Conference speakers 2023

Speaker	Bio
Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d) Chair, Murray–Darling Basin Authority	Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d) was awarded the Knight of the Order of Australia in January 2015 for extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to Australia, through distinguished service in the Australian Defence Force, continued commitment to serve the nation in leadership roles (particularly the national responses to the MH370 and MH17 disasters) and in a variety of roles in the community. Sir Angus retired from the military in July 2011 after serving for 41 years. He was Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 2005 to 2011 and prior to that was Chief of Air Force for 4 years. In August 2022, Sir Angus was appointed by the Government to co-lead the Defence Strategic Review. This Review will help prepare Australia to effectively respond to the changing regional and global strategic environment and ensure Defence's capability and structure is fit for purpose and delivers the greatest return on investment. Sir Angus is also Chancellor for the University of the Sunshine Coast and Chairs several other boards. He serves as a board member for numerous organisations. He is a Senior Counsellor for The Cohen Group (an international business advisory firm) and a visiting fellow of the Australian National University National Security College. In addition, he is the Ambassador/Patron for a number of charitable organisations, including several mental health charities. Sir Angus has been awarded 4 honorary doctorate degrees from the University of South Australia, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales and Griffith University. Sir Angus Houston has extensive experience in bringing different interests together to work towards a common goal and was appointed chair of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority in August 2020. Since then, he has toured extensively within the Basin listening to communities and water stakeholders. He is well placed to lead the Authority for the next stage of implementation.
Andrew McConville Chief Executive, Murray–Darling Basin Authority	Andrew commenced as Chief Executive of the MDBA in June 2022. Before joining the MDBA he was the Chief Executive of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, a position he held since 2019. Andrew worked for more than a decade with Syngenta, one of the world’s leading agribusinesses where he held several senior roles, including the Global Head of External Affairs and Communication based in Basel, Switzerland. Prior to this, Andrew ran his own agribusiness public relations consultancy and worked as Head of Corporate Affairs for Business at the National Australia Bank. Andrew holds a first-class honours degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of New England and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Oxford.
Prof N. LeRoy Poff Professor, Department of Biology – Fort Collins, USA and Distinguished Professorial Chair of Riverine Ecology and Environmental Flows, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra	N. LeRoy Poff PhD is a University Distinguished Professor of Ecology at Colorado State University and holds an adjunct appointment as Distinguished Professor at the University of Canberra. Since receiving his PhD in 1989, his research has focused on understanding how natural and human-caused hydrologic variability regulates the interactions among species and the structure and function of riverine ecosystems. Through his interdisciplinary and collaborative work, he has contributed fundamentally to the development of the field of “environmental flows,” which aims to support sustainable water resources management of streams and rivers at local to global scales in the face of growing human demands. His current interests are on developing better conceptual frameworks and decision support tools for science-based management of streams and rivers in our current era of rapid climate and ecological change Professor Poff is a former President of the Society of Freshwater Science, an Aldo Leopold Fellow of the Ecological Society of America, a Fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, the Ecological Society of America and the Society for Freshwater Science.
Dr Simon Banks Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder	Dr Simon Banks commenced as the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) in October 2022. The CEWH manages water for the environment on behalf of the Australian Government to support the rivers and wetlands of the Murray–Darling Basin. Prior to this appointment Dr Banks held senior roles in the Australian Government in natural resource management and has extensive experience in engaging with stakeholders – from local communities through to international organisations. He was previously in a senior role at the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office (CEWO) from 2009 to 2014.
Dr Kate Brandis Researcher UNSW	Dr Kate Brandis is a member of the Centre for Ecosystem Science, UNSW and has worked in the wetlands of the Murray–Darling Basin for over 20 years. Kate monitors colonial waterbird colonies at key wetland sites and provides advice to government agencies on environmental water delivery to support colonial waterbirds. During the dry times Kate analyses waterbird and river flow data to determine flow targets for policy and decision making to ensure our wetland remain important habitat for waterbirds and other wetland biota.
