Working with Country to Heal - Australian Water School
03/12/2025

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Working with Country to Heal

A Transformative Murray-Darling Basin Billabong and River Ranger Initiative

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About

Join Professor Troy Meston, Team Lead of the First Nations Research Portfolio for One Basin CRC, and his team as they share insights into their River Recovery Futures Alliance (Billabong Project) — a transformational initiative that brings together science, culture, and community across the Murray–Darling Basin.

This webinar aims to open conversation and collaboration — inviting researchers, organisations, and First Nations communities to connect, share ideas, and help bring this important work to life.

The project responds to shared challenges that affect us all: declining water quality, biodiversity loss, climate extremes, and the need to restore Country through First Nations-led care and knowledge systems.

Together, we can explore how evidence-based, culturally grounded approaches can drive positive change across the Basin.

Further details on the Research Project can be found below.

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Presenters

Troy Meston

One Basin CRC

Professor Troy Meston is an accomplished Aboriginal researcher and teacher leader from the Gamilaroi people of Southwestern Queensland (QLD). He is the First Nations Research Lead in the Gulbali In... Read more
Troy Meston

Birri O’Dea

One Basin CRC

Birri O’Dea is a Kungalu and Birri-Gubba (Wiri) woman, currently a research assistant and First Nations Applied Management Advisory Committee (FNAMAC) member for One Basin CRC. Her PhD research, ... Read more
Birri O’Dea

Uncle Feli McHughes

Feli McHughes is a Ngemba man from the Upper Darling region of Brewarrina. His passion about the Brewarrina Ngemba Billabong and the wider river system has seen him involved in a number of projects wi... Read more
Uncle Feli McHughes

Geoff Reid

One Basin CRC

Geoff Reid is Gomeroi man currently living on Western Wakka Wakka, Giabal & Jarowair Country near Toowoomba. He is the First Nations Engagement Lead at the One Basin CRC, with extensive experience... Read more
Geoff Reid

Explore the project here: River Recovery Futures Alliance (Billabong Project) 

Research Objectives:

This pioneering work seeks to:
– Demonstrate a proof of concept for an integrated, trauma-informed transition program within an operational ranger setting in a disadvantaged regional area.
– Evaluate readiness and impact using culturally appropriate methods and bio-marker baselines for neuro/toxic stress.
– Strengthen education, retention, and professional development through trauma-informed and culturally safe approaches.
– Build partnerships that elevate First Nations-led, evidence-based programming by blending traditional knowledge, scientific evaluation, and cultural healing.
– Develop a pilot framework to enable clear pathways for scaling up across other ranger programs in the Murray–Darling Basin.

Sponsored by One Basin CRC

One Basin CRC is a collaborative effort involving 85 partners dedicated to building a productive, resilient and sustainable Murray-Darling Basin. The Australian Water School, a business unit of Water Research Australia, proudly stands among these partners.

 

In collaboration with:

 

Contact Us: +61 8 7424 2294 | training@awschool.com.au
awschool.com.au/training/working-with-country-heal/