A new round of the Local History Grants Program has been opened by the Labor government to support community organisations in preserving and sharing local history and distinctive local voices.
Government Services minister Danny Pearson announced the opening of the program’s 21st round, with $350,000 available in grants of up to $15,000 to foster the preserving, recording and sharing of Victoria’s fascinating history.
“Local history is an important part of Victoria’s memory, and we’re proud to support projects that showcase and preserve the diverse voices that make up the state’s past,” he said.
“Whether it is for the digitisation of records, the publication of local history stories or an upgrade to a museum, the Local History Grants Program ensures that the stories of our past are available for future generations.”
The program funds community-based organisations to tell the stories of their communities, preserve significant historical collections and increase opportunities for public engagement with the past.
The most recent round of grants saw 40 projects across the state funded for a range of projects and publications, making local history more accessible.
Recipients included the Nagambie Historical Society for important upgrades to its museum, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company to archive its 30-year history and the Australian Queer Archives to digitise its collection of press clippings.
Other projects previously funded include websites, oral histories and podcasts, interpretative signage, collection cataloguing and Auslan translations.
“Historical societies, museums, schools, sports clubs, theatre groups and volunteer organisations of all descriptions have fascinating stories of trials, triumph and community to share,” Public Record Office Victoria Director and Keeper of Public Records Justine Heazlewood said.
“We look forward to receiving applications from groups with history to preserve for the benefit of all Victorians, now and into the future.”
The Local History Grants Program is managed by Public Record Office Victoria and supported by the Labor Government. Applications for grants close on Monday 30 January.
For more information, to register for an online grants information session to be held at 6pm on Thursday 15 December and to apply for funding go to prov.vic.gov.au.