Professor Stuart Bunn Murray–Darling Basin Authority member	Professor Stuart Bunn is the Director of the Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. Stuart’s major research interests are in the ecology of river and wetland systems with a particular focus on the science to underpin river management. This research has resulted in more than 250 technical publications, most of which are refereed journal papers and conference proceedings. Stuart has extensive experience working with international and Australian government agencies on water resource management issues. From 2008 to 2012, Stuart was a National Water Commissioner, and he has previously served as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Panel for the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum and as a Director of Land and Water Australia. He is currently Chair of the Science Committee for Healthy Land and Water and a member of the International Planning Committee for the Sustainable Water Future Programme.
Ann Castle Senior Fellow, Getches-Wilkinson Center, University of Colorado Law School	Anne Castle is a senior fellow at the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment at the University of Colorado Law School, focusing on western water issues, including Colorado River policy and management. Anne was appointed by President Biden in 2022 as the U.S. Commissioner on the Upper Colorado River Commission. Anne practiced law for 28 years in Colorado, specializing in water issues. She serves on the boards of the Colorado Water Trust, Stanford University’s Water in the West program, the Salazar Center for North American Conservation, and is the founder of and advisor to an effort to achieve universal access to clean drinking water on Native American reservations.
Michael Condon ABC rural reporter	Michael Condon’s job reporting for the ABC’s The Country Hour has taken him up the Birdsville track to outback Queensland, and in 2005 he completed a study tour of wool processing in Shanghai in China. Michael has worked in SA, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales covering everything from the ABARE annual conference, to the increased water flowing into the iconic Snowy River, and high profile prosecutions of water take from the Darling River.
Chantal Corish Psychologist	Goondiwindi-based psychologist Chantal Corish’s journey has been one of deep insight into the lives of the people who make up the bush, and the trials and tribulations they experience from cradle to grave. A mother of three girls and a farmer’s wife, she provides deep empathy, always with the goal of making people feel truly seen and heard. Chantal also works as a speaker, coach and workshop facilitator, helping raise awareness and destigmatise mental health. During the recent drought years, she facilitated ‘Flourish’ well-being workshops for rural women; and ‘Calm Farmer’ workshops for men, particularly those working alone and shouldering the brunt of the ‘big dry’.
Matthew Dadswell Head of Water Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water	Matthew Dadswell is the Head of the Water Reform Division at the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Working on water and biodiversity policy, most recently Matthew has supported the Australian Government to implement National and Murray Darling Basin Plan water reforms and led programs to improve monitoring and compliance of water use. He has represented Australia internationally at a number of multi-lateral and bilateral water forums. He has held senior roles in government, across the agricultural, natural resource management and environment sectors and is a volunteer with Scouts Australia. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Forestry from The Australian National University and a Graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture from the University of Canberra.
Dr Jane Doolan Murray–Darling Basin Authority member	Dr Jane Doolan has over 25 years experience in sustainable water resource management, providing policy advice at senior levels to both the Australian and state governments on issues such as urban and rural water supply and security, national water reform, river health, environmental water allocation, catchment management, and the management of water during drought and climate change. Her career encompasses intergovernmental policy development and negotiations, particularly in relation to the management of the Murray–Darling Basin, and the oversight of major water projects and programs. Jane is currently a Director of Southern Rural Water Corporation in Victoria, a Founding Member of the Water Policy Group, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and is the independent chair of several consultative and advisory committees. In March 2022, she completed a term as the Environment Commissioner with the Australian Productivity Commission. Previous positions include Professorial Fellow in Natural Resource Governance at the University of Canberra, Commissioner with the National Water Commission, Chair of the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre and Deputy Secretary for Water in the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
Dr Phil Duncan Economic Participation of Indigenous Communities CRC	Dr Phil Duncan is from Moree New South Wales and is a member of the Gomeroi Nation. He has over 40 years’ experience working with Aboriginal people and government to improve the lives of Aboriginal people through recognition of our rich cultural history, the return of our lands, the improvement of our living conditions and education of our next generation. Phil is passionate about greater collaboration using 2-way knowledge exchanges, and enhancing the voices of Traditional Owners in Landcare and management by integrating Cultural Science into Western Scientific frameworks and models. Phil has been Chair of the Basin Community Committee since February 2022.
