NEWS
NEW Registrations now open for our national conference
THE AUSTRALIA ICOMOS NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025 WEBSITE IS NOW LIVE!
Visit Now to register, submit your abstract, or explore sponsorship opportunities.
Our Shared Heritage. Un-Settling Ground.
📍 Ballarat, Victoria | 🗓️ 17–19 November 2025
📌 Venue: Goods Shed Ballarat
Set on the Traditional Country of the Wadawurrung Peoples, in the heart of the Victorian Goldfields—recently added to Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List—this year’s conference invites you to explore heritage through critical, future-focused perspectives.
Themes:
- BATTLEFRONTS: Heritage under pressure—survival through conflict and exclusion; future challenges from climate change and global disruption.
- UN-SETTLING: Rethinking heritage—imagining new models that prioritise community agency, local adaptation, and inclusive governance.
What to Expect:
- Two full days of dynamic presentations and discussions
- A spectacular conference dinner + Aura light show at Sovereign Hill
- Field trips across Ballarat and the Victorian Goldfields
- Provocative case studies, diverse voices, and innovative solutions
Sponsorship special offer:
GOLD & SILVER SPONSORS SCORE A 2-FOR-1 BONUS! Support both the 2025 National Conference and the 2025 Jim Kerr Address—with one sponsorship. Limited offer—act fast!
Key Deadlines:
- ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: 28 August 2025
- SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CLOSE: 1 November 2025
- EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS: 15 September 2025
Whether you’re a practitioner, researcher, educator, or community advocate, this is your chance to contribute to shaping heritage practice for a changing world.
📨 Submit your abstract
🤝 Become a sponsor
📝 Register early and save
🔗 Explore the conference website for full details.
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NEW Murujuga Cultural Landscape inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
Australia ICOMOS congratulates the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), the Ngarda-Ngarli (Traditional Owner groups of the coastal Pilbara), and their supporters and allies on the successful inscription of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Murujuga is Australia’s 21st world heritage property and the second Australian Indigenous-led inscription listed exclusively for its Indigenous cultural values. The listing recognises the Outstanding Universal Value of Murujuga as centred on the traditional and continuing system of customary governance and in the tangible and intangible attributes that attest to 50,000 years of Ngarda-Ngarli using and caring for the land and seascape.
The inscription of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape happened on Friday 11 July 2025 during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee that took place in Paris, France. The successful outcome was live streamed with the process lasting one hour. It was incredible to see the Murujuga delegation in the room and their deeply emotional responses to the listing.
The ICOMOS evaluation of the nomination had raised some concerns about ongoing management issues and recommended that the World Heritage Committee refer the nomination back to the State Party (Australia) so they could be considered and addressed. Federal Minister Murray Watt and MAC took the opportunity to discuss these issues with the current member States of Committee before its meeting (see The Guardian article, 8 July 2025). As a result, prior to the consideration of the nomination of Murujuga by the Committee, Kenya moved a recommendation to inscribe the Murujuga Cultural Landscape on the World Heritage List. The amendment was unanimously supported by all 21 States Parties (or countries) that make up the current World Heritage Committee. The amendment includes important monitoring and report-back requirements that the Australian Government is required to action.
The long journey to inscription is described in a commentary co-produced with MAC Board members and published in The Conversation on 17 July 2025 (‘We were part of the world heritage listing of Murujuga. Here’s why all Australians should be proud’). The article is co-authored by Jo McDonald (University of Western Australia), Amy Stevens (Heritage Research Manager, MAC), Belinda Churnside (Deputy Chair, Board of MAC), Peter Hicks (Chair, Board of MAC), as well as Ben Mullins (lead scientist on the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Project). The article uses an image of the members of the Murujuga Board and Circle of Elders taken at the GA2023 in Sydney during which they hosted a day-long Symposium.
Australia ICOMOS acknowledges the achievement of the World Heritage listing of Murujuga Cultural Landscape and expresses appreciation to its Traditional Custodians for their past and ongoing care and responsibility for this globally outstanding place.
