NIDR Gathering 2026 online program
This digital version of the NIDR Gathering 2026 program is subject to change. On arrival, delegates will receive a printed version with additional information, beautifully designed by Ivy Hadjuk.
Register for the NIDR Gathering 2026 here.
Day 1: Tuesday 5 May
| Time | Title | Location | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8am | Registrations open | ||
| 8:30am | Welcome to Country | Wangun Amphitheatre | Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) |
| 9am | Opening Plenary | Wangun Amphitheatre | MC: Bhiamie Williamson (National Indigenous Disaster Resilience) Plenary speakers: Nick Ashburner (GLaWAC) Prof Katie Stevenson (Monash University) Keynote: The Creation of the Wangun Amphitheatre – Troy McDonald (GLaWAC) and Nikhila Madabhushi (Monash Art, Design and Architecture) |
| 10:30am | Morning tea | ||
| 11am | Plenary Session | Wangun Amphitheatre | MC: Oliver Costello (Jagun Alliance) Plenary speakers: Keiran Cain-Hall (NAB Foundation) Uncle Russell Mullett (GLaWAC) Brandon Hood (Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust) Keynote: Dr Darren Ngaru King (Aotearoa New Zealand) |
| 12:30pm | Lunch | ||
| 1:30pm | Concurrent Sessions | Auditorium | Presentations and Q&A: Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Risk Reduction Chair: Lucy Kaiser (Earth Sciences New Zealand) Resilient Architecture: Prof Anthony Hōete (University of Auckland) Hazard Maps: Jagun Alliance and River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation GLaWAC Rangers |
| Marquee | Workshop 1: Country in Our Hands - Young Mob Leading the Way Panel Facilitator: Bonnie Dukakis, Koorie Youth Council Workshop Facilitators: Centre of Excellence: Young People & Disasters, Youth Affairs Council Victoria and Victoria University Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc. Harley Finn (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation) Jali Costello (Bundjalung Youth) Tyson Neal-Edwards (Parks Victoria) | ||
| Marraga Boardroom | Workshop 2: A Pathway to Resilience and Healing - Building Victoria’s Cultural Recovery and Resilience Alliance Nelson Aldridge and Garry Detez (Yarra Ranges Council) | ||
| Yarning Circle | Men and Gender Diverse Yarning Circle Facilitator: Oliver Costello (Jagun Alliance) | ||
| 3pm | Afternoon tea | ||
| 3:30pm | Concurrent Sessions | Auditorium | Presentations and Q&A: Good Fire, Good Future Chair: Matt Shanks (Taungurung Land and Waters Council) Good Fire Gathering: Chantelle O'Donohoe and Keith Close (Jagun Alliance) Yukon First Nations Wildfire: Chief Ruth Massie (Council of Yukon First Nations, Ta'an Kwach'an First Nations), Fred Koe and Lisa Walker (Yukon First Nations Wildfire) Re-introducing Cultural Practice to Ensure Better Outcomes for Community: Trent Nelson, Caleb Clarke and Manny Thalasinos (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action of Victoria); Gary Walker and Tyson Neal-Edwards (Parks Victoria) |
| Marquee | Workshop 1: Social and Emotional Wellbeing of First Nations Emergency Service Workers A/Prof Clinton Schultz (Black Dog Institute) | ||
| Marraga Boardroom | Workshop 2: Bringing the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Policy Framework to Life Facilitators: National Emergency Management Agency and NIDR | ||
| Yarning Circle | Women and Gender Diverse Yarning Circle Facilitator: Dr Carlie Atkinson (We Al-li) | ||
| 5 - 6:30pm | Welcome Reception | GLaWAC Art Gallery | Join us for drinks and canapes, hosted by GLaWAC and catered by Albert & Co, to celebrate the opening of the NIDR Gathering. This is an optional add-on to your Gathering ticket and is listed here for purchase. |
Day 2: Wednesday 6 May - On-Country Activities
On Day 2, delegates have the privilege of choosing one of seven immersive, Indigenous-led On-Country activities. This is an optional add-on to the standard program. Registration for these activities is available here.
- Tour 1 - A day trip to Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust
- Tour 2 - Gippsland Lakes Boat Tour
- Tour 3 - Buchan Caves Reserve Tour
- Tour 4 - Raymond Island Tour
- Activity 1 - Emu Egg Carving
- Activity 2 - Possum Skin Burning
- Activity 3 - Basket Weaving
Day 3: Thursday 7 May
| Time | Title | Location | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9am | Plenary Session | Wangun Amphitheatre | MC: Dr Margaret Moreton (Gender and Disaster Australia) Plenary speakers: Prof Jonathan Procter (Massey University) and Lucy Kaiser (Earth Sciences New Zealand) Prof Briony Rogers (Fire to Flourish) Keynote: Coral Lever (First Nations Response) |
| 10:30am | Morning tea | ||
| 11am | Concurrent Sessions | Auditorium | Presentations and Q&A: Harnessing Indigenous Healing for Recovery Chair: Tanja Hirvonen (Thirrili) Psychological Impacts of Disasters: Tanja Hirvonen (Thirrili) Healing Hub Activation Model: Dr Carlie Atkinson (We Al-li) Seasons for Healing: Eliza Munro (MacKillop Seasons) |
| Marquee | Presentations and Q&A: Indigenous Flood Responses - The High Watermark Chair: Oliver Costello (Jagun Alliance) Chris Muriata and Michael George (Girringun Aboriginal Corporation) Rebecca Bond (Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation) Joshua Donohue and Clarissa Donovan (Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation) | ||
| Marraga Boardroom | Workshop: Navigating Disasters and the Law - First Nations Insights and Legal Rights Tali Rechtman (Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service) Dr Bronwyn Lay (Disaster Legal Help Victoria) | ||
| 12:30pm | Lunch | ||
| 1:30pm | Concurrent Sessions | Auditorium | Presentations and Q&A: Building Workforces for the Future Chair: Peter Barker (Country Needs People) First Nations Women in Fire: Chloe Swiney and Kylee Clubb (Australia Women-in-Fire Prescribed Training Exchange) Development of Aboriginal Community Emergency Management Plans: Ty Caling (Conservation Collaborators) and Kath Smith (East Gippsland Shire Council) Working Together to Drive Change: Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council |
| Marquee | Workshop: Heat, Health, Housing and Energy Insecurity Emma Bacon (Sweltering Cities) Lauren Mellor (Original Power) and Vanessa Napaltjarri Davis (Tangentyere Council Research Hub) | ||
| 3pm | Afternoon tea | ||
| 3:30pm | Closing Plenary Panel | Wangun Amphitheatre | MC: Bhiamie Williamson (NIDR) + invited guests |
| 5pm | Gathering closes | ||