Australia ICOMOS Email News No 1109

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 Australia ICOMOS 2025 Jim Kerr Address | 11 September 2025 | Melbourne

🎟️ Tickets on Sale Now!

Join us for the 2025 Australia ICOMOS Jim Kerr Address in Melbourne on Thursday 11 September.

This year’s address will be delivered by representatives of the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, and will reflect on the six years since the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

📍Singapore Theatre, Glyn Davis Building, University of Melbourne
🕖 6pm refreshments for 6:30 address commencement

🎟️ Book now: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1445541

A limited number of free tickets to this event are available for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander attendees.

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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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ICOMOS MEMBERS

NEW June events for ICOMOS Pasifika members and Pacific archaeology | Review by James Flexner

On 19-20 June, a workshop titled Sites, collections, archives, and society: Colonial heritage in the Pacific was hosted at the University of Sydney. The workshop included presentations from across the Pacific including Aotearoa, French Polynesia, Marianas Islands, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

Topics included archaeology and cultural heritage as well as museums, archives, libraries, contemporary arts, and social work. The final presentation by Elizabeth Edwards introduced (or reacquainted) participants with the work of ICOMOS Pasifika to encourage increased engagement and membership.

Several scholars from the workshop then carried on to Darwin for the World Archaeological Congress (WAC), which also hosted multiple sessions and papers on Pacific archaeology over the course of the following week. ICOMOS Pasifika had a shared booth with Australia ICOMOS at WAC, which was visited by hundreds of international delegates. WAC finished off with a workshop focusing on Pacific archaeology and heritage, and more concerted efforts towards broadening indigenous Pacific training, opportunities, and leadership in the field.

Link to event description: https://events.humanitix.com/colonial-heritage-and-oceania-workshop

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NEW Reflections on AICOMOS at WAC 10 | Susan McIntyre-Tamwoy

The 10^th World Archaeological Congress was held Darwin from June 22-28, 2025. Australia ICOMOS, ICOMOS Pasifika and ICOMOS Aotearoa-New Zealand shared an information table throughout the event. There was a lot of interest in ICOMOS from the Conference delegates and a surprising number of ICOMOS members from other countries, particularly India, also dropped in to chat with us. AICOMOS hosted a small meet and greet event following the Archaeology in the pacific session which was well attended. A positive outcome of our efforts were 3 new members for ICOMOS Pasifika and many new subscribers to the AICOMOS e-news. Image: Susan McIntyre-Tamwoy and the joint ICOMOS team.

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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

NEW Call for Applications for the Richard Mackay Scholarship

At its 2024 Annual General Meeting in Perth, Australia ICOMOS established a special higher degree research scholarship named in honour and recognition of the outstanding contribution to the success of the ICOMOS General Assembly 2023 made by Prof Richard Mackay, AM.

The Australia ICOMOS Richard Mackay Scholarship is an annual scholarship of $10,000 for research related expenses for an enrolled higher degree student with an approved research plan.

The student may be enrolled at any university in Australia and their research will contribute to understanding and conserving heritage, broadly conceived.

Please find the detailed Terms and Conditions here.

How do I apply?

Your application should include:

A CV that highlights your academic achievements.
A two-page summary of your University-approved research proposal and outline of the proposed research activities that the scholarship would be used to support.
A detailed budget for the proposed research activities for up to AUD$10,000 including, for example, flights, accommodation, library/archive access fees, documentation fees, fieldwork costs etc.
A one-page personal statement that demonstrates the following:

the contribution of your research to the field of heritage studies, how the planned activities are essential to your research, and an interest in the work of Australia ICOMOS.

Applications are due by 5pm 20 October, 2025. Please email your application as a single PDF attachment, Attention: Rebecca Davies, Secretariat Officer, Australia ICOMOS, with ‘Australia ICOMOS Richard Mackay Scholarship’ in the subject line. Email: austicomos@deakin.edu.au

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NEW The Minister for the Environment and Water is seeking expressions of interest from natural heritage experts to join the Australian Heritage Council.

