For over a century, the Federation of Historic Trades has stood for the preservation of craft knowledge and the recognition of the skilled men and women who carry it forward. Through education, advocacy, and apprenticeship, it continues to safeguard traditional skills while inspiring future generations to value and practice historic trades.
The Federation of Historic Trades was established in 1923 by a group of master tradespeople who recognised that the rapid industrialisation of the early twentieth century posed a serious threat to traditional skills. What began as a small coalition of stonemasons, timber framers, and plasterworkers has grown into a peak body representing practitioners of more than thirty distinct heritage trades across Australia and New Zealand.
Where Heritage Lives, Craftsmanship Endures, and Tradition Continues.
Preserving Traditional Skills — Protecting the techniques and knowledge passed down through generations.
Supporting the Craft Community — Representing practitioners, master tradespeople, and organisations dedicated to heritage trades.
Shaping the Future of Craft — Promoting education, apprenticeships, and advocacy to ensure these skills continue to thrive.
Explore a century of growth, preservation, and craftsmanship as the Federation evolved from a small network of historic trades into a thriving community dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for future generations. Each milestone reflects its ongoing commitment to connecting generations, supporting skilled craftspeople, and celebrating the enduring value of traditional trades.
2023
2005
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1923
After 100 years, the federation marked a century of preserving traditional craftsmanship while supporting a growing community of tradespeople and apprentices.
The centenary celebrated a lasting legacy of skill, dedication, and collaboration, while looking ahead to new opportunities to protect and promote traditional trades for generations to come.
Digital platforms made historic trade projects more accessible, allowing craftspeople to share their work, techniques, and achievements with a wider audience.
The initiative also helped document traditional methods and create a lasting digital record of projects, ensuring valuable knowledge could be discovered, appreciated, and passed on to future generations.
The register identified traditional crafts at risk of disappearing and helped focus preservation, training, and documentation efforts.
It provided a valuable way to recognize vulnerable skills, raise awareness of their cultural importance, and support initiatives that encouraged their continued practice and transmission to future generations.
The federation expanded its international connections, creating stronger links between historic trades communities across Australasia.
The new affiliate chapter encouraged collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of traditional techniques, helping strengthen the preservation of heritage crafts beyond national borders.
A new initiative connected aspiring craftspeople with experienced tradespeople, helping pass traditional skills to the next generation.
By creating structured opportunities for mentorship and hands-on training, the program supported the development of skilled apprentices while helping ensure valuable traditional knowledge continued to thrive.
The first national gathering strengthened cooperation between different trades and encouraged the sharing of skills and knowledge.
It brought representatives together to discuss common challenges, celebrate traditional craftsmanship, and establish a stronger foundation for collaboration across the federation.
Founded to preserve traditional craftsmanship and bring historic tradespeople together under one organization.
The federation created a shared platform for skilled tradespeople to connect, exchange knowledge, and promote the importance of traditional craftsmanship for future generations.
The FHT is governed by a board of elected practitioners and sector representatives, supported by a national secretariat. Together, they provide strategic direction, oversee key initiatives, and ensure that the federation’s programs remain responsive to the needs of historic trades and the wider heritage community.
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Board Director
Board Director
Board Director
The FHT operates through branches across Australia and New Zealand, creating a strong local network for practitioners, apprentices, and heritage communities. Each branch runs its own events, apprenticeship programs, and advocacy activities while working together under the national federation to promote and preserve traditional trades.
