Brian Porrett is a Team Leader/Senior Archaeologist/Heritage Advisor with over eight years of experience working in Victoria, Western Australia, the Middle East and United States. He has a deep passion for stone artefact analysis and is captivated by the intricacies of early state-level societies.

His 2014 university thesis delved into the roles of defensive city fortifications and trade dynamics between Early Bronze Age city-state societies and the dominant empires of the Levant. This was complemented by three rewarding excavation seasons at the Tel es-Safi settlement in Israel where he developed his archaeological skills.

Brian’s wide skillset includes archaeological survey, excavation (including cemeteries), stone artefact analysis, recording both Aboriginal and historical sites, and consultation with Traditional Custodians and project stakeholders.

Outside of his professional commitments, Brian is an Ultimate Frisbee enthusiast, enjoying the thrill and camaraderie of the game. Brian also has wanderlust, always eager to explore new places and immerse himself in diverse cultures.

Education and affiliations

• Graduate Certificate in Archaeology, La Trobe University, Melbourne (2022)
• Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology), College of Wooster, United States (2014)
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)

Publications, presentations, and articles

• Poster presentation at the Society for American Archaeology, Austin (2014)
• Poster presentation at the Central States Anthropological Society, St Louis (2013)

Sam Neville is a Field Assistant and Operator Supervisor who embarked on his career in the Australian cultural heritage management industry in late 2021. He graduated from Monash University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science/ Bachelor of Arts, with majors in archaeology, history, and microbiology.

Before stepping into archaeology, Sam gained experience working in various sectors such as agriculture and analytical testing. He played significant roles in asbestos testing at ALS and took on responsibilities at GrainFlow during grain harvesting.

In the cultural heritage industry, Sam has developed skills in archaeological survey, manual and mechanical subsurface testing, salvage excavation, as well as writing desktop assessments and conducting background research. With a keen interest for the field, Sam is eager to complete further studies in Indigenous archaeology and cultural heritage management in the coming years.

Outside of work, Sam loves adventure, including 4x4ing, working on his cars, heading out into the great outdoors and recreational shooting. He is passionate about footy and also enjoys a good gym session.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne (2020)
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)

Tegan Herrick is a Team Leader, Archaeologist and Heritage Advisor with over six years of experience in both Aboriginal and historical archaeology within Victoria. During this time Tegan has contributed to positive heritage outcomes for several large infrastructure projects, including excavating sites for Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel and the Bendigo GovHub development.

Tegan is fascinated by the ‘unknown’ of the past. She loves untangling the past and making sense of it, while also appreciating the mystery of what we can never know. This passion really intensified after her Honours year, where Tegan explored the archaeological significance of certain topographical and geological features in the sacred landscapes of Minoan Crete, Greece.

Tegan is well-experienced in archaeological survey and excavation, desktop research, writing CHMPs and salvage reports, supervising fieldwork, identifying and recording Aboriginal and historical sites and artefacts, and consultation and engagement with Traditional Custodians, clients, landowners and community representatives.

When Tegan is not at work or out spending time with friends, you’ll probably find her curled up on the couch with a hot cuppa and a good jigsaw puzzle or book, or possibly watching trashy TV (specifically Greys Anatomy).

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Monash University, Melbourne (2020)
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)

Talia Green is a Team Leader, Senior Archaeologist and Heritage Advisor with over eight years’ experience in the Victorian heritage industry. Talia has worked on and managed a variety of consulting projects including residential and commercial developments, pipelines, precinct structure plans, water management and road and rail projects in the form of CHMP’s, Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Tests, Aboriginal and Historical Heritage Assessments, Environment Effects Statements, Due Diligence Assessments, Historical Assessments, Defence Heritage Assessments and excavation of Aboriginal places.

Talia is experienced in a wide variety of tasks including project management, background research, due diligence assessments, Aboriginal and historical heritage assessments, archaeological survey, subsurface testing and salvage excavation, Aboriginal and historical site identification, site recording and photography, preparation of Aboriginal and historical site cards, site significance assessments, development of recommendations to mitigate the impact of development upon Aboriginal heritage, analysis and interpretation, communication and consultation with regulatory bodies (First Peoples – State Relations [FPSR] and Heritage Victoria [HV]), clients, landowners and Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs), and preparation of desktop, standard and complex Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plans. Talia has also appeared in VCAT as an Expert Witness on heritage issues.

Talia completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of New England in 2017, majoring in Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology, and completed her Honours degree in 2018 where she specialized in Zooarchaeology. Talia’s research focused on reconstructing the diet of a human population from Colonial-era Sydney by analyzing the butchery patterns on sheep remains and subsequently relating dietary preference and resource availability to different socio-economic classes inhabiting colonial Sydney. Talia has spent time working in forensic archaeology/bioarchaeology in Cyprus where she worked in the excavation, exhumation, skeletal analysis and repatriation of modern humans remains. Talia has also carried out research at the University of New England focused on the analysis of non-metric traits of the crania as a tool for ancestry evaluation in a modern Greek-Cypriot population.

Talia is trained in historical and Indigenous artefact analysis, faunal and human remains analysis and has experience in project management, report production, standard and complex heritage assessment and salvage operations across Victoria.

In her free time, Talia loves long-distance running, which tests both her physical and mental limits. She loves to travel and experience new cultures, and has a passion for animals, which is evident through her love for her border collie Bones.

Education and affiliations

• PhD Candidate in Archaeology, University of New England (ongoing)
• Honours in Archaeology (Zooarchaeology), University of New England (2018)
• Bachelor of Science (Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology), University of New England (2017)
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)

Trevor Geoghegan is a Field Assistant and Excavator Operator with over six years in the Victorian heritage industry. His dedication and experience makes him a vital asset to the team at Jem Archaeology.