Abby Ettershank Principal Advisor, PURE Grain	Abby Ettershank is the Principal Advisor for Farm Operations for Moree-based company PURE Grain. She has extensive experience in the domestic and export grain supply chain and onsite grain handling operations. With a strong focus on diversifying income streams and expanding the knowledge base of herself and those around her, Abby has a passion for building human connections to facilitate sustainable on-farm and on-site best practices. Abby believes at the heart of innovation is power and passion – financial power, brain power and a passion for change.
Dr Paul Frazier Director, 2rog	Dr Paul Frazier is Director of 2rog Consulting, an environmental consulting firm in Armidale. He has been living and studying in the Murray–Darling Basin most of his life. For more than 30 years he has studied the effects of river regulation on river landscapes. Over the last 15 years he has focused on the rivers, wetlands and floodplains of the northern Murray–Darling Basin. Since 2014 Paul has led 2 large monitoring projects looking at the outcomes of providing water for the environment in the Gwydir and Warrego-Darling systems. These projects have studied outcomes in relation to hydrology, aquatic foodwebs, vegetation, fish, waterbirds and frogs.
Tim Goodes Executive Director, Basin Plan Murray–Darling Basin Authority	Prior to joining the MDBA in June 2020, Tim was the Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions for the South Australian Government. He was responsible for Agriculture, Food and Wine; Regional Development; Major Program delivery; and corporate services. From 2009 to 2017 Tim was the Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources in South Australia. In that role he was responsible for the policy and strategy development of the department, including serving as the Basin Official for South Australia, overseeing the implementation of the Basin Plan and other major water projects. Tim came to natural resources management following 12 years in the justice portfolio, in courts and the Attorney-General’s Department including time as the Sheriff of South Australia, and 3 years as an Executive Director in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. He has a degree in Social Administration and a Masters in Public Policy and Administration.
Jane Humphries Local Engagement Officer, Northern Basin	Jane Humphries was born and lived for most of her life in Moree area on Gomeroi/Kamilaroi country. Jane has a background in livestock, farming and irrigation, as well as significant experience in natural resource projects and community engagement. For the past 4 years she has been a Local Engagement Officer with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office in the northern Basin. Her passion and drive is in working collaboratively with others in sharing and building knowledge, and looking after people and country – especially around rivers, wetlands, vegetation and waterbirds of the northern Basin.
Daniel Kahl Business Manager, Merced Farming	Daniel Kahl, together with his family, manages Merced Farming, a mixed farming operation and Wee Waa, New South Wales. After working in commodity marketing, Daniel returned to the farm in 2014 as Business Manager. In 2017, Daniel was awarded a Nuffield Australia Scholarship which he used to complete research focussing on creating pathways for the attraction, retention and development of staff in on farm careers. Daniel has a keen interest in the impact of water policy and reform on his community and communities like Namoi.
Professor Lorrae Van Kerkhoff Director, ANU Institute for Water Future	Professor Lorrae Van Kerkhoff is a Professor at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, and Director of the ANU Institute for Water Futures. While based at Harvard in 2004 she worked on the concept of knowledge systems for sustainability, and now focuses her research on knowledge governance and its relationship to social-ecological change. Her work brings together concepts from Science and Technology Studies with Sustainability Science.
Tanya Kirkegaard Chairperson Queensland Murray Darling Catchments Ltd	Tanya Kirkegaard is a strong and proud Bigambul woman from Goondiwindi who has strong cultural and community ties within Southern Queensland which spans neighbouring First Nations Groups and generations of family. With a background in Integrated Water Management, Tanya has been involved in Natural Resource Management for more than 12 years. Tanya is passionate and driven about First Nations rights and interests and it is her ambition to drive change and influence acceptance and integration of First Nations Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Management practices that will support, empower and encourage self-determination.
Jack Knowles General Manager, Basin Strategy and Knowledge, Murray–Darling Basin Authority	Jack Knowles joined the MDBA in August 2021 as General Manager, Communications, Engagement and Strategic Policy. Her career has focused on public policy in water, agriculture, natural resource management and the environment. For more than 20 years Jack has worked with government, industry, not-for-profit organisations and the private sector to facilitate stakeholder-centred policy development, design, implementation and evaluation. Jack holds a Bachelor of Science (Environmental) from the University of New South Wales and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
James Pryor REMPLAN economic development and planning and demography consultant	James Pryor is a regionally-based economist and consultant with experience in economic development and impact analysis. Born in Moree New South Wales and educated in Armidale, James is passionate about regional Australia and unlocking the untapped economic prosperity for our communities. He supports investment in large-scale commercial and residential development, renewable energy infrastructure, and workforce investment for the digital age. James is an economist with REMPLAN and sits on the Regional Development Australia Northern Inland committee.
