The Regional Museums Services Project was an initiative delivered by AMaGA Victoria and made possible through the support of Creative Victoria and the Victorian State Government’s Working for Victoria funding program.

About the project:

The Regional Museums Services Project was a short-term program designed to provide targeted support and guidance to regional Victorian museums and community collecting organisations as they recovered from the impacts of COVID-19 and began re-operating and re-engaging with their communities under COVID-normal conditions.

The program ran from February to the end of July 2021. During this period, officers across eastern, northern, and western Victoria provided tailored guidance and support to eligible organisations across a range of concerns and projects, including but not limited to:

  • Supporting groups to implement COVID-safe systems and protocols
  • Providing advice and guidance on re-opening in a COVID-safe way
  • Identifying grant and funding opportunities
  • Looking at strategies for building volunteer numbers and engagement
  • Building knowledge of existing resources and contacts in their regions
  • Building confidence in using social media

Who was eligible?

  • Small to medium-sized museums or community collecting organisations
  • Volunteer-run or no more than 2 EFT (equivalent full-time) paid staff members
  • Located within a regional Victorian Local Government Area
  • Available between 1 March 2021 and 30 July 2021

Organisations were ineligible to participate if they:

  • Were a current or previous participant in the AMaGA Victoria Veterans Heritage Project.
  • Were located within a Metropolitan Melbourne Local Government Area
  • Had more than 2 EFT paid staff

What type of assistance was offered?

This project provided tailored support and services based on an organisation’s priority need and/or concern. Priority consideration was given to organisations seeking guidance with:

  • Re-opening after COVID-19 closure
  • Operating under COVID-safe conditions and standards
  • Re-engaging with their communities or volunteers, or engaging new audiences

Examples of possible projects that were eligible for assistance under this program:

  • Advice to safely re-open under COVID-normal conditions
  • Support for developing a COVID-safe plan
  • Advice on adapting office and public spaces for social distancing
  • Advice on re-engaging with volunteers
  • Support with informing the community that the organisation is open
  • Advice and guidance for implementing online or social media content
  • Making recommendations on how existing programs could be adapted to be COVID-safe or delivered online
  • Guidance on how to manage an influx of donation offers from people clearing out their homes during lockdowns
  • Support with or feedback on grant applications, or budget development
  • Advice and support with developing new documentation and education resources
  • Advice and support on updating and renewing exhibitions
  • Providing guidance on collection issues, which may have arisen while your organisation has been closed

What was not provided by the program?

  • Direct financial support or funding from AMaGA Victoria
  • Ongoing training or support for specified concerns beyond the duration of the program

Participating organisations

  • Rosedale and District Historical Society
  • East Gippsland Historical Society
  • Latrobe Valley Maltese Museum
  • Sale Water Tower Museum
  • Port Welshpool and District Maritime Museum
  • Nagambie Historical Society
  • Benalla Historical Society
  • Euroa Historical and Genealogical Society
  • Glenthompson Historical Group
  • Warracknabeal Historical Society
  • Glenelg Shire Council (on behalf of Portland Family History Group and Portland Historical Society)

Project Staff

  • Jackie Fraser, Project Manager
  • Corleen Cooper, Officer, Northern Region
  • Justin Croft, Officer, Western Region
  • Rachel Jones, Officer, Eastern Region

 

The Regional Museums Services Project was proudly supported by: