Our members are academically trained and qualified, but work in the public field rather than in universities. Some work as heritage practitioners.
The Professional Historians Association (Victoria & Tasmania) Inc represents a thriving, dynamic community of professional historians who communicate history in diverse ways. The skills of professional historians are invaluable in documenting, interpreting and presenting history on many levels and, accordingly, our members work in a variety of areas. Some professional historians consult, working o
16/06/2026
This year's Wilson History Oration, hosted by PHA (SA) and presented by Karen George promises to be a fascinating exploration into the difference historians make in our lives.
Thursday, 16 June 6 pm (ACST) 6.30 pm, EST
Presented in person at Adelaide University or via Zoom. Register for the Zoom link below.
https://phavic.wildapricot.org/event-6726318
16/06/2026
The Victorian Community History Awards 2026 are now open!
If you've produced a community history project – or know someone who has – now is the time to put in a submission. There are nine categories covering a wide range of history work:
- The Collaborative Community History Award
- The Community Diversity Award
- The Local History Project Award
- The Oral History Award
- The History Publication Award
- The History Interpretation Award
- The Digital Storytelling Award
- The History Article Award
- The Small History Publication Award
Submissions close Tuesday 30 June, and this year's awards cover work completed between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2026 – so there's plenty to celebrate.
Head to https://www.historyvictoria.org.au/victorian-community.../ for the submission form and full terms and conditions. Good luck to everyone entering!
Historians were given much to think about at the recent Archives to Algorithms workshop, presented by PHA members Deb Lee-Talbot and Mike Jones. There are already calls for part 2!
03/06/2026
Oral History Australia's 2026 awards are now open! Three awards are on offer:
* the Hazel de Berg Award for Excellence in Oral History; * the OHA Book Award, * the OHA Media Award.
The deadline for submissions is 31 July. Visit the website for more information.
https://oralhistoryaustralia.org.au/news/oha-2026-awards-now-open/
31/05/2026
Nominations for the AMaGA awards are now open! Australia's museums, galleries, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions do extraordinary work and the AMaGAs exist to recognise it. This year's eligibility period covers projects produced between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025, with the extended window reflecting the awards hiatus in 2025.
https://amaga.org.au/Web/Web/Awards/Awards-homepage.aspx
Awards Homepage After a hiatus in 2025, the Australian Museums and Galleries Awards return in 2026. Nominations open May 28th, 2026 and close August 16th, 2026.
20/05/2026
Registration for the AEHS 2026 Conference is now open! The theme this year is 'Local History: thinking outside the archival box'. The conference is open to anyone interested in local history.
You're invited to join for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.
Register at: www.trybooking.com/DLLAE
More info: https://aehs.org.au/index.php/2026conference/
19/05/2026
PHA (Vic & Tas) sends our congratulations to Professor Clare Wright Historian for winning the Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-fiction AND Book of the Year at the NSW Literary Awards for Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions.
The book is without question one of the most important Australian history books of the 21st century and a tremendous accomplishment.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/may/18/clare-wright-wins-book-of-the-year-nsw-literary-awards
‘A book that should be read by all Australians’: Clare Wright wins book of the year at the NSW Literary awards The historian won $50,000 for her nonfiction book Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions, which judges praised as deeply researched, ‘highly original’ and ‘vividly alive’
05/05/2026
This interactive online workshop from our friends at Oral History Victoria explores approaches and issues in creating written outputs from oral history interviews, using examples from Alistair’s oral history publications and from participants’ own work.
https://events.humanitix.com/writing-oral-history-turning-talk-into-text
Writing Oral History: Turning Talk into Text Full day advanced workshop taught by Alistair Thomson that focuses on approaches to creating text-based outputs from oral history interviews.
04/05/2026
Panel Discussion: Authentic Stories in Architecture: The Importance of Indigenous Co-Design
In this panel discussion, participants will explore deep engagement, shifting from consultation to genuine co-design, how cultural integrity is embedded into design outcomes, and the positive impacts and challenges this entails.
When: Thursday, 14 May, 5:30 - 8 pm
Where: Gray Puksand Studio, 565 Bourke Street, Melbourne
https://events.humanitix.com/authentic-stories-in-architecture-the-importance-of-indigenous-co-design
26/04/2026
PHA (Vic & Tas) is pleased to invite Australian historians to attend this half-day workshop: From Archives to Algorithms: Digital Methods and AI Tools for Historians. Space for non-members is VERY limited. Please register soon to avoid disappointment. Fees apply.
DATE: Saturday, 13 June, 9.30 - 12.30 pm
AT: Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, Carlton
COST: $120 for non-PHA members. Members outside Vic & Tas are welcome. Please email us for the registration code.
For more information, visit: https://www.phavic.org.au/event-items/2026/6/13/from-archives-to-algorithms-digital-methods-and-ai-tools-for-historians