The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA) is hosting delegates from ICOMOS China. ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, is one of the three Advisory Bodies to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The delegates are from World Heritage sites across China and will attend an intensive residential master class in heritage management 28 August – 2 September.
Arriving into Tasmania from China this Sunday, delegates are seeking to gain insight into values-based management practices at World Heritage sites in Australia using the Port Arthur Historic Site as an example, with reference to the 2015 China ICOMOS Principles for the Conservation of Heritage Sites.
“The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority has long had a strong association with the heritage sites across China including, in particular the UNESCO World Heritage Mogao Caves near Dunhuang in Gansu China.” Chair of the PAHSMA Board, Professor Sharon Sullivan AO FAHA said.
Hosting this course is an opportunity for both the Port Arthur Historic Site and Cascades Female Factory to share PAHSMA’s collective expertise across a range of disciplines including archaeology, administration, interpretation, tourism and inclusive values-based heritage management.”
Port Arthur Historic Site is a multi-award-winning tourism attraction and one of the 11 sites that make up the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property. The large and complex site holds a rich and varied history that extends both before and after the convict period with significant links to the local community. Port Arthur was one of the first tourism attractions in Tasmania to be China Ready accredited, with multi-lingual tours, signage and staff.
PAHSMA Chief Executive Officer Stephen Large said:
“The growth out of the China market has been phenomenal – nearly double the numbers from last year. Of the record 336,499 day visitors we welcomed last financial year, over 26,000 identified from China and Hong Kong. We now employ five Mandarin-speaking staff and have delivered over 1,618 guided tours in Mandarin.”
Major projects like the restoration of the Penitentiary and the current redevelopment of the Visitor Centre will be used as case studies for the course. Dr Jane Harrington, PAHSMA Director of Conservation and Infrastructure, who will be coordinating the workshop said:
“Having worked on World Heritage nominations and subsequent management for Australia and various countries in the Asian region, and in inspecting and commenting on World Heritage management in China, I can say that there is no better place in Australia to host such a course. Our management of our three sites demonstrates best practice principles and methodology in both conservation and tourism management.”
The course leaders are all PAHSMA staff, with both Australian and international experience. They will present a range of elements of their work and will challenge participants with contemporary theoretical and practical issues with which they are dealing on a day-to-day basis.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn practical skills as well as gain a thorough understanding of the theoretical and political issues relating to cultural heritage management.
The course is being held at the Port Arthur Historic Site with excursions to PAHSMA’s two other sites in the World Heritage listing, the Coal Mines at Saltwater River and Cascades Female Factory in South Hobart. The Port Arthur and Coal Mines Historic Sites also have a number of natural heritage values and attributes that contribute to the management challenges and opportunities at these special places.
Jennifer Fitzpatrick, Marketing and Communications Manager, Port Arthur
