Community groups from across Victoria are invited to apply for the latest round of local history grants, celebrating and preserving the state’s rich history for future generations.

The Allan Labor Government recognises local history is a key part of preserving Victoria’s memory, and the Local History Grants Program supports groups to record and share the stories of their local areas all the way from Coburg to Cobden, and Wodonga to Warrnambool.

Victorian community groups are encouraged to apply for a share of $350,000 available in the latest round of support. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for individual projects.

Past recipients of the grants include Women’s Legal Service Victoria, awarded $12,320 for the preservation of archives that include biographical details of leaders who have advocated for Victoria’s legal system to better recognise and support women.

Other successful projects include the LGBTIQA+ Switchboard Oral History Project which will see interviews from the founders of the Switchboard community organisation housed by the Australian Queer Archives at the Victorian Pride Centre.

The Bidwell First Nations Clans Aboriginal Corporation, based in Bairnsdale, received support to preserve and protect Bidwell culture through an online publication taking in historic photographs, images of culturally significant sites and a collection of original song lines and stories.

Over the years, projects have included newspaper digitisation projects, exhibitions, anniversary projects and conservation of precious community collections by historical groups, museums, schools and sporting clubs.

Last month, the Government announced funding of $423,000 to support the Victorian Community History Awards, including the $5,000 Victorian Premier’s History Award, and a new round of the Local History Grants Program.

The Local History Grants Program is administered by Public Record Office Victoria. Applications for grants close on Monday, 11 December. Visit prov.vic.gov.au for more details and to apply.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services Gabrielle Williams

“Recording our local history is fundamental to preserving our shared history as a state.”

“We want Victoria’s past to be accessible for generations to come, and our community groups and scholars do incredible work to preserve, capture and share our history for everyone to enjoy and learn from.”

Quote attributable to Public Record Office Victoria Director and Keeper of Public Records Justine Heazlewood

“We are pleased to continue to offer Local History Grants to groups dedicated to history and helping all Victorians to better understand the diverse perspectives, decisions, and artefacts that built our past.”