Steve Brown, Co-Chair of the Australia ICOMOS World Heritage Reference Group
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NEW SAVE THE DATE! Australia ICOMOS 2025 Jim Kerr Address -11 September 2025 – Melbourne
To be held in Melbourne on Thursday 11 September, delivered by representatives of the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. This year’s address will reflect on the six years since the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List — a landmark moment for Indigenous heritage recognition in Australia and globally.
Join Gunditjmara rangers and elders as they share their experiences of caring for Country, strengthening cultural connections, and navigating the opportunities and challenges that have followed World Heritage listing.
Details of venue, booking link and sponsorship opportunities to follow.
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ICOMOS INTERNATIONAL
AGA2025 in Lumbini NEPAL 11- 19 October 2025 – Registrations Open
Please note – we are aware that there have been issues with registration and payment. If you are encountering issues, please contact: Shristina Shrestha: Coordinator for finance, registration and fund-raising shristinaster@gmail.com
ICOMOS Nepal welcomes all ICOMOS members, international and national experts, friends and peace-lovers to Lumbini for the ICOMOS annual General Assembly 2025 and the Scientific Symposium on “Perceptions of Heritage and Resilience – Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness”. We are honoured to take on the important task of contributing to the ICOMOS Triennial Scientific Plan 2024-2027, with the first year focusing on preparing for possible disasters, through the prevention and mitigation of hazards, improving resilience, as well as by preparing for conflicts that threaten our heritage resources. We also have the honour of inviting all participants to the 60th anniversary celebrations of ICOMOS. This would also be an opportunity to visit the archaeological sites in and around Lumbini and the enchanting urban ensemble of Kathmandu Valley that have gone through a decade of recovery after the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. Furthermore, we welcome the international participants to visit the beautiful sites of Nepal. We look forward to meeting all of you in Lumbini.
Please follow this link for further information
If you are planning on attending, please email the secretariat: austicomos@deakin.edu.au as we would like to compile a list of our members attending.
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AICOMOS – NSCs, Working and Reference Group News
NEW Strategic Advocacy Reference group
EOI’s for the Strategic Advocacy Reference group (SARG) closed on the 20th of July. Our panel is currently reviewing applications, and we will provide an update on the membership of SARG in the next e news.
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ICOMOS MEMBERS
NEW Executive Committee Meeting | Online | 9 August 2025
The third meeting of the executive is taking place on Saturday 9th August.
Please forward any items you would like added to the agenda for discussion to the secretariat officer by 31st July 2025.
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NEW NSW Draft Heritage Strategy submission
Australia ICOMOS recently made a submission to the NSW Government regarding the Draft NSW Heritage Strategy.
The submission can be viewed on our website here.
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Membership Payments for the 2025/2026 Membership Year Now Due
As Australia ICOMOS runs on the financial year, membership payments for the 25/26 financial year are now due.
There are three ways you can pay: via the membership database, direct deposit or credit card.
Direct Deposit Account name: Australia ICOMOS BSB: 033 120 Account Number: 349654 Reference: Members Name (please ensure you add this)
Please send a banking receipt to austicomos@deakin.edu.au
Pin Payments: Make a payment to Australia ICOMOS – Pin Payments Please note the name of the member.
If your circumstances have changed and you would like to move your membership to retired, unwaged or would like a payment plan please reach out to the secretariat austicomos@deakin.edu.au
Unsure of your current financial status? Please log in to the membership database and view the ‘Payments History’ link (See example)
This will show whether you are paid until 30/06/26 (up to date) or 30/06/25 (expired)
A reminder that current financial membership is a requirement for participation in ICOMOS groups and committees like ISCs/NSCs, working groups etc, as is the use of the post nominal M.ICOMOS. These are important membership benefits. The executive will be checking payments over the coming months to ensure that membership fees are paid.
Changed address recently? Please update the member database.
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS / GRANTS / NOMINATIONS / EOI
2025–26 Nominations for the National Heritage List and Commonwealth Heritage List
The Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, invites nominations of places for inclusion in the National Heritage List or the Commonwealth Heritage List.
