Jiordi-ann Bothwell is an Archaeologist/Heritage Advisor who holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Archaeology and History with honours from La Trobe University. Through her honours studies, Jiordi-ann explored the complex and deep relationship between Buddhism and monarchy in ancient Sri Lankan society. Her thesis was accompanied by a month-long excavation in Polonnaruwa, where she supervised excavation of building footings relating to a monastic site.

Jiordi-ann was inspired to take up a career in archaeology by her parents, who are history aficionados and love the classic 90s hit, The Mummy.

In Australia, Jiordi-ann has experience in Australian Indigenous and historical archaeology, building knowledge in a wide range of tasks, including archaeological survey, manual and mechanical excavation of Aboriginal and historical sites, historical artefact analysis, site recording and archaeological illustration.

In her spare time, Jiordi-ann loves reading, music, watching movies, travelling and a good cocktail.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts majoring in Archaeology and History, La Trobe University, Melbourne
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) majoring in Archaeology, La Trobe University, Melbourne
• Membership of the Australian Archaeological Association Inc. (AAA)

Kate Tidswell is an Archaeologist with over four years’ experience in the Victorian cultural heritage management industry. Kate completed a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University in 2023 with a major in Archaeology and Ancient History. As part of her degree, Kate also completed a minor study in Anthropology.

Kate is interested in the intersection of archaeology and lived experience, and how the lives of both individuals and communities are reflected, communicated, and experienced through landscape and material culture. In 2023 she attended a field school at Carsulae, an ancient Roman and medieval town in Umbria, Italy as a student field archaeologist – a joint excavation by Associazione per lo Studio del Territorio, la Ricerca e l’Archeologia (ASTRA) and Monash University. Kate is interested in undertaking further study to refine the artefact analysis categories and process to better reflect and utilise traditional knowledges surrounding lithic tools, particularly those that don’t fit within defined categories.

Kate was initially drawn to archaeology through history books as a kid, spending a lot of time learning about Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Her passion for archaeology emerged as she wanted to work with tangible history in a hands on way. Now, through her work in Victoria, she explores how the production and use of stone tools frames the knowledges, experiences, and practices of the lives of many.

Kate’s practical experience is primarily centred on Aboriginal cultural heritage, including lithic analysis, mechanical and manual excavation, and CHMPs. In addition, Kate has experience in excavating and managing Historical Archaeology sites in collaboration with Heritage Victoria, as well as within Medieval and Roman contexts.

Outside of work Kate loves to spend time crafting (particularly knitting and sewing), spending time with her friends and cat, and reading.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology and Ancient History), Monash University, Clayton (2023)
• Membership of the Australian Archaeological Association Inc. (AAA)

Uschi Artym is an Archaeologist who has completed a Bachelor of Archaeology (Honours) at Flinders University in South Australia. The focus of her honours thesis was to investigate the spatial and temporal relationships between European officers and Aboriginal troopers at the Burke River Native Mounted Police Camp in Boulia, Queensland. She is currently undertaking a PhD with the focus on residue and use-wear analysis on two knapped bottle glass assemblage from NMP camps in Boulia and Mistake Creek, Queensland.

Uschi is curious about everything, but mostly people – particularly how they formed societies, solved problems, interacted with their environment and motivated their decisions and behaviours. Her interest in archaeology stems from the opportunity to dabble in a bit of everything: geology, palaeontology, ecologies – all the ologies! Uschi believes archaeology is a great way of understanding past peoples and environments and connecting to the present.

Uschi has experience in the cataloguing and analysis of historical artefacts, knapped glass, high and low powered microscopy techniques, academic report writing and research. She has now expanded her skills into the Victorian cultural heritage sector and is familiar with mechanical sieving, manual excavation techniques, lithic artefact identification and cataloguing and stratigraphic illustration.

Outside archaeology, Uschi is a passionate amateur boxer – previously as a competitor but now an international referee and judge. Boxing has provided Uschi many wonderful opportunities to travel both in Australia and internationally, and many important connections along the way. When she’s not in the boxing ring, she enjoys the great outdoors – gardening, exploring her local area or a walk culminating in a delicious coffee!

