2015 ASHA–AIMA Joint Conference
The annual conference for ASHA was held jointly with AIMA (Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology) in Geelong, Victoria on 23rd to 26th September 2015. It was an overwhelming success with 150 attendees from New Zealand, all States of Australia and other international locations. Local Victorian practitioners were highly represented in their attendance, participation and sponsorship of the conference providing demonstrable support for the event.
The conference was opened by the Victorian Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne. The conference opening night also provided an opportunity to launch the book Please God, Send Me a Wreck, by ASHA members Martin Gibbs and Brad Duncan.
ASHA invited Professor James Symonds of University of Amsterdam to provide the keynote address for the conference. His presentation on several aspects of varied his archaeological investigation on the displacement of people through conflict. He was well received and his areas of research are relevant to investigations undertaken by Australian practitioners.
Dr Annalies Corbin of the PAST Foundation based in Columbus, Ohio, USA attended the conference as a guest of AIMA. Her keynote address covered the challenges and opportunities archaeologists have in engaging the public, with a particular focus on her work with the PAST Foundation and the development of innovative educational programs.
The conference handbook is available here for further reference:
ASHA/AIMA 2015 Conference Handbook
| The following conference awards were awarded: | |
| Best paper | Bronwyn Woff |
| Best student paper | Matthew Carter |
| Best AACAI paper | Wendy Dolling and Adrienne Elise |
| The annual ASHA 2015 awards were presented at the Conference Dinner. These were: | |
| R. Ian Jack Award for Best Honours Thesis | Susan Arthure, Flinders University |
| Maureen Byrne Award for Best Post-Graduate Thesis | Sean Winter, University of Western Australia |
| Judy Birmingham Award for Best Heritage Report | Casey & Lowe Pty Limited, Cumberland Precinct – Parramatta |
| Martin Davies Award for Best Public Archaeology Initiative | EMM, White Hart Inn |
| Graham Connah Award for Best Publication | Susan Lawrence & Peter Davies, An Archaeology of Australia Since 1788 |
More information about the ASHA Awards is available here.
Minister Richard Wynne opening the ASHA/AIMA conference and launching Please God Send me a Wreck by Martin Gibbs and Brad Duncan
ASHA key note speaker Professor James Symonds
