Aboriginal Voices in Water - Vic YWP Professional Development event

25 Oct, 2022 - 25 Oct, 2022 |

5:30pm - 8.00pm |

AECOM, Tower 2, 727 Collins Street, Docklands, Melbourne

Aboriginal Voices in Water - Understanding cultural flows, Traditional Owner engagement, and Water Is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap

On 29 September 2022, DELWP released Water Is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap. With the launch of this new must-read public policy, now is a good time to talk about cultural flows and how they relate to our work.

For Aboriginal People, water has a significant social and spiritual meaning beyond its importance for health, environmental, economic and cultural purposes. At this Australian Water Association Young Water Professionals event, you will hear from Aboriginal voices and water professionals about Victoria’s water entitlement framework, past and new ways to engage with Traditional Owners, and DELWP’s newly launched Water Is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap.

“Aboriginal Peoples in Victoria have a deep connection with waters and waterways. They are essential to Spiritual and Cultural practices, as well as environmental management, food production, language and (Lore) law. Water connects People and communities to land, and to each other.” Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council.

“Water is Life develops a pathway to genuine, meaningful outcomes for Traditional Owners. It represents actual and symbolic respect for the importance of Aboriginal connections to Country. Caring for Country and water can deliver thriving cultural economies and benefits for Traditional Owners, existing entitlement holders, and all Victorians.”

https://www.water.vic.gov.au/aboriginal-values/the-aboriginal-water-program

In this event, you will hear from a panel of Indigenous water leaders and industry professionals devoted to increasing Traditional Owner power and restoring First Nations rights.
Topics include:

Contemporary approaches to Traditional Owner engagement for water practitioners
Understanding cultural flows, our current water entitlement framework, and DELWP’s new Water Is Life strategy
Water corporation insider’s perspective: delivering 2GL of water from the Mitchell River to the Gunaikurnai
Rivers as living entities

Speakers

Dr Rohan Henry – Non-Executive Director at South East Water Corporation.
Kirsty Savage – Senior Manager, Aboriginal Water Program at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Craig Parker – Executive Officer at Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners Land Management Board.
Dr Erin O’Donnell – Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne Law School

Networking
Following the session, there will be drinks and delicious canapes featuring indigenous ingredients.

Event Details

Date	Tuesday 25 October 2022
Time	5.30pm (for 6pm start) - 8.00pm
Venue	AECOM, Tower 2, 727 Collins Street, Docklands Melbourne

Registration Costs

Members	$45
Non Members	$65
Young Water Professionals, Students and Concession	$25

Click Here to Register

Thank you to our event sponsor

AECOM_Logo_Black_RGB

AECOM is committed to supporting Indigenous First Nations communities through the work we do and the role we play as a global infrastructure leader. To pursue meaningful participation and community inclusion, we believe it is important to engage with all who make up a whole community to ensure voices are heard and a community is fully represented. We are also learning more about the cultural and spiritual values of water for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and acknowledge that water is core to life for First Nations communities. AECOM is thrilled to support and sponsor AWA’s Aboriginal Voices in Water Young Professionals event and hear from Indigenous First Nations voices and Young Water Professionals about past and new ways to engage with Traditional Owners to respectfully integrate Traditional Knowledge into water infrastructure and systems.

AECOM provides water system services throughout Australia New Zealand focussing on ESG, emerging technology and innovation. We’re industry leaders in asset management and the full range of infrastructure and service planning, design and construction. Water companies, both public and private, call on AECOM’s experience to help protect public health and the environment through the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation services.

Any queries relating to this event can be directed to:
Jo Pincus, Member Engagement Manager - Victoria
Email jpincus@awa.asn.au | Tel 02 9467 8416

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