NEWS
AUSTRALIA ICOMOS NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025 – SOLD OUT!
📍 Ballarat, Victoria | 🗓️ 17–19 November 2025
📌 Venue: Goods Shed Ballarat
Just Announced – Full Program Released!
This year’s theme: Our Shared Heritage. Un-Settling Ground.
Featuring:
- Keynote by Damein Bell, CEO First Peoples’ Assembly Victoria
- 90+ speakers across panels, talks, and workshops
- Field trips & immersive cultural experiences
- Aura light show + conference dinner at Sovereign Hill – almost full!
- NEW!! Sunday night stroll with the National Trust
And more!
🎟️ Explore the full program (subject to change)
Exclusive Delegate Tour – Limited Spots!
Join Wadawurrung woman Tammy Gilson for a hands-on weaving experience at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades. Bus transport available.
📅 Tuesday 18 November | 🕧 12.30pm–2pm
🎟️ Book now – only via the Rare Trades Centre website
🔗 Visit the conference website for full details.
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Australia ICOMOS AGM | The Goods Shed Soldiers Hill, Ballarat & Online | 5:00pm 17 October 2025
The Australia ICOMOS Annual General Meeting will be held in person and via Zoom Conferencing at the Goods Shed, 200 Lydiard Street, Soldiers Hill, Ballarat & via Zoom at 5:00pm, Monday 17 November 2025.
If you are a financial member and have not received the AGM documents, please contact the secretariat office – austicomos@deakin.edu.au
The 2024/2025 Annual Report, which will include the audited financial statements, will be circulated ahead of the meeting to all members.
Participation in any voting at the AGM is open to financial Full Members of Australia ICOMOS. Associates are welcome to attend the AGM but are not eligible to vote.
Members may attend in person or online. Please register via Try Booking:
Online Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/DGULA
In Person Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/DGZLH
Any questions or comments can be raised during the AGM meeting after the President’s and Treasurer’s reports or under ‘other business’.
We would like to record all apologies in advance – please email these through to the Australia ICOMOS Secretariat at austicomos@deakin.edu.au as soon as possible.
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ICOMOS INTERNATIONAL
NEW General Assembly Lumbini Nepal 11- 19 October 2025 contribution by Kerime Danis
The ICOMOS Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Scientific Symposium 2025 took place over eight days in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, commencing on 11 October with the ICOMOS Bureau and Statutory meetings. The event concluded on 19 October in Kathmandu, Nepal, with a tour of greater Kathmandu to mark the 10^(th) anniversary of the Kathmandu earthquake. Over the course of two-and-a-half days, the Advisory Committee (AdCom) members (Presidents of the ICOMOS National Committees and the Scientific Council) discussed their activities and scientific advancements. The recommendations of the ICOMOS Regional Groups, led by the five ICOMOS Vice Presidents, focused on capacity building, collaboration, and current conflicts across the globe in Ukraine and the Arab region.
Five doctrinal texts were in the draft or proposal stage for consideration by the Scientific Council and AdCom. These texts, noted below, will provide ICOMOS members, as well as wider heritage experts and communities, with principles and guidelines on the protection and conservation of cultural heritage. They will be circulated for final consulation and endorsement at the 2026 General Assembly in Kutching, Malaysia, or the 2027 Annual General Assembly as applicable under the ICOMOS Rules of Procedures.
- Guiding Principles for protecting cultural heritage from damage and loss caused by fire
- Charter for the preservation of Eartheen Architectural Heritage
- Guidelines for the Analysis, Conservation and Structural Restoration of Architectural Heritage & Proposal for name change of ISCARSAH
- ICIP Charter revision proposal
- Draft text Emergency Preparedness for Response to Cultural Heritage in Disasters and Conflicts
The ICOMOS 2025 Scientific Symposium Perception of Heritage and Resilience: Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness), opened on 15 October, ran for two days with three parallel sessions, each day concluding with the ‘Leveraging Heritage for Peace’ theme, inspired by the birthplace of Buddha. Several International Scientific Committees (ISCs) also held cluster events on pilgrimage and archaeological landscapes. The closing session took place at the Lumbini Sacred Garden, where the President of ICOMOS Nepal, Gyanin Rai, read the Statement on Heritage and Peace.
As 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of ICOMOS, an event celebrating the organisation’s activities and achievements was held on the evening of 14 October.
The final event was the ISC cluster session on 19 October in Kathmandu, with most delegates travelling from Lumbini to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Gorkha earthquake in Nepal.
Overall, the 2025 ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium in Nepal was a successful and enjoyable gathering. It demonstrated the importance of capacity building through collaboration and showcased the significant achievements of the scientific committees and associated organisations in implementing the actions of the ICOMOS Triennial Scientific Plan (TSP) 2024–2027: Disaster and Conflict Resilient Heritage – Preparedness, Response, Recovery.
