Truth-Telling Through Heritage: Michelle Hilbrands’ Internship with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
PhD candidate, Michelle Hilbrands, from the UWA School of Humanities, undertook a research internship with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH). Michelle contributed to the Department’s Sites of Truth Telling (SOTT) program, a significant initiative aimed at including Aboriginal historical perspectives attached to State Heritage-listed properties.
Michelle was tasked with preparing a chapter for inclusion in the Department’s internal SOTT Aboriginal Historic Heritage report. The report’s goal is to inform and support the development of Aboriginal heritage policy in DPLH and to increase the number and representation of places of Aboriginal history on the State Heritage Register. Michelle’s specific focus was to develop a comprehensive overview of Frontier Violence in Western Australia, connecting historical events with existing heritage sites.
To achieve this, Michelle completed original archival research while also drawing on her PhD thesis. Her work included: - Conducting detailed archival research and literature reviews - Visiting key historical sites such as the Royal Historical Society of WA and the Shire of Mundaring - Producing an original 12,000-word chapter on Frontier Violence Her chapter, reviewed by her PhD supervisor and DPLH mentor, Luke Donegan, has been highly commended, and Michelle’s presentation to the Department’s Regional Team prompted strong engagement, with many requesting access to her work despite its sensitive nature. The chapter may also be distributed more broadly within the Department as an educational resource prior to the final report’s publication.
Michelle’s motivation to apply for an internship with DPLH stemmed from the alignment between the SOTT program and her PhD research. The internship provided valuable insights into how humanities research can contribute to public understanding and policy development. “This project gave me the chance to grapple with complex historical and cultural issues and turn them into a narrative that could reach a broad audience,” she reflected. “It also gave me a new perspective on how the public service engages with history and community.”
Michelle’s experience underscores the relevance of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) research in addressing contemporary challenges through collaboration with government and community. Her work contributes to reconciliation and historical truth-telling while demonstrating how academic research can translate into practical outcomes that inform public understanding.
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