Eliezer Riñen Technical Manager at Algae Pharm and Technical Services Coordinator at Woods Group	Eliezer Riñen is the Technical Manager at Algae Pharm and Technical Services Coordinator at Woods Group in Goondiwindi. Eliezer has a background in agriculture and horticulture in the Phillipines, and experience growing herbs and vegetables in New South Wales. He helped develop the Philippine National Standard for Edible Fungi (Mushroom) and the Code of Good Cultivation Practices, and also worked for the International Rice Research Institute focusing on development and dissemination of a web-based platform for field-specific information on crop and nutrient management.
Herb Smith Founder/Business Owner, DREAMTIME TUKA	Herb Smith is a Wiradjuri man from Wellington New South Wales and the Founder of DREAMTIME TUKA, an Aboriginal owned business that started in 2015. Since then Herb has achieved great success and the business has gained National recognition as a corporate supplier of bush food flavoured products which embody Aboriginal Australia’s rich cultural traditions. In 2016 DREAMTIME TUKA became the first 100% Aboriginal-owned business to supply food to Qantas. Herb is a strong advocate for Aboriginal Education, Training, Business and Employment and is using the success of DREAMTIME TUKA as a platform to help Close the Gap.
Russell Stewart Chair Regional Development Australia, Northern Inland (New South Wales)	Russell Stewart is a passionate advocate of training and employment pathways that retain our young people in the region and is committed to the economic development of the 12 Local Government Areas in Northern Inland. Russell has extensive experience across all three levels of government as well as the private sector. He is currently Chair of Regional Development Australia Northern Inland, President of the Narrabri & District Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Narrabri Coal Community Consultancy Committee and a member of the Narrabri Gas Community Consultancy Committee.
Jess Strauch Manager Border Rivers and Cotton Pricing, Queensland Cotton Corporation	Jess Strauch is the Manger of Grower Services for Queensland Cotton, an Australian Cotton Future Leader’s graduate and the 2022 recipient of the Australian cotton industry’s Chris Lehmann Trust Young Achiever Award. Jess facilitates the successful collaboration of Queensland Cotton with cotton growers, using her insights into global cotton market conditions. Jess has worked within the industry for almost 8 years across numerous growing regions, been a part of various Growers Associations and Grower Committees and is passionate about assisting future generations with career opportunities in the cotton industry.
Marc Sutherland Tamworth Regional Council, Community perspectives, Gomeroi person	Marc Sutherland is a proud Gomeroi and Ngarabul man with strong connections to country and community across the New England and north west of New South Wales. The deep desire to create positive change and to support the growth and development of young people and the community more broadly has lead Marc to becoming the first Gomeroi person to be elected onto Tamworth Regional Council.
Tony Townsend Program Leader, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries	Tony Townsend, Program Leader (Murray Darling) in the Freshwater Environment Branch of NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries has over 18 years' experience in improving native fish populations of NSW through the management, development and implementation of native fish and aquatic habitat related policy, projects and processes in the NSW Murray–Darling Basin. Tony has extensive knowledge and practical experience of freshwater fish biology and ecology, the threats and risks that affect them, and the collaborative management solutions needed to protect and enhance the State’s fisheries in a changing climate, including those related to water management, infrastructure development and assessment, and extreme events.
Anne Williams Integrated care manager with HealthWISE	Anne Williams is integrated care manager with HealthWISE who delivers a range of mental health, allied health, specialist outreach and primary health care nursing programs in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. With a background in speech pathology, Anne is especially interested in preventing health problems in the early years and through education. She is currently leading the delivery of ‘Recover, Adapt, Connect’ in areas affected by the ‘Black Summer’ bushfires. Living and working in rural New South Wales, Anne is aware of the rural/urban health divide and the need to integrate services to improve health outcomes.
Rene Woods Murray–Darling Basin Authority member	Rene Woods is a Nari Nari man from southwest New South Wales. He has had a long involvement in Gayini (water) for Aboriginal people across the Basin. He is a strong advocate for First Nations people in the Basin and has worked in communities in both the public and non-government organisation sectors of the Basin. He is currently employed by the Nature Conservancy Australia as a Conservation Officer and has seen what can happen for communities that have Gayini and land under their ownership and control. He believes that together we can achieve a strong healthy river system and healthier communities. He previously held the position of chairperson of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations. He has also been vice-chair of the Nari Nari Tribal Council. He has also held several other positions including with the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Aboriginal Water Initiative and Murrumbidgee Valley Water New South Wales Customer Advisory Group. Rene was also a member of the National Cultural Flows Research Committee and Independent Panel for the Assessment of Social and Economic Conditions of Murray–Darling Basin communities.

