1 Introduction

Sharing our Stories aims to provide guidelines for community groups, local councils, government agencies and funding bodies in:

• understanding the principles of heritage interpretation, and the role it plays in community development
• the processes of heritage interpretation
• the production of heritage policies, strategies and projects
• writing applications for grant funding to pay for the costs of skilled assistance and production.

If you manage a community museum or heritage site this booklet is for you. It will help you develop a clear vision and provides a series of steps to follow in undertaking a heritage plan or project whether you choose to employ expert help or volunteers undertake the work.

The guidelines are designed to:

• develop unpaid and volunteer workers a professional approach to the process
• empower volunteer steering groups to better select and brief suitable consultants
• assist volunteer interpreters in providing enhanced services for their audiences
• assist consultants in providing better services to their clients
• inform government officers about the principles and processes of heritage interpretation so that enhanced support can be offered to council and community initiatives.

It is recognised that different heritage organizations have diverse levels of competence and an attempt has been made to provide a holistic outline that will be useful on a number of levels.

It is important to address the different aspects of an interpretation plan or project in logical sequence. You cannot produce an interpretation project until you have developed your concept plan, prepared a design brief and drafted the text. This docu­ment provides a structure and a sequence for developing interpretation.