The Central Victorian Regional Insect Collection was established around 1956 by biology students from La Trobe University in Bendigo and totals around 200,000 specimens.

The majority of specimens were sampled during environmental assessment projects throughout central Victoria with many specimens being new and undescribed to science. Due to redevelopment and planned demolition of the Applied Science buildings in 2021, this unique and valuable collection was due to be discarded. Its scientific value was far too great to allow this to occur. Fortunately, this unique collection was saved and relocated to its new location and is currently undergoing curation and development.

What makes the C.V.R.I.C Collection so valuable is that it now represents the only specific collection of the entomological fauna for the region in existance. The only other collection that existed was the former Insectarium of Victoria Collection which was sadly lost due to neglect by its new owners.

In order to catalogue and database the C.V.R.I.C collection, and to utilize its full potential in future climatic change studies, all specimens are being digitized and cataloged. Once completed, the C.V.R.I.C Collections will help make a positive contribution in addressing climate change and monitoring species decline as well as making a major contribution towards the understanding and conservation of the insect fauna of the entire central Victorian region.