The People’s Ground Conference
From 4 to 8 October 2016, more than 250 delegates and 80 speakers from around the world converged in Melbourne for The People's Ground conference, jointly hosted by the National Trusts of Australia and Australia ICOMOS. The conference took its inspiration from the extraordinary Melbourne Cricket Ground—popularly “The People’s Ground”—acknowledging that heritage is for and about people and community. Whilst place is central to conceptions of heritage, is it not intangible values—stories, memories, connections, emotions—that reveal and sustain our heritage?
The MCG is included on the National Heritage List, although its continual evolution means that most of the fabric is barely thirty years old. It has shared Aboriginal and non-Indigenous heritage values, and a prominent history to match its location in the landscape of the Yarra River.
The significance of the MCG extends far beyond that of a mere sports stadium. It is an integral part of the fabric of Melbourne and the nation, and has gained an egalitarian image as “the people’s ground”. (MCG National Heritage List Citation)
Click here to download a copy of the Conference Program. Detailed information about The People’s Ground can also be found at www.thepeoplesground.com.au.
Conference papers will be published on this website and the website of Australia ICOMOS. Selected papers will also be published in Historic Environment, the journal of Australia ICOMOS. Conference delegates will be notified when papers become available online.
The conference would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors, including Conference Partner Lovell Chen Architects & Heritage Consultants. The event was captured by Digital Heritage Australia.
