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At Converge, our difference lies in our people. We bring together one of Queensland’s most experienced cultural heritage teams — archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, heritage architects and conservation experts — many of whom have worked together for years.
Managing Director and Senior Archaeologist
Managing Director and Senior Archaeologist
BA Anthropology and Archaeology Major, History Minor University of Queensland. BA (Hons) Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Queensland. Post Graduate Studies in Archaeology Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest Hungarian Education Ministry Scholarship
Simon has more than 25 years of experience working in both Australia and Europe as an archaeologist and cultural heritage practitioner. Simon has been a director of the Archaeo-Converge Group of companies since 2006. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operation of the business, Simon continues to work closely with the Converge team of cultural heritage specialists in a professional capacity and has successfully managed hundreds of projects since joining the team in 2004. Furthermore, as the manager of Archaeo’s employment and training division, Simon plays a key role in the provision of safe and culturally appropriate employment services to in excess of 400 casual Traditional Owner field officers who are directly involved in the assessment and management of their cultural heritage. This role provides Simon with a unique insight into the practicalities of implementing cultural heritage management, including CHMPS and CHMAs, on a day-to-day basis.
General Manager
General Manager
Bachelor of Education (Budapest) and Master of Education (Special Education)
Csilla was born in Hungary and moved to Australia in 1997. Csilla completed her Bachelor of Education in Budapest and holds a Master of Education (Special Education) which she completed in Australia. Csilla also studied art history as part of her undergraduate studies while in Hungary. Csilla has spent more than 25 years working in the areas of special and cross cultural education in both Europe and Australia. Csilla’s focus has always been on assisting her students and clients to achieve improved independence, self-determination and quality of life. Csilla now applies her skills and experience to Archaeo’s Traditional Owner employment and Training Services division, where she works closely with our Traditional Owner clients and employees. In addition to managing the service provision, administration and finance team, Csilla also manages a number of philanthropic programs which are funded by the company, through which Csilla continues to explore ways in which she and the company can be a strong advocate for the fundamental right of our Traditional Owner clients and employees and their families to have access to a quality education and the opportunity to pursue their goals and ambitions of self-determination. Csilla is also passionate about built heritage and has experience in the renovation of heritage and period buildings in both Australia and Hungary and has travelled extensively throughout Europe. Csilla is particularly interested in interior design, fit outs and furnishings and the use and application of colour and texture in restoration and adaptive reuse.
Professional Services Manager and Senior Heritage Consultant
Professional Services Manager and Senior Heritage Consultant
Master of Applied Cultural Heritage, Curtin University, Perth, 2010. Bachelor of Arts, Curtin University, Perth, 2008.
Samantha has been a cultural heritage consultant for over 15 years. With a broad range of experience in the Cultural Heritage field, Samantha has developed strong skills in conservation practices, project management, research, stakeholder engagement and heritage management. In addition to her role leading the professional team at Converge Heritage + Community, Samantha is engaged in a range of conservation projects with a particular focus on historic heritage, provision of legislation and compliance advice and preparation of heritage reports and studies.
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Senior Archaeologist
Senior Archaeologist
B.A Hons in Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology. University of New England
Allan has a well-rounded work history having worked as an Archaeologist in both the private and public sectors and likewise has undertaken pure research within archaeological contexts. He has specific interests in prehistoric risk management strategies and processual change within archaeological landscapes. Allan has undertaken numerous projects including the heritage component of environmental impact assessments, cultural heritage management plans, development of Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA’s) and conservation plans for specific sites of significance as both a provider and as regulator. Most of this is based around Indigenous Cultural Heritage Management. He has carried out significant archaeological research investigating Aboriginal prehistoric and historic contact sites in South Australia, Victoria and NSW and has had significant experience in the excavation, management and repatriation of incidental discoveries of ancestral remains to their parent communities. Very little of this could have been accomplished without a significant commitment to Aboriginal Community consultation and the development of enduring relationships based on trust and integrity and the right of Aboriginal groups to determine the future of their heritage as fully as possible.
