Applications open for local history grants

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas has called on local groups to apply for grants of up to $15,000 to fund projects to preserve and celebrate the region’s rich history.

The Andrews Labor Government’s latest round of the Local History Grants Program provides a total of $350,000 to foster the preserving, recording and sharing of Victoria’s fascinating history.

The program funds community-based organisations to tell their stories, 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.

Applications for grants close on Monday, 30 January 2023. For more information and to apply for funding go to prov.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"Celebrating our past as we build for the future brings the community together, and these grants can enable really important work to be done."

"It’s not just for historical societies and museums, these grants are open to schools, sporting clubs and a wide range of community organisations. I encourage local groups to go online and consider lodging an application."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson
"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."

"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."

Quote attributable to Public Record Office Victoria Director and Keeper of Public Records Justine Heazlewood
"We look forward to receiving applications from groups with history to preserve for the benefit of all Victorians, now and into the future."