The RHSV is delighted to co-host with the Genealogical Society of Victoria this ZOOM conversation with Emeritus Professor Graeme Davison AO about his latest book, My Grandfather's Clock.  A great-aunt's bequest - a 200-year-old grandfather clock - sends historian Graeme Davison on a journey deep into his father's family's past. From their tribal homeland in the Scottish Borders he follows them to the garrison town of Carlisle, from industrial Birmingham to Edwardian Australia, and from the Great War to his own suburban childhood. This is the story of an ordinary family's journey from frontier warfare and dispossession through economic turmoil and emigration to modest prosperity. At each step, we are led to reflect on the puzzles of personal identity and the mystery of time. Based on a lifetime of creative scholarship, My Grandfather's Clock is a moving testament to the power of family history to illuminate the present.

Join Jillian Hiscock, the RHSV Collections Manager, each month is this informative and easy-going Zoom forum on all aspects of cataloguing collections for historical societies. Jillian has a different topic each month and is happy to be guided by those who attend as to what they would like covered in upcoming clinics. This is an
Read More...

We are thrilled that distinguished historian, Professor Sheila Fitzpatrick will deliver the 2nd RHSV Hugh Anderson Lecture. Sheila turns her historian’s gaze to the block of flats where she grew up and where most other residents were European Jewish refugees. 

For History Month, the National Archives of Australia are partnering once again with the RHSV to present, Off the Drawing Board, where members and friends can discover more about the history of their local community through Victorian architectural drawings. Did you know that National Archives holds thousands of architectural drawings for public buildings across Australia and Victoria? Dating back as early as 1849, these drawings document not only famous Melbourne landmarks but also humbler suburban and rural facilities, such as local post offices and drill halls. This makes these drawings an invaluable resource for anyone researching local history and heritage. Many of the drawings are also beautiful works of art in their own right.

Christina Browning, the RHSV Marketing Officer, leads these forums which each month tackle a different aspect of marketing for historical societies - they tend to concentrate on social media as it is very available and is free to use, however, Christina will tackle any aspect of marketing which you want to raise. Christina will prepare a topic each month and she welcomes questions and feedback and suggestions for future topics - these sessions are relaxed and interactive. Bring your queries / issues etc. The forums are free and delivered via Zoom. There are always extra documents and links that are sent to you after each forum and it is for that reason we ask attendees to register - otherwise we can't contact you.

THIS EVENT HAS BOOKED OUT BUT THERE IS ANOTHER SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER AT 2PM. BOOK HERE Historian Dr Liz Rushen will take you behind the scenes of our current exhibition, Garryowen's Melbourne which Liz curated. The exhibition grew out of the research Liz had done for her book, Garryowen Unmasked: The Life of
Read More...

As part of History Month we partner with Professional Historians Association (Victoria & Tasmania) to host an event where three historians talk about a moment of amazing coincidence or serendipity in their research – it could be coming across a vital piece of information or finding just the right contact or network, seemingly by chance. It is
Read More...

Join Jillian Hiscock, the RHSV Collections Manager, each month is this informative and easy-going Zoom forum on all aspects of cataloguing collections for historical societies. Jillian has a different topic each month and is happy to be guided by those who attend as to what they would like covered in upcoming clinics. This is an interactive space where questions are encouraged. The RHSV does not endorse any particular cataloguing software - we believe it is horses for courses - and Jillian will talk about issues that impact on cataloguing whether you are using cataloguing cards or software.