Help Save the Local History Grants and Community History Awards from defunding

Flinders street station, melbourne c.1950

The Local History Grants Program and Community History Awards are AGAIN in danger of being defunded. 

We strongly encourage PHA (Vic & Tas) members to send a letter to Minister for Government Services, the Honourable Gabrielle Williams and their local Member.

We particularly encourage members who have won or been shortlisted for the Community History Awards, or who have been employed using Local History Grants funds to personalise the letter template we have prepared with your own experience of the value of these programs. We also encourage you to reach out to the organisations you have worked with and encourage them to also write in support of these schemes.

These programs are vital to the health of community history. They also create a space which employs professional historians. This is your opportunity to shape the environment that employs you.

Further information about the RHSV campaign.

Opposition to proposed cuts at the Australian Catholic University

Professional Historians Australia is deeply concerned and strongly opposed to the cuts being made in the humanities discipline by the Australian Catholic University.

The dismantling of institutes focusing on history and philosophy, as well as the reduction in academic teaching positions not only does a disservice to the University’s international standing, it also undermines the importance of the humanities, particularly history, at a time when historical enquiry and interpretation is crucial to Australian society.

Education is about more than getting a paid job. It is also a process that helps individuals make sense of the world. Studying history offers insights into the present. Equally important is the role of history in telling the national story. History that is relevant and engaging enhances a nation’s sense of identity and can foster informed participation in civil society and democracy.

At a time when evolving AI technologies are profoundly changing the very nature of 'evidence' and 'truth', history is a practice grounded in empirical sources, from hard-copy manuscripts and artworks, to one-on-one oral histories and visiting cultural landscapes. Historians are expressly trained to critically assess and balance these sources, shaping verifiable narratives of the past for today's citizens.

PHA represents over 500 professionally accredited historians across all Australian states and territories, who work in libraries, archives, local councils, museums and art galleries, the public services, universities and the media, as employees, sole traders and consultants. Many professional historians are graduates of the Australian Catholic University. They come to our profession with high standards of ethics and skills to research and write histories for diverse audiences.

We concur with the comments made by Professor Frank Bongiorno in the statement from the Australian Historical Association, in noting that ‘these cuts are deeply harmful to Australians’ capacity to ‘understand the world we live in’ and ‘create the best possible future’ to quote the stated aims of ACU’s own National School of Arts and Humanities.

PHA endorses the Value of History Statement published by Australia’s history councils. The statement emphasises the value of studying the past and telling its stories.

PHA encourages all members to sign and share the online petition at change.org.

PHA (Vic & Tas) supports this statement from Professional Historians Australia.

PHA (Vic & Tas) supports the PHA's statement on 'Yes' to the Voice to Parliament

Professional Historians Australia wishes to publicly support voting 'Yes' in the forthcoming Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.

As professional historians we are aware of the numerous times since the start of colonisation that Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples have called on government authorities and non-Indigenous Australians to respect their sovereign rights, and how they have been ignored. We believe we need to listen and pay true heed to the inherent rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including acknowledging their divergent views on this issue.

We know that the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’ is not just about the Voice, but also about Treaty and Truth-telling.

Beyond the referendum, much work will still be required to ensure the differing needs and requests of communities are met. Professional Historians Australia looks forward to playing what role it can in supporting and engaging with these endeavours.

While acknowledging the right of our members to have their own independent views on this matter, support for a ‘Yes’ vote, support for fulfilling the recommendations outlined in the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’ and Truth-telling are in-line with and reflect the values and ethos of our association.

We urge all Australians to listen, think and learn about the significance of this upcoming referendum.

Sign the petition to save Trove #FULLYFUNDTROVE

Professional Historians Australia dispatched a Call to Action to members around the nation and encourage you to share with your networks, friends and family.

What can you do?

Sign a petition:

Victorian PHA member Peter Symons has set up a petition on Change.org which was endorsed by Senator Hanson Young. There are also several other official petitions lodged with Parliament, this one currently has the most signatures: https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN4747. Senator Hanson Young tabled the Change.org petition in the Senate on 8 February 2023.

Write to your representative:

The advocacy sub-committee has prepared a pro-forma letter and a link to the list of contact details for relevant MPs stating we encourage all members to draw on to promote the work that professional historians do and emphasis why we need securely funded cultural institutions and tools like Trove in the lead up to the May budget. Personalise your letter and explain why Trove matters to you.

Join the advocacy sub-committee:

If you would like to help out with campaigns like this, please contact Professional Historians Australia at admin@historians.org.au

SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Spread the word on social media, among friends and colleagues. Use the tag #FullyFundTrove. Make sure you include the link to the petition and tell your story of why Trove is important to you.

Here are a few links to some great actions and initiatives from others you can also share on social media:

• Dr Monique Ryan MP speaking about Trove in Parliament

• Australia Libraries and Information Association (ALIA)

• Federation of Australian Historical Societies (FAHS)

• Society of Australian Genealogists (SAG)

PHA (Vic & Tas) member's Trove petition tabled in the Senate

Professional Historians Association (Vic & Tas) member Peter Symons's petition to save Trove was tabled in the Senate by Senator Hanson Young on 8 February 2023.

