About Interpretation Australia
Established in 1992, Interpretation Australia (IA) is a not-for-profit network dedicated to supporting and advancing the of natural and cultural heritage interpretation profession within Australia.
IA’s growing membership brings together people from diverse fields including museums, national parks, visitor centres, wildlife parks, aquaria, botanic gardens, councils, historic and cultural sites and tour operators. Members also include those that provide services to the interpretation industry including designers, artists, planners, researchers, architects, archaeologists, historians and fabricators.
As the roles in which people practice natural and cultural heritage interpretation expand, so too does the importance of IA role. As Australia’s peak-body for natural and cultural heritage interpretation, IA’s role in nurturing interpretation practice and its practitioners, has never been more important.
OUR VISION:
Interpretation is valued in the protection and sharing of Australia’s natural, social and cultural heritage.
OUR MISSION :
Nurture the professional practice and practitioners of interpretation within Australia.
OUR VALUES:
A series of values guide actions and how we engage staff, volunteers, members and partners.
Member-centric - We enhance the professional practice of interpretation through our members. We work to ensure our members are valued, supported and skilled professionals.
Inclusive - We are the peak body for natural and cultural heritage interpretation within Australia. Our diverse membership is drawn from a range of sectors, locations, experience levels and cultural backgrounds. We are known for our respectful and welcoming culture.
Collaborative - We recognise interpreting our natural and cultural heritage is multi-layered and take inspiration from storytellers from varied sectors and industries. We foster networks and partnerships with like-minded organisations and individuals.
Sustainable - We aspire to be an environmentally and financially sustainable business, aligning our resources with our aspirations.
Safe - We consider each other’s safety and wellbeing in all that we do and always treat each other with respect and consideration.
What is interpretation?
Interpretation communicates ideas, feelings and messages about natural, historic and cultural sites. Interpretation enriches the visitor experience through helping visitors better connect and engage with the significance of these places. Good interpretation will foster engaging, site-specific and meaningful experiences for visitors.
Interpretive media are the tools used to convey interpretive messages—they are as diverse as the messages they aim to convey. Interpretive media include guided walks, presentations, signs, art, multimedia, performances and interactive exhibits
Strategic Plan
This five-year strategic plan describes the next step in IA’s development. It is a simple, honest and achievable plan that focuses on amplifying what IA does well rather than seeking broad-scale transformation. Our point of difference is our sole focus on interpretation and interpreters within Australia.
No one else can do the work we do. Focusing on this core purpose, our true north, is key to this next stage of IA’s evolution. Thirty years after IA was established, we still believe interpretation is critical to protecting and sharing our natural and cultural heritage and values. Put simply, this strategic plan is our renewed commitment to further the professional practice of interpretation within Australia.
If you'd like to read the Strategic Plan you can download a copy at XXXXXXXX
Meet Our Team
IA's Executive and support team consists of interpretive professionals from diverse fields across Australia. Together, they are responsible for the strategic direction and operations of the association in line with the organisation’s strategic plan.
Sophie Daniel
President
Sophie is Manager of Interpretation and Placemaking at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney – encompassing the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. She has worked in education, interpretation and placemaking for over thirty years in cultural and scientific organisations. Sophies loves working with scientists, horticulturists, First Nations communities, artists and other collaborators to create engaging and transformative experiences that strengthen a shared understanding of our place in the world.
Scott Killeen
Vice President
Scott’s deep dive into experience design began over 35 years ago. Today he’s still driven by his passion for visitor experiences and thrives on helping organisations engage their community through designing meaningful, engaging and memorable experiences, interpretive plans or frameworks anchored to purpose. A storyteller at heart, Scott has developed several award-winning experiences and is story-led and experience-driven.
Holly Maclean
Secretary / Chapter Rep QLD Sth
A childhood love of history and the ancient world has led Holly to a career in heritage and archaeology consulting. Her professional journey started at the Queensland Fuelled by a fascination with uncovering the hidden stories of the world around us—which began at Queensland Musuem—Holly seeks opportunities to communicate the unique stories of people, communities and place; and to understand what aspects of culture people value, and why.
