ACT Heritage Council

What is the ACT Heritage Council?( PDF 90.5Kb)

The ACT Heritage Council was appointed on the 6 May 2008 under the Heritage Act 2004. The council consists of the following members:

Dr Michael Pearson (Chair)
Dr Dianne Firth (Deputy Chair)
Ms Louise Brown
Dr Lenore Coltheart
Mr David Johnson
Mr John Kemister
Dr Warren Nicholls
Mr Colin Stewart
Mr Josip Zivko

Dr Michael Pearson (Chair) has an Honours Degree in Ancient History (Class 1), a PhD in Prehistoric and Historical Archaeology, was a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Prehistory, University of Western Australia and an Adjunct Professor, Cultural Heritage Management, University of Canberra. Dr Pearson is former president of Australia ICOMOS, the professional body of heritage practitioners.

Since 1993 Dr Michael Pearson, as Heritage Management Consultants Pty Ltd has been involved in over 90 heritage consulting projects including conservation management plans for High Court of Australia, National Gallery of Australia and Old Parliament House. His research has resulted in over 70 publications (articles, chapters and books) on aspects of heritage conservation, management and government involvement, whaling, archaeology & history of 19th century small scale rural industries and many other Australian and polar history topics. Dr Pearson is a current member of the Interim Namadgi Advisory Board.

Dr Dianne Firth (Deputy Chair) has a PhD (University of Canberra), BLArch (Canberra College of Advanced Education) DipEd (University of Newcastle), BSc (University of New South Wales). She is the Head of Landscape Architecture, School of Design and Architecture, University of Canberra and the Director of LFA (ACT) Pty Ltd.

Dr Firth is a Corporate Member of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects since 1987, Member of the University of Canberra Committee for People with Disabilities, Member University of Canberra Environment Committee, Member ACT Board of Senior Secondary School Studies, Member ACT Place Names Committee and an Accredited Member Craft ACT.

Dr Firth has a research interest in history, theory and practice of Landscape Architecture, particularly the designed landscape of Canberra. Dr Firth has had a numerous amount of publications since 1997. Some of her most recent Landscape Practice Activities include the Australian Institute of Sport Masterplan Review, Tanjil Loop Bushfire Recovery Housing Redevelopment, Burnie Court Masterplan and Stage 1 OPA Development, Jerilderie Court External Works and Landscape Upgrade, Illawarra Court External Works and Landscape Upgrade, Tuggeranong Lakeshore Masterplan and Residential gardens in Canberra, Sydney and South Coast.

Ms Louise Brown is a Ngunnawal Elder with a high interest in seeing Ngunnawal culture and heritage protected. She is a strongly active member of the Aboriginal community. She is on the Ngunnawal Elder's Council, the Ngunnawal Elder's CAMPS Working Group, Committee Member for Gungangurral Housing Corporation, Member of Ngunnawal Land Council, ASSAP Committee Member (helping Aboriginal children through School). Mrs Brown has worked for the Aboriginal Legal Service for over 10 years. She is also a member of the Kosciuszko Aboriginal Working Group.

Dr Lenore Coltheart has over 20 years experience in heritage research and advice. Her published works cover topics including landscape heritage, engineering heritage and architectural heritage on sites and buildings in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, South Australia and the ACT. Dr Coltheart has a particular interest in the interpretation of public buildings and public spaces, and in the use of digital media for recording and publication.

Mr David Johnston is an Aboriginal person from the Torres Strait Islands. He has a BA (Hons) Archaeology & Anthropology and a MA Archaeology. He is a Consultant-Director of Australian Archaeological Survey Consultants P/L, Lecturer in the Archaeology Department ANU, Chair of Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area 3 Traditional Tribal Groups Aboriginal Corporation. He has worked for 17 years as a archaeologist and 13 years as a consultant. Mr Johnston has extensive experience with the ACT and national Indigenous community consultation on archaeological and heritage issues. He is a member of the Australian Archaeological Association, World Archaeological Association and Australian Indigenous Archaeological Association.

Mr John Kemister has a Mechanical Engineering Certificate and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Materials Conservation from the University of Canberra. His current occupation is a Senior Conservator, Large Technology Objects at the Australian War Memorial. He has worked 30 years in Mechanical Engineering from trades backgrounds through to design drafting. Mr Kemister is a professional member of the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials. Mr Kemister also covers the expertise of ‘Object Conservation’.

Dr Warren Nicholls is an Environmental Consultant. He has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and a PHD from the ANU. Dr Nicholls has worked with the Australian Heritage Commission, has been the Director of the World Heritage Unit in Environment Australia and also worked with UNESCO on discussions with the North Korean Government on their cultural and natural heritage properties. Dr Nicholls recently led an AusAid project in South Africa on management arrangements for World Heritage property.

Mr Colin Stewart is director of Colin Stewart Architects- a Canberra based architecture and urban planning practice, has over 25 years of experience with a diverse variety of projects for government and private sector. Mr Stewart is responsible for the design of a number of significant public and private buildings and projects in the ACT including the ACT Magistrates Court, the ISC building at 243 Northbourne Avenue and the Sydney Place redevelopment project in Bart. Mr Stewart is Master Architects and Design Director for the Kingston Foreshore project, a 40 hectare site including the heritage listed Kingston Powerhouse fronting Lake Burley Griffith.

Mr Josip Zivko has a Bcomm, LLB. He is the Managing Director of Consolidate Builders Ltd. Mr Zivko is a member of the Property Council, MBA and HIA. He is one of the MBA representatives on the ACT Planning and Land Authority's Residential Advisory Committee. In addition, Mr Zivko was the Chairman of the Huntley Estate land development joint venture with the ACT Government. In 2000, Mr Zivko was awarded the Property Council of Australia's Young Property Professional of the year award for the ACT.