The main responsibilities of the Council are to:

assess places for the National and Commonwealth Heritage Lists
promote the identification, assessment and conservation of heritage
advise the Minister on heritage matters.

Applications close at 11:30 pm on 31 August 2025.

For more information, or to submit your expression of interest, visit DCCEEW recruiting.

Read more

Australian Heritage Council

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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:

Visit: dcceew.gov.au/heritage-nominations
Email: AHC.Secretariat@dcceew.gov.au

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 NT (Vic) and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria present Heritage and the new Housing Zones: The Need to Reform the Reforms 26 Aug 2025

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria will hold a meeting at the Drill Hall, 239 A’Beckett Street, City, 5:30-7:30 Tuesday 26th August:

Heritage and the new Housing Zones: The Need to Reform the Reforms

Three leading experts will discuss challenges to heritage in the new planning context and ways to address these challenges:

Michael Buxton, Emeritus Professor, Planning and Environment, RMIT University

Nigel Lewis, Leading Melbourne heritage architect since 1976

Scott Walker, Director Urban Living, City of Boroondara

Collette Brennan (CEO NTAV) will introduce the meeting and Charles Sowerwine (Heritage Committee RHSV) will chair.

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NEW ACAHUCH + AIA 2025 Awards: Heritage and Adaptive Reuse Discussion Panel | Online | 21 August 2025

Join Professor Philip Goad (Co-Director of The Australian Centre of Architectural History, Urban and Cultural Heritage and Melbourne School of Design Chair of Architecture) to discuss the awardees and shortlist this year between 12-130pm Thursday 21.08.25 on Zoom.

Panellists will discuss their projects and share their thoughts on current issues in heritage, conservation and renewal. This will be followed by an open discussion and the opportunity for questions from audience members to panellists.

Speakers will discuss the following projects:

Victoria

Tower Hill – Lovell Chen
Central Goldfields Art Gallery – Nervegna Reed Architecture
Parliament House Stone Restoration Works – FPPV Architecture

Tasmania

Philip Smith Centre – Lovell Chen

New South Wales

White Bay Power Station – Design 5 Architects with Placemaking NSW
Former Workmen’s Dwellings Lower Fort Street – Neeson Murcutt Neille

South Australia

Union House – The University of Adelaide – Swanbury Penglase

Hosted by ACAHUCH at the Melbourne School of Design, the University of Melbourne, the seminar will feature an inspiring dialogue between panellists, with an opportunity for Q+A at the end with the panellists.

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NEW Extent Heritage | Sludge in the City: How archaeology is reshaping planning in Ballarat and Bendigo | 18 August 2025

Victoria’s gold rush left more than prosperity — it reshaped entire cities. In this live webinar, archaeologist Laura Campbell uncovers how mining, sludge and rapid development buried entire landscapes — and what today’s archaeology reveals about the layers beneath.

You’ll learn:
✔ How Ballarat and Bendigo’s urban fabric was shaped by the extractive industry
✔ What archaeological research tells us about regional identity and transformation
✔ How tools like the Archaeology Management Plan are changing how we protect and plan for the future

🗓 Monday 18 August – 12 pm AEST
📍 Free, online
🔗 Register now – Via this link

Ideal for planners, heritage professionals, students and anyone working in place, planning, or urban history. If you work with landscape, policy or place, this session is worth your lunch break.

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NEW | Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne | In Conversation: Landscapes of Remembrance and Reconciliation | 17 August 2025

A powerful panel conversation exploring the story of a unique war cemetery and its role in post-war reconciliation.

The Yokohama War Cemetery is recognised as one of the most significant military cemetery designs of the post-war period and is the final resting place of 1,555 Commonwealth service personnel.

The Shrine’s new exhibition, Eucalypts of Hodogaya, explores the cemetery’s creation and legacy, shedding light on its importance and design.