Speaker

Bio

Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d)

Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d)
Chair, Murray–Darling Basin Authority

Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d) was awarded the Knight of the Order of Australia in January 2015 for extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to Australia, through distinguished service in the Australian Defence Force, continued commitment to serve the nation in leadership roles (particularly the national responses to the MH370 and MH17 disasters) and in a variety of roles in the community.

Sir Angus retired from the military in July 2011 after serving for 41 years. He was Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 2005 to 2011 and prior to that was Chief of Air Force for 4 years.

In August 2022, Sir Angus was appointed by the Government to co-lead the Defence Strategic Review. This Review will help prepare Australia to effectively respond to the changing regional and global strategic environment and ensure Defence's capability and structure is fit for purpose and delivers the greatest return on investment.

Sir Angus is also Chancellor for the University of the Sunshine Coast and Chairs several other boards. He serves as a board member for numerous organisations. He is a Senior Counsellor for The Cohen Group (an international business advisory firm) and a visiting fellow of the Australian National University National Security College. In addition, he is the Ambassador/Patron for a number of charitable organisations, including several mental health charities. Sir Angus has been awarded 4 honorary doctorate degrees from the University of South Australia, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales and Griffith University.

Sir Angus Houston has extensive experience in bringing different interests together to work towards a common goal and was appointed chair of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority in August 2020. Since then, he has toured extensively within the Basin listening to communities and water stakeholders. He is well placed to lead the Authority for the next stage of implementation.

Andrew McConville
Chief Executive, Murray–Darling Basin Authority

Andrew commenced as Chief Executive of the MDBA in June 2022. Before joining the MDBA he was the Chief Executive of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, a position he held since 2019.

Andrew worked for more than a decade with Syngenta, one of the world’s leading agribusinesses where he held several senior roles, including the Global Head of External Affairs and Communication based in Basel, Switzerland. Prior to this, Andrew ran his own agribusiness public relations consultancy and worked as Head of Corporate Affairs for Business at the National Australia Bank.

Andrew holds a first-class honours degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of New England and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Oxford.

Prof N. LeRoy Poff
Professor, Department of Biology – Fort Collins, USA and Distinguished Professorial Chair of Riverine Ecology and Environmental Flows, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra

N. LeRoy Poff PhD is a University Distinguished Professor of Ecology at Colorado State University and holds an adjunct appointment as Distinguished Professor at the University of Canberra. Since receiving his PhD in 1989, his research has focused on understanding how natural and human-caused hydrologic variability regulates the interactions among species and the structure and function of riverine ecosystems.

Through his interdisciplinary and collaborative work, he has contributed fundamentally to the development of the field of “environmental flows,” which aims to support sustainable water resources management of streams and rivers at local to global scales in the face of growing human demands. His current interests are on developing better conceptual frameworks and decision support tools for science-based management of streams and rivers in our current era of rapid climate and ecological change

Professor Poff is a former President of the Society of Freshwater Science, an Aldo Leopold Fellow of the Ecological Society of America, a Fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, the Ecological Society of America and the Society for Freshwater Science.

Dr Simon Banks
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder

Dr Simon Banks commenced as the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) in October 2022. The CEWH manages water for the environment on behalf of the Australian Government to support the rivers and wetlands of the Murray–Darling Basin.

Prior to this appointment Dr Banks held senior roles in the Australian Government in natural resource management and has extensive experience in engaging with stakeholders – from local communities through to international organisations. He was previously in a senior role at the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office (CEWO) from 2009 to 2014.

Dr Kate Brandis
Researcher UNSW

Dr Kate Brandis is a member of the Centre for Ecosystem Science, UNSW and has worked in the wetlands of the Murray–Darling Basin for over 20 years. Kate monitors colonial waterbird colonies at key wetland sites and provides advice to government agencies on environmental water delivery to support colonial waterbirds. During the dry times Kate analyses waterbird and river flow data to determine flow targets for policy and decision making to ensure our wetland remain important habitat for waterbirds and other wetland biota.

Professor Stuart Bunn
Murray–Darling Basin Authority member

Professor Stuart Bunn is the Director of the Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. Stuart’s major research interests are in the ecology of river and wetland systems with a particular focus on the science to underpin river management. This research has resulted in more than 250 technical publications, most of which are refereed journal papers and conference proceedings. Stuart has extensive experience working with international and Australian government agencies on water resource management issues.

From 2008 to 2012, Stuart was a National Water Commissioner, and he has previously served as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Panel for the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum and as a Director of Land and Water Australia. He is currently Chair of the Science Committee for Healthy Land and Water and a member of the International Planning Committee for the Sustainable Water Future Programme.

