Council members
Queensland Heritage Council current members are:
Stuart Lummis, Chair
Mr Stuart Lummis has many years’ experience as a senior executive in ASX-listed groups, government agencies and not-for-profit organisations. He has extensive expertise in managing complex property portfolios, as Head of Corporate Property for the charity “Yourtown”, and formerly as the Director of Building, Planning Facilities and Property with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, responsible for managing more than 450 properties, including 75 heritage-listed places. Mr Lummis is active on the Boards of several organisations, including Bolton Clarke (formerly RSL Care RDNS), Deaf Connect, National Trust (Australia) Queensland, Nazareth Care Australasia, Sisters of St Joseph Stewardship Council and the Brisbane Markets. He is a member of the Property Council of Queensland on its Retirement Living Committee and is the Chair of the National Trust of Queensland’s Heritage & Advocacy Committee. Mr Lummis has a Bachelor of Economics, Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, a Diploma in Project and Construction Management, and is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Melissa Barnett, Deputy Chair
Ms Melissa Barnett is a past president of the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women's Network (QRRRWN). Ms Melissa Barnett is a cattle and wine producer who manages a farmstay business on her husband’s family’s State heritage-listed property, Taabinga Station, located in the South Burnett region. Ms Barnett is a freelance journalist and holds a Bachelor of Art majoring in Art History, in addition to post graduate qualifications in Information Management, and Writing, Editing and Publishing.
Fiona Gardiner
Ms Fiona Gardiner is a heritage consultant, Associate Adjunct Professor, and former public servant. Ms Gardiner had over 30 years experience in the public service and for 13 years was the Director of Heritage in the former Environment departments. She was responsible for the administration of the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 and strategic heritage projects which advanced the conservation of Queensland’s heritage places. In the 2019 Australia Day Awards, Ms Gardiner was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service through the management of cultural heritage in Queensland. In 2022 she was awarded the Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize by the Australian Institute of Architects. Ms Gardiner is a Member of the Board of the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) and represents the National Trust on the Queensland Heritage Council.
David Gole
Mr David Gole is an architect with 26 years’ experience in the field of heritage conservation, adaptive reuse and contemporary additions to heritage buildings and sites. He has been engaged on major conservation projects in Queensland, interstate and internationally, including Queensland Parliament House, Norfolk Island, University of Queensland, Queens Wharf, Brisbane City Hall, Newstead House and Home (Lamb House). Mr Gole currently leads the heritage/adaptive reuse team at architecture firm Conrad Gargett.
Susan Hill
Ms Susan Hill is a Brisbane/Meanjin-based heritage practitioner and historian. She has worked in heritage conservation for more than 30 years, in both government and the private sector. Her practice encompasses the study of a broad range of places and project types, including conservation management plans, heritage assessments and surveys, research projects and publications. Much of her work is undertaken collaboratively, as part of interdisciplinary teams. Ms Hill was on the Panel of Assessors for the QHC (2004-2008) and has appeared as an expert witness in the Queensland Planning & Environment Court. She is a member of ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites).
Tina King
Ms King is an experienced heritage professional with qualifications and skills in historical archaeology, anthropology, built heritage and physical conservation. Ms King has worked for statutory authorities at both State and local level, and has 18 years’ experience in heritage consulting and knowledge about heritage places across Queensland. Ms King has worked on a range of local, State, National and World Heritage places across Australian jurisdictions.
Darryl Low Choy
Prof Low Choy has over 40 years’ experience in private consulting practice, university teaching, applied research and specialist consulting in the fields of urban and regional planning, environmental planning and landscape management and natural resource management. He has extensive experience serving on, and chairing boards in these fields.
David Nicholls
Mr David Nicholls is the former leader of HopgoodGanim Lawyers’ Planning and Environment practice. He has extensive experience with planning and environment litigation, including heritage matters. He has been involved with many of Queensland’s significant infrastructure, residential and mixed-use projects. Mr Nicholls is past president of the Queensland Environmental Law Association, former board member and committee member and current life member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia, and the senior author of the leading text on Queensland's planning law, Planning and Development Queensland. He was recognised as a leading Planning & Development Lawyer by Doyle’s Guide, Queensland (2017-2020), Chambers Asia Pacific (2018-2020) and Best Lawyers (2017-2020). Now retired, Mr Nicholls currently consults with HopgoodGanim and Jeff Nicholls Town Planning, providing front-end strategic advice in relation to development projects.
Jacqueline Pearce
Ms Jacqueline Pearce is a registered architect and heritage professional with twenty-five years of experience in providing a broad range of heritage services. In her current position as Associate Director at Extent Heritage, she performs the role of Brisbane Manager and leads the Built Heritage team servicing historic heritage places and built heritage projects.
In her capacity as heritage architect, Ms Pearce is committed to high standard heritage outcomes and has provided a broad range of heritage assessments, adaptive designs, impact assessments, conservation management plans, building and fabric conservation, and strategic planning with a thorough understanding of the statutory processes. She is passionate about the identification and protection of heritage and character values.
Ms Pearce is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and Heritage Committee member, a full member of Australia ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites) and past Executive Committee Member, Queensland Representative.
Major conservation projects include Queensland Parliament House, St Mary’s Church Ipswich, St Mary’s Churches Warwick, Rhossilli House (Ipswich), Rockhampton City Hall Reception Hall reinstatement and ongoing work at the Mt Crosby Pumphouse.
Celmara Pocock
Professor Celmara Pocock is Director of the Centre for Heritage + Culture, and Professor of Anthropology and Heritage Studies at the University of Southern Queensland. She has extensive experience in the heritage sector, including senior government positions in the Australian Heritage Commission and Queensland Museum. She has provided expert advice to heritage bodies including UNESCO and ICOMOS, the Australian Heritage Commission, the Tasmanian Heritage Council and the Ipswich City Council. Her research on heritage assessment, cultural landscapes and social significance contributes to both heritage studies and practice, nationally and internationally.