In recognition of their commitment to preserving the rich and unique history of our region, the Ararat Genealogical Society Inc has been selected as a recipient of the Victorian Government's Local History Grants Program.
The Ararat Genealogical Society Inc has received a grant of $13,475 to digitise local newspapers from 1857 to 1873.
The Andrews Labor Government is continuing its support for the preservation and celebration of Victoria's local history with $423,000 to be provided for the next round of the Local History Grants Program and Victorian Community History Awards. This announcement coincides with the unveiling of the 2022/23 round of Local History Grant recipients.
Administered by the Public Record Office Victoria, these programs play a crucial role in providing substantial contributions and recognition for history projects throughout the State.
The 2022-23 round of funding sees a total of 42 community groups being awarded grants as a testament to the vitality of Victoria's local history initiatives.
The Victorian Community History Awards, a collaborative effort between the Public Record Office Victoria and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, have been a cornerstone of historical recognition since 1998.
These awards encompass a variety of categories, culminating in the prestigious Victorian Premier's History Award, which offers a grant of $5,000. The call for entries for the 2023 awards will open soon, inviting all history enthusiasts to contribute to the ongoing narrative of Victoria's past.
For further information about these initiatives, eligibility criteria, and application details, please visit prov.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson
“It’s important that we preserve our past and celebrate our history – it helps guide the way forward.”
“Grants and awards recognise the amazing work that local groups and historians are doing every day and we’re proud to support them.”
Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
“The Local History Grants Program is all about supporting our local historians and community groups. I am delighted the Ararat Genealogical Society Inc has received this grant which will showcase and share our rich local history for generations to come.”
Quotes attributable to Ararat Genealogical Society Inc secretary Marion McAdie
“The Ararat Genealogical Society is elated we were successful in receiving a grant for our project to digitise the Ararat Advertiser newspapers from its beginnings in 1857 when the goldfields first opened in the district and the arrival of the Chinese, the development of the township and the taking up of farming land. With a cost of over $1000 per year of newspaper it has been a very expensive but important undertaking by the Genealogical Society.”
“The digitising process is arranged through the cooperation of the State Library and the National Library and when digitisation is completed the copies are uploaded on to the “Trove” website for free access to worldwide researchers and historians.
“The Ararat Genealogical Society has been involved with the funding and digitisation of the years 1899 to 1913 inclusive, while the war years 1914 to 1918 were already online. These first twelve years of the newspaper will provide a unique look at the Ararat township built on gold.”