Ann Castle
Senior Fellow, Getches-Wilkinson Center, University of Colorado Law School

Anne Castle is a senior fellow at the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment at the University of Colorado Law School, focusing on western water issues, including Colorado River policy and management. Anne was appointed by President Biden in 2022 as the U.S. Commissioner on the Upper Colorado River Commission. Anne practiced law for 28 years in Colorado, specializing in water issues. She serves on the boards of the Colorado Water Trust, Stanford University’s Water in the West program, the Salazar Center for North American Conservation, and is the founder of and advisor to an effort to achieve universal access to clean drinking water on Native American reservations.

Michael Condon
ABC rural reporter

Michael Condon’s job reporting for the ABC’s The Country Hour has taken him up the Birdsville track to outback Queensland, and in 2005 he completed a study tour of wool processing in Shanghai in China. Michael has worked in SA, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales covering everything from the ABARE annual conference, to the increased water flowing into the iconic Snowy River, and high profile prosecutions of water take from the Darling River.

Chantal Corish
Psychologist

Goondiwindi-based psychologist Chantal Corish’s journey has been one of deep insight into the lives of the people who make up the bush, and the trials and tribulations they experience from cradle to grave. A mother of three girls and a farmer’s wife, she provides deep empathy, always with the goal of making people feel truly seen and heard. Chantal also works as a speaker, coach and workshop facilitator, helping raise awareness and destigmatise mental health. During the recent drought years, she facilitated ‘Flourish’ well-being workshops for rural women; and ‘Calm Farmer’ workshops for men, particularly those working alone and shouldering the brunt of the ‘big dry’.

Matthew Dadswell
Head of Water Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Matthew Dadswell is the Head of the Water Reform Division at the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Working on water and biodiversity policy, most recently Matthew has supported the Australian Government to implement National and Murray Darling Basin Plan water reforms and led programs to improve monitoring and compliance of water use. He has represented Australia internationally at a number of multi-lateral and bilateral water forums. He has held senior roles in government, across the agricultural, natural resource management and environment sectors and is a volunteer with Scouts Australia.

Matthew holds a Bachelor of Forestry from The Australian National University and a Graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture from the University of Canberra.

Dr Jane Doolan
Murray–Darling Basin Authority member

Dr Jane Doolan has over 25 years experience in sustainable water resource management, providing policy advice at senior levels to both the Australian and state governments on issues such as urban and rural water supply and security, national water reform, river health, environmental water allocation, catchment management, and the management of water during drought and climate change. Her career encompasses intergovernmental policy development and negotiations, particularly in relation to the management of the Murray–Darling Basin, and the oversight of major water projects and programs.

Jane is currently a Director of Southern Rural Water Corporation in Victoria, a Founding Member of the Water Policy Group, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and is the independent chair of several consultative and advisory committees. In March 2022, she completed a term as the Environment Commissioner with the Australian Productivity Commission. Previous positions include Professorial Fellow in Natural Resource Governance at the University of Canberra, Commissioner with the National Water Commission, Chair of the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre and Deputy Secretary for Water in the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries.

Dr Phil Duncan
Economic Participation of Indigenous Communities CRC

Dr Phil Duncan is from Moree New South Wales and is a member of the Gomeroi Nation. He has over 40 years’ experience working with Aboriginal people and government to improve the lives of Aboriginal people through recognition of our rich cultural history, the return of our lands, the improvement of our living conditions and education of our next generation.

Phil is passionate about greater collaboration using 2-way knowledge exchanges, and enhancing the voices of Traditional Owners in Landcare and management by integrating Cultural Science into Western Scientific frameworks and models. Phil has been Chair of the Basin Community Committee since February 2022.

Abby Ettershank
Principal Advisor, PURE Grain

Abby Ettershank is the Principal Advisor for Farm Operations for Moree-based company PURE Grain. She has extensive experience in the domestic and export grain supply chain and onsite grain handling operations.

With a strong focus on diversifying income streams and expanding the knowledge base of herself and those around her, Abby has a passion for building human connections to facilitate sustainable on-farm and on-site best practices.

Abby believes at the heart of innovation is power and passion – financial power, brain power and a passion for change.