A place can be included in the National Heritage List if it is in Australia’s jurisdiction and the Minister is satisfied that the place meets the criteria for outstanding heritage value to the nation.
In Australia, sites on the Commonwealth Heritage List must be entirely within a Commonwealth area. Outside Australia, they can be owned or leased by the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth agency. These sites must meet the criteria for significant heritage value.
The 2025–26 nomination round opens on Monday, 30 June 2025 and closes on
Friday, 29 August 2025.
More information about the National Heritage listing and assessment criteria, and the National Heritage listing process can be found at
dcceew.gov.au/national-heritage
More information about the Commonwealth Heritage listing and assessment criteria, and the Commonwealth Heritage listing process can be found at
dcceew.gov.au/commonwealth-heritage
For more assistance, questions, or to access a nomination form and guide:
This notice is made in accordance with the provisions of sections 324H, 324J and 341H of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
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WORKSHOPS / COURSES / EVENTS / EXHIBITIONS
NEW Melbourne Open House festival Annual Heritage Address | Melbourne | 28 July 2025
Join former Lord Mayor Sally Capp and curator Eddie Butler-Bowdon from the City of Melbourne’s Art and Heritage Collection for a captivating conversation that lifts the lid on Melbourne’s hidden stories. Through their favourite artefacts from the vast collection, Sally and Eddie will share surprising, quirky, and powerful tales that have shaped the city—from political power moves to artistic revolutions. Tickets available via Humantix https://events.humanitix.com/heritage-stories-of-the-city-with-sally-capp-and-eddie-butler-bowdon
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NEW ICAHM webinar series | Underwater Archaeology | Chaired by Ian Liley | Noon (GMT +1) 30 July 2025
Speakers:
Paulina Acuña Leyton (Chile): “Underwater Photogrammetry in Bahía Águila: 3D Documentation of Chile’s First Modern Whaling Station.”
Yumiko Nakanishi (Japan): “Establishing a Community-Based Framework for the Utilisation of Underwater Cultural Heritage: A Case from Yarabuoki Underwater Site in Okinawa”.
Register to attend this free online event: https://forms.gle/TBAnRdBLzNW7NWdx7
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NEW Australian Institute of Architects | Heritage Series 2025 Sustainability, compliance, inclusivity and climate resilience | various dates in August 2025
Climate change, climate resilience, sustainability, zero carbon, accessibility and inclusion are all issues that interface with heritage architecture. Join industry experts, academics and aligned professionals as they unpack how to tackle these key contemporary challenges in a heritage context with best-practice case studies. This four-part series provides heritage skills development for practising architects through practical case-study based professional development of the processes from assessment, analysis, design and delivery of works. We draw on local and international knowledge of best practice conservation techniques and practice and aim to inform both the non-heritage architect and heritage specialist.
Dates: 7, 14, 21, 28 August.
For further information and to book please follow this link
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NEW Paul Sorensen – life and work | Talk by Stuart Read | 5 August 2025
Paul Sorensen (1891 – 1983) was born in Copenhagen and trained in horticulture at Horsholm Tekniske Skole. He honed his skills working with leading landscape designers on large estates in Denmark and Switzerland; however, the impending war cut his time in Europe short. After coming to Australia, he developed his own distinctive landscape style, ethos and technique in gardens across NSW – many of which still stand 100 years later. And several of which are listed on the NSW state heritage register.
Ku-Ring-Gai Horticultural Society
St. Ives Community Hall, Memorial Avenue, St. Ives
7.30pm
Details / bookings: E: evelyn@emassociates.com.au
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NEW Manning Clark House | 2025 Dymphna Clark Lecture delivered by Jane Caro | University of Canberra | 26 August 2025
Manning Clark House is delighted to announce that acclaimed author, feminist, and social commentator Jane Caro AM will deliver the 19th Dymphna Clark Lecture in Canberra this August.