Contribution by Kerime Danis, ICOMOS Advisory Committee President
Image courtesy of ICOMOS Nepal
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NEW Australia ICOMOS Sponsors four international delegates for GA Nepal 2025 Review by Stephanie Johnston
At the request of ICOMOS Nepal, the Australia ICOMOS Executive Committee decided to give $10,000 of the surplus funds from the 2023 General Assembly to help support delegates from countries affected by natural disasters and conflict to be able to attend the 2025 General Assembly in Lumbini.
Three of four Australia ICOMOS-sponsored delegates presented at the opening plenary of the 2025 ICOMOS Annual General Assembly Scientific Symposium held in Lumbini, Nepal from 11-19 October 2025. The opening session focussed on cultural heritage destruction and recovery in conflict zones, with sponsored delegates Shireen Allan from ICOMOS Palestine, Puthikar Kong from ICOMOS Cambodia and Dr. Noureldin ELRAGIG, president of ICOMOS Sudan presenting. A fourth Australia ICOMOS sponsored EP delegate, Zuhura Mtenguzi from Tanzania, assisted as rapporteur for two further sessions chaired by Stephanie Johnston and Flavia Kiperman focussing on leveraging heritage for peace. (Below Stephanie Johnston with the delegates. Images supplied by Stephanie Johnston)
 
Australian ICOMOS members at AGA: Stephanie Johnston, Michael Wells, Kerime Danis, Caroline Grant, Susan MCIntyre-Tamwoy, Flavia Kiperman, Tracy Ireland & Nicholas Roberts
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ICOMOS MEMBERS
NEW NSW Members Event Review – Hendry Wan NSW Executive Representative
Sydney’s Mortuary Station was a Gothic-style railway station, opened in 1869, that was built to convey the deceased and their mourners to Rookwood Cemetery and was used in the resumption and relocation of the Devonshire Street Cemetery. The Cemetery was relocated for the building of Central Station (1906). Central Station is the third station to be built in its vicinity since the first station opened 51 years earlier.
On Thursday November 6, Transport for NSW’s heritage team hosted an ‘open day’ tour, exclusively for AICOMOS NSW members. A heritage specialist also gave a talk on the Mortuary Station and its funerary use and context.
20 AICOMOS members attended the evening event and continued to networking drinks at the nearby The Old Clare hotel on the former Kent Brewery site in Chippendale. The next networking event for NSW members is the End of Year Gathering on Thursday December 4, to be hosted by Design 5 – Architects at their architectural office in Chippendale, Sydney.
Image: Hendry Wan
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Membership Payments for the 2025/2026 Membership Year Now Overdue
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
NEW EOI | Heritage Advisory Service | Broken Hill City Council
Broken Hill City Council is currently advertising Expression of Interest – Heritage Advisory Service via Vendor Panel.
Council is seeking to appoint a heritage advisor to positively promote and manage heritage and urban design in the Broken Hill Local Government Area (Far West NSW). Services can be delivered by a mix of remote and onsite visits to Broken Hill (bi-monthly – quarterly).
If you are interested in submitting an Expression of Interest, the required method is via Vendor Panel. Further information about the EOI for the Heritage Advisor service, can be found through the Vendor Panel listing (VP486876).
As part of our ongoing effort to work better with our suppliers Broken Hill City Council manage procurement through the Vendor Panel Marketplace.
Registration is easy:
Once registered, your business profile will be visible to buyers searching in your category and region of service. This means when we advertise consultancy services, once registered, you should automatically receive these as we select applicable categories for this region.
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PhD scholarship opportunity in railway heritage
Deakin University is offering a new PhD scholarship opportunity ‘Representing Rail: Railway Heritage in Transnational Contexts’ as part of a multi-disciplinary Australian Research Council-funded research project ‘Derailing Empire: A Transcultural and Gendered History of Australian Rail’ (DP250101888). Applications will remain open until a candidate has been appointed.
Further details are here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/hdr-scholarship-australian-railways-in-heritage-and-museums
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World Heritage Cities and Climate Action – Call for Case Studies
UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok is pleased to announce that the Call for Case Studies is now open for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on World Heritage Cities and Climate Action, which will be held in Kyoto, Japan, from 7 to 9 March 2026.
The conference aims to take stock of the current situation and challenges faced by the World Heritage Cities in the region in the context of climate change; to share academic and practical research findings with a wider range of stakeholders; and to explore feasible solutions applicable to these cities.
We invite heritage professionals, researchers, and city managers are invited to submit short case-study abstracts on how World Heritage Cities across the region are responding to the growing impacts of climate change.
