Public Record Office Victoria

Presented by Public Record Office Victoria in partnership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, the Victorian Community History Awards are held annually to celebrate the people involved in community history. Congratulations to the 39 community groups, historians, writers, and creative talent shortlisted for a 2024 Victorian Community History Award (including main prize - the Victorian Premier’s History Award). Winners will be announced on the 24th of March. 

This year we celebrate International Volunteer Day in December with huge news from our volunteer team - they've just completed their multi-year project to list the central registered correspondence of the Department of Education, dating back to 1873! Congratulations to all of our volunteers and thank you for your continued dedication to making Victoria's public records more accessible for all. 

NEW EPISODES AVAILABLE: In this award-winning podcast series by Public Record Office Victoria we interview the people who delve into public archives and uncover interesting truths about Melbourne and Victoria's past. Hear about the amazing monuments never built, Victoria's queer history, prison escapes...and new to summer 2024, the Brookside Reformatory girls and Australian women of 1920s America.

Stay up to date with the latest records and interesting stories uncovered from the collection. This blog will offer you a snapshot into the world of historical research featuring the extraordinary tales of Victorian people captured within Victorian Government archives.

Personal information is at risk when agencies do not have an effective disposal program in place and continue to hold public records for longer than the required minimum legal retention period. See our advice for managing personal information in records.