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Archaeology, Flinders University, Adelaide (2017);
• Bachelor of Archaeology (Honours), Flinders University, Adelaide (2019);
• Member of Australian Archaeological Society (AAA); and
• Member of the Golden Key International Honour society.

Jonas Manley is an Archaeologist and Excavator Operator who has recently completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Archaeology and Classics from the Australian National University. Jonas’ bachelor studies primarily focused on Australian Aboriginal archaeology, European prehistory and south-east Asian archaeology.

Jonas first got into archaeology from movies and documentaries, but now he’s strongly driven by the hope that the work he does is helping communities reconnect with and rediscover their past.

Jonas has experience in a wide variety of tasks, including manual and mechanical excavation, excavator operation in the context of complex assessments and salvage excavations, Aboriginal site recording, and desktop research.

Outside work Jonas likes to play AFL and support the GWS Giants, playing pool, travelling, as well as gold prospecting across Victoria.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts majoring in Archaeology and Classics, Australian National University, Canberra; and
• Member of the Australian Archaeological Association (AAA).

Hesper Andrew is an Archaeologist with five years of experience working predominantly in Victoria, with some projects in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Since completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History and Archaeology from La Trobe University in 2021, Hesper has participated in a range of archaeological projects, including cultural heritage management plans, historical excavations, rock art assessments and cultural values assessments. As such, she has gained skills in excavation methods, field survey, artefact analysis and management, field recording, report writing, GIS, oral history recording, and photography.

Hesper is passionate about working with Indigenous communities, implementing traditional knowledge systems and connection to country to our understanding of the archaeological record, and to promote positive community outcomes. This passion was nurtured during the Boorapek rock art survey with Barenji Gadjin, which aimed to record rock art across the Dyurrite landscape and advocate for community management of the cultural landscape. Further, she has worked within a Registered Aboriginal Party, the Taungurung Land and Water Council, facilitating statutory requirements, community projects and helped develop systems and policies for heritage management.

For Hesper, archaeology is important to not only understand the past, but to connect through our shared humanity. She is honoured to have the opportunity to work with Traditional Owners and Custodians across the state, and to foster relationships and continuous learning. She is currently undertaking a graduate diploma in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Management at Flinders University.

Outside work, Hesper enjoys spending time with friends, family and her two cats. She loves crafts, reading and going for a walk along the Yarra.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in History and Archaeology, La Trobe University (2021);
• Graduate Diploma in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Management (ongoing); and
• Member of the Australian Archaeological Association (AAA).

Conor Mackie is an Archaeologist with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Archaeology and Geography at the Australian Catholic University. Conor has been in the industry for two years and has worked on numerous Aboriginal and historical sites, as well as working overseas on sites in both Europe and the Middle East.

Conor has a wide range of experience in tasks such as manual and mechanical excavations, artefact analysis, site recording, surveying and the preparation of CHMPs.

Conor’s passion for archaeology stems from having an interest in history, but he wasn’t keen on spending too much time surrounded by old books! Instead, archaeology allows Conor to interact directly with history by getting his hands dirty.

Outside work, Conor loves to go scuba diving and travel whenever he has the opportunity.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology and Geography), Australian Catholic University (2025); and
• Member of the Australian Archaeological Association (AAA).

Meg Haas is a Senior Archaeologist/Heritage Advisor with over eight years’ experience in the Victorian cultural heritage management industry. She is well-versed in Victorian heritage legislation and has expertise in the production, review and evaluation of CHMPs and in clear communication and consultation with clients and other stakeholders. Meg’s work has been based primarily in Victoria, through during her studies she also worked on projects in South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.

Meg has always been interested in history, and in particular learning about individuals and their own personal stories. For Meg, archaeology provides a tangible link to those stories and people and is a powerful reminder of our connection to the past – she thinks it’s always special to hold an artefact and imagine the last time someone may have held or used it, whether it was hundreds or even thousands of years ago. On a personal level, Meg always tries to understand how she fits into the context and landscape of the places she lives, works and visits, and working in archaeology gives her the opportunity to answer these questions through a past lens.

