The new Ballarat Heritage Advisory Committee

The Heritage Advisory Committee provides an advocacy platform for Ballarat’s citizens, communities, groups, organisations and businesses relating to heritage matters across the whole municipality, including rural areas and urban areas.  

In March 2024, an expression of interest was advertised for new community representatives to join the committee to help sustain the municipality’s heritage.  

Applications were received and considered against the following criteria:

• Lived experience and/or experience that expands on or fills a gap in the existing committee members.
• Skills and competencies to participate in this committee.

Nine new members have since been accepted and officially appointed at the May Council Meeting.  

Four members were elected as the official community representatives, while another five have been co-opted to join the committee as their skills, experience and interests are considered valuable to the committee.  

Two new members are under 25, which encourages diverse views and wide representation on the committee.  

The membership of Heritage Advisory Committee:  

Community Representatives:

• Harrison Morton – interested in issues of heritage, housing and development.
• Nicole Davydova – a student of anthropology.  
• Elizabeth Marsden – an arts and heritage professional.  
• Dr David Waldron – a history and anthropology lecturer at Federation University.

Co-opted members:

• Christine Segaert – has a passion for heritage preservation.
• Aydon Edwards – interested in historical architecture and heritage protection.  
• Paul Gordon-Smith – actively involved in local government consultation.
• Merle Hathaway – a community-focused member of multiple organisations.  
• Samantha Fabry – a heritage professional with international experience.  

City of Ballarat Councillor and Heritage Advisory Committee Chair, Cr Samantha McIntosh said it’s fantastic to see so many new faces with a keen interest in Ballarat’s heritage.  

“The committee’s purpose is to provide an advocacy platform for Ballarat's heritage matters,” she said.

“The committee is crucial in assisting the City of Ballarat and delivering the Council Plan, a city that conserves and enhances our natural and built assets.

“This is such an important group of very committed volunteers with exceptional talents and it is great to see so many come forward wanting to be a part of this advisory group.”