GML joined 50th anniversary celebrations of Australia ICOMOS in Burra

In early May, GML Senior Associate Hendry Wan and Heritage Consultant Emma Moore joined the 50th anniversary celebrations of Australia ICOMOS in Burra, South Australia, on Ngadjuri Country.

As members of the Executive Committee, Hendry and Emma took part in a long-weekend program of events, including a one-day symposium, site visits and field trips, an excellent chance to connect with ICOMOS colleagues and share insights from across the heritage sector.

The program began with a reception at Adelaide Town Hall hosted by the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, before travelling to Burra—where the Burra Charter was drafted and adopted in 1979.

One of Australia’s earliest, largest and best-preserved 19th-century mining towns, Burra provided a fitting backdrop for the celebrations.

The symposium featured talks on the role of ICOMOS in Australia and across the Asia–Pacific region, the challenges of championing World Heritage recognition, and how the heritage profession must adapt to emerging pressures including climate change, political volatility and artificial intelligence.

Highlights included tours of the Burra and Moonta mines, which form part of the Australian Cornish Mining World Heritage Bid currently underway.