Dr Paul Frazier
Director, 2rog

Dr Paul Frazier is Director of 2rog Consulting, an environmental consulting firm in Armidale. He has been living and studying in the Murray–Darling Basin most of his life. For more than 30 years he has studied the effects of river regulation on river landscapes. Over the last 15 years he has focused on the rivers, wetlands and floodplains of the northern Murray–Darling Basin. Since 2014 Paul has led 2 large monitoring projects looking at the outcomes of providing water for the environment in the Gwydir and Warrego-Darling systems. These projects have studied outcomes in relation to hydrology, aquatic foodwebs, vegetation, fish, waterbirds and frogs.

Tim Goodes

Tim Goodes
Executive Director, Basin Plan
Murray–Darling Basin Authority

Prior to joining the MDBA in June 2020, Tim was the Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions for the South Australian Government. He was responsible for Agriculture, Food and Wine; Regional Development; Major Program delivery; and corporate services.

From 2009 to 2017 Tim was the Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources in South Australia. In that role he was responsible for the policy and strategy development of the department, including serving as the Basin Official for South Australia, overseeing the implementation of the Basin Plan and other major water projects.

Tim came to natural resources management following 12 years in the justice portfolio, in courts and the Attorney-General’s Department including time as the Sheriff of South Australia, and 3 years as an Executive Director in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. He has a degree in Social Administration and a Masters in Public Policy and Administration.

Jane Humphries
Local Engagement Officer, Northern Basin

Jane Humphries was born and lived for most of her life in Moree area on Gomeroi/Kamilaroi country. Jane has a background in livestock, farming and irrigation, as well as significant experience in natural resource projects and community engagement. For the past 4 years she has been a Local Engagement Officer with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office in the northern Basin. Her passion and drive is in working collaboratively with others in sharing and building knowledge, and looking after people and country – especially around rivers, wetlands, vegetation and waterbirds of the northern Basin.

Daniel Kahl
Business Manager, Merced Farming

Daniel Kahl, together with his family, manages Merced Farming, a mixed farming operation and Wee Waa, New South Wales. After working in commodity marketing, Daniel returned to the farm in 2014 as Business Manager. In 2017, Daniel was awarded a Nuffield Australia Scholarship which he used to complete research focussing on creating pathways for the attraction, retention and development of staff in on farm careers. Daniel has a keen interest in the impact of water policy and reform on his community and communities like Namoi.

Professor Lorrae Van Kerkhoff
Director, ANU Institute for Water Future

Professor Lorrae Van Kerkhoff is a Professor at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, and Director of the ANU Institute for Water Futures. While based at Harvard in 2004 she worked on the concept of knowledge systems for sustainability, and now focuses her research on knowledge governance and its relationship to social-ecological change. Her work brings together concepts from Science and Technology Studies with Sustainability Science.

Tanya Kirkegaard
Chairperson Queensland Murray Darling Catchments Ltd

Tanya Kirkegaard is a strong and proud Bigambul woman from Goondiwindi who has strong cultural and community ties within Southern Queensland which spans neighbouring First Nations Groups and generations of family. With a background in Integrated Water Management, Tanya has been involved in Natural Resource Management for more than 12 years. Tanya is passionate and driven about First Nations rights and interests and it is her ambition to drive change and influence acceptance and integration of First Nations Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Management practices that will support, empower and encourage self-determination.

Jack Knowles

Jack Knowles
General Manager, Basin Strategy and Knowledge, Murray–Darling Basin Authority

Jack Knowles joined the MDBA in August 2021 as General Manager, Communications, Engagement and Strategic Policy. Her career has focused on public policy in water, agriculture, natural resource management and the environment.

For more than 20 years Jack has worked with government, industry, not-for-profit organisations and the private sector to facilitate stakeholder-centred policy development, design, implementation and evaluation. Jack holds a Bachelor of Science (Environmental) from the University of New South Wales and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

James Pryor
REMPLAN economic development and planning and demography consultant

James Pryor is a regionally-based economist and consultant with experience in economic development and impact analysis. Born in Moree New South Wales and educated in Armidale, James is passionate about regional Australia and unlocking the untapped economic prosperity for our communities. He supports investment in large-scale commercial and residential development, renewable energy infrastructure, and workforce investment for the digital age. James is an economist with REMPLAN and sits on the Regional Development Australia Northern Inland committee.

Eliezer Riñen
Technical Manager at Algae Pharm and Technical Services Coordinator at Woods Group

Eliezer Riñen is the Technical Manager at Algae Pharm and Technical Services Coordinator at Woods Group in Goondiwindi. Eliezer has a background in agriculture and horticulture in the Phillipines, and experience growing herbs and vegetables in New South Wales. He helped develop the Philippine National Standard for Edible Fungi (Mushroom) and the Code of Good Cultivation Practices, and also worked for the International Rice Research Institute focusing on development and dissemination of a web-based platform for field-specific information on crop and nutrient management.

