Heritage as partnership,
not just paperwork.
Archaeology as research,
not just compliance.
History Journeys helps government, First Nations communities and education partners conserve, understand and celebrate the places and stories that matter — going deeper than compliance to deliver work of real value.
For too long, heritage has been treated as a grudge purchase — a box to tick, a cost to manage, a process to survive.
There is a better approach. After more than two decades at the leading edge of cultural heritage practice in Australia and overseas, I started History Journeys to work differently — to move past adversarial, process-driven systems and toward genuine partnership.
That means treating heritage as an asset to be understood and celebrated, not an obstacle to be cleared. It means research that goes deep, advice that builds capability, and outcomes that actually deliver what the process was always meant to: places conserved, stories told, certainty and value provided to all participants in the process and communities connected to their past.
What we do
Senior, independent expertise across the full arc of heritage — from boardroom strategy to the field, the archive and the classroom.
Trusted, independent advice to leaders, boards, Traditional Owners and agencies — on heritage governance, policy, strategic planning and placemaking that builds capability and offers durable solutions rather than box-ticking.
Original archaeological and historical research that goes deep — uncovering, interpreting and making sense of the human story in a place, and opening up new questions worth asking.
Turning research into experiences people connect with — interpretation, history communication and cultural tourism that bring places and their stories vividly to life.
Building the next generation of practice — university teaching, in-house training and mentoring, grounded in 25+ years of leading real-world projects and teams.
The approach
Every engagement is built on partnership and shaped by four commitments.
Genuine partnerships that go beyond old models of transactional service provision to truly understand our partners' needs and identify durable solutions. Traditional Owner partnerships founded on the bedrock of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Ask better questions and do the deep research, so decisions and project outcomes rest on genuine knowledge, expertise and experience. We go beyond the checklist into the fascinating detail of the past, where the real value and meaning lie.
Protect and care for the places, objects and landscapes that hold meaning — for now and for the generations to come. Share what we find — telling the engaging stories of the past that connect communities to their heritage and make it matter.
Deliver lasting solutions based on best practice and deep engagement that goes beyond short-term compliance to provide certainty to our project partners. Achieving social licence and the development of lasting relationships.
Who we help
In this initial chapter, History Journeys works alongside organisations whose missions are about people, place and the public good.
Local, state and federal government departments, statutory bodies and government owned entities working in heritage, environment, planning, land management, infrastructure and culture.
Member organisations, foundations and community groups in heritage and adjacent fields.
Aboriginal corporations and community organisations leading and partnering on Country.
Tertiary institutions and research bodies seeking teaching, collaboration and expertise.
History Journeys is currently focused on these four sectors. For private sector commercial proponents, I continue to support Extent Heritage in a Special Advisor capacity. We welcome enquiries about private sector scopes of work where I can assist in partnership with Extent Heritage.
About
Heritage advisor & archaeologist
For more than 25 years I've worked at the intersection of archaeology, cultural heritage and the practical realities of getting things done — from Pleistocene-era Aboriginal sites beneath the Carrum Swamp, to medieval excavations in Ireland, to the boardrooms where heritage policy meets infrastructure deadlines.
Over 23 years I helped build AHMS and then Extent Heritage into one of Australia's most respected cultural heritage consultancies, serving as Founding Managing Director. Extent's tenth anniversary felt like the right moment to explore new horizons and make space for its emerging leaders. I continue with Extent as a Special Advisor on a casual basis, while launching History Journeys as a new advisory and research consultancy.
Alongside practice I hold an honorary role at the Australian National University and stay closely involved in the profession's wider conversations about where heritage practice should head next.
Expertise
“From ‘grudge purchase’ to valued asset: compliance is no longer enough — heritage work should create value and meaning.”Jim Wheeler with colleagues Lane, Gilchrist and Irish — Australian Archaeology Association annual conference, 2010 · Laila Haglund Prize for Excellence in Consulting Archaeology
Whether you're shaping a strategy, planning research, or looking for a partner who'll treat your heritage with the care it deserves — I'd be glad to hear from you.
History Journeys acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters on which we live and work and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the deep, continuing and special connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.