We are seeking articles from each state and territory of up to 800 words.
The schedule for submission of full papers is March 30th 2017

The FAHS newsletter is distributed via our contact list and on ISSUU. The last newsletter No. 42 on the theme of Historical Collections can be viewed here 

Please send expressions of interest and proposals to the FAHS outreach officer Bernadette Flynn at fahsbflynn@gmail.com by 5th March.

The Library is on track to deliver on a major component of its master plan thanks to the incredible support of lead benefactors Michael Crouch AO and John B Fairfax AO, as well as the Nelson Meers Foundation, Rob Thomas AM and Kim Williams AM. Over $15 million in private philanthropy has been secured to renew and activate the historic Mitchell building. New world-class galleries and a premier learning centre will be established in the Mitchell's eastern wing, providing unprecedented public access to the much-loved Sydney landmark and its extraordinarily rich collection. This is a wonderful outcome for our state and nation and will position the Library as a major attraction for local and international visitors.

Further information: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/news/library-secures-15-million-private-donations-new-world-class-galleries

GLAM Peak is pleased to launch Digital Access to Collections, an online resource for small to medium galleries, libraries, archives and museums in Australia. Any historical organisation managing a collection can benefit from the Digital Access to Collections toolkit.

The project Digital Access to Collections project is an initiative of GLAM Peak – the peak representative bodies of the galleries, libraries, archives and museums sectors in Australia – with funding from the Australian Government through Catalyst, the Australian Arts and Culture Fund.

The valuable work of the Cessnock Heritage Group in preserving local history was recently recognised in the 2017 Cessnock Australia Day Heritage Awards. Visitors are invited to explore these local historical resources and are welcome at the museum and library.

• When has your community joined together to be heard?
• What voices deserve to be commemorated in your town?
• What stories are shared across cultural groups in your community?
• How do you celebrate the voices that have shaped your area?
• What sounds are unique to your region?
• Does your community celebrate its heritage via song?

Hosting their inaugural AGM in early 2017, the Midland & Districts Historical Society will take in the major centre of Midland, the surrounding districts of Baskerville, Bellevue, Boya, Greenmount, Helena Valley, Herne Hill, Jane Brook, Koongamia, Middle Swan, Midvale, Millendon, Red Hill, Stratton, Swan View, Viveash and Woodbridge and former districts within 6056 of Upper Swan and Wexcombe.

Contact: historymidland@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/midlandhistory/

Yass and District Historical Society is hosting a conference to address ideas and strategies for keeping history alive and within the public gaze.

Keynote speaker, Dr Mathew Trinca, Director of the National Museum of Australia will join Dr Carol Liston, President of the Royal Australian Historical Society, together with fourteen speakers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, to give thought provoking presentations sure to fire the imaginations of anyone interested in ‘keeping the stories alive’.

In an ever changing world the pursuit and recording of history is also changing but will museums, archives, historical and family history groups of today survive the pressures of such rapid change and ageing/declining memberships? We might live in a digital age but we must not lose sight of the past and the value history contributes to our communities. During the weekend, speakers will address this and other aspects of keeping history alive and within the public gaze.

Further information: http://www.yasshistory.org.au/wholehistories%20details.html

The Australian Historical Association Conference is to be held at the University of Newcastle between 3 and 7 July 2017, hosted by UON’s School of Humanities and Social Science. 

Invitation to submit abstracts for panel sessions and individual papers is now open. Proposals must be submitted by 31 March 2017.

The theme of the conference is 'Entangled Histories'. It reflects the increasing move away from narrowly defined ‘national’ histories towards an understanding of History as an interlinked whole where identities and places are the products of mobilities and connections. We welcome submissions that consider the value of entangled frameworks for analysis from all historical periods, themes and research areas, but as is customary with Australian Historical Association conferences, the theme will be interpreted broadly. Keynote speakers and plenary panels will concentrate closely on the theme but other papers and panel proposals loosely addressing the theme are also welcomed.

