Purposes and Goals

Purposes

The Association is established for public charitable purposes of promoting the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of written literature, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, oral history, film and other art forms that have historical content or significance by, without limitation:

  • promoting the writing and protection of historical literature;
  • raising the profile of literature and media with historical content at all levels of government and throughout the community to strengthen recognition of history in policy and practice;
  • facilitating communication and cooperation between the History Council’s constituent organisations in the interests of promoting public awareness of historical culture;
  • undertaking lectures, seminars and other activities that encourage access to historical literature, artefacts, film and other art forms;
  • facilitating co-ordination between the various organisations involved in writing historical literature and the teaching of history in schools;
  • advising on appropriate information, communication and referral procedures for individuals and organisations in the history community;
  • promoting art forms based on, or inspired by, Victoria’s history;
  • promoting awareness of and encouraging research into the historical culture of Victoria’s diverse populations;
  • increasing support to history teachers and students, particularly in regional and rural areas;
  • increasing support and resources for history from a wide range of government, community and business sources through direct representation, cultural activities, awards, promotions and exhibitions;
  • exploring and advising on ways of improving the knowledge base of teachers of history through use of historical literature and other media; and
  • promoting the study and display of movable cultural heritage.  

Our strategic goals

A.   Champion the pursuit of history so that more students develop a life-long interest in history

B.   Advocate history as a key context for current decision making, attitudes and action so that communities receive early warning of issues, avoid repeating mistakes of the past, and are alerted to positive lessons from history

C.   Increase public engagement with history so that audiences and users benefit from fresh insights and relevant information

D.   Be the hub for history in Victoria: an effective and professional portal linking relevant organisations, programs, information and activities so that the public can confidently access historians and historical resources, and the history sector is strengthened by networking and cooperation

E.   Govern the HCV ethically, efficiently and effectively so that the association becomes stronger and more sustainable

 

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