Convened by broadcaster and author Jon Faine AM, this enlightening panel conversation will trace the vision, people and politics behind the creation of key post-war cemeteries, including in Yokohama, and reflect on their role as early acts of reconciliation between Australia and Japan in the aftermath of war.

Following the conversation, join us on the Shrine Forecourt for a special Last Post Service marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the link below.

In Conversation: Landscapes of Remembrance and Reconciliation – Shrine of Remembrance Reservations

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NEW Uncovered Past presents: The Harrietville Chinese Mining Village Season 6 | Nov-Dec 2025

Join the uncovered past to discover more about the Chinese miners who once lived and worked in the 19th century Harrietville Chinese Mining Village. For around fifty years from the early 1860s Harrietville was home to many of the thousands of Victoria’s Chinese gold miners. This will be the sixth season of archaeological excavation at the Chinese Mining Village.

The largely undisturbed site includes mine workings, water races, building foundations, and gardens: a rare survivor of the heyday of Chinese gold mining in Victoria. The foundations of at least 19 buildings were discovered during a survey undertaken during Season One fieldwork in 2017.

Huge quantities of food, liquor, medicines, utensils, ceramics and even coins were imported from China for the Chinese mining communities. Many fragments of these were discovered during the earlier excavation seasons, along with fragments of European tableware ceramics and glass bottles. Season Six research objectives will be to undertake more intensive excavations on hut sites WC1 and SF1, in order to determine its size, footprint and how it was constructed; to gain a greater understanding of the lifestyle of the Chinese miners; and to understand the wider mining landscape in which they lived. Season 6 will take place over four weeks from Tuesday 18 November to Friday 12 December 2025.

For further information and to book, please follow this link.

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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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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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PUBLICATIONS

NEW Old North Melbourne | 2025 | Fiona Gatt | Australian Scholarly Publishing

This is the story of the first fifty years of today’s much-loved suburb of North Melbourne. This book details the triumphs and struggles of the people of nineteenth-century North Melbourne, revealing fascinating individuals and the collective story of the emergence of this determined working-class community.

Hailed by Professor Andrew May as ‘Australian urban history at its best’, while Associate Professor Seamus O’Hanlon has remarked that ‘Like Janet McCalman’s Struggletown this book is destined to become a classic in the genre of Australian urban social history.’

Click here to read more. https://scholarly.info/book/old-north-melbourne/

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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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‘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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SITUATIONS VACANT

NEW SITUATION VACANT | Lucas Stapelton Johnson & Partners | Assistant Heritage Planner | Applications due by 23 August 2025

Lucas Stapleton Johnson & Partners Pty Ltd, a Sydney based heritage planning and architectural firm with a focus on restoring and adapting heritage buildings, is seeking an Assistant Heritage Planner with an architectural background to join their team. The role involves preparing heritage reports, conducting historical research, performing site inspections, and assisting with development applications and planning documents, while liaising with clients, sub-consultants, and authorities. Candidates should have a degree in Architecture or Heritage Conservation, at least three years of experience in built heritage management, knowledge of NSW heritage legislation, strong research and communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines. The position offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and the opportunity to work on iconic heritage projects in Sydney’s CBD, with full-time or part-time options available.

Please read the position description for full details.

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NEW SITUATION VACANT | Activation & Events Coordinator | Working Heritage Melbourne | Applications Assessed on submission

Reporting to the CEO, this role is responsible for the end-to-end coordination of events and activations from planning and supplier liaison through to onsite execution and post-event evaluation. This role requires exceptional organisation, communication, and project management skills, as well as a hands-on approach and the ability to work fast paced.

Your primary focus will be to:

Plan and deliver dynamic events, purposeful experiences, and activations that are strategically aligned.
Monitor and report on engagement, foot traffic, and commercial outcomes.
Undertake community liaison and engagement.
Work closely with the internal team, tenants, creative partners, and local stakeholders.

For further information and to apply please follow this link

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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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