Federation of Australian Historical Societies

Federation of Australian Historical Societies
Name	Federation of Australian Historical Societies
Abbreviation	FAHS
Formation	1977
Type	Peak body
Headquarters	Canberra
Location	Australia
Region served	Australia
Membership	State and territory historical councils, local historical societies

Federation of Australian Historical Societies is the national peak body representing state and territory historical councils and local history societies across Australia. It coordinates advocacy, standards, training, and resource-sharing among heritage organisations such as the National Trust of Australia, State Library of New South Wales, Australian War Memorial, National Archives of Australia, and numerous municipal and regional bodies. The federation engages with cultural institutions including the National Museum of Australia, Museums Victoria, State Library of Queensland, Powerhouse Museum, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and agencies such as the Australian Heritage Council.

History

The organisation was formed in the late 20th century drawing on antecedents including the Royal Australian Historical Society, Historical Society of Victoria, Royal Western Australian Historical Society, Historical Society of South Australia, Royal Historical Society of Queensland, and Royal Historical Society of Tasmania. Early interactions involved partnerships with the Australian Historical Association, Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, Federation of Australian Women, and national commemorative programs such as those around the Centenary of Federation. Key milestones included collaboration with the Australian Heritage Commission, engagement with the Australia Council for the Arts, responses to policy from the Department of the Environment (Australia), and involvement with anniversaries like the Bicentennial of Australia. The federation has worked alongside institutions such as the National Library of Australia, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Commonwealth Parliamentary Library, and the Australian National University to promote archival access and local history projects.

Structure and Governance

The federation operates as a peak council with representation drawn from constituent bodies including the Royal Australian Historical Society, History Trust of South Australia, Queensland Museum Network, and state libraries like the State Library of Victoria and State Library of Western Australia. Governance follows incorporated association models under state legislation such as the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (NSW) and engages auditors, executive officers, and volunteer committees comparable to boards of trustees at institutions like the Australian War Memorial or council structures at the National Gallery of Australia. It liaises with funding and regulatory agencies such as the Australia Council and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, and coordinates with heritage advisory bodies including the Australian Heritage Council and state heritage councils.

Membership and Affiliates

Membership comprises state and territory peak councils, local historical societies, specialist groups, and institutional affiliates such as the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Royal Historical Society of Queensland, Royal Historical Society of New South Wales, La Trobe University history departments, and museums including Museum Victoria and the Western Australian Museum. Affiliates extend to genealogical organisations like the Royal Australian Historical Society Family History Group, archives such as the State Records of New South Wales, community museums like the Old Melbourne Gaol Museum, and commemorative organisations including the Returned and Services League of Australia. The federation also partners with academic bodies such as the University of Sydney, Monash University, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, and research centres like the Australian Policy and History Centre.

Activities and Programs

Programs include professional development workshops modelled on training at the National Library of Australia, conferences akin to those hosted by the Australian Historical Association and symposia comparable to events at the National Museum of Australia. The federation organises national forums, heritage week promotions linked to National Trust Heritage Festival activities, and collaborative projects with entities such as the Anzac Centenary committees, the Australasian Federation of Women Graduates, and state-based bicentenary committees. It runs conservation guidance drawing on standards used by the Conservation Council of WA, digitisation initiatives with partners like the Trove service at the National Library of Australia, and volunteer training reflected in programs at the Australian Volunteers International.

Publications and Resources

The federation produces newsletters, policy briefs, and resource guides analogous to outputs from the Australian Heritage Commission and the National Trust, and maintains online repositories parallel to collections at the National Archives of Australia and the National Library of Australia. It commissions research reporting on local heritage issues similar to studies published by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and university presses including the Melbourne University Publishing and ANU Press. Resource materials offer guidance on collections management used by councils such as the State Library of Victoria and museums like the Powerhouse Museum.

Advocacy and Policy Influence

The federation advocates to federal and state bodies including the Parliament of Australia, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (Australia), and state parliaments, interfacing with heritage regulation authorities such as the Australian Heritage Council and state heritage councils. It campaigns on issues seen in submissions to inquiries alongside the Australian Historical Association, the National Trust of Australia, and the Australian Museums and Galleries Association, addressing funding models related to the Australia Council, copyright matters involving the Copyright Agency Limited, and cultural policy debated in forums with the Commonwealth Parliament and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Awards and Grants

The federation administers and promotes awards and grants in cooperation with philanthropic partners and public funding bodies, drawing parallels with schemes like the National Trust Heritage Awards, the Australia Council grants program, and fellowships offered by the Australian Research Council. It helps channel project funding from state heritage lotteries, local government cultural grants, and philanthropic trusts similar to the Ian Potter Foundation and the Myer Foundation, and publicises scholarship opportunities from universities such as the University of Sydney and ANU.

Category:History of Australia organizations