Bridging issue #56

In my three years with the Trust, I have learned a bit about myself as a leader.  I’ve become more comfortable in my own leadership approach, aware that my success is in supporting others to step up and lean in to opportunities and challenges, often outside their comfort zones.  The growth I’ve witnessed in our graduates, and in my team, makes me immensely proud.

I believe our sector has significant challenges ahead, but also significant contributions to make if we are bold enough and brave enough to speak our truth.  We do not have enough seats at the table, nor enough courageous leaders exercising persistence, insistence and influence in the game-changing arenas of climate-water-food-energy.  The world needs PCT-aligned Fellows and Friends to be more visible, to have stronger voices and to be prepared to have difficult conversations in wider forums.  It’s not enough to keep talking to one another.

I think a critical link is bringing focus to First Nations leaders and supporting their journey, working together on solutions to care for country and address critical issues in Closing the Gap – especially in securing access to safe drinking water, functional sanitation and ensuring communities are liveable in the challenging extremes that are forecast with climate change. 

I was asked how I retain positivity and optimism in the face of the many challenges confronting us, and I’d like to remind you to take time to celebrate success – your own and others – and to acknowledge exceptional work and courage whenever you see it.  And most importantly, to keep coming together on nationally critical issues where good science and authentic collaboration are our most effective building blocks.

On the 1st February, the incoming CEO, the inspirational Rosie Wheen, will take the wheel. Rosie was introduced at the November Graduation and is already well known to many in her previous role as CEO of WaterAid Australia. Rosie also presented the Graduation address in May 2023, and as a Friend of the Trust has been an active and founding member of the Boathouse Event Organising Committee, a key focus for May 2024. Not only does Rosie bring extensive CEO experience with Australia’s leading water charity, but she is an outstanding storyteller and mentor, wonderful qualities that resonate with Peter Cullen’s legacy.

Also announced at the November Graduation was that Cynthia Mitchell is the chairperson elect and will take over from Karlene Maywald in February 2024. Catch our February newsletter for more on this exciting appointment to our Board of Directors.

In stepping down as CEO I will miss working with the incredible staff of Linda, Bek and Lesley, our Chairperson, Karlene, and the other Directors who since earlier this year are all Fellows.

Our purpose is to foster courageous leadership to tackle big challenges in water and environment. We will only achieve this through the support of our Friends and Fellows, who continue to be so generous in supporting each other, and our work.

It has been my privilege and an absolute pleasure to meet the many new people undertaking the leadership programs and witness how truly transformative the program can be. I regret that I have not had the opportunity to do the program myself.

It’s been a thrilling journey, and I look forward to continuing to contribute as a Friend of the Peter Cullen Trust.

Enjoy the read.

At the recent Graduation event in Brisbane, I was able to share these thoughts with the audience, and Darryl had the chance to respond.  Typically, he was humble and grateful, quick to acknowledge the work of all those around him and to shine a light on the Trust’s achievements so far.  But he also left us with a challenge that resonated with me, and which I’d like to share.

In reflecting on an important encounter with Peter Cullen, on the back of a boat on the Darwin Harbour in 2007, as they prepared the closing session for OzWater, Darryl recalled the vision that Peter shared with him that day of a world needing to respond – urgently – to the challenge of climate change.  That was the message that Peter delivered, 17 years ago, in that closing session.

In Brisbane in 2023, Darryl elegantly wove the need for urgency into our thinking and encouraged us to add a new element to our own Purpose, and “foster courageous leadership to act with urgency in tackling big challenges in water and environment”.  I think that’s a message we should all hear and heed.

I have worked with Darryl over many, many years, but it is our time together as Chair and CEO of the Peter Cullen Trust that I will reflect on and remember with great pride. 

On behalf of the Board, I would like to acknowledge Darryl as an amazing contributor to the leaders of the future and to the success of the Trust.  His work during really challenging times has set us up for the next decade and we are grateful for his outstanding contribution.  We wish him well on the next stage of his journey. 

Darryl Day steps down as Trust CEO on 31 January 2024.

“We can speak the truth but if the people with the power aren’t listening we’re probably not going to get far.”

John challenged us to accept that courage is needed in the post-truth world, and highlighted the pressure that scientists are under in an era when science is being undermined in the media.  John noted that Peter Cullen epitomised fighting back and courage; he was also a master of impact and effectiveness.  Peter made good science a priority and took a view that we need to work together.  He would use clear language and metaphor; he would tell a story. 

We have some big challenges to address: climate, biodiversity, the Murray Darling Basin, water.  And they are science-intensive issues.  Knowledge and evidence needs to rule.  We need to understand one another’s language and culture.  And ultimately, we need to be able to influence government.

John discussed how evidence is used by politicians, shining a light on the “more robust” and the “less robust”.  He outlined how the timescales, focus and research methods of politics and science are different and how we need to consider many sources of evidence and understand that emotion will come into the equation too.

In looking at how scientists can have more influence over politics, John shared the need to consider the political landscape and be aware of the complexity and the pace of modern government, arguing that every decision needs a window of opportunity where a problem, policy options and conducive politics align.

John left us with the Ten Commandments of Influencing Government, which he attributed to Peter Cullen:

1. Know what you want to achieve
2. Know what the Government wants to achieve
3. Understand the decision maker
4. Solutions not problems
5. Collaborate: come as a team
6. Be prepared and persistent
7. Timing: be an opportunist
8. Communicate: understand the power of values and emotions
9. Communicate: think about the message and the messenger
10. Prioritise and compromise

Out of deep respect for Peter Cullen, John Thwaites took up the challenge as the inaugural Chairperson of the Trust, leading the Board of the start-up registered charity and Not-For Profit.  John continued in this role for a decade until passing the baton to the current Chairperson, the Hon Karlene Maywald, in 2019.

In those early years there were many challenges.  The primary focus was to establish the Trust’s Leadership Program as the pre-eminent program for leaders across the diverse water and environment sectors.  Aspirationally, this was to be a program that employers would look to send their stars in planning for succession.  A program that would nurture transformative leaders critical to major organisations.

This was also to be a charitable organisation, and John was instrumental in ensuring the Trust invested in community leaders, with a focus on leaders amongst First Nations and rural and regionally-based organisations.

The Trust’s DNA retains John’s strategic vision for an alumni of Fellows as diverse as the sector. Under John’s leadership a dedicated program for Women Leaders in the water sector commenced in 2016, which dramatically changed the dynamics of the alumni, and the reach, reputation and impact of the Trust.

Whilst these achievements are outstanding, many view John’s greatest legacy as the astute, long-term financial acumen that has enabled the Trust’s first 15 years of supporting leaders and emerging leaders who will speak Truth to Power.  The easy road was to invest the start-up grant in a short-term leadership program; the much more visionary journey was to build a sustainable Not-For Profit, Charitable organisation.

The Trust’s highest award reflects John’s ongoing legacy.

David is, by training, a scientist, with an honours degree in Zoology (and botany) from the University of Adelaide. And that background obviously influenced the direction of his career in the public service as he undertook roles in the fields of nature conservation, natural resource management and environmental protection.

David has had a distinguished career throughout which he worked for four Australian Governments – three state governments and ultimately the Commonwealth.

In NSW, David was a Deputy Director-General in the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service where he led major policy and legislative reform in the areas of endangered species conservation, wilderness conservation and native vegetation management.

He was also an Executive Director in Planning NSW where he led the Department’s programs across rural and regional NSW, especially in coastal planning and catchment management.

In Victoria he was a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

From Victoria, he moved to the ACT where he was the inaugural Director-General of the ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate following his appointment as Chief Executive of the ACT Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water. In this role, David was a member of the Basin Officials Committee and was involved in the negotiations over the development of the 2012 Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

More recently, David Papps was the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder – the CEWH – from 2015-2018 where he was responsible for managing a substantial portfolio of Commonwealth environmental water to protect and restore the Murray-Darling Basin’s environment. And if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, over the same period, David represented Australia as the Vice-President of the Ramsar Convention.

His profound legacy was recognized in 2019, David was awarded an AM for his significant service in public administration.

Since retiring David has kept his finger in the water management pie – for as he explains, once bitten by the water bug, you are in it for life. While he is well known for the odd pithy comment on current issues on the platform previously known as Twitter, he has not spoken publicly since his retirement and we are honoured that he has chosen the Cullen Lecture as the place to speak.

Tonight, in true Cullen fashion, David speaks to science, politics, pragmatism and harsh reality as he brings his unique perspective on the challenges inherent in the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan

Please welcome, Mr David Papps

Presentation – David Papps

Acknowledgements

I respectfully acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia and recognize their continuing connection to their lands, waters and communities. I acknowledge the Turrbul and Yuggera people on whose traditional lands we gather tonight, and I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.

I also wish to acknowledge the more than 50 Indigenous Nations of the Murray-Darling Basin. I recognize and respect their enduring connection to water and country.

Thank you to the Australian Rivers Institute of Griffith University for hosting this event tonight.

Thanks to the Peter Cullen Water and Environment Trust for inviting me to give this most prestigious lecture and, of course, for the important work the Trust does in continuing the legacy of Peter Cullen.

And to all of you who have so generously come along to hear me speak: thank you.

I did not know Peter Cullen well but his extraordinary contributions to the conservation of Australia’s rivers through his very significant research; through his mastery of science communication; his relentless advocacy; and his commitment to the power of evidence-based policy were major contributions to shaping the Australian policy and legislative environment.

We all stand on his shoulders.

I particularly acknowledge Peter’s role in the establishment of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and his involvement in the Group’s “Blueprint for a Living Continent” which argued for, amongst other things, the restoration of environmental flows to stressed rivers.

Finally, I acknowledge the many public servants with whom I have worked and whose professionalism, expertise and diligence has made such an invaluable contribution to the conservation of nature.

READ THE PRESENTATION

We reflected on our successes through the organising efforts of the Fellows Committee, including running two sold-out PD Days in 2023, reinvigorating the Ripple Award by introducing two categories that reflect the different ways Fellows contribute to the objectives of the Trust, and a focus on strategic planning holding the first face-to-face planning event in May. We also celebrated other activities that Fellows have led including the Nationally Significant Conversation on National Water Reform led by 2023 Ripple Award winner Kath Broderick (2014), and activities organised by the Trust including the National Webinar on international events through the Conferences of the Parties.

In 2024, the Fellows Committee will continue to build on these foundations, looking at how to grow the opportunities for Nationally Significant Conversations, holding a premier event that will build on the 2021 WateREvolution, the pilot Fellows On-Country Program, continuing to hold PD Days, Lunch with a Leader and other city-based events, growing our online engagement through LinkedIn and picking up other new activities identified through the strategic plan. Fellows are encouraged to step up and contribute to organising these activities, thinking of new opportunities, whether as members of the Fellows Committee, as a City Lead or working with the Committee to develop an idea.

2024 will be an exciting new year for the Trust as we welcome a new Chair, Professor Emerita Cynthia Mitchell and we thank outgoing Chair the Honourable Karlene Maywald. Karlene has shepherded the Trust into a positive new phase with all Directors on the Board being Fellows and the introduction of Board Observer roles for stronger links between the Board and the Fellows Committee.

We also welcome a new CEO, Rosie Wheen and we thank outgoing CEO Darryl Day who has been a rock for the Trust through the difficult COVID years.

The meeting closed with reflections on the value of opportunity for the Committee members and other Fellows to engage directly, with nominations from two Fellows to take up positions on the Committee next year.

Our Foundations are strong.

A different approach is needed.

Environmental markets are emerging as a mechanism to enable the trade of environmental goods and services, such as carbon credits, water rights, and biodiversity offsets. These mechanisms are intended to incentivize environmental conservation and address environmental issues by generating credits (and payments) for landholders that make improvements to environment and water systems on their land.

While there seems to be a good opportunity, there are challenges such as setting the right price for environmental assets, preventing fraud and double-counting, and addressing issues of equity and fairness in market design.

Our first speaker was the exceptional Prof. Karen Hussey, the recently-appointed Chair of the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee.  Karen was candid and direct as she spoke of her experiences in government and as an academic and the key role for scientists.

She emphasised the need for scientists to deliver advice and research when called upon and reminded attendees that this attribute was a central pillar of Peter Cullen’s practical and pragmatic way of working.

Karen also broadened her talk to discuss career progression, urging everyone to play to their strengths. She also reminded all to put their health and families first while building a successful and fulfilling career.

Key Stakeholders

For environmental markets to be successful, First Nations people are a crucial stakeholder – they are major land and knowledge-holders, however there are concerns globally that there is a new wave of ‘green colonialism’ whereby Traditional owners’ rights and interests may be undermined by monetizing environmental assets.

Our second speaker and network catalyst / provocateur has many hats but as both a commissioner of the NSW EPA and internationally-known indigenous science leader Assoc. Prof. Brad Moggridge (2018) led us into discussion around regulation and engagement to support aspirations of traditional owners, and for markets to support repair rather than slightly slowing decline.

Brad reminded everyone that First Nations people are always coming from a deficit and that there is no baseline to measure the health of country. He discussed the added burden of cultural integrity which is a 24/7 focus for First Nations people and isn’t recognised as part of their daily workload.

Having many years in both academia and government, Brad spoke with humility about his commitment to courage and to collaboration on water and environmental solutions.

Collaborative model – World Views

How these people work together is complicated, yet crucial – so our focus for the PD day was to develop an understanding and skills in collaboration among stakeholders, both in the design and operation of environmental markets.  

Our third speaker, Prof. Kate O’Brien (University of Qld) models complex systems to progress the sustainability agenda, is a passionate teacher, water modeller and advocate for women in STEM and integrated approaches to sustainability.  Kate talked about how different sustainability models such as planetary boundaries and sustainable development goals, while effective at articulating the scale of the problem and breaking solutions into a manageable taxonomy these fall short when it comes to organising and inspiring action.  Kate then built on the UNESCO sustainability competencies and focused on normative competencies, in particular “world views”.

Our workshop activity built on the three speakers and discussion to explore using the concept of personas, how increased understanding of other’s perspectives may help us to deliver a more considered and useful approach to environmental markets.

Fellows enjoyed the persona activity with some presenting their specific persona with flair! But all laughter aside, everyone could see the value of “stepping into the shoes” of key stakeholders, building understanding and then creating pathways for engagement, creative solutions and sustainable community development.

In a nutshell: There are real opportunities, but for environmental markets to work, the various players in environmental markets (government, investors, landholders, and the community) need to work together to provide robust regulation, transparent governance structures and monitoring, mechanisms that ensure fair and equitable participation and alignment to local and global agendas, strategies and targets. Traditional owners and landholders are vital participants, however must be provided with information, and resources to make informed decisions about their involvement in environmental markets, and cultural and land rights must be respected and protected.

Reflections on the panel

There are so many risks and challenges that face those who implement market-based mechanisms. To wrap up the day, three fellows with experience of market-based mechanisms for environmental and water management participated in a panel to kindly share their experiences.  Peter Coad (2015) spoke about experiences in biodiversity offsets in NSW; Kaye Cavanagh (2011) drew on experiences in stormwater offsets in Qld; and Brad Moggridge (2018) continued his reflections on the role of indigenous knowledge in the development of market-based approaches.

IN summary:

• Thanks to the 40+ fellows from almost all years who made the effort to attend the day – it is you that made it a success!
• It is fair to say that the conversations were interesting, frank and robust.
• Scientists need to step up to the big table and support government otherwise will not be trusted advisors to government
• Thanks to Lesley for her unwavering support (and gentle nudging to the organising committee)