History of HEIA

The Domestic Science Association was founded on 27 April 1927. The name was later changed to the Home Economics Association of Victoria (HEAV). Before 1927, Domestic Science teachers in Victoria met socially.

Following the formation of the Home Economics Association of Australia (HEAA) in Melbourne in September 1965, the name 'Home Economics Association of Australia - Victorian Branch' was adopted. At this stage, there were Home Economics associations in Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales, a Home Science association in Queensland, the Girls' Craft Teachers Association of South Australia, and the Home Science Teachers Union in Western Australia. The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory formed their associations and joined later.

Members of the various state and territory associations automatically became members of the Home Economics Association of Australia.

A restructuring of the Home Economics Association of Australia (HEAA) led to the formation of the Home Economics Institute of Australia (HEIA). From this point, all states and territories became divisions of the Home Economics Institute of Australia. A home economist now joins the Home Economics Institute of Australia and automatically becomes a member of the state or territory branch in which they reside. HEIA celebrated its 10th anniversary in Canberra in 2005. The history (Herstory) of the HEIA was published in 2005.

A restructure of HEIA(ACT), HEIA(NT), HEIA(SA), HEIA(Tas), and HEIA(V) in 2019 resulted in their merging into a single entity within HEIA, while HEIA(NSW), HEIA(Q), and HEIA(WA) retained their separate incorporations.

Timeline of HEIA office bearer appointments

On 13 November 1993, the Home Economics Association of Australia Inc. (HEAA Inc.) changed its name to the Home Economics Institute of Australia Inc. (HEIA Inc.), with all members of HEAA Inc. automatically becoming members of HEIA Inc. The organisation's branches became Divisions, and the national office bearers of HEAA Inc. transitioned to HEIA Inc. until the first Annual General Meeting. At the time Rosemary Cramp assumed the role of President in November 1993, with Annette Emmet as Secretary, Judith Sweet as Treasurer, and Margot Miller as Executive Member. At the March 1995 meeting, Janet Reynolds was elected as the inaugural HEIA President, Donna Pendergast as Secretary, Betty Smith as Treasurer, and Jane Dewing as an Executive Member.

The following table lists the office bearers of HEIA since its establishment, with names provided for each year based on the annual general meeting elections of that year.