Widely recognised for her sharp insight into public education, feminism, and secularism, Caro brings a distinguished career spanning advertising, journalism, and literature. A Walkley Award-winning columnist and bestselling novelist, she is known for challenging orthodoxy and advocating passionately for civic engagement and gender equity.
Caro’s lecture will delve into the critical intersections of education, civic responsibility, gender equity, and the role of public discourse in shaping Australia’s future. As Australia grapples with complex social, political, and cultural questions, her perspective promises to provoke thought and inspire conversation.
The Dymphna Clark Lecture series honours the legacy of Dymphna Clark, linguist, educator, and wife of historian Manning Clark, by inviting prominent Australians to reflect on ideas that enrich national dialogue and cultural understanding. Jane Caro’s participation continues this proud tradition of championing bold and meaningful voices in public life.
Event details:
Date: 7.00 pm, Tuesday, 26 August 2025
Venue: University of Canberra (precise details tba)
Tickets available via Try Booking: https://www.trybooking.com/DCXNN
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Study Heritage Conservation at the School of Architecture, Design & Planning, University of Sydney
The School of Architecture, Design & Planning at The University of Sydney is currently enrolling new students in its heritage conservation program for commencement in Semester 2, 2025. Choose between 1 semester (Graduate Certificate), 2 semesters (Graduate Diploma) or 3 semesters full time (Masters), or tailor your part time study to fit in with your personal and professional commitments.
The units are taught in a range of formats – intensive, weekly evening, weekly daytime – to enable a wide range of people, including existing professionals, to participate.
The core of the program builds professionally relevant knowledge in heritage planning and management. In addition, you will acquire deep specialist knowledge by selecting elective units focused on areas including First Nations Heritage, building conservation, sustainable development or community consultation.
For more information, go to https://www.sydney.edu.au/architecture/study-architecture-design-planning/study-areas/heritage-conservation.html or contact Cameron Logan on cameron.logan@sydney.edu.au.
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Sydney Open Symposium: Civic Imagination | 1 Elizabeth | 23 August 2025
Tickets for Sydney Open Symposium: Civic Imagination are on sale now!
Join Museums of History for the inaugural Sydney Open Symposium, where leading industry experts will take a deep dive into conversations centred around architecture, design, placemaking and heritage.
Under the theme of Civic Imagination, we will explore how the Sydney Metro Martin Place project seamlessly integrates a major interchange for Australia’s largest public transport project with Macquarie Bank’s new global headquarters at 1 Elizabeth.
General $60
Concession $51
Member $48
A great student discount is also available!
Museums Members get more with priority pre-sale access and a 20% discount on tickets.
Purchase tickets here.
What A Ripper! Book Launch with Tim Ross and special guest Mary Featherston | National Library of Australia | 30 August 2025
To celebrate his latest book What a Ripper! 60 everyday objects that shaped Australia, Tim Ross is being joined on stage by one of the designers featured in the book, Mary Featherston.
After a short presentation on his favourite iconic designs in the book, Mary (an icon herself) will join him on the stage to talk about her life in design, her creative partnership with her late husband Grant and her passionate design work in the education space.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of our most celebrated designers.
Purchase tickets here.
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PUBLICATIONS
NEW The Fremantle Society 50 Years of Serving and Saving Fremantle
The Fremantle Society has recently published a book by John Dowson, documenting its 50-year history (1972 – 2022). It is a rare achievement for a community group not only to survive this long, but also to be continuously active in “serving and saving Fremantle”.
For further information or to purchase a copy of the book, please follow this link.
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NEW World Resources Institute | Growing Water Risks Threaten World’s Most Cherished Heritage Sites | Samantha Kuzma
Water issues — whether it’s drought, scarcity, pollution or flooding — have become a threat to many of the more than 1,200 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These natural landscapes and cultural landmarks around the globe, including the Taj Mahal and Yellowstone National Park, are recognized for their “outstanding universal value” to people and the planet.
In this article, Samantha Kuzma examines Growing Water Risks, threatening some of the world’s most cherished heritage sites. To read the full article follow this link.