Meg has experience in a variety of tasks including project management, supervision of fieldwork programs, archaeological survey and excavation, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal historical site identification and registration, historical research, and report writing for both Aboriginal and historical archaeological projects, and learning and development. Aside from her experience as a consultant archaeologist and Heritage Advisor, Meg worked for over two years at a Melbourne-based RAP organisation where she was engaged in the review and evaluation of CHMPs. During her time at the RAP she worked closely with Traditional Owners to achieve the best outcomes for the protection of cultural heritage places within the RAP area.

Outside work, Meg loves to explore her passions for anything crafty – knitting, crochet, sewing, and weaving!

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts majoring in Ancient History and History, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, (2014);
• Graduate Diploma of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Flinders University, Adelaide (2015); and
• Master of Professional Archaeology, La Trobe University, Melbourne (2017).

Terri Williams is an Archaeologist who has completed a Bachelor of Archaeology at La Trobe University. Terri’s studies primarily focused on Australian Aboriginal archaeology, undertaking lithic analysis and animal bone analysis, while also exploring historical artefact management and analysis of ceramic, glass, shell and brick analysis.

She has worked on several projects across Victoria and has experience in a wide range of tasks, including archaeological survey, manual and mechanical excavation of Aboriginal and historical sites, recording Aboriginal and historical sites, and historical artefact analysis.

In her spare time, Terri loves to read a good book, pole dance and spend quality time with her dog Wonk.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Archaeology, La Trobe University, Melbourne (2023)
• Certificate III in Business (2020)

Prudence Rye is an Archaeologist/Heritage Advisor with over seven years’ experience in the field. After graduating from university, her archaeological career kicked off in the United Kingdom where she worked on a multitude of Roman and Iron Age excavations. There she also had the opportunity to develop one of her biggest passions – archaeological illustration – through courses run by the Council of British Archaeology and Sussex School of Archaeology. These focussed primarily on lithic and historical illustration.

Back home, she has worked extensively in Western Australia, particularly in the excavation, skeletal analysis and repatriation of modern human remains. Prudence has managed and led heritage surveys and fieldwork in some of the country’s most remote areas, including engaging and working with Traditional Owners, mining proponents, anthropologists and other heritage consultants. She has surveyed, excavated and recorded Aboriginal sites such as artefact scatters, quarries and rock shelters. In Victoria, Prudence has worked on several largescale historical and Aboriginal archaeological projects in Melbourne, as well as commercial subdivisions, inland rail and wind farms.

Prudence has wide experience in archaeological survey and excavation of both historical and Aboriginal sites, project management, site identification, recording and photography, artefact analysis and illustration.

She’s an avid adventurer with a love for travel and the outdoors – she even hiked the Inca trail when she was just 15 years old. When Prudence is not out in the field you can find her indulging in a good book, or working with her partner on their very own tiny house!

Education and affiliations

• Graduate Diploma of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Flinders University, Adelaide (2021)
• Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in Archaeology), La Trobe University, Melbourne (2014)
• Membership of the Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)

Fintan Ryan is an Archaeologist/Heritage Advisor/Excavator Operator with over six years experience in the Victorian cultural heritage management industry. He recently graduated from La Trobe University with a postgraduate qualification in Australian Aboriginal archaeology from La Trobe University.

Over the years Fintan as worked on the heritage components for a variety of residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. His experience includes leading fieldwork projects,. excavator operation, archaeological survey, manual and mechanical subsurface testing, salvage excavation, site identification and recording. A rising leader, Fintan is passionate about collaborating with Traditional Custodians and clients to deliver great archaeological outcomes.

Out of work, Fintan absolutely loves his AFL – whether it be the mighty Collingwood Football Club, or his unwavering support and passion for the local footy teams and sporting culture in his hometown.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Archaeology, La Trobe University, Bundoora (2022)
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)