Sharon Sullivan

Biography

Sharon Sullivan has worked in heritage place management and land management for 30 years with considerable involvement in the development of cultural heritage systems in Australia. She has worked with the World Heritage Bureau and the World Heritage Committee reviewing nominations and operation of the committee as well as being the Australian Government’s main adviser and international representative on the World Heritage Committee.

Sharon has worked in the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in various capacities including Head, Cultural Heritage Management and Regional Director, NPWS Central Region. Sharon was one of the first cultural heritage managers employed by NPWS and consequently has had considerable influence on the formulation and development of legislation and policies on cultural heritage management in NSW. Since leaving NPWS, Sharon has been Executive Director, Australian Heritage Commission, and Director of her own heritage consultancy firm which has led her to many parts of the globe to assist in the improvement of heritage management policies.

Sharon has played a very important role as advocate for the rights of Indigenous people and in mentoring people to have an active role in the management of their own heritage. Sharon has also been instrumental in working with Indigenous communities to achieve workable conservation plans for sites of cultural significance.