Melbourne’s finest building

The Old Treasury Building is a unique resource for students and teachers. Programs aligned to the Victorian Curriculum discuss various topics including democracy, the gold rush and early Melbourne.

Our excursions, delivered by professional guides, take students from the original gold vaults, designed to hold the precious metal from the 19th century Victorian gold fields, to the Executive Council Chamber, where Victorian bills become law.

Along the way they’ll discuss how Melbourne evolved from early settlement to Marvellous Melbourne, and expose the underbelly of how colonisation impacted the local First Nations peoples.

They’ll consider everyday struggles for democratic rights, including women’s rights and the fight for First Nations recognition. Students discuss the Ballarat Reform League and influence of the Eureka Stockade on Victorian governance.

For those studying the 20th century, we examine the conscription debates of WWI, described by some historians as the most bitter, divisive and violent ever to consume the nation. Propaganda posters available online and in the building illustrate this clearly.

Equality was tested during WWII when women entered the workforce, some for the first time, and were required to do, so called, ‘men’s work’ at a lower wage. ‘Women Work for Victory in WWII’ discusses this intriguing time and the roles women played towards the war effort and on the home front.

Temporary exhibitions help to flesh out these stories. Currently, ‘Lost Jobs: The Changing World of Work’ delves into the ways technology, economic shifts and changing social norms have impacted the workforce. ‘Protest Melbourne’ allows students to explore a social issue in a public forum.

Issues range from the change the date campaign to climate change.

In addition to the Old Treasury Building’s one-hour paid programs, extensively researched articles covering a multitude of topics are available for free online.

The minimum number of students in a session is 10, the maximum is 40. Fees apply. Please see our website for details. We hope to welcome you and your students to experience one of Australia’s most beautiful and historic buildings.

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