Trevor’s expertise spans mechanical and manual excavation, sub-surface testing and salvage excavations, archaeological survey and soil testing.

He regularly liaises and consults with Traditional Owner and Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) representatives in the field, ensuring that our excavation approaches are collaborative and culturally respectful.

When not immersed in his work you can find him cheering on his beloved St Kilda Saints.

Emily Evans is a Team Leader/Senior Archaeologist/Heritage Advisor with over eight years of experience working in the Victorian heritage industry and at international archaeological sites.

Since earning her Master’s in 2020, Emily has participated in more than five hundred archaeological projects, including gas pipelines with offshore components, electricity alignments, residential, commercial, and industrial developments, water and sewerage pipelines, road and rail projects and renewable energy farms.

Emily’s passion for heritage was kindled during her international archaeological adventures. She has participated in excavations at Etruscan sites in Italy and delved deep into the past at a Late Minoan IIIc/Archaic period settlement on Crete, Greece. Her Masters research led her to analyse vertebrate faunal remains from Aboriginal shell middens in Weipa, North Queensland.

Over her career Emily has mastered archaeological survey and excavation, writing CHMPs and salvage reports, supervising fieldwork, identifying and recording Aboriginal sites and artefacts, and building invaluable relationships with with Traditional Owners, clients, landowners, and community representatives.

For Emily, archaeology is not just about unearthing the past, it’s also about storytelling. She appreciates the opportunity to work with Traditional Custodians across the state and the continuous learning that comes with it.

Outside of work Emily enjoys spending time with her special dog Earl, who despite being born deaf, is an adaptive learner, mastering hand signals and tricks under Emily’s guidance. She loves her time with family and friends, visiting the beach and cheering for her beloved Richmond Tigers.

Education and affiliations

• Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Flinders University, Adelaide (2020)
• Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Archaeology and Ancient History) (Honours), Monash University, Melbourne (2014)
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)

Georgia Cowling is an Archaeologist/Heritage Advisor with over three years’ experience in the Victorian heritage industry. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Archaeology and Ancient History and Classical Studies from Monash University, and is currently advancing her studies with a Master of Professional Archaeology at La Trobe University, Melbourne.

Georgia is proficient in archaeological survey, manual and mechanical subsurface testing, salvage excavation, lithic recording and analysis, archaeological illustration and writing CHMPs. She’s experienced in engaging with regulatory bodies, clients, landowners, Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs), and other Aboriginal corporation and community representatives.

Outside of her archaeological pursuits, Georgia loves hiking in the great outdoors and being amongst nature. She also enjoys reading and boxing in her free time, as well as time with friends and family.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology and Ancient History and Classical Studies), Monash University
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)

Maddie Cooper-Wallis is an Archaeologist/Heritage Advisor with over three years’ of experience in the Victorian heritage industry. Originally from the United Kingdom, Maddie graduated with Honours in Archaeology from La Trobe University, Melbourne in 2020.

She has a keen interest and experience in the repatriation of cultural heritage, which stemmed from her Honours research on the repatriation of heritage to Indigenous groups in Australia, Nigeria and Greece, and an accompanying analysis of the relevant legislative frameworks.

Maddie loves how her job allows her to immerse herself with archaeology and help protect as much cultural heritage as possible – in the best way possible.

Maddie is well-versed in a range of tasks, including archaeological survey and excavation, soil testing, site recording, archaeological illustration and the preparation of CHMPs and due diligence assessments.

In her spare time Maddie lives her passion for learning as much as possible, which tends to involve a lot of reading and going to the theatre.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Archaeology (Honours), La Trobe University, Melbourne (2020)
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)

Rachel Colby is an Archaeologist and GIS Specialist with five years of experience in the Victorian and United States cultural heritage management industries. Rachel graduated from Appalachian State University, North Carolina in 2018 with a major in archaeology and a minor in geography/GIS.

Throughout her career Rachel has been involved in diverse projects, including road and rail utilities and residential subdivisions. Her academic journey in the States united her passions for mapping and archaeology. Her undergraduate research project combined microscopy and reflectance transformation imaging to delve deep into the manufacturing techniques of Woodland period faunal artefacts, which she presented at the 2018 Southeastern Archaeological Conference.

Rachel’s experience includes GIS analysis, mapping, due diligence assessments, archaeological survey and excavation, artefact illustration, site recording and photography. She also consults with Traditional Owners, landowners, and community representatives.

When she’s not in the field rescuing frogs from test pits, Rachel enjoys painting and sewing, baking delicious cookies, and venturing into the great outdoors.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts (Major in Archaeology (Summa Cum Laude), Minor in Geography/GIS), Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA (2018)
• Member, Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society
• Member, Southeastern Archaeological Conference (SEAC)
• Member, Australian Archaeological Association (AAA)

With a solid decade in the property industry, Tania Krecul stands out as a distinguished Operations Manager, dedicated to operational excellence. Her experience spans the many facets of operations, from in-depth strategic planning to the intricacies of daily management.

Beyond her rich operational background, Tania’s exceptional strength lies in her adeptness at people management and leadership. Recognising the true value of human capital, she has consistently prioritised the nurturing and development of her teams. Guided by her firm belief in empowerment, Tania has cultivated an environment where individuals are motivated to realise their potential and grow. Her hands-on approach to leadership, combined with her extensive industry experience, positions her as an invaluable guide, paving the way for the future leaders.

Outside of work, Tania keeps active with boxing sessions, which she finds both challenging and rewarding. She also has an appreciation for fine wines, always on the lookout for distinctive bottles to add to her collection. With a keen interest in food, Tania often seeks out new dining experiences, enjoying the variety of flavours and dishes she encounters.