Taybian Group

31/05/2026

Recently I contributed a submission to the National Cultural Policy consultation.

Drawing on my work across heritage, festivals, cultural tourism, public engagement and community-led cultural initiatives, my submission focused primarily on living heritage, place-based cultural participation and the importance of recognising broader cultural ecosystems beyond major institutions.

Through projects including Brisbane Open House, Brisbane Living Heritage and increasingly Heritage Hands, I’ve become deeply interested in how communities connect through storytelling, creativity, craftsmanship, local identity and participatory cultural experiences.

Some of the key themes explored in my submission included:
• Living heritage as cultural infrastructure
• Intergenerational knowledge sharing and skills preservation
• Community-led cultural participation
• Regional and suburban cultural ecosystems
• Cultural tourism and place-based identity
• Participatory and human-centred cultural experiences
• Sustainability for independent cultural producers
• The long-term cultural legacy opportunities surrounding 2032 and beyond

One of the strongest beliefs underpinning my submission is that Australia’s cultural life does not exist solely within major institutions.

It also exists in workshops, maker spaces, local museums, community halls, festivals, libraries, historical societies and in the hands of practitioners carrying knowledge across generations.

Increasingly, I believe some of the most important cultural opportunities ahead of us sit at the intersection of heritage, creativity, tourism, education and community participation.

If interested, my full submission can be read here:
https://heritagehands.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Submission-to-the-National-Cultural-Policy-Consultation-.pdf

~ Melissa

Images: Melissa Hoedel from Heritage Hands Vol 1

27/05/2026

With National Volunteer Week having recently wrapped up, I’ve been reflecting on the important role volunteers play across cultural, heritage and community programming.

During my time leading Brisbane Open House, one initiative I was particularly proud to introduce was a volunteer gratitude and recognition program, including milestone 5 and 10 year volunteer pins alongside other volunteer experience initiatives throughout the festival.

Across arts, heritage, festivals and community organisations, volunteers contribute far more than time.

They hold knowledge.
They create connection.
They shape audience experience.
And they help build the sense of welcome and community that people remember long after events conclude.

Thoughtful volunteer engagement and recognition is not simply operational - it is part of building strong organisational culture and meaningful public experiences.

To everyone contributing their time, care and energy across the sector - thank you.

📸 Images: Brisbane Open House / Photography by Ryan Aude

26/05/2026

TEDxBrisbanesbane at the Thomas Dixon Centre, Queensland Ballet was a powerful reminder of the role ideas, storytelling and public conversation play in shaping more connected communities.

Across the day, themes of accessibility, identity, education, systems, innovation and participation repeatedly emerged —-reinforcing the importance of creating spaces where people can engage meaningfully with ideas, culture and one another.

It was also wonderful to have the Heritage Hands exhibition installed within the venue during the event, creating an interesting intersection between future-focused conversations and living heritage practice.

At Taybian Group, we continue to be deeply interested in the role cultural programming, public engagement and participatory experiences play in shaping contemporary community and cultural life.

Congratulations to the TEDxBrisbane team, speakers and volunteers on an exceptional event.

25/05/2026

Proud to see the Villages of Brisbane: New Farm program, which I produced as part of Brisbane Open House 2024 during my time as Executive Director, recognised as a finalist in the National Trust Heritage Awards.

Developed in collaboration with the New Farm & Districts Historical Society, the program brought together heritage interpretation, public talks, guided walks and community storytelling to explore the layered cultural identity and history of New Farm.

The program also included one of architect Peter Roy’s final public conversations surrounding the Brisbane Powerhouse redevelopment and New Farm’s cultural evolution - now carrying even greater significance following his passing earlier this year.

Projects like this continue to reinforce for me the important role thoughtful cultural programming, heritage interpretation and collaborative community engagement can play in creating meaningful public experiences and stronger connections to place.

Watch the speaker series: New Farm: Past, Present & Future:
https://youtu.be/kqgjXR15BBk?si=fgwPbz9puprCP2Dv

The best of heritage came together for a wonderful evening at Brisbane's Tattersall's Club last night 🏛️ — a perfect finale to the Australian Heritage Festival as we celebrated the Queensland Heritage Awards 2026!

Thank you to our special guest and Patron of National Trust Queensland Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM and the Honourable Andrew Powell, along with 160 guests in attendance.