Planning for the conference is well under way, and prominent national and international keynote speakers and panelists have been secured, including Professor Dane Kennedy from George Washington University, and Professor Christina Twomey from Monash University. 
The conference will also include streams from affiliated associations such as the Australian Women’s History Network; the Australian and New Zealand Environmental History Network; the Religious History Association; and Oral History Australia and the National Oral History Association of New Zealand. 

For further information http://www.aha2017.com.au/

Image details: ‘Afghan people with an early make gramophone, c. 1910’. This photograph was probably taken at Marree. Courtesy of photographer, Alice Mary Hopewell. Image courtesy of the State Library of South Australia. Every effort has been made by the State Library of South Australia to contact the Indigenous descendants in the photograph.

Funded by the NSW Government through Arts NSW and administrated by Museums & Galleries of NSW, the program is designed to provide access to funding, in addition to providing experience in the grant application process. A number of historical societies running museums have been successful in the past, so if you live in NSW and run a museum here's your chance.

SMALL GRANTS
Up to $2,000 for short-term, collection-based projects. There are no set categories for funding and applications for a broad range of projects will be considered. Find out more
 
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Up to $4000 for the development and delivery of skill development training and networking events. The events are expected to involve more than one museum and usually bring in a professional consultant to run one or a series of workshops. Find out more
 
LEG UP GRANTS
Matched funding of $50 - $500 for volunteers to attend or host development activities in NSW. The grants can cover the cost of attending a workshop, conference or course, bringing a presenter to your museum or the travel costs of a group of volunteers visiting another museum. Find out more

For further information contact Museum and Galleries  NSW http://www.mgnsw.org.au/ 
Margot Stuart-Smith margots@mgnsw.org.au

Image: Volunteers participate in a Care and Handling of Photographs workshop at Port Macquarie Museum, funded by a Skills Development Grant.

More than $4 million of this funding is for local conservation projects designed to help communities rejuvenate and conserve their local heritage. Owners and managers of heritage items, City and Shire Councils, businesses, not-for-profit organisations and industry associations should consider applying for funding. 

There are two heritage funding programs open for application:
         $2.67 million in funding is available under the second round of Heritage Activation Grants program - this program is open to owners and managers of local heritage items listed on their council's Local Environmental Plan;
         $2 million is available under the first round of the Local Heritage Strategic Projects Program - proposed projects can include conservation and repair work, the development of heritage management, strategy and policy plans and projects developed to specifically raise community awareness, knowledge and understanding of local heritage

Heritage Minister Gabrielle Upton said these programs were designed to build on the knowledge and connection communities have with their heritage.

'Communities know their heritage better than anyone - these NSW Government grants will help bring local heritage back to life,' Ms Upton said. Applications under the Local Heritage Strategic Projects Program are open all year round subject to available funding. Applications under the
Heritage Activation program are now open and close on Monday 21 April. For more information visit: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/heritage/support-for-local-heritage/heritage-near-me-incentives-programhttp://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/heritage/support-for-local-heritage/heritage-near-me-incentives-program

Sources: Office of Environment and Heritage and Hawkesbury Gazette

The Holsworth Local Heritage Trust, a charitable fund within the Victorian Community Foundation provides grants from not-for-profit organisations such as historical societies, clubs, schools and museums in regional and rural Victoria. The Trust is interested in supporting enthusiastic community groups and organisations with a true interest in heritage preservation and appreciation, and the enhancement of community life.

Grants of up to $2,000 are available for the publication of any specific or general local history or natural history in rural and regional Victoria. The Grant is intended for small organisations with an interest in publishing works of historical value, even where the organisation has little or no experience of self publishing work. Joint projects encompassing several groups or annual/special edited journals incorporating submitted historical articles from a wide community are encouraged.

The Department of the Environment and Energy is pleased to announce the call for applications to the Community Heritage and Icons Grants 2016-17 Program.

Information about the Program, including the Guidelines and Application Form, is available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/grants-and-funding/community-heritage-icons-grants/2016-17 .

Note: Applications close at 2pm Thursday 23 March 2017.

Source: Chris Simkus, Department of the Environment and Energy