In April of 2025 PROV (Public Records Office Victoria) announced the winners of their Community History Awards. Rodney James took out the main prize with his book Letters to a Critic: Alan McCulloch’s World of Art. All up there were eleven awards allocated and the books selected span a wide of topics ensuring that members from our society are sure to find a gem.

Go to PROV’s website to see the full list of winners.

There’s even a Children’s Picture Book, River to Bay: Victoria’ Maritime History. Written and illustrated by Carole Wilkinson and Pru Pittock it was also a Children’s Book Council of Australia Award Winner in 2024. This book traces the traces the story of Victoria’s maritime history, and is both visually stunning and well researched. Rich in content with interesting historical information, the book traces the history of the Melbourne area from the earliest settlement of the Woiwurrung people to the present day.

The winner of the Community Diversity Award was Keira Quinn Lockyer’s The Pioneering Jews of the Ballaarat Goldfields. The book is a record of the 500 strong Jewish community in Ballarat, during the gold rush period, it speaks to their involvement with the Eureka rebellion and connections with Lola Montez, the hosting of two royal princes, their Main Road businesses. local entertainment and the Ballarat East fire brigade. Expensive at $75, perhaps best read at your favourite library!

The Oral History Award went to Women, Conscription, War by Alexandra Pierce. This podcast focuses on the Vietnam War Protests and the part play by women. You can find the podcast here.

Not one of PROV’s winners but closer to home, there is the collaboration between Janine Barrand and Dianna Wells whose book Revealing Stories: The hidden history of the performing arts scene in Geelong which puts the spotlight on performing arts history by exploring some of the places and people that have contributed to Geelong’s vibrant cultural identity, past and present.

It explores six venues that contained outstanding elements and wonderful surprises including Regent Theatre, Palais Geelong, Geelong Trades Hall Council, Returned Soldiers and Sailors Woollen Mill, Geelong Ballroom Dance Club and Geelong West Brass Band. The project was supported by a City of Greater Geelong Community Grant.