Congratulations to all of this year's incredible winners, with Emma Scragg taking out the prestigious John Herbert Memorial Award for the project - Monto Open Doors presented by Her Excellency.

These awards recognise the architects, conservationists, councils, researchers, and community groups protecting Queensland's cultural identity.

🏆 JOHN HERBERT MEMORIAL AWARD
Emma Scragg Architect — Monto Open Doors (North Burnett Region)

🏆 SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS 2019–2022
Cultural Heritage Services / Sunshine Coast Council — Sunshine Coast Heritage Plan

🏆 ADAPTIVE REUSE
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service — Cape Pallarenda Quarantine Station, Building 11 Adaptive Reuse (Townsville)

🏆 FIRST NATIONS
Stanley River Environmental Education Centre & Australian Heritage Specialists — Bunya to the Bay Project

🏆 HERITAGE REPORTS · RESOURCES · PUBLICATIONS
Dr Lisa Marie Daunt — Constructing Faith in the Antipodes: Modern Church Architecture in Queensland 1945–1977

🏆 INTERPRETATION · EXHIBITION · TOURS · COLLECTIONS · INTERIORS · OBJECTS
Emma Scragg Architect — Monto Open Doors (North Burnett Region)

🏆 LANDSCAPE
Climate Vulnerability Index — CVI Gondwana Rainforests – Queensland Section - James Cook University, Scott Heron

🏆 BUILT CONSERVATION
Andrew Ladlay Architect — Gympie Memorial Bandstand Conservation

What an extraordinary couple of years for Queensland heritage. Here's to all those working tirelessly to keep our stories, places and culture alive for generations to come, and congratulations to all the winners and project that received High Commendations.

Full List is available vist:http://brnw.ch/21x2FZP

07/03/2024

International Women's Day lunch with some wonderful and inspirational women. I am so very inspired by the incredible women leaders in sport, Nicole Livingstone, Cathy Freeman and Susie O'Neill, as they sat on the couch, providing insight into what it takes to be an Olympic athlete and continue the legacy.

Emcee for the day, journalist Kim Skubris led the conversation, and what resonated with me is the opportunity for an athlete to compete at a home games. 2032 is approaching and will be here before we know it. Who of us or our children will compete in the games? Who of us will participate in producing the games? Who will volunteer and who will attend?

There was a reference to the Sydney 2000 Games where many of the local residents left during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Don't, was the resounding suggestion! Stay, and immerse yourself in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For one, I know I will be supporting the games, whether it be cheering from the stands or volunteering, perhaps I'll be working on the games. Who knows? But I will be supporting them.

Thank you to the Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism for producing this event.

From networking to Nicole Livingstone and ending with the nutbush - what’s not to love 💓

Thank you to these incredible women for coming together to celebrate and represent 4017 at yesterday’s International Women's Day Business Lunch - Empowering Women in Business & Sport brought to us by Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism - congratulations on another exciting and inspiring event.

Join Sandgate Business Unplugged for our upcoming Meet & Mingle - Women in Business at Full Moon Hotel on April 19th 👏

05/12/2023

I haven't posted so many of the incredible things I have been working on with Brisbane Open House this year, but I did want to share this one. We recently worked with the Committee for Brisbane in hosting a very special, once-in-a-lifetime tour of " Kangaroo Point.

Being lovingly restored by its owners, Mr Steve Wilson AM and Dr Jane Wilson AO, heritage-listed “Home” is an architectural symbol of turn-of-the-century Brisbane and is on the Australian Institute of Architects’ list of nationally significant 20th century buildings.

Previously known locally as Lamb House, “Home” remained in the Lamb family for more than 100 years but was rapidly decaying and came close to ruin. The Wilsons took charge in June 2021 and have pledged to restore, protect and care for this Brisbane icon.

Tours were led by project architects James Davidson, JDA Co. and David Gole, Conrad Gargett. Our thanks to their support of this event and it was inspiring to see their passion for this incredible project of restoration.

This event was to raise funds, with net proceeds being donated to Brisbane Open House to support our important work. A total of $18,403.12 was raised and we thank everyone for their support.

One of the things I am most excited about from the day is providing some of our very valued volunteers with the opportunity to be taken on their own tour of this magnificent home.

It is the commencement of an exciting era with Brisbane Open House and one I've been working towards for a while, introducing several committees to help us in delivering how incredible free event and other programming throughout the year. I'm developing a:

- Volunteer Committee
- Program Committee
- Partnerships Committee

Exciting times ahead!

