The Gippsland Lakes have been recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention since 1982. What does that listing actually oblige governments to do, how is it holding up in a changing climate, and what should the next decade look like?
Friends of Gippsland Lakes, Parks and Reserves invites you to a free community forum at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Bairnsdale, on Thursday 8 October 2026.
The evening opens with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Marjorie Thorpe, a senior Tjapwurrung woman and Elder of the Gunaikurnai peoples of Gippsland.
Our keynote speaker is Dr Bruce Lindsay, Nature Lead and Senior Specialist Lawyer at Environmental Justice Australia. Dr Lindsay will cover the what the Ramsar Convention requires of Australia, how it interacts with historic and impending ecological challenges for the Gippsland Lakes, and how Australian law and practice has responded and may need to respond in the near future to those challenges.
He will be joined by three leading experts responsible for managing a very large and complex ecosystem.
Sean Phillipson, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
Eleisha Keogh, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
Eric Sjerp, Chair, Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee
Each will speak to their vision for the Lakes, the challenges they face, and their priorities in responding to climate change. The evening closes with a 30 minute audience Q&A, moderated by Cr Tom Crook, Deputy Mayor of East Gippsland Shire.
Event details
Date: Thursday 8 October 2026
Time: 6.00pm refreshments, 6.30pm start, 8.45pm close
Venue: St Mary’s Parish Hall, 135 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale
Cost: Free, bookings essential
Parking: Ample off-street parking
Book now: