Dr Edward McDonald has extensive Aboriginal heritage assessment/clearance survey experience, having worked in the industry since 1988. He has held the position of President of the Anthropological Society of Western Australia (ASWA) for several years and is currently ASWA’s ex officio Vice President.

Dr McDonald was previously the Principal Anthropologist and Managing Director of McDonald, Hales & Associates (one of WA’s largest Aboriginal heritage consultancies) and was one of the authors of the Aboriginal Heritage Procedures Manual. This manual forms the basis for the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ guidelines for Aboriginal heritage assessment in WA. Edward was also the Consulting Anthropologist for the Eastern Guruma and Thalanyji native title claims, both of which were successful.

Edward has undertaken hundreds of heritage assessments in Perth, the South West, the Goldfields,Midwest, Kimberley and Pilbara.