Happy International Volunteers Day to all our incredible BOH Vollies 🧡

This special group of dedicated individuals recently supported us at our “Home” Kangaroo Point fundraising event, and experienced a very special guided tour prior to the event.

Many from this group will also form our inaugural Brisbane Open House Volunteer Committee.

We are excited in 2024 to be introducing several committees to help us in delivering how incredible free event and other programming throughout the year.

- Volunteer Committee
- Program Committee
- Partnerships Committee

If you are interested in joining any of these committees, please send us through an email to [email protected]

13/04/2023

This time last week, we were at the Bluewater Festival to celebrate the 75th start of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race!

The Bluewater Festival is a great local community event, run by the Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce.

The Sandgate Historical Museum each year raises funds by running a mini train along Lovers Parade. This year we wanted to support them in adding a stall for the museum. Anyone that has either run markets or been a marketeer (of which I have worn both hats previously) will know that it is a huge effort. This was no different! Being such the great, supportive community that the 4017 is, meant that we weren't short of people and businesses stepping up.

So what was on our stall?
My collaborator was Luci from the Full Moon Hotel.
We workshopped a few ideas and then fixed on A5 and A4 reproduction prints of vintage postcards. We also added some merch items - button badges and tote bags.

So the run sheet of supporters is as follows. Please make sure to support these great local people and orgs.
- Luci from the Full Moon Hotel - very generously provided all the printing
- (Us) Taybian Group - organisation of the stall, stakeholders and vollies and all merchandise
- Brisbane Open House - volunteers
- Arthouse Northside - framed prints and matt mounted prints
- Keep Sandgate Beautiful Association Inc - display board

It takes a team, and I am so appreciative of everyone's efforts to pull together.

We raised a great amount from the day, and the reproductions sparked many conversations. There will be a swag of new people popping into the museum off the back of many conversations from the day.

Now hoping that what we have set up can now be continued as a solid revenue stream for the Museum at all community festivals in the 4017.

Thank you all who supported including our very first customers of the day Stirling Hinchliffe MP and Councillor Jared Cassidy👏

Cheers
Mel

10/03/2023

I support a number of local community organisations that I am passionate about. The Bramble Bay Women’s Shed is one. We recently did a good ol’ sausage sizzle to raise $$. It’s tough work for NFP and community organisations! Every bit helps.

07/03/2023

2023 has been moving at lightning speed already, so as my team at Taybian Group and I crack into some incredibly exciting projects, we are looking for two talented and enthusiastic individuals, wanting to get hands on experience, to join our team!

Is it you?
Do you know someone?

😁🤩

07/11/2022

Phenomenal DestinationQ event last week down the Gold Coast at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The opening keynote speakers; Sarah Hunter, Dr Tony Webber and Rose Herceg provided the economic markers of how our tourism industry is doing - and for Queensland it has had strong performance in the Domestic market and only growing in international markets.

I was so excited to see the pannel from the creative industry (thinking that Brisbane Open House is also a part of the mix ;)
Joel Edmondson (Queensland Music Festival), Louise Bezzina (Brisbane Festival), John Collins (The Fortitude Music Hall) and Kate Gould (Brisbane Powerhouse), discussed what is the creative and arts industries role in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics and beyond? The authenticity of making place and placemaking. Collaboration is the key! - I couldn't agree more :)

Stirling Hinchliffe spoke about the ‘Towards Tourism 2032’ tourism industry strategy, the Palaszczuk Government just released. The strategy sets an ambitious target to more than double the state’s tourism overnight expenditure to more than $44 billion a year by 2032.

With major media already committed (NBC) to the broadcast rights to the 2032 Olympics, Brisbane and beyond will be on show! What can we show them?

The Olympic and Paralympic Games have so many incredible benefits on offer for Queensland and the many many businesses, organisations, community groups and individuals!

I can't forget the segment on regenerative tourism. This is the bomb and needs to be the future.
Zack Alcott (Get Skilled Access), Hailey Brown (Vacayit), Naomi Miles (Australian Age of Dinosaurs) and Nick Morris (MGAC), talked accessibility vs inclusion, universal design, and so much more.

Thank you to everyone involved for a phenomenal event!
Tourism & Events Queensland & Queensland Tourism Industry Council