand new...

Have you ever thought you’d like to work in a bokshop?

The RHSV bookshop is getting more successful every year - in 2024 our sales increased by 50% on 2023 which...

Spotlight

'Letters to a Critic' wins Premier’s History Awards

Australian art through the letters of leading critic Alan McCulloch

Described by judges as “an artwork in itself”, Letters to a Critic: Alan McCulloch’s World of Art by Rodney James took out the main prize at the Victorian Community History Awards for 2024. Author Rodney James has mined the rich archival treasure of the McCulloch Papers to create a lively combination of biography and illustrated book of letters. Witty, irreverent, profound and heartfelt, these previously unpublished letters, critical essays, illustrations and works of art provide a unique insight into the art and lives of Australia’s most famed art personalities as they simultaneously reveal McCulloch’s role as critic, gallery director and mentor.

Get your copy and join the conversation

What's on at the RHSV

Guided Walking Tour of Historical Flagstaff Gardens
April 28 @ 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Join expert tour guides from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria – the historical society for the City of Melbourne ...
Housing, Heritage, Density: Vibrant neighbourhoods or Hong Kong without the view?
April 29 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
In the context of a major revamp of the Victorian planning system, this seminar asks how we can make positive use of heritage as w...
The rise of public health engineering in Victoria 1925-1940
May 20 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
The rise of public health engineering in Victoria 1925-1940: The Sewerage Districts’ Acts 1915, 1925 and 1928, and the consu...

See More Events

YARRA BIRRARUNG: ARTISTS, WRITERS AND THE RIVER

Curated by Dr Judith Buckrich. Designed by Daisy Searls. From 28 November 2024 to July 2025 - 28 November 2024 - July 2025

This exhibition is an illustrated history of life on the Yarra. Through the lens of artists and writers, the book explores how life has flourished on the river, including recreation, industry and land use, as well as infrastructure, natural history and social history.

Upcoming Victorian History Events

Submit your local history event

Launch of restored 1890s map of the Shire of Karkarooc by Hopetoun and District Historical Society
April 27 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Join the Hopetoun and District Historical Society for their launch of a restored 1890s map of the Shire and Schools of Karakarooc ...
Chapel Street Walk: Around Prahran’s Iconic Buildings
April 30 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Meet at the PMI Victorian History Library then step into a charming adventure. Discover the tales of yesteryear’s department...
Malvern Walk: Explore Stonnington’s Rich History
May 14 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Starting at the iconic clock tower of the Malvern Town Hall, you’ll embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Malvern...