Claire-Anne Halford
Treasurer
Claire’s love for interpretation began with a childhood visit to Port Arthur, where she discovered that learning could be dynamic, fun, and take place outside a classroom. Working as the programs manager for Coffs Harbour Libraries, Claire designs programs that respond to the social, literary, and cultural needs of the local community, drawing on her Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies, Master of World Heritage, and an Honours degree in Interior Architecture.
Kalkani Choolburra
First Nations Portfolio
Kalkani Marrajamban Choolburra is a Girramay, Kuku Yalanji, Kalkadoon, Pita Pita woman from beautiful Far North Queensland. Kalkani’s passion for cultural education stems from her profound respect for traditional knowledge and practice learnt from growing up alongside elders and knowledge holders. In her role as First Nations Lead at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Kalkani strives to inspire greater understanding and appreciation of First Nations knowledges and cultures whilst continuing her own journey of learning and growth.
Leigh Atkins
General Exec Member
Leigh is currently the Assistant Manager of Visitor Experience at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra. He is an interpretation professional with over 20 years experience working in organisations such as zoos, museums, national parks, and luxury ecotourism providers. His passion lies in face-to-face interpretation, having personally delivered 1000s of tours and experiences to clients over the course of his career. He now manages a team of over 30 staff to deliver world class interpretation products as well as oversight of the National Museum of Australia’s interpretive training program.
Robyn Stocks
Membership Engagement Portfolio
Anti-pattern on your plate, but exposing new ways to evolve our design language. Roll back strategy pull in ten extra bodies to help roll the tortoise we need to socialize the comms with the wider stakeholder community, and touch base synergize productive mindfulness. Turn the ship new economy corporate synergy, yet table the discussion , nor shelfware, and first-order optimal strategies, but poop. Lean into that problem i know you're busy, for what are the expectations, yet tribal knowledge, and through the lens of, but drop-dead date.
John Pastorelli
Digital Engagement/Socials Portfolio
Anti-pattern on your plate, but exposing new ways to evolve our design language. Roll back strategy pull in ten extra bodies to help roll the tortoise we need to socialize the comms with the wider stakeholder community, and touch base synergize productive mindfulness. Turn the ship new economy corporate synergy, yet table the discussion , nor shelfware, and first-order optimal strategies, but poop. Lean into that problem i know you're busy, for what are the expectations, yet tribal knowledge, and through the lens of, but drop-dead date.
Maree Treadwell Kerr
Chapter Rep QLD Nrth
Anti-pattern on your plate, but exposing new ways to evolve our design language. Roll back strategy pull in ten extra bodies to help roll the tortoise we need to socialize the comms with the wider stakeholder community, and touch base synergize productive mindfulness. Turn the ship new economy corporate synergy, yet table the discussion , nor shelfware, and first-order optimal strategies, but poop. Lean into that problem i know you're busy, for what are the expectations, yet tribal knowledge, and through the lens of, but drop-dead date.
Meighen Katz
Chapter Rep TAS/VIC
Anti-pattern on your plate, but exposing new ways to evolve our design language. Roll back strategy pull in ten extra bodies to help roll the tortoise we need to socialize the comms with the wider stakeholder community, and touch base synergize productive mindfulness. Turn the ship new economy corporate synergy, yet table the discussion , nor shelfware, and first-order optimal strategies, but poop. Lean into that problem i know you're busy, for what are the expectations, yet tribal knowledge, and through the lens of, but drop-dead date.
Jennifer Waithman
Member Engagement Co-ordinator
Jennifer’ s has spent over 20 years interpretive natural resources in the United States and Australia. Originally form the United States, Jennifer worked with several national parks and wildlife services and is Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). Jennifer moved to Australia 8 years ago and has since worked for Parks Victoria, Sunshine Coast Council, Fraser Coast Regional Council, and the Wide Bay Burnett Environment Council. As IA’s Member Engagement Coordinator, Jennifer coordinates IA’s professional development program.
Jerry Retford
Admin Manager
Anti-pattern on your plate, but exposing new ways to evolve our design language. Roll back strategy pull in ten extra bodies to help roll the tortoise we need to socialize the comms with the wider stakeholder community, and touch base synergize productive mindfulness. Turn the ship new economy corporate synergy, yet table the discussion , nor shelfware, and first-order optimal strategies, but poop. Lean into that problem i know you're busy, for what are the expectations, yet tribal knowledge, and through the lens of, but drop-dead date.