Membership options

The Society offers membership for both individuals and families (two or more domiciled at the same address). Family members have the same rights, including voting as individual members but only receive one subscription to the society journal Sabretache for their membership fee. There are three membership categories: non-branch member (see section below), institutional member (for organisations) and branch (state) member.

Membership costs

Subscriptions for 2025/2026 are:

• Non-Branch membership:
  • Individuals $A40
  • Families $A45
  • Overseas $A60
  • Institutional membership $A40
  • Overseas $A60
• Branch membership: NOTE: Branches usually include a small surcharge in the subscription to cover their administrative costs.
• Those interested in non-branch and institutional membership should contact the Membership Secretary members@mhsa.org.au
• Those interested in becoming a branch member should contact the relevant Branch Secretary. Contact details are provided on the Branches page.
  These details as well as the current branch subscription rate are also provided on the membership application form which you can download/print from the Membership Application page.

 

Membership Application

You can download/print the relevant membership application form from the Membership Application Forms.

Membership Benefits

Membership of the Society has specific benefits. These comprise:

Sabretache – The Journal and Proceedings of The Military Historical Society of Australia.
The Society’s annual membership fee includes a subscription to Sabretache which has been published since 1958. Sabretache features articles which reflect members’ research and collecting interests within the field of Australian and other nations’ military history. Book reviews and members notices and Letters to the Editor, are regularly included. More details on Sabretache and how to contribute are available on the Journal page of this website.

Branches
The Society comprises branches based in most states and territories where opportunities exist to gather and enjoy the fellowship and networking opportunities of regular meetings and other activities including branch newsletters. Corresponding members and members from other branches are always welcome to visit and attend branch activities. Just contact the relevant Branch Secretary. Branches often provide details of their activities on their Branch page.

The Society seeks to expand the branch network. Members interested in establishing a new Branch in their local area should contact the Federal Secretary.

Non-Branch Membership
Non-Branch members are those who are geographically isolated or who choose not to join a branch. This group is administered by the MHSA Membership Officer who helps maximise the benefits of their membership. Non-Branch members can access the Secretary’s Econtact list, the MHSA mail list and the interests register.

Website
This website offers wider benefits, including links to other military organisations, A Members’ Notices page where members can post military-related notices regarding events, seek research assistance, or address anything military. Please contact the webmaster to add notices or links.

Biennial Conference
Another opportunity to network at a national level is through the biennial national conferences, hosted in rotation by branches. In recent years, conferences have been held in Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Maryborough and  Adelaide. As well as stimulating lectures from members and invited experts, such conferences provide an excellent opportunity to network with members with like interests. The conference dinner features a keynote speaker.

Interests Register
In 2011 the Society compiled a register of members’ military interests/research pursuits which may be distributed to members to facilitate contact, discussion, debate, learning and exchange of information between members. In addition, some members are subject matter experts, and their details are available. The register also provides guidance to Federal Council and the Sabretache Editor in their endeavours to meet the needs and wishes of the members.
The interests register is opt-in and only distributed to members who have agreed to be included on it. It is not distributed to anyone outside of the Society. Members who wish to sign up for the register may contact the Federal Secretary.

Secretary’s E-contact List
Members can also subscribe to the Federal Secretary’s E-contact list. Other than Sabretache, this is the most effective method of communication to reach a broad range of members. This is an opt-in list where subscribers can receive notices of military or Society interest, participate in discussion and debate, seek research assistance from members or provide it to outside or member enquiries.

Military-related businesses and services
Some members operate military-related businesses and services. Details of existing ones are on the Member Services page. The MHSA is always looking to expand these so, if a member runs or is involved with a military-related business or service and would like it included for the information of members, please contact the Webmaster.

Privacy Statement

The Military Historical Society of Australia maintains records of members’ names, addresses, and contact details, year of joining and military interests.

Where members have agreed, their details are included on internal email/membership contact lists and the interests register. If members have not agreed to be included on these, their details will not be given to other members.

No personal information will be disclosed to third parties without a member’s written consent.