Alice McKenzie Ebbels winner is an interpretation ‘natural’ and an enthusiastic and highly competent member of the interpretation team. She has continued to expand her knowledge and interpretive skill set and has a talent for exploring different interpretive angles whilst having a diligent and mature approach to stakeholder consultation. We are looking forward to seeing where this emerging professional will go!

As a mixed media artist/illustrator, Jasmine has exhibited her work locally, interstate and internationally. As recipient of two Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee awards she travelled to the USA undertaking wildlife illustration training with the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. In 2018 she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to travel overseas to study art and sculpture techniques and investigate the use of art as an interpretive tool in zoos, national parks and aquariums.

There is no doubt that Scott Killeen is an amazing interpreter, 25 years in our industry has created an impressive portfolio of work.  But it is not just Scott’s interpretive work that deserves merit and recognition.  It is his facilitation and encouragement, his inclusiveness and energy to bring everyone along on the journey.  Inspiring others to be interpreters, inspiring others to use story and narrative as a key element  of experience development and placemaking. This is where Scott’s strengths truly lie and why he is deserving of this award.  It is rare to find someone who is so passionate not only about what they do but about developing the skills and capacity of others.  His dedication and determination to achieving great results  not only speaks volumes about Scott but has also raised the bar of what a professional interpreter looks like.

David Lancashire Design built an enviable reputation designing everything from a postage stamp to three-dimensional exhibition spaces, however, it is his work in interpretative design that really illustrated his enormous talent to bring interpretive concepts to life.

Sue Olsson has inspired people over the many years she has been involved with Interpretation. Sue has worked in Interpretation-related roles with people across many states but in particular along the Eastern Seaboard. She has led numerous teams and facilitated the sharing of talent between teams – thus providing the opportunities for interpreters to inspire each other. Described by her peers as a ‘continuous presence’ in the Interpretive landscape. She is one of those amazing all-rounders – good at everything!!! Sue has an amazing dedication to unenviable tasks, a super incisive analytic ability and lovely quirky charm!! Her commitment to mentoring young interpreters and dedication to the profession of interpretation epitomises Georgie Waterman. This winner knew Georgie Waterman personally so it’s extremely fitting that she receive this award.

Peter’s leadership helps to motivate others to inspire visitors to the natural and cultural world. Peter’s high level skills mixed with his very approachable personality has created the almost “perfect package” for any organisation that is endeavouring to have the general community become more aware of the benefits of nature. His keynote address ‘Peeling Back the Interpreter’ at the Launceston National Conference in 2010 gave us a typically provocative challenge to rethink and renew our ideas about interpretation. He ended it with this remark, ‘Our life, our light, isn’t going to burn forever, at least not here on earth. But while it burns, fuel it with love and shine iton things that matter’. And he practices what he preaches.

Cath Renwick is a true friend of Australian interpretation.
She has been a key player in forging a growing understanding of the profession of interpretation and has fostered and strengthened relationships with Interpreters from around Australia and the world, with a particular interest in developing lasting relationships with Aboriginal Interpreters. Cath is a recognised leader in the field of interpretation. As a member of the Australian Working Party of the International Scientific Committee for the Interpretation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Sites (ICIP), Cath is contributing to the review and revision of the ICOMOS Ename Charter on the Interpretation of Cultural Heritage Sites.These guidelines will provide a benchmark for quality interpretation world-wide and will promote the importance of interpretation within the heritage industry.

Pamela is a person who is passionate about building interpretation capacity in Australia, helping people appreciate, value and honour their individual skills and abilities. To this end she has contributed boundless energy to initiating interpretive skill development workshops for staff, her ‘team of interpreters’ and hundreds have enjoyed the benefits. In 2001 she received the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Australia Day Medallion in recognition of her significant contribution to environmental education in Queensland. As tireless advocate and innovative practitioner, Pamela’s influence is evident in many Service productions over the years from brochures and signs to interpretation centres, videos and popular booklets including National Parks of Queensland and Camping in Queensland. We can all be grateful for Pamela’s personal charm and commitment to bringing nature conservation to the Service, staff and the community through interpretation. (from the Australia Day Citation). She says her secret is passion – being passionate about people and their enjoyment and learning, being passionate about the place or artefact you are interpreting, and being passionate about doing a good job.

John believes that interpretation “is the key to facilitating those experiences that become the stories we hold dear, the stories we keep within us long after the physical journey has ended.” For John, hooking into opportunities to learn more about the art of crafting and sharing ideas has been core to John’s work and life experiences. This includes finding ways of getting through a range of challenges such as touring through Australia on a motorbike, hitch-hiking across Canada and Alaska and especially when helping individuals, communities and organisations find and craft their own stories.