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About us
Since 1996, Archae-aus has been providing specialist heritage consultation and education services, based in Perth, Western Australia. Our two decades of experience enables us to give you the best advice on Aboriginal, historical and maritime cultural heritage.
As archaeologists and anthropologists, we are passionate about recording, documenting and promoting cultural heritage. Our workshops and training at schools, universities and private companies provide us with a forum to increase appreciation of Australian cultural heritage. In our consulting work, we use ethical and effective strategies so that the right decisions are made at the right time.
With Aboriginal, historical and maritime heritage specialists on staff, we can tailor the right program of works for your project. On top of our local and experienced team, we have built an excellent professional network that lets us draw together expert teams for each and any project.

Managing Director
Fiona is the Managing Director of Archae-aus. She is a prominent figure in the Australian archaeology community, holding presidency and committee roles within the Australian Archaeological Association (AAA), as well as being an honorary research fellow at the University of Western Australia. Fiona has also served as president of and Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc. (AACAI).
Fiona started Archae-aus in 1996 and has a vast knowledge of cultural heritage management. With over two decades of experience - through the booms and busts of the resources industry - Fiona is sought after by our clients to assist in high-level strategic planning and risk management. However, her love for Australian archaeology drives her to take every opportunity she can to engage with communities and lead field investigations.
Fiona has designed and implemented Cultural Heritage Management Plans for large scale projects such as Gorgon Gas Development in the Pilbara; broad scale heritage assessment programs for the State, such as Ord Stage II; and for private industry such as Pilbara Iron’s Paraburdoo and Channar Mines. She has also designed and led excavation programs across the Perth city, Perth foreshore and Fremantle for the recent wave of redevelopment associated with the WA Museum, Elizabeth Quay and Kings Square.
Fiona’s determination to increase awareness and appreciation of Australian cultural heritage has led to Archae-aus being awarded Federal grants and partnerships in major research projects (see our Research page for details on these projects). She regularly runs workshops for schools and industry, delivers public lectures, presents academic papers at conferences, writes research articles and is a published archaeological illustrator. All this, while also completing a PhD in Barrow Island archaeology and looking after her family!

Senior Project Officer (Archaeology)
Jim has worked as an archaeologist in Australia for over 20 years, with extensive experience in the Maritime, Aboriginal and Historical heritage of Western Australia. He gained his undergraduate degree in Archaeology from the UK and a Masters in Maritime Archaeology from the University of Western Australia. He has also worked as Assistant Curator at the Western Australian Museum and a project manager at the University of Western Australia’s archaeological consultancy.
Jim joined the Archae-aus team in 2012 and has coordinated many major Archae-aus projects, working closely with Traditional Owners in the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Southwest on Aboriginal heritage surveys and assessments. He has also designed and implemented historical heritage assessments and excavation programs in Perth at the WA Museum, Old Perth Bottle Yard and Supreme Court Gardens, as well as conducting surveys and site inspections for upgrade works along the Great Northern Highway. As a maritime archaeologist, Jim has recently completed assessments of two shipwrecks for Archae-aus clients, one on the northwest coast and a second at Cockburn Sound south of Fremantle.

Senior Project Officer (Archaeology)
Nigel joined Archae-aus in 2011 having completed a Bachelors degree in Archaeology and a Graduate Diploma in Cultural Heritage Management from Flinders University (SA). He has been the lead archaeologist for large Aboriginal heritage survey projects in the North West and assisted in an extensive excavation program across the Chichester Range, working alongside the Nyiyaparli traditional owners. His historical heritage experience includes excavations at high profile locations across Perth, such as at the Western Australian Museum and the Barrack St Jetty at Elizabeth Quay, and management of monitoring projects for new major infrastructure routes. Nigel has also assisted a number of excavations in South Australia, in both urban and regional settings.
In addition to field work, Nigel is one of Archae-aus’ GIS officers and is experienced in developing and maintaining spatial datasets. He is always looking for new and better ways to integrate historical maps and nest archaeological information within our CAD and GIS outputs. Nigel is also one of our key personnel for educational workshops - he is passionate about teaching Australian heritage and helping others to appreciate the diversity and value of cultural heritage.

Office Coordinator (Archaeology)
Monica has been working as an archaeologist in Western Australia for over 12 years following the completion of an Honours degree from the University of Western Australia, which she finished with a double major in archaeology and ancient history. Monica joined Archae-aus in 2005, working on surveys, site recordings, salvages and Section 18 consultations on major projects in the Pilbara, such as those for Chevron, BHP and Rio Tinto.
As Office Coordinator, Monica ensures the smooth running of our projects and team, including oversight of government approvals and submissions. She is highly experienced in archaeological analysis, from artefact identification through to technical report production. She has coordinated the fine-scale analysis of over 25 excavation projects, directing up to 10 staff in our laboratory. Monica is also responsible for ensuring adherence to reporting requirements and has coordinated the completion of over 150 reports. She has also been pivotal in devising Archae-aus’ education and training workshop programs - Monica loves putting her Ancient History major to good use in the creation of a wide range of modules for high school and ATAR level classes.

Senior Project Officer (Archaeology)
Stuart has an Honours degree in Archaeology from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies from Deakin University. He began his archaeological career in 2000 by establishing his own consulting firm that specialised in historical archaeology within the Perth metropolitan area. In 2002, he joined Archae-aus and has been a principal client service manager for major historical and Aboriginal heritage projects.
Stuart coordinated an extraordinary eight year-long heritage program for Fortescue Mineral Group’s Chichester Range resources, which involved delivering heritage inductions for mine staff, conducting back-to-back surveys, managing detailed recording and salvage programs, excavating rock shelters and building strong ties with the traditional owner communities. More recently he has been one of the lead designers and excavators for our historical excavations.

Senior Project Officer (Archaeology)
Richenda has 25 years of archaeological experience and holds a Masters of Museology from the University of East Anglia (Art History and World Art Studies) as well as a Bachelors (Honours) degree in Archaeology from the University of Southampton. She has worked on numerous maritime sites including the de Freycinet excavation at Shark Bay, the French annexation site Dirk Hartog Island and the Perseverant survivors camp. Previously Richenda worked for the Victoria & Albert Museum (UK) as Exhibitions Officer for in-house and touring exhibitions and worked as an Assistant Curator in Maritime Archaeology at the WA Museum for nine years. Having partnered with Archae-aus on many interpretive archaeology programs over the years, she officially joined the Archae-aus team in 2017 and has become part of our historical excavation team.

Senior Project Officer (Archaeology)
Caroline joined Archae-aus in February 2013 after a varied career in archaeology and heritage. Caroline has studied Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge University, the University of Western Australia and Deakin University. She has more than 40 years’ experience in archaeological field and laboratory research in the UK, Europe, Egypt and Australia - both in academia and the public sector - and on a wide range of sites and periods from the European Lower Palaeolithic to Australian historical archaeology.
Caroline has a particular interest in communicating archaeology to a wider audience. She has taught archaeology and cultural heritage to university students in Western Australia, Victoria and to TAFE students in Western Australia. Caroline developed and ran the Victoria Archaeological Survey’s site officer training program and has been heavily involved in the development of school curriculum and support materials in Western Australia in Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies.
Caroline has produced the community book for the Archae-aus’ ‘Kakutungutanta to Warrie Outcamp – forty thousand years in Nyiyaparli Country’ project and has compiled an archaeological monograph for publication. In addition to an impressive portfolio of presentations and publications, Caroline also finds time to get into the field as a senior project officer on our archaeological excavations and monitoring works.

Senior Project Officer (Anthropology and Archaeology)
Myles has spent ten years working with Aboriginal communities across Western Australia on a wide range of projects, including heritage management, land management, and cultural planning. During this time, he has had the great benefit of being mentored by a number of Aboriginal leaders. With a strong background in land management and community development, Myles has always maintained a primary focus on people and communities. Central to his work is an abiding commitment to the improvement of wellbeing, among individuals and communities, and particularly Indigenous peoples in Australia and abroad.
As a heritage consultant for Archae-aus
over the last few years, Myles has worked in his capacity as both an
anthropologist and an archaeologist. He has been part of a variety of
heritage projects, including a large-scale historical excavation /
salvage program at Elizabeth Quay in Perth, as well as Aboriginal
heritage consultations in the Inland Pilbara and on Rottnest Island.

Senior Project Officer (Anthropology and Archaeology)
Jim’s cultural heritage expertise has been acquired from over 40 years working as a consultant, academic, researcher and public administrator. He has worked as an archaeologist and anthropologist throughout Papua New Guinea and Australia, as well as accumulated 11 years’ public service as a senior/executive manager with the Commonwealth, two State governments and the Native Title Tribunal, where he specialised in policy development, review and strategic planning. Jim’s passion lies in the areas of cultural landscape archaeology and the use of survey sampling strategies and statistical analysis methodologies.
Jim undertook the enormous task of mapping and analysis for our ‘Kakutungutanta to Warrie Outcamp – forty thousand years in Nyiyaparli Country’ project (a federal and industry funded synthesis of our Chichester Range, Pilbara, work). He produced a range of academic publications including papers and a monograph. Jim is currently engaged as a senior archaeologist and anthropologist for Archae-aus whilst researching clan markers found on ceremonial boards and shields traditionally used by peoples living in the Papuan Gulf, in association with the Australian Museum (Sydney).

Project Officer (Archaeology)
Rebecca is a project officer at Archae-aus, with an Honours degree in Archaeology and History from the University of Western Australia. She has previously been employed at the Department of Maritime Archaeology, Western Australian Museum as an Assistant Curator and as an Education Guide at the Nicholson Museum in Sydney. She also completed an internship at the NSW Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage, working with maritime archaeologists. While studying and working, Rebecca has gained a high level of knowledge of conservation principles and heritage assessment criteria for Aboriginal, Historical and Maritime heritage.
With Archae-aus, Rebecca has enjoyed the diversity of work across Western Australia. She has been part of Aboriginal heritage teams on survey in the north-west as well as working as a solo archaeologist on monitoring programs in the Perth region. Rebecca enjoys the challenge of artefact analysis and photography, in the field as well as in the office laboratory.

Associate Archaeologist / Researcher
Lucy is a highly experienced archaeologist and technical writer. Lucy has worked as an archaeologist since 2007, having completed her BA (Honours) degree at the University of Western Australia. She has been the lead specialist on many substantial projects throughout WA, including in the Perth metropolitan and surrounding areas. She has led archaeological excavations along the Perth foreshore, Mundaring Weir, Fremantle primary school and at the Perth Girl’s Orphanage. Lucy has been the lead specialist for Archae-aus on many Aboriginal heritage projects in the northwest, undertaking survey, assessment, excavation and salvage. As a consultant researcher and technical writer, Lucy is a critical member of the team for our archival and desktop research projects.
Lucy has also assisted in
the cultural mapping and recording of Aboriginal and European
archaeological sites, including at Middle Island, Cape Arid and Cape
Le Grand, near Esperance WA with the Gabbi Kylie Foundation. She has
coordinated large-scale educational projects such as NAIDOC week, has
presented at the Symposium ‘Teaching Archaeology to Kids’ at the
Big Dig in Sydney, and has created animations for community projects.

Associate Archaeologist / Osteoarchaeologist
Kate has worked as an archaeologist in Western Australia since 2009, having completed a BA (Honours) degree in Archaeology and a Masters in Osteoarchaeology in the UK. At Archae-aus, Kate was the project leader on the FMG Christmas Creek / Cloudbreak project for three years, providing heritage assessment and working closely with the Nyiyaparli traditional owners; and was project leader on the Roy Hill Iron Ore project for two years, where she provided heritage assessment advice and developed effective systems to manage the output of these high intensity projects. She is an excavation specialist, having designed, implemented and analysed excavations for many archaeological sites, including that of an extensive rock shelter program for the Roy Hill project in the Pilbara. Alongside her interests in Australian archaeology, Kate has continued her osteoarchaeological studies through collaborative research projects with a number of European Universities. She is currently a consulting specialist for Archae-aus whilst studying for a PhD in Anatomy at UWA.