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NEW ‘Painting in Stone’: the Story of the Melocco Brothers | Dr Zeny Edwards
In 1908, with nothing more than their talent and the indomitable desire to succeed, Peter, Antonio, and Galliano Melocco founded a business that would redefine their adopted city. Sydneysiders might have booked a train ticket amidst the mural frieze and terrazzo mosaic floor at Central Station or shopped at the marbled David Jones and Mark Foys. Speaking through the language of stone, each inanimate piece of their tesserae ‘earth’ enriched Australia’s architecture and elevated it from beyond architecture to the realm of art. Astonishingly, ninety per cent of the marble, scagliola, and terrazzo work in hundreds of Sydney’s public buildings up to the 1960s bear the handiwork of Melocco craftsmen. Despite the ubiquity of the Melocco Bros’ work, detailed acknowledgement of their achievements has been lacking until now. In Painting with Stone, architectural historian Zeny Edwards rectifies this gap and shows that these three brothers were masters of innovation and craftsmanship who have long deserved special recognition in Australia’s architectural history.
Copies of the book can be purchased here
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Alternative Economies of Heritage Sustainable, Anti-Colonial and Creative Approaches to Cultural Inheritance Edited by Denise Thwaites, Bethaney Turner & Tracy Ireland
Alternative Economies of Heritage is a groundbreaking edited volume that critically evaluates how the ‘work’ of heritage can be reimagined, as a multifarious field of thought and action, to resist the reductive economies of colonial capitalism.
Bringing together researchers from the academy and industry, and from varied international contexts, this volume asks how does ‘heritage’ – as a complex intersection of contemporary practices with their own diverse histories – recognise and circulate cultural value between generations and communities?
Further information can be found on the Taylor & Francis page
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What a Ripper – 60 Everyday Objects That Shaped Australia by Tim Ross
Celebrating 60 objects that were designed and made in Australia, Tim Ross of @modernister transports us back in time and pays tribute to things you might still find in your home or backyard shed. There are colourful photos, previously untold stories and fascinating details, making this book equal parts retro-design celebration, pop-culture treasure trove and nostalgic adventure.
Purchase the book here
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SITUATIONS VACANT
NEW SITUATION VACANT | Inner West Council NSW | Heritage Specialist | Applications due 3 August 2025
The primary focus of the role is to provide heritage advice to internal and external stakeholders in the development assessment process. You will work with a team of heritage and urban design professionals ensuring that the team works to meet its targets and commitments against your team and Council’s Operational and Strategic Plans. You will facilitate partnerships, across Council, and help solve problems and resolve issues with regard to heritage matters.
Please read the Position Description to familiarise yourself with all the requirements and conditions of the role.
For further information and to apply please follow this link
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NEW SITUATION VACANT | Senior Heritage Architect | TKD Architects, Sydney | Applications due 31 August 2025
Tanner Kibble Denton Architects offers an opportunity for an exceptional senior heritage architect to join our team. We’re looking for someone who is focussed and passionate about conservation and adaptive reuse to work on unique heritage and architectural projects.
The role is for an experienced architect who can effectively deliver heritage projects ranging from master planning, fabric conservation and the creative adaptation of historic buildings. This is a full-time position for someone who wants to advance their career to work on some of the most significant sites in NSW. You will have at least seven years’ post-graduate local architectural experience.
Please contact George Phillips at gphillips@tkda.com.au for more information
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SITUATION VACANT | EMM Consulting | Built Heritage Specialist | NSW, ACT, QLD or VIC | Applications due 4 Aug 2025
EMM Consulting are seeking a Built Heritage Specialist to join our growing team. With a National delivery module, and flexibility to suit you, we are keen to speak with applicants in NSW, ACT, QLD or Victoria. You’ll bring a strong understanding of NSW legislation, along with a desire to continue growing your expertise in project management. In return, you can count on the support you need to deliver exceptional quality, with specialist teams across EMM and leaders who are truly present and excited to help you to develop your way. Follow the link below for more details. Applications close 4th August 2025.
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4234953496
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