5 Minutes With... Richard Silink

What is your current role at ICS and what does that entail?

I am the Director of the Objects, Outdoor and Built Heritage department at ICS. I work with clients across all sectors to develop practical solutions to the conservation of their significant heritage items or places, whether they be they large or small.

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How did you get into conservation and what are your specialties?

I started my career as an architect specialising in the conservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings and places.  

 I moved into the museum sector and worked for the former Historic Houses Trust (now Museums of History) as the Head of Heritage looking after both the house museum properties as well as establishing a revolving fund program to find real solutions for endangered buildings and sites.  Through this groundbreaking program we purchased then carefully conserved at risk historic places and then sold them on the open market and used the proceeds to save the next endangered place. Projects ranged from early colonial houses, a rectory and even include a post WWII Nissen Hut.

Most recently, prior to joining ICS I was the Deputy Director at the National Trust (NSW) and I was responsible for the conservation and management of the Trust’s portfolio of heritage sites and museums across the state. 

I have worked in the conservation of built heritage for three decades in the private, government and not for profit sectors and I specialise in built heritage conservation, historic place management, project management.

Everyone has a part of the job they are passionate about – their first love, what is yours?

I love objects, structures and places of beauty made with traditional craftsmanship and using fine materials. It is hard to have the same tactile love for chipboard compared to the character of Australian cedar! 

I enjoy the variety of the job and developing solutions to ensure the long-term conservation of significant objects, structures and places.  

What have been your favourite projects?

The standout is not an individual project but the variety and complexity of the work we undertake. In a short period, the team has been involved with conserving archaeological remains in Adelaide, the conservation of the big trout of Adaminaby, relocating a Nissen Hut in Melbourne, erecting a totem pole in PNG, and the conservation of the gates to Chinatown in Sydney. 

Interests outside of work?

I get restless being inside. I can’t sleep-in nor stay indoors for any length of time. I need to get out and see sunrise standing on a rock with a fishing rod in hand, or waking up in a tent somewhere remote, or paddling a kayak up a river to a destination unknown.  

I would love to do all the great walks of the world, to trek the length of the Te Araoa, follow the pilgrimage route of the Kumono Kodo, walk the Bibbulmun Track in WA, climb the Western Arthurs in Tasmania and ultimately walk the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. 

I enjoy seeing and experiencing places of historic and natural beauty, meeting people of different cultures and simply enjoying the journey...

Final thoughts

I am passionate about working at ICS alongside a team of extraordinarily skilled professionals, artisans and craftspeople to ensure the ongoing conservation of our communal heritage.