Peter set up the Change.org petition requesting the Government to Fully Fund Trove one month ago and it has amassed nearly 30,000 signatures.

You can read about the campaign and sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/fully-fund-trove

Additionally, Peter also set up an official parliamentary e-petition closing on 22 February 2023, which you should also sign, be sure to confirm the verification email to make your signature count.

Professional Historians Australia supported by PHA (Vic & Tas) Advocacy Subcommittee is preparing a call to action for members to save Trove, stay tuned for further information in your inbox.

National Cultural Policy Submission

PHA (Vic & Tas) has added its voice to the diverse chorus of the Australian arts, entertainment and cultural sector seeking to help shape the National Cultural Policy. Read our statement here. To read all the public submissions scroll this webpage <https://www.arts.gov.au/have-your-say/new-national-cultural-policy> to the formal submissions.

Read our statement HERE.

Statement: Crowther Reinterpreted

PHA (Vic and Tas) acknowledge the pain and suffering caused to the palawa by the statue of Dr WL Crowther in Franklin Square, primarily due to Crowther’s involvement in the removal, dissection and mutilation of the remains of William Lanne. 

PHA (Vic & Tas) strongly believe that the reinterpretation of the statue, whether that be through its removal, replacement or alteration, should be led by palawa voices. Throughout Australia white elites have used statues in an attempt to re-image an Aboriginal landscape as European. Being led by palawa voices would allow for a redress in the way that history, which has glorified white male power and privilege, has been told and memorialised in the past. 

We do feel that the statue is a cultural artefact of the past and it should be preserved – if not in situ, in a safe repository such as the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. It would provide an opportunity to educate the public about past injustices and contribute to truth telling. Whether removal, replacement or alteration of the statue happens, having a permanent installation or marker at the site that explains why it was removed, or adding new plaques or a counter-monument to the existing statue that reflect palawa voices and present a counter-history will ensure that the past, however painful, is not forgotten. 

We acknowledge that this statement does not represent the views of all of our members.

Call to action against ABC news library staff cuts

Professional Historians Australia with state and territory branches have released a joint statement objecting the proposed job cuts affecting specialist content management staff at the ABC. The Statement can be read here.

PHA (Vic & Tas) members are encouraged to email local members to express concerns on the impacts that these proposed redundancies will have on Australia's history and culture.

Committee of Management Statement relating to the education curriculum

The PHA (Vic & Tas) values and advocates for a considered approach to the teaching of history and seeks a similar consensus from the forthcoming meeting of Education Ministers. Read our full statement. You can read our statement here.

CALL TO ACTION: PHA (Vic & Tas) Submission to Uluru Statement from the Heart

Update (30/4/21) : The Advocacy Sub Committee received valuable feedback from members concerning the PHA (Vic & Tas) submission paper. We have revised our submission in response to this feedback. We acknowledge that this statement does not represent the views of all of our members.

The PHA (Vic & Tas) Advocacy Sub Committee has prepared a submission outlining our support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution. You can read our statement here.

Members are encouraged to consider making their own submission, there is ample guidance online including the support kit and the Interim Voice report.

Submissions are due this Friday 30 April 2021 and should be lodged via this web link: https://haveyoursay.voice.niaa.gov.au/

With thanks to the Advocacy Sub Committee: Michelle Blake, Lucy Bracey, Donna Fearne, Sonia Jennings and Elizabeth Offer and all those who responded to our call for feedback.

Kimberley Meagher, President

Invitation to sign Open Letter from Australian Historians

Dear members

The recent and ongoing catastrophic and tragic bushfires have affected us all. As you may have seen, many hundreds of historians have signed this Open Letter which, in light of Australia’s history, highlights the exceptional nature of the predicament currently facing the nation. Our national body President has signed on behalf of the organisation.

If you wish to have your name added as an individual, please do so via this form. Please also pass on this link to all Australian historians who you believe would be supportive of the sentiments expressed in this Open Letter.

Alicia Cerreto

President, PHA (Vic & Tas)

PROV Reading Room Changes

PHA (Vic & Tas) Committee of Management has contacted Public Records Office Victoria, regarding the planned change to the delivery of records in the North Melbourne Reading Room. Please see the PHA (Vic & Tas) letter and the response we received from PROV.

PHA (Vic & Tas) letter to PROV

Response received from PROV

For further information about the PROV reading room changes, please click here.

Heritage Act Review 2015

The Heritage Act 1995, ­ administered by Heritage Victoria in the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, is Victoria's principle legislation for the identification and management of non-Indigenous heritage places and objects of State significance, historical archaeological sites and maritime heritage. 

With 2015 marking the 20th year of the Heritage Act's operation, it is timely to review and modernise its scope. Information on the review can be found here, including a Discussion Paper which identifies a range of areas to strengthen the operation of the Act.

In consultation with its members, PHA (Vic) has made a submission commenting on the proposed amendments to the Heritage Act 1995. Click below to read it.

PHA (Vic) comments on the Heritage Act Review 2015