Global Alliance for Heritage Interpretation is inviting all interpreters around the world to a series of webinars.

Friday 29 May May 06:00 CEST
A woman’s place is… Interpreting women’s built heritage and women’s narratives

Though women’s historical narratives have become much more expected in museum exhibitions over the last four or five decades, when it comes to interpreting built heritage have we progressed as far? Do we still fall into the trap of imagining historical women only in domestic settings? How do we approach the idea of women’s physical places and spaces historically and in the present?

To tackle these and other questions about interpreting women’s built heritage, please join Interpretation Australia’s Dr Meighen Katz in conversation with Justine Dalla Riva, Executive Director of Melbourne’s Her Place Women’s Museum and Shelly Kube, Site Manager at the Cascades Female Factory in Hobart, part of the Port Arthur Historic Sites and one of the UNESCO Australian Convict Sites. 

Presenters

Dr Meighen Katz is a public historian, curator and heritage consultant. After six years working for one of Melbourne’s major architecture and heritage practices, she has recently established her own consultancy, Katzeye Interpretation, History & Heritage.

Prior to her commercial work, Dr Katz worked at Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, where she developed the pilot project for the Rainbow List, a programme highlighting sites of significance to the LGBTQ+ community. She also taught university courses in urban history, public history and museum studies. Her research interests have included the interpretation of the Great Depression of the 1930s and museum depictions of women convicted of violent crimes, particularly infanticide.

Dr Katz has developed interpretation strategies for municipalities, institutions and infrastructure projects, as well as undertaking small site and single-building projects. In her interpretive practice, she is particularly committed to developing innovative ways for communities to address difficult historical narratives and sites. 

Justine Dalla Riva is the Executive Director of Her Place Women’s Museum Australia, the country’s dedicated museum of women’s history, located at the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne — itself one of Victoria’s most significant heritage sites. Her Place officially opened in March 2026, celebrating the lives and legacies of Australian women and championing their visibility in the public landscape.

Prior to Her Place, Justine spent six years as inaugural CEO of the Victorian Pride Centre — Australia’s first purpose-built LGBTIQA+ cultural and community hub — where she led the organisation from concept through to a thriving cultural institution welcoming more than 65,000 visitors in its first two years.

With a background in communications, strategy and not-for-profit leadership, Justine brings a practitioner’s perspective on how institutions can bring overlooked narratives to new audiences and make women’s stories not just visible, but central.

Shelly Kube is the Manager of the Cascades Female Factory in South Hobart, Tasmania. This World Heritage-listed site preserves the extraordinary history of thousands of convict women and children who lived, worked, and faced punishment within its walls. Their experiences of hardship, strength, courage, and resilience form an essential part of Australia’s national story.

During her 30-year career with the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA), Shelly has held numerous leadership roles in heritage interpretation and management. At the Cascades Female Factory, she authored the immersive visitor tours. These tours invite guests to view history through a human lens, walking in the footsteps of the women who built the nation from its margins.

Shelly’s passion ensures the site continues to educate and inspire. Driven by the firm belief that history matters, she works to share women’s voices from the past to help shape a more compassionate and informed future.

Pre-register to receive the link for attendance at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/00-5GegtTfO7X9YFLDd1Kw