Welcome to the RAHS

The Royal Australian Historical Society is a voluntary organization founded in Sydney in 1901 to encourage Australians to understand more about their history. It has a membership throughout Australia and all its activities and facilities are funded by contributions from its members and benefactors.

The Royal Australian Historical Society is a cultural organization that works for the benefit of its members and the broader community to:

• promote interest in Australian history
• advance the study of Australian history, and
• broaden opportunities for participation in historical research.

The Royal Australian Historical Society

• organises lectures and workshops, functions, walks, talks and visits on a wide variety of topics in Australian history
• stages an annual conference which addresses current historical issues in local history and heritage
• publishes four issues of History magazine each year and two issues of the Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society.
• maintains a research library with an extensive collection of resources, including pictorial resources, on all aspects of Australian history
• provides a computerised database for easy access to our collections, particularly in the area of local history and heritage
• provides an information referral centre for Society members and members of the public who contact the Society on a range of topics relating to history
• offers education prizes to students of history in NSW schools
• administers grants on behalf of the New South Wales government for the promotion of heritage (Heritage Branch of the Department of Planning) and the writing and publication of local history (NSW Ministry for the Arts)
• works closely with local historical societies

Individuals, historical societies and libraries are all welcome to join the Royal Australian Historical Society.

RAHS Code of Conduct

The purpose of the code is educative and declarative.

1. Working within the Law
   RAHS members will work within the frameworks of law when acting for or on behalf of the RAHS. If entrusted with special functions they will make themselves aware of the laws of the States and Commonwealth that affect the conduct of such functions.
2. Working with RAHS resources
   RAHS members entrusted with RAHS resources

– will ensure that the resources are managed effectively, efficiently and used for legitimate RAHS purposes.
– will secure RAHS resources against theft or misuse.

RAHS members will obtain RAHS approval to use RAHS resources for work not directly related to RAHS purposes.

3. Working within RAHS goals and objectives
   RAHS members will participate in public discussions and express opinions about issues and ideas related to the concerns of the RAHS in accordance with relevant principles of the RAHS if acting for or on behalf of the RAHS. It is such members’ responsibility to become familiar with these.
4. Working with Integrity
   RAHS office bearers, employees, Councillors, committee members and volunteers will treat members of the public and other ordinary RAHS members honestly and fairly, and with proper regard for their rights and obligations, when acting for or on behalf of the RAHS. They will:

– avoid patronage or favouritism,
– protect the privacy of others
– maintain appropriate confidentiality
– deal with differing opinion by rational debate rather than by vilification, coercion, bullying or any form of intimidatory behaviour
– declare potential conflicts of interest between their private and/or financial interests and RAHS responsibilities
– declare their relationship when participating in decisions affecting another person with whom they have a personal relationship
– be honest impartial and conscientious when carrying out their duties or functions for the RAHS
– observe procedural fairness (natural justice) in all decision making
–- inform the RAHS of any offer of gift or benefit for duties or functions carried out as a RAHS member

5.  Working with Diligence
RAHS members entrusted with special duties or functions will perform these to the best of their ability and carry them out in a professional manner. They will: