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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In 2008, Melbourne joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network when it was designated the first and only City of Literature in Australia, and the second in the world after Edinburgh.
The network of Cities of Literature has grown considerably since then and one of the wonderful initiatives between these cities is to arrange virtual residencies for writers. This is the first year the RHSV has taken part and we are thrilled to host Bria Cotton,
read more...History Month 2023 saw us launch a new History Month website and a record number of events and exhibitions and social media happenings across Victoria – all highlighting the great work that happens in the history sector and especially that generated by the 350 historical societies across Victoria. I hope all the organisations that took part in 2023 are dreaming up more exciting events for October 2024.
Many thanks to our co-ordinator, Susannah Beardsell and a huge thank you to The Vera Moore Foundation which funds the RHSV to produce History Month.
read more...The Robur Tea Building, 28 Clarendon St, Southbank, a Victorian Heritage Registered site, was refused a development permit in May this year by Heritage Victoria. But now the applicant for the development permit has requested a review of the determination and has requested an appeal hearing (see grounds below). The permit review hearing will be scheduled to take place in the coming months. The RHSV submitted a successful objection earlier in the year and will be following the review process too.
read more...The Councillors, staff, volunteers and members of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria note with great sadness the death of our friend, Gordon Moffatt, on the 27th July 2023.
Gordon had been an active member of the RHSV since 1983 and, for three years 1983-85, served on Council. He was also a most generous supporter of the Society ensuring that Victorian history was valued and preserved.
We send our condolences to Gordon’s family on their loss.
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239 A'Beckett Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 
Office & Library: Weekdays 9am-5pm
03 9326 9288 
office@historyvictoria.org.au