The One Basin CRC’s 2024 annual event took place on August 21st and 22nd in Mildura, under the theme ‘Growing together’. Building on the interactive and participatory success of 2023, this year’s event featured a range of activities designed to fortify our collaborative bonds and explore ways to advance our shared goals.

Monique White, Assistant Director of Engagement at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, highlighted the event’s impact: ‘There’s a genuine purpose in ‘water people’ when we get together at events like this. It really cements your conviction that what you’re doing will make a real difference.’

CEO Mike Stewardson opened the event with reflections on the CRC partnership’s achievements, milestones reached, and the collective ambition that drives our organization.

Peter Hayes, former Chair of the Irrigation Futures CRC and current board member of One Basin, noted the increasing influence of the CRC’s research on policy discussions: ‘We’re seeing strong buy-in from a diverse array of interested partners and collaborators,’ he says, ‘driven by a collective awareness of climate change and resource allocation pressures, as well as lived experiences of imperfections and inequities in the past.’

The first morning featured project updates through a poster presentation ‘bingo card’ activity and Pecha Kucha presentations on various projects. All posters are now available on their respective project webpages.

Jane O’Dwyer, CEO of Cooperative Research Australia, sees the Murray-Darling Basin’s ‘profound challenges’ as a unifying force for One Basin CRC’s projects: ‘The notion of co-design is absolutely embedded in One Basin’s DNA, which I think is critical with the complexity of the challenges and the huge number of stakeholders involved. I have confidence they can make a difference. It’s early days … but I think [it’s] well set up for success.’

After lunch, attendees visited key sites around Mildura, including:

• The fish ladder at Lock 11
• Lower Murray Water treatment plant
• Catfish Billabong
• SuniTAFE SMARTfarm

The day concluded with a dinner at the Powerhouse, featuring entertainment from a First Nations dance group and a ‘Listening to End Users’ panel session, chaired by Brett Millington, CEO of SuniTAFE and member of the Mildura RAC.

Uncle Feli McHughes, a Ngemba leader known for his dedication to protecting the upper reaches of the Darling River, captured the event’s spirit with his powerful words: ‘I’m proud to say that the One Basin CRC is listening to its First Nations people. This is not about scientists versus irrigators, or farmers versus Aboriginal people… Irrigators worry about their children and their grandchildren too.’

The second day focused on small group activities, including a ‘rich pictures’ workshop that delved into emerging themes, questions, and insights. Peter Hayes expressed optimism about the future impact of this ‘deep and genuine’ collaboration: ‘I think integrating the partners in project design from the start, and all the time and effort…appears to be developing greater confidence on all sides,’ says Hayes, ‘with confidence being such a crucial element in the contested space we’re operating in.’

The day also featured two insightful panels: a ‘life in the hubs’ panel chaired by Director of Regional Hubs, Kym Walton, and a First Nations impact and research panel facilitated by First Nations Research Lead, Troy Meston.

For the PhD students of the One Basin CRC, the event was a milestone, marking their first chance to convene in person. They took full advantage of this opportunity, participating in workshop sessions focused on communications and First Nations engagement, which proved to be highly beneficial.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partner representatives for their participation in our Annual Event. We deeply appreciate your time, contributions, and unwavering commitment to the collaborative spirit of the One Basin CRC.