State Heritage Convention

Professor David Dolan
Director, Research Institute for Cultural Heritage
Curtin University

Professor David Dolan has extensive experience in museums and the management of historic places. He arrived in Perth in 1995 to be the first Professor of Cultural Heritage in Western Australia. He has previously worked in prominent roles at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney; was the Curator of the official residences in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and was the first curator of Lanyon Homestead near Canberra in the early 1980s. He is currently the Director of the Research Institute for Cultural Heritage at Curtin University.

Professor Dolan and has been involved with National Trusts in three states for a combined duration of 20 years. He has served on the National Trust (WA) Council for six years and was appointed Chair of The National Trust of Australia (WA) in July 2001.

Professor Dolan aims to ensure the National Trust in WA enhances its standing as the main manager of historic places open to the public and as a credible advocate for community heritage concerns. He sees the National Trust taking a lead role in public education and awareness of heritage issues in WA as well as setting the example in good heritage practice. He is also looking to develop greater levels of cooperation with other heritage agencies including the Heritage Council of WA, universities and the museum sector.