Appendix 1

Chris is a Professor of Practice at the Monash Sustainable Development Institute and has been involved in river and catchment management in Victoria for more than 35 years.

He has contributed to advancing the protection of rivers through recent roles as chair of several ministerial advisory committees that have led to significant planning and legislative reforms, including the Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act.

His previous roles include Chair of the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, CEO of the Office of Living Victoria and General Manager at Melbourne Water and he is currently a non-executive director at Barwon Water.

Aunty Diane Kerr is a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder, and a well-known advocate in the health, welfare, childcare, education, and land rights arenas.

She has sat on committees advising the Royal Women’s Hospital, served as Director and Chair of the Board of Native Title Services Victoria, and also sat on the Victorian Aboriginal Working Group.

Uncle Dave Wandin is a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder and Cultural Practices Manager (Fire and Water) at the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

He is a recognised leader in the promotion and execution of cultural (cool) burns in Victoria. He has also sat on the Waterways of the West Ministerial Advisory Committee.

Uncle Andrew is a proud descendant of the Wurundjeri clans of the Woi-wurrung people and identifies as an Aboriginal Muslim Australian. Uncle Andrew’s working life has been in the service of Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal community-controlled health, and self-determination.

Uncle Andrew has held numerous positions across a range of organisations and has held (or currently holds) numerous Board and Committee positions.

In December 2019, Uncle Andrew was elected to the First Peoples Assembly Victoria as the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung reserved seat member and was re-elected in July 2023 to continue the work on State-wide Treaty.

Uncle Shane Clarke is a highly respected Elder and valued member of the Bunurong Land Council. He has provided great service and dedication to the land council and community.

Uncle Shane has a wealth of knowledge regarding Aboriginal culture including Landcare management, culture practices, language, and storytelling.

For many years Uncle Shane has worked and been involved in cultural heritage management. He has also held various positions within several Aboriginal community organisations.

Zena Cumpston is a Barkandji woman who works as an artist, writer, storyteller, consultant and curator. She is passionate about plants and seeks out projects that empower community and Country.

Zena recently co-wrote the 'Growing on Country' resource, a unique space to consider food sovereignty, fostering fertile conditions for social and environmental justice and change. She was a co-author of the Federal State of the Environment Report (2021) and the highly popular book Plants; past, present, future as part of the First Knowledges series.

She regularly shares her art practice as part of exhibitions and educational resources both in Australia and internationally.

Sandra is an independent environmental consultant specialising in waterway and coastal management, and a Sessional Member of Planning Panels Victoria.

She is a former President of the Australian and New Zealand Geomorphology Group, an Honorary Life Member of the River Basin Management Society and a Fellow of the Peter Cullen Water and Environment Trust.

Previous government board roles have included the Victorian Catchment Management Council. Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority and Trust for Nature.

David is a planner, landscape architect and heritage advisor with over 40 years’ experience in academia, research, and practice, with strengths in First Nations’ Country values and care, regional planning, statutory and strategic planning, urban design, and cultural heritage.

From 2010 to 2020, David was Professor of Planning and Landscape Architecture at Deakin University. From 2020 to 2022, he oversaw the strategic planning and urban design activities and engagements of the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

He continues to practice at the intersection of Country, planning, and design, assisting Corporations as well as design and planning practices.

Erin has worked in water law and policy since 2002, in both the private and public sectors. She is recognised internationally for her research on the legal rights of rivers and Indigenous water justice.

Erin is currently a Senior Lecturer and ARC Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne Law School, where she is working with Indigenous Peoples in Aotearoa, the USA, Australia, Sweden, Finland and Norway on the role of treaties in achieving water justice.

James is a professional scientist who has worked for CSIRO, industry and research institutes working in diverse areas from agriculture to microbiological safety, and most recently he has worked at DEECA in areas such as their Open Spaces program.

James has volunteered or served on the boards of several conservation organisations involved in revegetation and National Park advancement.

Alexandra is a Registered Landscape Architect with over 20 years’ experience in the private and public sectors. Her career has a strong focus on urban water management and exploring the importance of the community’s connection to place through water.

Alexandra is a member of the City of Melbourne Parks and Gardens Committee and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects ‘Connection to Country’ Victorian Sub-committee.

Bronwyn is Finance Manager at her family’s apple and pear orchard / Angus cattle grazing enterprise on Arthurs Creek.

She is an active participant in Melbourne Water’s Stream Frontage Management program and is a life member of the Strathewen Landcare Group.