Committee

Dr Rebekah Kurpiel is the Director of La Trobe Archaeology Research Partnerships and a Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University. Her primary research interests include stone tool technology, geochemical sourcing of artefacts, and the theory and practice of cultural heritage management, although current projects being led by and/or co-designed with Aboriginal communities span a broader range of topics. Rebekah is a drone pilot and undertakes remote sensing surveys using a range of techniques and works closely with industry to provide specialist and technical services for heritage management projects. In her spare time, she is usually practicing ballroom dancing or aerial silks.

Joe Dortch has worked with First Nations Peoples across Western Australia and in parts of NSW and Victoria since 1992. As a consultant he has advised Aboriginal Corporations, major companies and government agencies. Joe has also authored or contributed to more than 60 peer-reviewed publications with Indigenous and academic collaborators. He is Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia, a Research Associate at the Western Australian Museum, and a Full Member of the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc. Joe is a former President and current Vice-President of the Australian Archaeological Association.

Bio coming soon.

Annie Ross is a retired archaeologist—which means she continues to work full time! She worked at the University of Queensland teaching cultural heritage management for almost 25 years, having come to UQ from the industry sector. Annie worked for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the (then) Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage as a cultural heritage manager for over ten years prior to joining UQ. She holds a PhD in Archaeology from Macquarie University and has almost 50 years experience working in Aboriginal heritage management. Her most recent projects are: the collaborative mapping of the Gummingurru stone arrangement site and associated cultural landscapes; the development of a cultural heritage management plan for Calga—a significant women’s site on the Central Coast of New South Wales—working with Darkinjung and Guringai women; and working with Dandrubin-Gorenpul Traditional Owners of Terrangerri (North Stradbroke Island) on the significance of both tangible and intangible heritage and cultural landscapes. Annie also works with the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation on issues relating to management of K’gari World Heritage Area. Annie is Editor-in-Chief of the Association’s journal, Australian Archaeology.

Sam Harper is an archaeologist and rock art specialist based at the Centre for Rock Art Research + Management, University of Western Australia. Her research interests are style, identity, material culture, seascapes, arid-zones, recording methodologies, large-scale data management and two-way knowledge exchange with Aboriginal communities. Sam works across the northwest of Australia, particularly the coastal Pilbara and Kimberley, and currently working with Western Desert groups. Sam has been involved with AAA’s NEC as Webmaster and Treasurer.

Jenna Walsh is a PhD Candidate at Flinders University. Her PhD research examines connections to landscape on Marra Country, through an extensive lithic collection excavated from a rockshelter in the Northern Territory. Jenna has an BArchaeol(Honours) degree in bioarchaeology and mortuary archaeology, and continues to research and teach in these areas. She tutors both undergraduate and postgraduate archaeology students, and still being a student herself is keenly aware of the expectations of archaeology students in Australia, as well as many of the challenges and issues facing budding professionals.

Ken is the Director of his own company where he uses his skills to work with a variety of State and Local Government agencies and organisations to promote Aboriginal culture and facilitate better working and social relationships between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal people. In 2019-2022 he was a member of the National Executive Committee of the Australian Archaeology Association as the Indigenous Officer. Ken was a Director at Hope Community Services Inc. from 2021-2023, an organisation dedicated to supporting people to participate in life successfully and meaningfully.

Ken has facilitated Cross-Cultural Competency Training with several Public and Private Sector Agencies, which he has been successfully delivering for the past 20 years. He has secured contracts to deliver Cross Cultural Training to the Department of Water, the Office of Native Title and St John of God Hospital Subiaco. This includes a contract with Bush Heritage Australia working as the Indigenous Partnerships Officer in the Gondwana Link specifically in Community Development and Noongar Liaison in the Great Southern.  In this role, Ken assisted in the acquisition of properties of conservation significance in SW WA, by the Noongar people. Noongar people in the Great Southern were able to reconnect to their country, improve their employment and assist families to be self-determining. From 2007-2022, he has organised and facilitated cultural competency training workshops for Marr-Mooditj Training for Health Professionals.

This also enables growth in the understanding and acceptance in significance of Aboriginal Culture.  To foster change through health education and community inclusion through his cultural heritage expertise. This action promotes Aboriginal culture and facilitates better working and social relationships between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal people. Ken is unique in developing innovative and original techniques and methodologies to suit client’s specific needs. Ken’s main profession is lecturing at ECU (2014-Current) in Aboriginal Studies delivered to allied health and science students. This includes research in Drought Resilience with Aboriginal Community based organisations.

Caroline is Acting Co-manager, Cultural Heritage Unit, Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. She is also Senior Adjunct Research Fellow, Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University. Caroline is also Co-chair of National Archaeology Week in Australia. She enjoys working closely and respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to develop a holistic understanding of their Country and cultural heritage.