Oliver Bell-Mackie

Culture & Heritage, 2021

Biography

Hello, I am an emerging professional with the cultural heritage field. During my time at the University of Canberra, I graduated with a Master of Arts in Creative and Cultural Futures (June 2021) and a Bachelor of Heritage, Museums and Conservation (December 2019). In both my degrees, I majored in Heritage Studies and Museum Studies.

Growing up in the Southern Highlands of NSW, I was surrounded by areas of cultural significance including the NSW National Trust properties Redford Park (Bowral) and Harper’s Mansion (Berrima), the NSW Heritage Listed site of Bradman Oval and the Wingecarribee Shire Heritage site of 52 Shepherd Street (the childhood home of Sir Donald Bradman).  These places and the many more the are in the Southern Highlands area inspired my passion to save our past for our futures.

While studying at UC, I had the opportunity to study abroad twice. Firstly in 2018 – Singapore Futures & Past: Cultural Heritage Study Tour. Secondly in 2019 – Open Palace Program, United Kingdom. During both my studies and my international experiences, I learnt many important skills that have helped me in my endeavours to become an emerging professional within the field of cultural heritage, including:

  • – Heritage Significance reports,
  • – Building conservation
  • – Heritage management
  • – Museum practices
  • – Digital heritage
  • – Practical experience in exhibition design and setup
  • – Museum decolonisation
  • – Contemporary issues for the creative and cultural sectors
  • – Indigenous heritage
  • – Heritage and museum ethics

 

Thesis Abstract

Since the opening of Lake Burley Griffin in 1963, there have been many changes to the Parliament House Vista, Canberra. This project’s impact will adopt a positive standing on the heritage industry and the effects of Change Management on the Parliament House Vista. Unfortunately, there is no significant information regarding the Parliament House Vista and the changes in conjunction with each other.  Since the Commonwealth Heritage listing of the Parliament House Vista in 2004, other changes have occurred that have affected the management of various parts of the Vista. Analysis of change management to the Vista will be provided, a reflection on how these changes have affected the Vista and the heritage of the Vista with and without these changes. There is information concerning the small changes to the Parliament House Vista since the Commonwealth Heritage Listing in 2004 including how these changes have been managed. These changes have affected the Vista from The Australian War Memorial, down Anzac Parade, over Lake Burley Griffin to the New Parliament House completed in 1988 and include the installation of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972 in the foreground of Old Parliament House.  Written as a report, this research is aimed towards professionals in the Creative and Cultural Sectors.

View my Thesis HERE

Oliver Bell-Mackie