• Aboriginal sites, those places with evidence of Aboriginal occupation; and
• Aboriginal places, those places which are of contemporary, spiritual or mythological importance according to Aboriginal culture or custom, but which have no physical remains.

All at the Heritage Office were saddened by the recent death of Gillian Russell, a long standing and valued member of staff.

Gillian Russell née Snowball was born and educated in England, completing her tertiary education as a geographer. She worked for the Centre for Environmental Studies in London, before coming to Australia in 1973 to work for the Department of Urban and Regional Development in Canberra. There she met her future husband, Nigel Russell. They were married in England in 1976, then spent 2 years working in Singapore before coming to Sydney for Nigel's work at CSIRO. Gillian joined the Planning and Environment Commission (later DUAP) to work in the Information Branch, and later in the Sydney West Planning Team during which time Gillian and Nigel's children, Ian and Neil, were born.

When Gillian joined the DUAP Heritage Branch in 1990 she brought with her a strong interest in conservation. A very experienced planner, her ability with people enabled her to make a significant input to the work of the Branch and later to the Heritage Office. She also had a strong commitment to staff and union issues, and staff members naturally turned to her for counselling and support. Two major projects Gillian worked on deserve special mention: the development of a strategy to guide the Regional Environmental Plan for Parramatta, and the establishment of the Heritage Council's Aboriginal Heritage Committee. Gillian made major and lasting contributions in these areas which still provide the basis for ongoing work.

Gillian's professional reputation was highly regarded in the Heritage Office and DUAP and amongst heritage and planning professionals.

Gillian had a zest for life which underlay everything she did. She was always ready to take on new tasks, even when heavily committed. Strength of character, strong ethical principles and compassion are qualities which come to mind when thinking of Gillian, as well as her sense of humour and fun. She retained great interest in people and their activities even in the last days of her illness, which she faced so bravely.