Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) is the archive of State and Local Governments in Victoria. We hold over 100 km of digital and physical records from 1836 to the present day. Many records are accessible to the public either online or for viewing in our Reading Rooms. PROV also sets mandatory recordkeeping standards for state and local government agencies and provides advice on recordkeeping to government.
We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Victorian Community History Awards are now open for entries. The Victorian Community History Awards are presented by Public Record Office Victoria in partnership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. There are 10 categories including best History Publication, Article, Oral History, and Digital Storytelling. All entrants will then go into the running to receive the prestigious Victorian Premier’s History Award ($5,000 prize).
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 that were never built, Victoria's queer history, Pentridge Prison escapes, how Melbourne went from deadtown to musictown and more!
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.
Monday to Friday 10am to 4:30pm and every second and last Saturday of the month. Closed public holidays. Visit
Ballarat Archives Centre Eureka Centre, 102 Stawell St, South Ballarat CentralMonday to Thursday 10am to 4:30pm. Closed public holidays. Visit
Bendigo Regional Archives Centre 1st Floor Bendigo Library, 251-259 Hargreaves Street, BendigoWednesday and Thursday 10am to 4pm. Closed public holidays. Visit
Please note: BRAC is closed on Wednesday 30 October 2024.
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre 51 Little Malop Street, GeelongTuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Closed weekends, Mondays and public holidays. Visit
Before your visit please check the individual location for opening times and any upcoming closures.
We’re surrounded by objects, but have you thought about how important these things are in your life, or what they represent? This exhibition at the Old Treasury Building looks at the stories behind some of the objects that have shaped the family in Australia over the decades. It considers how families make and preserve cultural traditions through craft, food, and belief.
03 Jan 10:00 AM - 31 Dec 16:00 PM
BRAC provides a variety of events that showcase the history of the Bendigo region and the breadth of the region's archival collection. Events coming up include the August workshops 'Discovering History' and 'Handle with Care'.
01 Jan 17:30 PM - 31 Dec 17:30 PM
Professor Andrew May's article examines the history of the construction of a scale model of Melbourne, made in 1838 for the 1888 Centennial International Exhibition. Reception of the model reveals that it held, at times, contradictory meanings for a variety of audiences and was a touchstone for nostalgic reflections about Melbourne’s past, the progressive achievements observable in its present and uncertainties about urban development in its future.
Government archives, like those held at Public Record Office Victoria (PROV), provide documentary sources that allow us to visualise changes to natural and built environments over time. Using maps and plans from PROV’s collection, Sebastian Gurciullo's article explores plans and decisions associated with the Yarra River and the developing Port of Melbourne from the 1850s to 1973. The article explores changes to the course of the river and the surrounding area, as well as proposals for changes that were never implemented.
Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.
PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples
