About us

The APT Australasia Chapter is comprised of members of the Association for Preservation Technology International (APT International) currently resident in Australia, New Zealand, East Asia or the Western Pacific.

The APT Australasia Chapter was formally constituted in 2004 (as the APT Australia Chapter) after operating informally since 1989, under the guidance of Donald Ellsmore.  The Chapter was renamed the APT Australasia Chapter with an expanded regional coverage in 2010.

Currently, the leadership of the APT Australasia Chapter comprises:

Convenor:   Dr Donald Ellsmore, FAPT (Melbourne, Australia)
Co-convenors:
Eleanor Banaag (Sydney, Australia)
Ian Bowman (Wellington, New Zealand)
Mitch Cleghorn (Australia)
Natica Schmeder (Melbourne, Australia)
David West (Sydney, Australia)

The aims of the APT Australasia Chapter are as follows:

• To raise the profile of conservation (preservation) technology in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific
• To foster training and professional education opportunities in conservation (preservation) technology in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific
• To increase the international awareness and spread of APT International activities
• To increase Australasian participation in APT International activities
• To increase Australasian membership of APT International
• To encourage and support the formation of new APT Chapters throughout Asia

The APT Australasia Chapter operates largely as a “virtual chapter” through email correspondence and this web presence.  The APT Australasia Chapter also organises:

• Seminars or workshops on conservation technology topics, usually in conjunction with other conservation groups, such as Australia ICOMOS, DOCOMOMO Australia, National Trusts, Heritage Victoria, Heritage Branch / NSW Dept of Planning, Historic Houses Trust of NSW.
• Informal talks by local and visiting conservation practitioners.
• Support for capacity building training in the World Heritage listed Georgetown, Malaysia.

The APT Australasia Chapter established and ran the Longford Academy at Brickendon and Woolmers Estates in Tasmania until 2018, when management of this program was handed over to a group of interested individuals (mostly APT members) to run as a self-sustaining entity. The Longford Academy was originally a self-funded hands-on collaborative learning activity over five days, focussing on conservation issues at these two World Heritage listed properties.

Membership of the APT Australasia Chapter is automatic for all members of APT International who reside in Australia, New Zealand, East Asia or the Western Pacific.  There are no additional membership fees.

Contact us by email