This seminar will grow the awareness to Indigenous water management and its links more broadly to reconciliation. It will provide information on how Swinburne can link with water management organizations and how this may open opportunities for Work Integrated Learning and jobs for Swinburne graduates.

Keynote Speaker

Phil Duncan - Engagement, Relationships and Collaboration

What does This Look Like

Phil Duncan is from Moree New South Wales and is a member of the Gomeroi Nation and a member of the Gomeroi Nation Native Title Claimant Group. His homelands are Moree and Terry Hie Hie. Phil 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 through both his employment and active volunteer community work.

Phil provides high level policy and strategic advice and leadership to key Indigenous Representative Organisations, Universities, State and Federal government agencies as well as key external stakeholder groups. His strategic advice, leadership and engagement is around issues of culture and heritage significance, community engagement in on-ground projects, as well as the design, delivery and implementation of programs in partnership with government. Phil has made significant contributions in a variety of domains from education and organisational reconciliation action through to areas of focus such as natural resource management, freshwater river management, forestry, native fish, water rights and allocations. Phil has strong interpersonal, caring, and networking abilities enabling him to engage inclusively and genuinely across boundaries (individual and organisational). He is active in managing and maintaining connections and representing and understanding different viewpoints which can be applied to creating trusting and collaborative relationships.

Being better together and using the platform of Garnma Yolgnu - Two Eyed Seeing (Reid etal 2020) – Promoting greater partnership and collaborations using two way knowledge exchanges and enhancing the voices of Traditional Owners in Landcare and management via the integration of Cultural Science into the Western Scientific frameworks and models.