What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?
Identifying cultural values associated with natural resources such as waterways, dune systems and biodiversity hotspots; restoration and rehabilitation of cultural sites at threat from degrading processes. For National Archaeology Week each year, I coordinate a program of activities in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, including excavations, displays and talks.

Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries.
During investigations into the Old Guildford Gaol for my Honours thesis at UWA, we undertook excavations beneath the floorboards of some former Gaol cells. As well as flaked glass artefacts, bullet casings, clay pipe bowl pieces and other objects last seen a century ago, we found a small sterling silver lid, inlaid with an intricate brass horseshoe design and stamped with an assay mark that was only half legible. The function, date and origin remain a mystery.

Tell us about a funny/disastrous/amazing experience that you have had while doing archaeology.
Working in Indigenous archaeology has taken me to some incredible places with some absolutely amazing people. However I believe the most amazing experience I have had was a cumulative two months working on the Burrup Peninsula, possibly the most incredible and important archaeological resource in the entire country. The number of engravings, the variety, and the age of many is mind-blowing, not to mention the sense that each part of the picture is connected to all others through deliberate placement of motifs near resources or spiritual sites.

What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?
I was once asked by a less than polite acquaintance if I thought an
archaeologist had any real value to society, like a doctor or a nurse, or if
the profession was just a waste of time. It actually reminded me of what inspires me in this job- that I, like most other people, may never do anything remarkable that is remembered by others, and will probably vanish into the ether at the end of my life. An archaeologist takes the scraps of an ordinary life and builds them into something memorable and useful- so in the end, thanks only to the interpretation of an archaeologist who seeks to know about the ordinary and forgotten things in the world, an otherwise average person can be resurrected and respected as part of that stream of humanity to which we all belong. In the end our role is of major importance to everyone in society.

Follow up reading:
Numerous unpublished reports held by the Department of Indigenous Affairs (with Australian Interaction Consultants)