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Senior Archaeologist
Senior Archaeologist
Ph.D. in Archaeology Honours in Anthropology. B.A. in Anthropology and Archaeology, The University of Queensland
Dr James (Jim) Smith has extensive archaeological experience in Australia and abroad, including the United States. This experience includes key roles within the University of Queensland Anthropology Museum, University of Queensland Archaeological Services Unit, Profuturo Copan (Honduras) and Francie Sission Consulting (Oklahoma). Jim is well versed in GIS, database design, associated software and relevant mapping systems. Jim’s professional career spans a diverse range of archaeological and cultural heritage roles, and he has developed specific strategies which have ultimately led to changes in established perspectives for assessment, conservation, management, which includes the teaching of students and peers in the use of technology to improve standards in the recording of significant cultural heritage places and items. Jim is a highly regarded senior archaeologist and team member at Converge. The main focus of Jim’s work at Converge is in the area of Aboriginal cultural heritage management.
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Senior Heritage Consultant
Senior Heritage Consultant
MA, Cultural Heritage Deakin University, Melbourne, 2004. BA, Cultural Education University Hildesheim, Germany, 1985
Ulrike is passionate about historic and Indigenous cultural heritage, in particular all aspects of conservation, management and interpretation of places and artefacts. Being engaged in a wide range of cultural heritage tasks, she has developed professional skills in research, assessment, conservation management and interpretation for individual places as well as complex sites. Ulrike’s main focus at Converge Heritage + Community is on historic heritage and includes the preparation of conservation management plans and strategies, impact assessments and advice, character studies, and the development of heritage interpretation strategies and content.
Archaeologist and Cultural Heritage Consultant
Archaeologist and Cultural Heritage Consultant
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Archaeology, Class 1, University of Queensland, 2021. Bachelor of Arts, Extended Major in Archaeology, Minor in History, University of Queensland, 2019. Winter School in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, University of Pisa, 2021
Christopher has archaeological experience in diverse landscapes such as Hawaii, Southeast Queensland, Central Queensland, and the Channel Country in far western Queensland. He has considerable experience in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management, archaeological surveys and excavations, accessioning artefacts, GIS software, historical archaeology, archival research, and built heritage studies. His professional and academic interests include Community-driven bioarchaeology, archaeological site formation, and the development of past trade and exchange networks. Christopher completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in 2021, at the University of Queensland with a thesis titled: ‘Bones that Talk: Bioarchaeology and Mortuary Practices in the Channel Country, Southwestern Queensland, Australia’ and has presented papers at various national and international conferences.
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Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant
Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant
Bachelor of Archaeological Practice, Australian National University, 2022. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Archaeology, University of Queensland, 2024
Sophia has diverse archaeological and cultural heritage management experience across Queensland and New South Wales. She has been involved in both small and large-scale projects across several industries, including extractive industry and resource management, energy, public and private infrastructure. In addition to her involvement in various cultural heritage projects, Sophia has significant experience in lithic identification and analysis, including of archaeological assemblages from the Bowen Basin, Southeast Queensland, and Saudi Arabia.
Archaeologist and Cultural Heritage Consultant
Archaeologist and Cultural Heritage Consultant
Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies, Deakin University, 2022. Bachelor of Arts Extended Major in Archaeology, Minor in Anthropology, University of Queensland, 2019. Winter School in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, University of Pisa, 2021
Linden has experience in heritage compliance, both for historical and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, and a diverse knowledge of Aboriginal ethnohistory across much of Queensland. Linden is also an Archaeologist and has participated in excavations and site surveys in Queensland and Cyprus. Linden is currently completing her Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies through Deakin University with her thesis focusing the loss of local heritage through neglect.
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Senior Archaeologist
Senior Archaeologist
PhD (Archaeology), Australian National University, Canberra. BA (Hons), Archaeology, University of Queensland. B App Sci Geology, Queensland University of Technology.
Lad has a long track record in organizing and managing archaeological field programs. He also has experience working with Traditional Owners in Queensland, Arnhem Land, and the Pilbara. He has extensive experience writing survey reports and archaeological reports. As a lithics expert, Lad also works as a Sessional Lecturer at the Australian National University and Masaryk University (Czech Republic).