Selected authors will be invited to present their work at the Regional Conference in Kyoto. They will also join an emerging regional network helping to shape the research and policy agenda for climate action in World Heritage Cities. UNESCO will provide travel and accommodation support for one author per selected case.
Submissions should focus on one specific World Heritage city in the Asia-Pacific region and relate to at least one of the following themes:
- Diverse knowledge systems: Integrating local, traditional, and Indigenous wisdom in managing climate risks.
- Loss, damage, and vulnerability: Understanding how heritage sites and communities are affected by climate change.
- Culture and heritage as drivers of transformation: Demonstrating how cultural identity, creativity, and memory can support low-carbon, resilient futures.
How to apply
- Submission type: 500-word abstract (case-study summary) in English, PDF format
- Include: Title; author(s) with affiliation(s) and country; corresponding author’s email; 150-word bio describing the author’s role in the city; main text (up to 500 words, with captioned images if relevant)
- Deadline: 30 November 2025
- Send to: culture.bgk(at)unesco.org
- Notification: Selected authors will be communicated by the conference secretariat by early January 2026
Further details, please see the following UNESCO website.
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/contribute-your-research-new-unesco-initiative-climate-action-world-heritage-cities?hub=66925
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Australian Heritage Grants Round 8 (2025-26) is now open for applications
The Australian Heritage Grants Round 8 (2025-26) is now open for applications. The application period is open until 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025 AEDT.
The Australian Heritage Grants Program provides up to $5.347 million per year with an annual call for applications. Funding is available for activities focusing on the listed values of all places on the National Heritage List. Funding of between $25,000 and $400,000 per grant is available under this program.
National Heritage List places will be supported to protect and promote their listed values by strengthening the conservation, management and recognition of these places.
The Australian Heritage Grants Guidelines, and additional information about the program, are available through the DCCEEW website at:
Australian Heritage Grants – DCCEEW
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WORKSHOPS / COURSES / EVENTS / EXHIBITIONS
University of Canberra Short Course | Materials for Heritage Engineering | Online & Fremantle | Nov – Dec 2025
Registrations are now open for the Materials for Heritage Engineering short course to be held online with a two-day workshop at the Fremantle Port site. This course is designed for engineers, conservators, architects and other heritage professionals, offering the chance to explore traditional materials, understand site deterioration and apply practical conservation techniques. It’s a unique opportunity to deepen your expertise, connect with specialists and take the next step forward in your career. Registrations close 1 October though late registrants may be considered.
Register now at https://www.canberra.edu.au/discover-fad/materials-for-heritage-engineering
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Centre for Rare and Forgotten Trades Restoration Skills Workshops 21, 22, 23 November 2025
Introduction To Leadlight Restoration with Brian Sims
Friday – Sunday, 21 – 23 November 9:30am – 4:30pm
https://www.raretradescentre.com.au/events/introduction-to-leadlight-restoration/
You will bring your own small leadlight panel along for the workshop, and using this will learn how to safely clean and prepare the panel for restoration, dismantle the damaged areas, repair existing solder joins, select and cut replacement glass pieces and solder them into place. At the end of the session, you will have a restored leadlight panel ready for installation.
$770
Introduction To Building a Dry Stone Wall / Intermediate Dry Stone Walling: Cheekends with Emma Knowles
Saturday & Sunday, 22 & 23 November 9:00am – 5:00pm
https://www.raretradescentre.com.au/events/introduction-to-building-a-dry-stone-wall/
You will work as a team with other workshop participants to build a small section of a wall using traditional dry stone walling techniques, learning about tools, planning and design, types of stone, selecting the appropriate stones for your build, creating a wall foundation, and deconstructing and re-constructing sections of an existing dry stone wall. You will gain the knowledge and skills to commence a basic private project and pursue further learning.
$630
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PUBLICATIONS
NEW In memory of María Rosa | E Book
An e- publication has been produced as tribute to María Rosa, marking the first anniversary of her passing.
Members may remember Maria as the former President of the ISC on Cultural Routes.
The publication is in Spanish, but you may like to download and translate into English.
Access the e book here.
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SURVEYS
Review & Results of PhD survey – historic building information modelling (HBIM) from the University of Birmingham UK
For those interested, the results of the survey have now been published and are available to read for free at the following link:
Https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/20/11159
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PhD Survey for a project titled: Representations of Immigrant Women in Heritage Tourism
The aim of this project is to investigate to the representation of immigrant women in heritage tourism. The reason that we are conducting this research is that it forms part of Torrens University research training coursework and provides student researchers with an opportunity to conduct small scale research studies as part of their Higer Degree by Research qualification.
