The following is the final program. Delegates will be notified of any changes through the conference app during the Symposium.
Prof Peter Batey is Emeritus Professor of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Liverpool in the UK. A graduate in geography, with a Master’s degree in planning and a PhD in regional science, He has an international reputation for his work in quantitative urban and regional analysis.
Prof Peter Batey had a significant role in the 25 year campaign focused on restoring the River Mersey and estuary. The campaign's achievements in river restoration and stakeholder engagement led to the River Mersey winning the very first International Riverprize back in 1999.
Marcella D’Souza is the Director of the WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS) and former Executive Director of Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR), India from 2006 till March 2019. She is a medical doctor by training and a Takemi Fellow of the Harvard School of Public Health.
Marcella spent 6 years in rural communities in South Andean Peru, working in Community and Public Health. She joined WOTR in 1995 as Coordinator, Women’s Promotion in the bilateral Indo-German Watershed Development Programme.
Mara Bún is President of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Australia’s proudly independent national environment organisation involving half a million people who speak out for a world where forests, rivers, people and wildlife thrive.
Mara chairs the Board of Gold Coast Waterways Authority, a Queensland Government agency managing 160 kilometres of magnificent waterways that are vulnerable to climate impacts. She also is strategy consultant to Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre and commercial linen supplier Simba Global where she pioneers lean/agile approaches to evolving digital services that transform productivity and sustainability.
Leith has been involved in water, agriculture, natural resource management and leadership development for a long time. She is passionate about people and their engagement in the decision making processes that affect their lives and livelihoods. A long involvement in influencing the Murray Darling Basin initiative has been fundamental to the development of her stakeholder engagement skills together with understanding of the ‘big picture’ of water resource management.
Leith’s current water related roles include Chairman of Sunwater, board member of Murrumbidgee Irrigation and member of the Australian Water Partnership Advisory Committee.
Karlene Maywald is the Deputy Chair of ICEWaRM. Karlene was the representative for the seat of Chaffey in the South Australian House of Assembly from October 1997 until March 2010. During her tenure, from 2004 until 2010, she was South Australia’s Minister for Water Security and the River Murray during one of the worst drought periods in living memory. She has a proven, long-standing track record in water management and is passionate about water reform in Australia.
Shion is a Senior Water Resources Specialist currently working with the Manila-based Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) East Asia Department responsible for leading design, processing and implementing of loan projects and technical assistance programs in the People’s Republic of China and Mongolia.
Prior to joining ADB, he worked on a range of water infrastructure policy and strategic planning roles in the Queensland Government and in consultancy, including most recently leading the Asset Efficiency and Optimization program at Seqwater.
Riversymposium networking events offer the chance to network, mingle and relax with other delegates working towards sustainable river basin management. The 2019 networking program includes the Riversymposium Welcome Function, the Diversity in Water event and the world-renowned Riverprize Gala Dinner.
Tickets for networking events can be purchased when through the registration page.
Sunday, 20 October
Time: 6:30 – 8:30pm
Location: P11, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
An evening cocktail function celebrating diversity in all its forms, and discussing how equal opportunities can help to advance sustainable river basin management. This years Diversity in Water theme is Resilient Communities.
All delegates are welcome to attend this evening function which includes drinks and canapes. Tickets are available when you register.
Monday, 21 October
Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm
Location: Foyer, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
The official Riversymposium Welcome Function is held within the RiverExpo networking area following the final session on Monday 21 October and offers the chance to connect with delegates from around the world in a relaxed social setting.
The Welcome Function, is complimentary for all delegates with a full conference registration, offering drinks, canapes and the chance to network with fellow symposium delegates.
Tuesday, 22 October
Time: Doors open 6:15pm | Officially starts 6:30pm
Location: Plaza Terrace Room, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Riverprize is a prominent environmental award giving recognition to those who have developed and implemented outstanding, visionary and sustainable programs in river management and restoration. The Riverprize Gala Dinner is the highlight of the Riversymposium networking program, bringing award finalists, conference delegates, IRF partners and VIPs together for a night of networking, entertainment, food and drinks—and, of course, the announcement of the 20th International Riverprize winner. Other awards announced on the night include the Vera Thiess Fellowship for Women and the Ken Thiess Scholarship. Tickets are available when you register.
Dress code: business / semi-formal or traditional dress
A range of study tours are available for Riversymposium attendees to participate in on the last day of the conference. From visiting South-East Queensland’s largest drinking water supply dam to joining our Aboriginal Culture Day Cruise, there’s something for everyone.
View our list of study tour options on the study tours page