2025 RAHS Membership Survey Results
In November, we shared the results of our 2025 Affiliated Societies Survey, which captured the experiences of the many historical organisations within our network.
This second survey focuses on a different part of our community: our individual members, including seniors, pensioners, households and students. This survey offers a complementary set of insights into how we can continue to support their interests, learning and research.
Thank you to all our members who took part in this survey. You provided us with a thoughtful picture of your interest in history, what you value, and how you engage with RAHS programs and services. Your feedback will help guide our planning as we prepare for the Society’s 125th anniversary in 2026 and also in the development of the 2026–2030 RAHS Strategic Plan.
Who you are
Our membership is a committed and knowledgeable community with a strong interest in Australian and NSW history. Many members contribute actively through research, writing, publishing and community engagement.
Why you join and what you value
Members join the RAHS for two main reasons: to enjoy the benefits of being part of an active history community, and to support the work that keeps the Society and its resources thriving.
Members are drawn to the RAHS for many reasons, but a shared passion for Australian and NSW history sits at the centre. For many, membership offers the chance to be part of a community that values history and enjoys exploring it together. Publications such as History magazine and the Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society remain key attractions, along with the RAHS eNewsletter, which keeps members connected to what is happening across the RAHS, the wider history and heritage sector, our affiliated societies and the broader community. Members also value the opportunities to learn through events, talks and seminars, which provide regular ways to engage with new research, ideas and perspectives.
Many members also choose to join because they want to support the Society’s wider goals. Membership contributions help sustain History House as a welcoming centre for history, learning and connection. They also support the RAHS Library, with its nationally significant collections. In this way, members play an essential role in ensuring that the RAHS continues to provide places, expertise and resources that support historical research and promote the understanding of Australian History – our core goal since 1901.
Looking Forward
As we look to the years ahead, your feedback will guide our work. We will continue to improve access to our collections and resources, offer flexible ways to learn and take part in RAHS activities, and care for History House as a place that supports historical research, the sharing of history and the work of our members. We will also explore new opportunities to connect people with the history of NSW, while continuing the purpose that has guided our work since 1901.
If you have any comments or additional feedback about the survey, please contact us on 02 9247 8001 or email us at history@rahs.org.au.
0 Comments