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About Public Record Office Victoria
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.
Court of Marine Inquiry case files
Court of Marine Inquiry case files dating back to 1888 have recently been added to our collection. The files contain investigations into incidents on Victorian waters such as the 1905 stranding of the 'La Bella' and 1949 collision of the 'New Holland' and 'Robertylee'. The 1932 case of the S.S. Casino is particularly heart wrenching, as a simple trip to Apollo Bay goes awry.
Local history grant recipients announced
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024-2025 round of the Local History Grants Program, announced by the Minister for Government Services on Friday 27 June 2025. The Local History Grants Program encourages and fosters community activities that preserve, record and share the local, social and community history of Victoria and Victorians.
Rewind Forward
Rewind Forward, an exhibition developed by our 2025 Creatives in Residence, opened in the Victorian Archives Centre Gallery on Thursday 29 May featuring the work of Emile Zile, Sam Wallman, Shannon Slee, Susan Fitzgerald, and Queer-ways. A snapshot of Shannon Slee's sewn memorial of 950 women who died of backyard abortions is pictured. On display until November.
Provenance 2025
The 2025 issue of Provenance is now online for your reading pleasure. Featuring research into the state archives, this year's five articles explore social and cultural histories of Victorian people, places and buildings. From the history of Victoria's stonemasons and stoneworkers, to notorious characters throughout of the 19th century, this issue is not to be missed!
Look history in the eye
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 never built, Victoria's queer history, prison escapes...and new to summer 2024, the Brookside Reformatory girls and Australian women of 1920s America.
Visit us
Monday to Friday 10am to 4:30pm and every second and last Saturday of the month. Closed public holidays. Visit
Monday to Thursday 10am to 4:30pm. Closed public holidays. Visit
Wednesday and Thursday 10am to 4pm. Closed public holidays. Visit
Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Closed weekends, Mondays and public holidays. Visit
What's On
The one who got away
Bendigo Regional Archives Centre events
Rewind Forward
