And your petitioners humbly pray ...

An exhibition jointly developed by Parliament of Victoria and Public Record Office Victoria

It was on display at the Parliament of Victoria and Public Record Offfice Victoria between November 2006 and April 2007.

Petitions are a way for individuals or groups to officially present their concerns to Parliament and ask for action to be taken. They are a vital feature of democratic societies as they provide an opportunity for citizens to have their voices heard. Even though petitions may not result in immediate action, they are an important way of demonstrating to government the issues that people feel strongly about. As part of broader campaigns to raise awareness, they may also help to bring about changes in public opinion.

In 1856, Victoria’s first democratically elected Parliament convened. Since then, Victorians have used petitions as a means of voicing their opinions, promoting their causes and campaigning for change. This exhibition provided an opportunity to view a range of petitions presented to the Victorian Parliament over the past 150 years. The petitions, originally tabled in the Legislative Assembly, are now kept at Public Record Office Victoria (PROV), the State Government archives.

These petitions were chosen to reflect the social concerns of the time, focusing especially on issues that are still relevant today. They deliberately included some of the more whimsical or quirky petitions that reflect the passions and preoccupations of individuals and interest groups. These petitions showcase 150 years of Victoria’s development and reflects the diverse voices of the people of Victoria.

Illustrated here is a sample of the petitions that appeared in the exhibition.

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