Herb Smith
Founder/Business Owner, DREAMTIME TUKA

Herb Smith is a Wiradjuri man from Wellington New South Wales and the Founder of DREAMTIME TUKA, an Aboriginal owned business that started in 2015. Since then Herb has achieved great success and the business has gained National recognition as a corporate supplier of bush food flavoured products which embody Aboriginal Australia’s rich cultural traditions. In 2016 DREAMTIME TUKA became the first 100% Aboriginal-owned business to supply food to Qantas.

Herb is a strong advocate for Aboriginal Education, Training, Business and Employment and is using the success of DREAMTIME TUKA as a platform to help Close the Gap.

Russell Stewart
Chair Regional Development Australia, Northern Inland (New South Wales)

Russell Stewart is a passionate advocate of training and employment pathways that retain our young people in the region and is committed to the economic development of the 12 Local Government Areas in Northern Inland. Russell has extensive experience across all three levels of government as well as the private sector. He is currently Chair of Regional Development Australia Northern Inland, President of the Narrabri & District Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Narrabri Coal Community Consultancy Committee and a member of the Narrabri Gas Community Consultancy Committee.

Jess Strauch
Manager Border Rivers and Cotton Pricing, Queensland Cotton Corporation

Jess Strauch is the Manger of Grower Services for Queensland Cotton, an Australian Cotton Future Leader’s graduate and the 2022 recipient of the Australian cotton industry’s Chris Lehmann Trust Young Achiever Award. Jess facilitates the successful collaboration of Queensland Cotton with cotton growers, using her insights into global cotton market conditions. Jess has worked within the industry for almost 8 years across numerous growing regions, been a part of various Growers Associations and Grower Committees and is passionate about assisting future generations with career opportunities in the cotton industry.

Marc Sutherland
Tamworth Regional Council, Community perspectives, Gomeroi person

Marc Sutherland is a proud Gomeroi and Ngarabul man with strong connections to country and community across the New England and north west of New South Wales. The deep desire to create positive change and to support the growth and development of young people and the community more broadly has lead Marc to becoming the first Gomeroi person to be elected onto Tamworth Regional Council.

Tony Townsend
Program Leader, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries

Tony Townsend, Program Leader (Murray Darling) in the Freshwater Environment Branch of NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries has over 18 years' experience in improving native fish populations of NSW through the management, development and implementation of native fish and aquatic habitat related policy, projects and processes in the NSW Murray–Darling Basin. Tony has extensive knowledge and practical experience of freshwater fish biology and ecology, the threats and risks that affect them, and the collaborative management solutions needed to protect and enhance the State’s fisheries in a changing climate, including those related to water management, infrastructure development and assessment, and extreme events.

Anne Williams
Integrated care manager with HealthWISE

Anne Williams is integrated care manager with HealthWISE who delivers a range of mental health, allied health, specialist outreach and primary health care nursing programs in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

With a background in speech pathology, Anne is especially interested in preventing health problems in the early years and through education. She is currently leading the delivery of ‘Recover, Adapt, Connect’ in areas affected by the ‘Black Summer’ bushfires. Living and working in rural New South Wales, Anne is aware of the rural/urban health divide and the need to integrate services to improve health outcomes.

Rene Woods
Murray–Darling Basin Authority member

Rene Woods is a Nari Nari man from southwest New South Wales. He has had a long involvement in Gayini (water) for Aboriginal people across the Basin. He is a strong advocate for First Nations people in the Basin and has worked in communities in both the public and non-government organisation sectors of the Basin. He is currently employed by the Nature Conservancy Australia as a Conservation Officer and has seen what can happen for communities that have Gayini and land under their ownership and control. He believes that together we can achieve a strong healthy river system and healthier communities.

He previously held the position of chairperson of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations. He has also been vice-chair of the Nari Nari Tribal Council. He has also held several other positions including with the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Aboriginal Water Initiative and Murrumbidgee Valley Water New South Wales Customer Advisory Group. Rene was also a member of the National Cultural Flows Research Committee and Independent Panel for the Assessment of Social and Economic Conditions of Murray–Darling Basin communities.

Updated: 02 Jun 2023

Conference speakers 2023

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