2024 Peter Cullen Lecture

2024 Peter Cullen Lecture:
“Working in contestable NRM spaces: insights to challenges and responses”

The prestigious Peter Cullen Lecture is presented annually by Griffith University and the University of Canberra, in partnership with the Peter Cullen Trust.  In the spirit of Professor Peter Cullen, the Lecture showcases contemporary leaders who seek to advance critical issues in water management and inspire action.

The 2024 Peter Cullen Lecture will be delivered by Jody Swirepik, Friend of the Trust and current Chair of the Goyder Institute.

The Lecture will be hosted by the University of Canberra.

When:  5.45 for 6.00-8.00pm, Wednesday 13 November 2024  (NB:  Lecture commences at 6.00pm and is followed by drinks and canapes in the adjacent Jaeger Room at The Shine Dome.)
Where:  The Shine Dome, Australian Academy of Science, 15 Gordon St, Acton ACT 2601
Register:  This is a FREE public event, but registration is essential. Register HERE.

Guest Speaker:  Jody Swirepik

More often than not the management of natural resources throws up situations where it’s difficult to keep everyone happy. As a manager looking for solutions, the typical polarisation of issues doesn’t help find a practical way forward.

In the 2024 Peter Cullen Lecture, Jody will provide some case studies from her roles as the Director of National Parks and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and from working at MDBA and the Clean Energy Regulator that examine confronting or controversial situations and the responses.

About Jody

Jody Swirepik has over 30 years’ experience in the water sector including recent senior government NRM roles:

• Director of National Parks – where she worked to rebuild relationships with the traditional owners of the Commonwealth’s Aboriginal owned jointly managed Parks, build the capacity and culture of Parks Australia, and secure a sustainable budget for ongoing operations.
• Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder – responsible for the management of around $4 billion of water licences to restore environmental health across 25,000 kms of Murray-Darling Basin waterways.

Prior to these roles, Jody spent three years with the Clean Energy Regulator and over a decade working on Murray Darling Basin issues.

In her earlier career, Jody worked for NSW EPA for a decade and for the ACT Government in planning, policy, and regulatory roles.

Jody is the recipient of a Public Service Medal, has an honours degree in applied science from the University of Canberra (when Peter Cullen was at his most influential), and undertook a masters on the impact of carp with NSW Fisheries.

Register:  This is a FREE public event, but registration is essential.  Register HERE.