What is the RHSV Heritage Committee?

 The RHSV Heritage Committee speaks for the RHSV on heritage matters and cooperates with related organisations in response to heritage issues raised by affiliated historical societies.

The committee is chaired by RHSV Councillor Emeritus Professor Charles Sowerwine. Currently it consists of RHSV Councillors Elisabeth Jackson and Judith Smart, plus Ian Wight, Peter Hiscock and Lucy Bracey. Felicity Watson, Advocacy Manager for the National Trust, is a member ex officio.

What do we do?

 Since 1909, the RHSV has advocated for, protected and promoted Victoria’s history and heritage. The Heritage Committee was formed in 2016 as a working party, when the RHSV was asked to respond to the state government’s review of the Heritage Act 1995. Since we had already begun fielding requests from local historical societies seeking help in preservation struggles, the Heritage Committee was made a permanent committee to continue this work.

The Committee seeks to conserve heritage throughout Victoria. We work with local historical societies. Where appropriate, we cooperate with the National Trust and other heritage bodies. We seek to respond to major threats to heritage, making submissions to Heritage Victoria and to the Minister for Planning as well as to local councils and to VCAT, especially when we can add weight to the voices of local historical societies. We have been active in fighting to preserve the Queen Victoria Market, Fed Square and the surrounds of the Royal Exhibition Building World Heritage Site, but we have also been involved in campaigns to protect the historic Queens Parade shopping strip in North Fitzroy, heritage-listed buildings threatened by the St Vincent’s Private Hospital development, the grand mansion North Park in Essendon, and the natural beauty of Mount Buninyong near Ballarat.

Over the years the RHSV Heritage Committee has developed a reputation within heritage and planning circles as a group that produces effective submissions backed by extensive research and heritage knowledge. Our voice is heard and respected.

The RHSV Heritage Committee is also involved in reviewing the society’s policy and strategy concerning statues and monuments that no longer represent a diverse and inclusive Australian history. For more, see here.

How can I help?

 Every citizen who notes a threat to our heritage can help by writing or submitting to the authority making the decision. We can help put you on the right track.

Members of local historical societies are in a particularly good position to note threats and to act in a timely fashion. Again, we can help with suggestions and, to the extent possible, joining or supporting local protests.

We ask historical societies to alert us as you become aware of threats to our heritage. We will do what we can to help, and we will build up a record of threats and actions taken.

We welcome new members of the committee. If you have a passion for history and heritage, please get in touch!

Contact: adm**********@historyvictoria.org.au, Please mark subject “Attn Charles Sowerwine.”