The University of Notre Dame Australia is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2023 Notre Dame Aspire Award is Dr Melissa Marshall from our Nulungu Research Institute in Broome.
Dr Marshall was recognised for her outstanding work with Indigenous communities in northern Australia to help identify, protect, and preserve cultural heritage sites, including rock art which is routinely vandalized or damaged.
“This award is very well deserved and is testament to the skill, passion and commitment that Dr Marshall brings to her role as both a researcher and the Director of our Nulungu Research Institute,” Notre Dame Vice Chancellor, Professor Francis Campbell, said.
“She is part of an amazing team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous research specialists who are focused on delivering practical solutions to real world problems that can help to improve the lives of communities in our Kimberley region and across Northern Australia.”
The Aspire Awards are run in partnership with Business Events Perth, which provides $5000 in prize money to enable the winner to attend to a national or international conference of their choosing.
Dr Marshall will use the prize to attend the SXNCH 2023 Symposium (Sites at the Intersection of Natural and Cultural Heritage), being held at the University of Oxford (UK) in December.
Dr Marshall thanked the University and Business Events Perth for the opportunity, which she said would help to further her knowledge and grow her connections in her field.
“Northern Australia is home to a great many heritage sites of immense importance, but sadly we continue to see damage caused by tourism, industry or vandalism on a regular basis,” Dr Marshall said.
“Through partnerships with Traditional Owners, Indigenous rangers, industry and other stakeholders, we are working to develop culturally appropriate ways to help preserve and protect these treasures for future generations.”
Media Contact: media@nd.edu.au