Last updated:

16 October 2018

Community organisations can now apply for a share of $350,000 to support projects that seek to preserve and share local history for the benefit of all Victorians.
The Local History Grants Program, managed by Public Record Office Victoria, is now accepting applications of up to $15,000.

The program is about putting our dedicated community organisations first, who do such a great job of collecting and preserving Victoria’s fascinating history.
The recent round saw forty-six community groups across Victoria share in the funding for historical projects and publications.
Projects funded included the Country Women’s Association for their project to preserve photographs and documents from their 90-year history, the Ballarat Memorial Concert Band for their Century of Music project, as well as the Kilmore Historical Society for a textile conservation project to conserve rare wedding dresses.

Other successful projects ranged from digitisation of historic newspapers to the development of new historical signage on walking trails.

Victoria’s diverse history is a real drawcard for visitors, with 6.8 million people visiting a museum, gallery, heritage site or monument on their trip in the year ending December 2017 – up by 27.2 per cent since the year ending December 2014.

You can submit your application online via prov.vic.gov.au/community/grants-and-awards

Applications close at midnight on 18 December 2018.


Quotes attributable to Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings:

“Our community groups work hard every day to preserve and share Victoria’s rich and diverse past. These grants are about supporting them to keep our history alive for future generations.”

“Local history is also an important driver of jobs and tourism – visitors to Victoria love our museums, galleries, historical sites and monuments, and it’s important that we support our attractions both big and small.”


Quotes attributable to Public Record Office Director and Keeper of Public Records Justine Heazlewood:

“Victoria’s history is full of colourful and diverse stories just waiting to be told.”

“We look forward to funding a new round of applicants in 2018-19 to ensure that these stories are captured, shared and available for all Victorians to better understand their past.”

For more information and case studies of previous recipients visit:

Local History Grants Program

A black and white photo of Flinders Street Station in 1954

Preserve, record and share Victoria's history

Australia's early theatre history

Photo of actors on stage

A grant recipient project profile

Preserving suburban gems

The Brighton Historical Society Costume Collection

The Brighton Historical Society's costume collection

Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples