This exciting project was the culmination of years of discussion between Heritage Insight director, Bianca Di Fazio, and Dr Ben Shaw from the ANU, and the program has been developed specifically to train the next generation of Australian consulting heritage practitioners and provide ANU-accredited training opportunities for Bunurong field representatives.

The field school is conducted at two locations at Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula, including the Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve where members of the public are able to observe and engage with the students and field staff, and encompasses investigations into both Aboriginal and historical heritage values. As well as the field component of each two-week season, the program includes a series of evening discussions and panel sessions in which students and Bunurong participants are exposed to speakers from across the spectrum of the heritage industry. In our first two seasons we have welcomed speakers from First Peoples-State Relations, Heritage Victoria, La Trobe University and Major Roads Projects Victoria, as well as Parks Victoria, the Bunurong land Council and panel discussions with the Heritage Insight team. These sessions have provided an invaluable opportunity for field school participants to meet, ask questions, and learn that there are many facets to our industry.

This kind of focus makes our program unique in Australia, and Heritage Insight is proud to be working with our partners to deliver such an important annual project.