OBITUARY: Gilles Nourissier (ICOMOS International)

Gilles Nourissier

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the recent death of Gilles Nourissier (France).

Many Australia ICOMOS members will remember Gilles best as a current member of the ICOMOS International Executive Committee, where he has been a wonderful and creative colleague, concerned with the highest standards in our fields, and with the transformation of the working style, ethics and inclusiveness of ICOMOS worldwide.

In my experience, Gilles looked for effective things to do, focusing on the desired outcomes and working with great collegiate spirit. One of his most obvious legacies for ICOMOS is nearing completion - the web-based ICOMOS International database, which will assist everyone in the smooth running of the many different parts of our organisation, promote the benefits of ICOMOS membership, and enable the organisation to more directly involve and effectively use its diverse and talented global membership.

Gilles was also an active member of the ICOMOS ISC for Training and ICOMOS France. He was the founder of the Ecole d'Avignon and a passionate advocate for and facilitator of conservation training, particularly for craftspeople and architects, both in France and further afield. A recent publication was the Manual for the Conservation and Rehabilitation of Traditional Architecture in Syria.

In all of these fields and networks of conservation practitioners, Gilles Nourissier will be sadly missed.