Jack Buckskin
Respected Kaurna, Narungga and Wirangu man
Tuesday 20 May
Jack Buckskin is a proud Kaurna, Narungga, and Wirangu man who has dedicated his life to the revitalization and promotion of Aboriginal culture and language. As the only person fluent in the Kaurna language - a language once thought to be extinct - Jack has played a pivotal role in its resurgence.
Jack will lead a traditional Smoking Ceremony before delivering the Welcome to Country. Jack will speak to the origins and enduring importance of water for First Nations peoples and Country.
Professor Juliet Willetts
Research Director at University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures
Tuesday 20 May
Professor Juliet Willetts brings over 25 years of global experience in climate adaptation, governance, and gender equality. She has worked with the WHO, governments, and UN agencies to drive impactful change across diverse sectors. A leading expert in her field, Professor Willetts holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering and has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles.
Professor Juliet Willetts, will explore how the modern water sector in Australia continues to be shaped by its public health roots — and why those foundations matter more than ever in today’s world.
Stuart Khan
Professor and Head of School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney
Wednesday 21 May
Stuart Khan is a Professor and Head of the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney. He has published over 200 articles on water quality, treatment, and sustainability, including drinking water, wastewater, and water recycling. A Fellow of Engineers Australia, The Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), and an IWA Fellow, Stuart is a recognised global leader in water management.
Professor Stuart Khan will speak on Day 2, exploring the big-picture challenges we’re facing: water resilience, climate impacts, and how we can practically adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
Dr Jane Doolan
Member of the Murray Darling Basin Authority, a Director of Southern Rural Water Corporation and a Founding Member of the Water Policy Group
Wednesday 21 May
Dr Jane Doolan has over 30 years experience in sustainable water resource management, providing policy advice at senior levels to both the Australian and state governments on issues such as water supply and security, national water reform, river health, environmental water allocation, catchment management, and the management of water during drought and climate change. Jane is currently a Member of the Murray Darling Basin Authority, a Director of Southern Rural Water Corporation and a Founding Member of the Water Policy Group. Previous positions include Environment Commissioner with the Australian Productivity Commission, Commissioner with the National Water Commission, Professorial Fellow in Natural Resource Governance at the University of Canberra and Deputy Secretary for Water in the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries. In 2024, she was appointed as an Honorary Member of the International Water Resources Association.
Jane will speak on Day 2 and take a broader look at the current landscape — unpacking today’s water challenges through the lens of policy, governance, and on-the-ground realities. With decades of experience bridging science, policy and implementation, Jane will explore how we can better align our systems to support sustainable water management.
Dr Mark Fletcher
Chair of British Water and Global Water Lead at Arup
Thursday 22 May
Mark is Chair of British Water and former Chair of the Water Industry Forum.
He also leads the Global Water Business of Arup. He has been with Arup for 37 years. He is an international thought leader on sustainable water management, nature-based solutions and water resilience and has worked around the world.
He is on the Organising Committee for Singapore International Water Week and has led the initiative to include Young Water Professionals at Stockholm World Water Week for the last 8 years.
He is an Arup Fellow and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Society for the Environment and Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and received an Honorary Doctorate from Bradford University for his work on sustainable water management. He has been a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in Engineering Design for Sustainable Development since 2003.
Mark will speak on Day 3, offering a global perspective on future-focused solutions — from nature-based infrastructure to inclusive leadership — and challenge us to think beyond borders as we shape the next generation of water systems.
Carmel Krogh OAM
Carmel Krogh is an outstanding Australian Engineer who has contributed significantly in the realm of local government, international projects and community outcomes across her more than 40 year career. She is a known mentor to many engineers and a strong advocate for the development of...
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Chris Chesterfield
Chris is a Professor of Practice at the Monash Sustainable Development Institute where he is a key strategic thinker and research leader with a focus on water governance, urban and water planning and city scale transitions to more sustainable and liveable futures. Chris is nationally recognised for...
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Louise Dudley
Louise Dudley is a distinguished leader in Australia's water sector, with over four decades of experience spanning professional services and utility operations. Currently serving as Strategic Advisor – Water at Aurecon, Louise leverages her extensive expertise to guide clients in developing...
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Rosie Wheen
There are three threads that run through Rosie no matter where you encounter her– compassion, courage, and service. Rosie began her career in education before discovering water! With a love of adventure and languages, she jumped at an opportunity to volunteer in Indonesia. This formative experience...
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Pat McCafferty
Since 2014 Pat has served as Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water, one of Australia’s largest water utilities providing services to 2M people across Melbourne. His career in the water sector has spanned over 40 years, including advising the Australian Government as part of the National Water...
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Kiara Johnson
Kiara Johnson, a proud Aboriginal woman from regional South Australia, is owner and founder of three businesses – KSJ Consulting, Platinum Civil and Argyll Recruitment – as well as being a Peter Cullen Trust Fellow, 2023 Vicky Cullen Scholarship recipient, Leith Boully Award recipient and winner of...
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Sam Skinner
Sam Skinner is an Associate Process Engineer for Water at Aurecon, specialising in hydrogen, energy, water and oxygen projects that support various water utilities. He is dedicated to advancing the water industry’s journey to net zero and beyond. Sam earned his PhD from Melbourne University,...
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Ali Ahmadi
Ali Ahmadi is an engineer, speaker, and board director. He currently serves as the Manager of Integrated Water Planning, Strategy, and Performance at Mount Barker District Council, where he leads the sustainable management of wastewater and recycled water systems by focusing on improving asset...
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Dr Katrina Wruck
Dr Katrina Wruck is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Chemical Engineering, specialising in sustainable materials and water treatment technologies for industrial and environmental applications. A proud Mabuygilayg woman with kinship ties to Panay Clan in the Torres Strait, she focuses on the...
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Lyndall Murray – Purpose-Driven Strategist & Impact Leader
During the catastrophic 2022 Northern Rivers floods, Lyndall Murray transformed her home into an emergency command centre, coordinating over 1,000 civilian rescue missions. In the aftermath, she co-founded the Hands & Hearts Project and launched Washed Away film in 2024, a social enterprise documentary and fundraising campaign to help rebuild flood-impacted communities. This experience cemented her belief in the power of redesigning business as a force for environmental and social good.
With a background in high-level operational & marketing leadership including managing national and multinational businesses Lyndall saw first-hand the growing demand for values-aligned business models. Since then, she has focused exclusively on mission-driven ventures, from start-ups to scale.
Today, as Executive Director of RIVERTREE Film, Lyndall is part of a strategic campaign to protect the Clarence River from destructive mining leveraging documentary storytelling, and community mobilisation to drive meaningful change.
Steve Posselt
Steve is a civil engineer specialising in water, adventurer, author, convenor of Ozwater 2005 in Brisbane. He has spent the last 20 years on climate change and sustainability education. He owns a carbon farm on the Richmond River floodplain where his experience during the 2022 floods was in an area away from towns. He has a keen interest in the inter-relation between rivers and the land and has written and presented on the effects of draining the landscape.