You are eligible to participate in this research if you are an expert or professional working in cultural heritage, particularly with immigrant communities. If you do not meet the above criteria then this study will not be suitable for you.
To register your interest to participate please follow this link.
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Climate change and Australian public historic gardens survey – Anna Beesley
Anna is a PhD researcher at the University of Melbourne undertaking a study exploring how climate change is impacting public historic gardens in Australia. Anna is also a horticulturalist, former lawyer and former custodian of an Edna Walling designed private historic garden at Bickleigh Vale in Mooroolbark and it is this that spurred Anna’s interest and is the impetus for the PhD research.
If you would like to take part, the survey is open until 30 November 2025.
To find out more, a plain language statement is attached and is also included with the survey. The survey has 27 questions and should take about 20 minutes to complete.
The survey can be found: Climate change and Australian public historic gardens survey
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SITUATIONS VACANT
NEW SITUATION VACANT | Heritage Consultant | GML Canberra | FT | Applications assessed on submission
This full-time position, based in our Canberra office, is ideal an experienced heritage professional who is motivated to contribute to the growth and success of GML’s consulting practice, while delivering meaningful heritage outcomes for our clients and the community.
You will:
- Conduct research, analysis, undertake site inspections and prepare quality heritage advice.
- Plan, manage, and deliver a range of heritage projects for clients including: Heritage Assessments and studies; Heritage advice and Impact Assessments; Conservation Management Plans; Thematic Histories; Condition Assessments; Heritage Interpretation
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships and an industry profile.
- Undertake business development activities that generate enquiries and new opportunities.
- Prepare winning fee proposals.
- Collaborate with GML’s multidisciplinary heritage teams and liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead, mentor and guide junior heritage professionals.
For further information and to apply please follow this link
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NEW SITUATION VACANT | Senior Heritage Consultant/Archaeologist (Aboriginal archaeology) | GML Heritage | Canberra | Applications assessed on submission
GML is seeking a full-time Senior Heritage Consultant/Archaeologist (Aboriginal Archaeology) to work in our Canberra office. You will join a collaborative team working on a wide variety of projects in both Aboriginal and historical archaeology and across the full spectrum of heritage consultancy. To support those considering a move to Canberra, we’re offering a $5,000 relocation package for candidates who relocate for this role.
Further information can be found here
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SITUATION VACANT | Heritage Consultant | GML Melbourne | FT | Applications assessed on submission
This full-time position, based in our Melbourne office, is ideal an experienced heritage professional who is motivated to contribute to the growth and success of GML’s consulting practice, while delivering meaningful heritage outcomes for our clients and the community.
You will:
- Conduct research, analysis, undertake site inspections and prepare quality heritage advice.
- Plan, manage, and deliver a range of heritage projects for clients including: Heritage Assessments and studies; Heritage advice and Impact Assessments; Conservation Management Plans; Thematic Histories; Condition Assessments; Heritage Interpretation
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships and an industry profile.
- Undertake business development activities that generate enquiries and new opportunities.
- Prepare winning fee proposals.
- Collaborate with GML’s multidisciplinary heritage teams and liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead, mentor and guide junior heritage professionals.
Further information can be found here.
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Senior Project Specialist | Getty Centre Los Angeles USA | FT – 4 yr contract | Applications close 1 December 2025
Getty are seeking an experienced professional with expertise in the conservation and management of the built and urban heritage, including heritage of marginalized/underrepresented communities, to fill a four-year, limited-term position of Senior Project Specialist in the Getty Conservation Institute’s Buildings and Sites Department. As Senior Project Specialist, you will oversee projects—from visioning and designing to implementing and monitoring—aimed at addressing current conservation challenges of local, regional, and international relevance.
The position will be based in our offices at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Initially in person full-time, the opportunity to telework may be available after an initial period of training and orientation will be discussed and approved by your supervisor. Typically, staff with approved telework schedules at the Getty Conservation Institute are in the office more than half of the time.
Further information can be found here
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SITUATION VACANT | Heritage 21 | Senior Heritage Consultant | Alexandria NSW | Applications assessed on submission
Heritage 21 is a firm of dedicated heritage practitioners based in Alexandria NSW with expertise in built heritage, urban planning, history and architecture.
We are on the lookout for a talented individual who is ready to take on a leadership role in our expanding team. You will bring your years of heritage experience and knowledge to a range of projects in the private and public sectors, building strong relationships with clients and supporting junior staff in their professional growth. A proven ability to manage complex projects efficiently and familiarity with heritage architecture and construction techniques are essential.
If you are passionate about preserving history and shaping the future of heritage in Australia, email your resume and cover letter to reception@heritage21.com.au
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