Confluence 2026: Community Waterways Forum

Join waterway champions, environmental volunteers, Traditional Owners, students and community members for a one-day forum celebrating and strengthening the people and communities who care for Melbourne’s urban waterways.

Connect with others, share ideas, learn from inspiring speakers and explore how we can work together to create healthier waterways and stronger communities.

PROGRAM

• Welcome to Country by the Birrarung with Wurundjeri Elder and Birrarung Council Chair Uncle Andrew Gardiner.
• Living Waterways – Uncle Andrew Gardiner in conversation with Angela Clarke from the Maribyrnong Rivers and Waterways Association.
• Citizen Science: From Data to Storytelling – a panel hosted by April Seymore from Port Phillip EcoCentre
• Why Birds Help Us Care for Place – featured speaker Kirsty Costa, environmental leader and founder of the Weekend Birder podcast.
• Turning Care into Community – hosted by Kirsty Costa, with Ann McGregor, founder of Friends of Merri Creek, Sam Russell from Urban Guerrillas and David Mullins, Co-Manager Narrap Rangers.
• Power Through Collaboration – featuring the Urban Waterways Alliance community waterway leaders: Janet Bolitho (Yarra Riverkeeper Assoc), Nicole Kowalczyk (Maribyrnong River and Waterways Assoc), Graham Ross (Kooyong Koot Alliance), Annette Salkeld (Darebin Creek Management Committee), David Tsardakis (Werribee River Assoc), Bernadette Thomas (Merri Creek Management Committee).
• Music and Art – two songs led by Community Music Victoria, bringing people together through music and a display of Unseen Creatures, a community collaboration quilt featuring the aquatic life of the Maribyrnong.
• MC for the day is Ben Cullen from Finding Melbourne’s Nature, and visual storytelling will be created by Josie Ford from RAA Studio.

Throughout the day, participants will also have opportunities to connect with community organisations, contribute to interactive activities and build relationships with others who share a passion for healthy waterways.

All are invited to participate in this community waterways forum, including Friends groups and volunteer organisations, environmental professionals and researchers – as well as passionate community members.

This event offers a welcoming space for all to learn, connect and be inspired.

Tickets are free, but please register to attend. Lunch and refreshments (dietary requirements catered for) will be provided by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre at an additional cost of $30 and must be pre-booked.

Presented as part of RESET – a free festival for grounding and growing, and Birrarung Riverfest.