Contents ANNUAL REPORT
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Royal Historical Society of Victoria Annual Report 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 CONTENTS President’s Report .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Executive Officer’s Report .............................................................................................................................. 4 History Victoria Support Group’s Report ........................................................................................................ 6 Publications Report ........................................................................................................................................ 8 The Collections Report ................................................................................................................................ 10 RHSV Foundation Report ............................................................................................................................ 12 Treasurer’s Report ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31 December 2013 ......................................................................... 13 RHSV Councillors and Staff ......................................................................................................................... 34 Fellows, Benefactors & Volunteers ................................................................................................................. 36 RHSV Affiliated Societies & Libraries ........................................................................................................... 37 Donations and Bequests ............................................................................................................................... 40 1 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Annual Report 2013 This photograph of the RHSV Councillors in 1959 came into our collection as a donation in 2013. PRESIDENT’S REPORT he RHSV had a good year is the little recognized role that negotiate a long-term lease with the in 2013 and our future is we as volunteer organisations play Department, while a groundswell Tlooking generally bright – in providing social and cultural of supporters has demonstrated especially if we can satisfactorily benefits to our members and to the how important the Drill Hall is to resolve our need for secure wider community. history and heritage in Victoria. accommodation. Maintaining a large and essentially Until security of accommodation is As always, government recognition voluntary organisation such as the achieved, it is difficult to undertake and support is crucial for our work, RHSV is always a challenge, and long-term planning and we have although it must be pointed out we were greatly relieved when in had to put on hold our aspiration to that the RHSV in particular, and 2013 we received confirmation create a Melbourne History House. the community history movement of operating assistance from Arts When I was elected President in in general, gives back far more to Victoria for another three years. May 2013 I followed the four years the community than the financial We have been fortunate to have that Andrew Lemon had devoted assistance we receive. In terms of occupied the Medical Drill Hall to that role. I wish to pay sincere what we do to collect, preserve, for fourteen years as tenants of tribute to Andrew as he did much protect and communicate our the Planning Department, for to raise the profile of the Society history and heritage, we add great which we are grateful. However, and to improve procedures and service and many millions of dollars continuing accommodation is not administration. He has not left of labour value. Besides that, there secure so we have been trying to RHSV entirely as he continues to 2 3 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Annual Report 2013 chair the Membership, Events & Outreach Committee (MEOC) and kindly continues to be Master of Ceremonies at our lectures. The RHSV is a membership organisation although our programmes are open to all. We collect and make accessible the most significant collection of Victoria’s history outside the RHSV Councillors in 2013. From left to right: George Fernando, statutory organisations. We provide Prof. Chips Sowerwine, Lucy Bracey, Kate Prinsley (EO), Lenore programmes to inspire and engage Frost, Assoc. Prof. Don Garden, Dr Robert Barnes, Adj. Prof. Judith Victorians with their history and Smart, Jane Carolan, Elizabeth Jackson, Carole Woods and Joan support and advocate for the work Hunt. Absent: Prof. Bill Russell and Prof. Richard Broome. of historical societies throughout the state. Our membership watchful eye over our finances as The RHSV maintains its range comprises individuals passionate Treasurer and has become Chair of public activities including about Victoria’s history and of the RHSV Foundation; Carole the lecture series, publications affiliated historical societies. Woods does immense work as (Victorian History Journal and Secretary and in various other History News), conferences, the The team at the Drill Hall provides responsibilities, including the VCHA, History Week, HVSG an amazing range of services Victorian Community History seminars and combined activities for its size. We have a staff of Awards (VCHA); Prof Richard with other organisations such less than three full-time people Broome has the Publications as the Public Record Office of (Executive Officer Kate Prinsley, Committee humming; Lenore Victoria, the La Trobe Society, Office Manager Ged Horgan and, Frost exhausts me with the mere the Royal Society of Victoria, the until March 2014, Collection thought of all she does around National Trust (Victoria) and the Coordinator Jason Odering). They the RHSV; Prof Judy Smart does Genealogical Society of Victoria. are assisted by a large band of excellent work on the Publications volunteers who undertake much A new role we are looking to Committee and as delegate to the expand is as Melbourne’s Historical of the work around the Society Federation of Australian Historical by looking after the collection, Society. There is a rapidly growing Societies (FAHS); and Jane population of residents living in the undertaking research, running the Carolan serves on the MEOC and book sale, setting up exhibitions Melbourne CBD, for whom the is ever-ready to assist where she RHSV is their local society. We have and providing numerous support can. services. held a reception in conjunction Unfortunately, we will be with two of their groups, the PRESIDENT’S REPORT I have been delighted to work farewelling two of our longest- East Enders and Residents 3000, with an excellent Council which serving councillors at the 2014 and will continue to foster this is as strong and talented as I have AGM. Prof Bill Russell is a former outreach. ever known, and is supported by President and Chair of the RHSV There is still much to be done. a strengthened and active group Foundation, and until the AGM of committees. We have welcomed Our income stream needs to be our Vice President. He has been the increased and we have to deal with some excellent new members. source of excellent advice on many Elisabeth Jackson is chairing the limitations imposed by our issues and I thank him and wish outdated computer equipment. the Collections Committee him well. Joan Hunt has become and has joined Executive & In an attempt to overcome such an institution at the RHSV, having matters we have employed a grant Finance as Assistant Secretary. worked tirelessly in many roles Prof Chips Sowerwine is editing writer to prepare and submit a including Convenor of the HVSG, number of grant applications. and transforming History News. Vice President and delegate to the Lucy Bracey joined the Council If some of these are successful, FAHS. Time demands, including the RHSV will be in a position on the recommendation of the writing a PhD, have finally caught Professional Historians Association to increase its rate of our up even with Joan, so we are very modernization and to expand our and has injected youth and sadly bidding her farewell. enthusiasm. George Fernando services even further. has kindly taken on the role of The RHSV has been very fortunate Convenor of the History Victoria to have been offered the services of Don Garden Support Group (HVSG). Among a new honorary lawyer, Rob Heath, President ongoing councillors: Dr Robert who has been particularly helpful Barnes has continued to cast a on a number of matters. 3 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Annual Report 2013 The new premises of the Kyneton Historical Society, maintaining the streetscape in Piper Street. EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT o some degree 2013 was a History House at the Drill and Heritage Society, The Royal framed by the World War Hall. Meetings and support Childrens’ Hospital and Vic Roads T2 phrase “Keep Calm and was garnered from the Lord which celebrated its centenary Carry On” – two uncertainties Mayor, Councillor Robert Doyle, in 2013. All these exhibitions hung over the RHSV – the future Jennifer Kanis, State Member for attracted different audiences – from of our funding and the future of Melbourne, Brian Tee, Shadow naval historians to engineers to our accommodation at the Drill Minister for Planning, who bitumen spraying road gangs from Hall. subsequently asked a question in the 1960s. the State Parliament, Arts Victoria The year began with the A total of 10 lectures