Who we are

Professor Chris Chesterfield,

Chair

Chris has been involved in river and catchment management in Victoria for more than 30 years. He has contributed to advancing the protection of rivers through recent roles as chair of several ministerial advisory committees that have led to significant planning and legislative reforms, including the Willip-gin Birrarung murron (Yarra River Protection) Act. Chris is also Commissioner and Chairperson of the Victorian Environmental Water Holder.

Uncle David Wandin,

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder

Uncle David Wandin is a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder and Cultural Practices Manager (Fire and Water) at the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. He is a recognised leader in the promotion and execution of cultural (cool) burns in Victoria. He has also sat on the Waterways of the West Ministerial Advisory Committee

Aunty Diane Kerr OAM, 

Wurundjeri Woi -wurrung Elder

Aunty Diane Kerr is a Wurundjeri Woi -wurrung Elder, and a well-known advocate in the health, welfare, childcare, education and land rights arenas. She has sat on committees advising the Royal Women’s Hospital, served as Director and Chair of the Board of Native Title Services Victoria and also sat on the Victorian Aboriginal Working Group.

Kirsten Bauer

Kristen is a director of ASPECT Studios – a global, urban design and landscape architectural practice. Kirsten is a longstanding design reviewer and advisor to the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, RMIT University (where she is adjunct professor) and Melbourne University.

Prue Digby

Prue has had over 35 years of experience in providing community and publicly related services to Victoria in the state, local government and not-for-profit sectors and is currently a Board member of Chisholm Institute and a trustee of the Ross Trust. Her previous roles include Deputy Secretary, Planning and Local Government; CEO, Victorian Building Authority; and CEO, City of Yarra.

Dr Erin O'Donnell

Erin has worked in water resource management since 2002, in both the private and public sectors. She is recognised internationally for her research into the ground-breaking new field of legal rights for rivers, and the challenges and opportunities these new rights create for protecting the multiple social, cultural and natural values of rivers.

Alexandra Lee

Alexandra is a Landscape architect with over 20 years’ experience in the private and public sectors, with a career focusing on urban water management. She is currently a member of the City of Melbourne Parks and Gardens Committee and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Victoria’s reconciliation committee.

Warwick Leeson OAM

Warren is the Chair of the Yarra Riverkeeper Association. He is a former mayor and councillor of the Shire of Nillumbik and has been a powerful advocate for Victorian waterways and open spaces in the Riverine corridor. His 2013 Order of Australia Medal citation recognised his work in community rebuilding and recovery and in encouraging fire awareness planning in the aftermath of the 2009 bushfires.

Bronwyn South

Bronwyn is Finance Manager at her family’s apple and pear orchard / Angus cattle grazing enterprise on the Arthurs Creek. She is an active participant in Melbourne Water’s Stream Frontage Management program and is a life member of the Strathewen Landcare Group.