Geelong Heritage Centre

Geelong Heritage Centre is a local history archive housing public and private records including newspapers, maps, plans, and photographs from the Bellarine and Surf Coast regions. The collections document diverse aspects of community life and development in these areas.

The original Geelong Historical Records Centre was established in 1951, marking two important anniversaries: one hundred years after Victoria separated from New South Wales and fifty years after Australian Federation. This founding reflected the community's commitment to documenting and preserving its own story.

The name Kim barne thaliyu comes from the Wadawurrung language, honoring the Indigenous peoples as original custodians of these lands and waters. This acknowledgment of Indigenous history shapes how the place presents itself today.

Visitors should schedule sessions with staff in advance to access specific materials, with booking required at least three business days beforehand. Each research session lasts around 45 minutes and allows focused work with archived items.

The Heritage Reading Room features an interactive digital display called the Cruiser table, allowing visitors to browse archived materials in a more intuitive way. This digital tool makes searching through historical records feel modern and accessible.

Location: Victoria

Inception: 1979

GPS coordinates: -38.14540,144.36100

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:41