We are honoured to launch our 2019 Distinguished Lecturer Series when The Hon Simon Molesworth AO QC delivers the 2019 RHSV Augustus Wolskel Lecture on Tuesday 19 February at 5:15pm

Commencing with an overview of the history of the worldwide National Trust movement, this lecture will explore the evolved and still evolving role of heritage conservation as a means by which the telling of history, or at least the depiction of aspects of history, is assisted by the presentation and utilisation of historic places. The lecture will explore the differing approaches adopted over the last half century, which reflect changing social mores, taking us through to the challenges and concurrent opportunities of the current day at the cusp of virtual reality.

The Hon. Simon Richard Molesworth AO QC                  

BA, LL.B, FAICD, LFEIANZ, FAIML, FVPELA, PIA(HonF), C.Env.P, M.ICOMOS, MRSV

2019 is Simon Molesworth’s forty-first anniversary of his first elected position within the Australian heritage conservation movement. Those 41 years have seen Simon hold the most senior executive roles in the National Trust movement in Victoria, nationally and globally, including having been Chairman then President in Victoria for nearly 20 years and the Inaugural Executive Chairman & President of INTO, the International National Trusts Organisation during its first 10 years.

Simon has held numerous heritage advisory roles with government at both State & Federal level, including being a Commissioner of the Australian Heritage Commission for 5 years and a member of the Commonwealth’s National Cultural Heritage Committee for 14 years.

Founding the first environmental law association in Australia in his first year of legal practice, his entire legal career has been focussed on environmental, planning, heritage and natural resource law during which time he has held numerous legal advisory roles at both State & Federal level influencing the formulation of environmental and heritage laws and policies across Australia.

Appointed a Queens Counsel 24 years ago, most recently he has been an Acting Justice of the Land & Environment Court in NSW, with his two year judicial commission having just concluded on Australia Day.

Drinks: 5:15pm RHSV Gallery Downstairs

Lecture: 6pm  RHSV Officers’ Mess Upstairs

This event is free for RHSV members and $10 for non-members.