The Royal Military College Duntroon, listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List, is a complex cultural landscape shaped by millennia of Aboriginal occupation, early pastoral use, and its ongoing role as the training ground for Australia’s Army officer corps.

As Project Director, Madeline led the development of a Heritage Interpretation Plan, working closely with Department of Defence personnel and key stakeholders. The project required careful navigation of operational sensitivities and extensive consultation to ensure the site’s heritage values were meaningfully captured and communicated.

The interpretation framework spans the full depth of the site’s history—from deep-time Aboriginal connections to its institutional and social evolution. Particular emphasis was placed on representing the diverse Duntroon community, including the often underrepresented experiences of women and broader social narratives within the military context. 

The plan established a cohesive, scalable approach to site activation and visitor experience, with recommendations including a walking trail, an oral history program, public art, digital interpretation, and integrated signage. These initiatives were designed to engage both Defence personnel and the wider public, reinforcing Duntroon’s role as a living cultural landscape.

This project demonstrated the ability to deliver strategic interpretation within complex institutional environments, balancing heritage values, stakeholder needs, and contemporary audience engagement.