Julia Cusack
Senior Heritage Consultant
Julia Cusack is an experienced heritage consultant who has been involved in heritage work and archaeological assessment programs in the government and business sectors for the past 13 years.
She specialises in archaeological heritage assessments and in understanding the value of heritage and people’s attachment to place. As a former teacher with additional qualifications in workplace training, and demonstrated experience managing cultural heritage education programs for Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, Julia’s heritage expertise extends to developing strategic directions, visions, policies and actions.
Prior to joining Context, Julia worked at Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV), where she was initially employed in the role of Heritage Registrar (2001-04). She later took the position of Heritage Project Officer – Capacity Building (2004-06) and then Manager – Education, Training and Resources (2006-07). In April 2007, a secondment took her to Heritage Victoria to develop and manage community heritage conservation initiatives including the Heritagecare Program, the newly launched Heritage Keepers – Volunteer Training Program and other strategic initiatives such as the State Water Supply Heritage Study.
During her time working with the State Government (2001-2008), Julia developed a range of community heritage management and capacity building initiatives including: (at AAV) the Indigenous Cadetship Program, the accredited Aboriginal cultural heritage training program (in partnership with Parks Victoria); contributed to developing and delivering the Ancestral Skeletal Remains Workshop (in partnership with Museum Victoria) and advanced law enforcement training for Inspectors under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006; prepared an Education and Training Framework for stakeholders with responsibilities under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and initiated development of a Certificate IV in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management.
As a heritage consultant (1995-2000), Julia worked on a number of major heritage studies and management projects including Mt Buller Heritage Management Study (1999); Hydro Pacific Wind Farm Development (1999-2000); Warrnambool Area Extractive Industry Surveys (1999); Glenelg Shire Extractive Industry Surveys (1999); Northern Mallee Pipeline Project (1997–1999); Gippsland Grinding Groove Study (1999); Powertel Sydney-Melbourne FOC Project (2000); Nyah Forest Survey and Management Plan (2000); Lake Boga Mission Management Plan (2000).
Julia enjoys working with Aboriginal communities on heritage management projects. Where ever possible, she looks for better ways to work with communities to find solutions to their cultural heritage management needs.
QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- 1997 Bachelor of Arts (Honours, Archaeology) School of Archaeology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic.
- 1990 Diploma of Teaching Faculty of Education, University of New England, Armidale, NSW
- 2004 Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, Mission Australia, Preston, Victoria
- 2005 Project Management (unaccredited), Australian Institute of Management, St Kilda, Vic
- Australia ICOMOS (full member)
- Australian Archaeology Association (full member)
- Australian Society of Historical Archaeology (full member)