Friends' events

The HCV Friends program was launched in October 2017 at the Old Treasury Building, Melbourne. Since then, various activities have been organised for the Friends. Some events are also open to "Future Friends" - i.e. people who are friends or family of an HCV Friend and who might be interested in signing up to the program in the future.

On this page you will find information about a selection of previous and current events and opportunities.

Find out about our new Book Club here: https://www.historycouncilvic.org.au/hcv_book_club 

FRIENDS’ EARLYBIRDS
Receive advance notice of events; make your booking ahead of the mainstream publicity; bring a Future Friend!

The 'Alert' emails (sent to all Friends) will provide advance notice of HCV events whenever possible.

 

FRIENDS ON THE ROAD
Visit unusual collections and participate in regional programs; bring a Future Friend!

Completed: 
Visit to Heidelberg Historical Society and an intriguing social history exhibition, Saturday 14 September 2019
Field trip to Central Goldfields, 14 July 2018

 

FRIENDS’ SPECIALS
Get discounts on ticket prices and other special offers!

Save the date: While Victoria is under health restrictions due to the global coronavirus pandemic, many online events are being offered free of charge - meaning that discounts aren't available.  

Completed: 

 

FRIENDS’ EXCLUSIVES
Enjoy Friends-only events and opportunities!

Ongoing: 

  • Friends 'Alert' email
  • Publicise your own event via the HCV Calendar - follow the guidance provided in the second paragraph of this web page
  • Discounted offer for the history of state secondary schooling in Victoria by Dr John Andrews and Dr Deborah Towns, released by Australian Scholarly Publishing in 2018. (Details of the offer are provided to new Friends when they sign up. Earlier Friends can request a reminder from the HCV Executive Officer.) 

Completed:

  • In December 2020, our end-of-year event with members of our Board, the Friends and future friends was held as a Zoom meeting. It included a panel discussion on History in a Time of Pandemic: Nourishment, Consolation and Guidance featuring HCV Board members Professor Peter McPhee, Dr Susie Protschky and Dr Yves Rees, plus a farewell to Margaret Birtley who has retired as our Executive Officer after seven years’ service. Click HERE for details and to access a recording of the meeting. 
  • In October 2020, a group of Friends joined a Zoom meeting to hear a presentation from Tim Hogan of State Library Victoria on Pandemics and epidemics from the past: The Victorian experience revealed through the collections of the State Library of Victoria. Click HERE for details and to access a recording of the meeting. 
  • In June 2019, fourteen Friends visited the Library of the Royal United Services Institute of Victoria at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne. Please click HERE for full details.
  • In September 2018, a dozen Friends joined a free behind-the-scenes tour at State Library Victoria, led by expert staff. Please click HERE for full details.

 

FRIENDS’ DRINKS
Gather socially with a focus on history; drinks at bar prices (or included in ticket price); bring a Future Friend!

Save the date: While Victoria is under health restrictions due to the global coronavirus pandemic, we must defer our face-to-face social program.  

Completed:

On Thursday 5 December 2019, the Friends and HCV Board members gathered Melbourne's Docklands for an end-of-year gathering at which we learned from Dr Jackie Watts OAM and Major General (Ret.) Michael O'Brien about the new Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network.

On Wednesday 21 November 2018, the Friends and HCV Board members gathered at Young and Jackson’s hotel, Swanston Street, Melbourne for an end-of-year dinner. Archaeologist Meg Goulding updated us on the excavations at the Metro tunnel site just north of the hotel. During 2018 the site yielded important information about Melbourne’s first school and attracted widespread media attention. 

 

FRIENDS’ ALERT
The FRIENDS’ ALERT email is sent occasionally and exclusively to all HCV Friends. It provides information, updates and reminders, usually under the same headings as listed above.

 

 

About

The History Council of Victoria Incorporated (HCV) is the peak body for history in the Australian state of Victoria. Its vision is to connect Victorians with history and to inspire engagement with the past, their identity and the world today. The HCV champions the work of historians and the value of history. It recognises that history can be written about any place, any person, any period. The HCV advocates why history matters.


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Events

Our calendar lists all upcoming public events arranged by the History Council of Victoria (HCV), plus events in Victoria, Australia, that are added by our Friends and Members.

If you are organising an event that relates to History, we encourage you to publicise it on our website.


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Advocacy

As the peak body for history in Victoria, the History Council makes submissions on current issues. In doing this, the HCV Board is guided by its Advocacy Policy and by the Value of History, a statement developed co-operatively by the HCV and the History Councils of New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.


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Prizes

Since 2015, the HCV has been pleased to sponsor the Years 9 and 10 category of the Historical Fiction Competition organised by the History Teachers' Association of Victoria.


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Support

Ways to support us:

Subscribe to our free newsletter: https://www.historycouncilvic.org.au/subscribe
Endorse the Value of History statement: https://www.historycouncilvic.org.au/endorse
Find us on socials: Twitter / Facebook / YouTube


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Summary

The HCV was formed as an advisory body in 2001 and incorporated in 2003. It comprises representatives from cultural and educational institutions and heritage bodies; history teachers and curriculum advisors; academic and professional historians; and local, Indigenous, community and specialist history organisations.

As the peak body for history, the HCV has both ‘outward-looking’ roles (including advocacy and representation to government and the wider community, consultation, community education, and networking with allied interest groups) and ‘inward-looking’ roles (including member support, information dissemination, and networking between members).

 
 

Credits

The History Council of Victoria acknowledges the State Library of Victoria and the Public Record Office Victoria for supply of the archival images that appear on this website.

We acknowledge the National Film and Sound Archive for the right to use of the video footage on the home page, titled "Melbourne: Life in Australia (1966)".

Image credits

  • Italian sailors on ship at Port Melbourne 1938, Argus Newspaper Collection of Photographs, State Library of Victoria
  • Chinese procession in Collins near Elizabeth Street 1901, Harvie & Sutcliffe, photographers, State Library of Victoria
  • People’s homes, Aboriginal station Coranderrk 1878, Fred Kruger Photographer, State Library of Victoria
  • Chinese nurses at Children’s Hospital under scholarship 1947, Argus Newspaper Collection of Photographs, State Library of Victoria
  • Ladies physical culture class VRI Melbourne c1931, Public Record Office Victoria VPRS 12903/P0001, 011/02
  • Melbourne Cup, Derby and Oaks Day, Flemington Racecourse 1936, Public Record Office Victoria VPRS 12903/P0001/4802, 372/30
  • Flinders Street viaduct at foot of Market Street with advertisement for McRobertson’s Chocolate on bridge, Public Record Office Victoria VPRS 12800/P0003, ADV 1342