Events | 19th Jun, 2026

River Peoples’ Forum 2026: Restoring Flows, Reviving Life

Photo credit: Samantha James (Swan Hill Guardian)

Join us on the banks of the Murray River to hear from some of the nation’s leading voices on river connectivity, flows and water quality in the Murray-Darling Basin.

WHEN Friday 19th June, 9am to 6pm
WHERE The Lower Murray Inn, Monash Dr, Swan Hill VIC 3585. Wati Wati & Wemba Wemba Country.

Lunch and refreshments provided. Accommodation not included.

Tickets are free but limited. RSVP now to secure your spot!

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The River People’s Forum brings together local river communities, scientists, First Nations and policy-makers to discuss the pressing issues facing Australia’s largest river system. This year’s focus is river connectivity, flows and water quality. We will also discuss the current Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review and Water Act Review – and how we can all work together to revive the rivers, wetlands and floodplains of the Murray-Darling Basin.

 

Speakers include:

  • Dr Emma Carmody, Commissioner for the River Murray in South Australia. Emma is an environmental and water lawyer with 20 years’ experience practising in Australia and internationally, including as legal advisor to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Switzerland. She is a co-founder of Restore Blue, sits on the board of the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) and is a fellow of the Peter Cullen Water and Environment Trust
  • Quentin Grafton, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the Australian National University and UNESCO Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance. Prof Grafton is an internationally-recognised expert in water economics, water justice and river governance, with extensive experience advising on sustainable water policy and reform.
  • Mark Bailey, Manager Water Resources, Goulburn Murray Water. Mark leads water supply operations, river management and water quality teams, with extensive experience in water resource management across northern Victoria. He is passionate about sustainable water management, river operations and supporting resilient regional communities in the Murray system.
  • Jono La Nauze, CEO of Environment Victoria and Chair of the Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance. Jono has worked on river, environment and land justice campaigns across the Murray–Darling Basin since 2001, helping drive major water reform and river protection initiatives, including advocacy for the Basin Plan and Indigenous partnership agreements for river red gum conservation.
  • Plus more!

Hosted by Friends of Nyah-Vinifera Park & Swan Hill Sustainability Group. With support from Environment Victoria and Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance.

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