The 2026 Awards Gala

The River Basin Management Society Awards Gala for 2026 was held on the 8th of September in Kingscliff, NSW on beautiful Bundjalung Country. As with our previous Awards Gala, this event was held concurrently with the 12ASM conference, and provided an opportunity for the RBMS community to come together to celebrate our industry, recognise its successes and share new and improved ways to care for our catchments. As well as celebrating recent achievements, this year’s Awards coincided with the 40th anniversary of the RBMS. In a nod to the decade the RBMS was founded, there was a totally rad theme of the 80s, complete with a retro lit up dance floor!

The evening started with a Welcome to Country from the wonderful Aunty Maureen Logan, Bundjalung Elder, who told us stories of her Country. From there she passed us into the capable hands of our MC for the night, Professor Ian Rutherfurd. As one of the original members of RBMS, Ian had many memories to share throughout the night and was entertaining as ever! The President’s address, provided by Claire Fitzpatrick (President) and Nicole Wheeler (Vice-President), reminded us that sharing these memories, as well as knowledge and connection, was how RBMS continues to be so valuable to us all 40 years on.

To open the Awards part of the night, we heard from Karen White, Awards Chair and facilitator of the judging process. Karen introduced the Award categories, the people who helped to judge their nominations, and provided an overview of how the process of judging was robust, rigorous, and not at all an easy task. The nominations for this year’s Awards were of an incredibly high standard, and everyone who submitted a nomination should be proud of the achievements of their projects. Thank you to all our wonderful panel of judges, Phillip Birtles, Nina Braid, Michelle Casanova, Ben Dyer, Matthew Fullerton, Melinda Kennedy, Lance Lloyd, Louissa Rogers, Ian Rutherfurd, Kathryn Taffs and Gabrielle Yates for their time, thinking deeply about the award entries and engaging in some healthy debate during the judging process.

 

And so, without further ado, the winners are…

 

Advancing Waterway Management through Graduate Research Award, proudly presented by Ian Rutherfurd

Winner – Elisha Duxbury (Macquarie University)

New tools for river recovery: Condition and management of riparian vegetation in novel ecosystems

Elisha’s PhD research developed practical tools and management approaches for rivers undergoing vegetative and geomorphic recovery in coastal NSW, including a Rapid Assessment of Riparian Condition for Recovering Rivers method, integrated weed management methods, and socio-ecological river management. The judging panel was impressed with the evidence of substantial research dissemination, tangible industry benefit and broad transferability across Australia.

      Kirstie Fryirs, accepting the Graduate Research Award on behalf of Elisha Duxbury.

Runner-up – Fatemeh Babaei (University of Melbourne)

Estimating information content of tracer data for catchment management

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge and Practice in Waterway Management Award, proudly presented by Aunty Maureen Logan

Winner – North Central Catchment Management Authority

Supporting Barapa Wamba Values and Aspirations at Guttrum-Benwell State Forests

With Barapa Barapa Community and Wamba Wemba Community as represented by the First Nations Working Group, Department of Environment Energy and Climate Change (DEECA), Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project, Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation, Kowang, Barapa Limited.

Led by Barapa Barapa and Wamba Wemba Peoples, the project supports self-determination, cultural values and knowledge in manage shared Country. It embeds a community-driven approach to caring for Country, floodplains and waterways, with Traditional Owners at the forefront of decision-making. The judging panel highlighted the project’s commitment to working in culturally respectful ways and noted that it stood out for bringing multiple mobs together to collaborate, share knowledge and make decisions.

 

Runner-up – Burnett Mary Regional Group

Listening, Learning, Planning, Recovering: Caring for Moonaboola Country Together

With Jinibara Peoples Aboriginal Corporation, Kabi Kabi Aboriginal Corporation, Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University and National Environmental Science, Program Resilient Landscaps Hub, Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, Seqwater, Noosa Shire Council.

Highly Commended – Dja Dja Wurrung enterprise DJANDAK

Dhelkunyangu Upper Avoca – Everyone working together to heal the Upper Avoca

With North Central Catchment Management Authority, Parks Victoria, Landcare, Bush Heritage, Biolinks Alliance, Trust for Nature, Pyrenees Shire Council, Central Highlands Water, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Wedderburn Conservation Management Network, Kara Kara Conservation network, Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network.

 

Building Knowledge in Waterway Management Award, proudly presented by Lance Lloyd

Winner – Alluvium Consulting

Improving floodplain deposition and streambank erosion modelling

With Queensland Water Modelling Network (QWMN), and Paddock to Reef team at Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

Alluvium’s research on floodplain deposition and streambank erosion has greatly enhanced understanding of sediment movement in Great Barrier Reef catchments. The findings have improved modelling, guided investment priorities, and bolstered the scientific foundation for Reef water quality management. The judging panel noted that the project has advanced the waterway management sector by generating new scientific insights and practical methods applicable to catchment, river, and water quality programs across Australia.

 

Runner-up – Streamology

Richmond River Sediment Source Mapping & Geo-Economic Prioritisation

With ROUS County Council, Griffith University, Macquarie University, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Ballina Shire Council, Lismore Shire, Byron Shire, Ballina Shire, Kyogle Shire and Richmond Valley Shire Councils, Richmond Riverkeepers.

Highly Commended – Macquarie University

The cost-benefit of working with recovery in river management

With Hunter Local Land Services (HLLS), Landcare Australia, SEED (The Sharing and Enabling Environmental Data Portal).

 

Involving Community in Waterway Management Award, proudly presented by Matthew Fullerton

Winner – North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Forest Creek Implementation Group

Forest Creek Revitalisation Project, Castlemaine

With Castlemaine Landcare Group, Friends of Campbells Creek, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA),  DJAARA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation)

The Forest Creek Revitalisation Project has showcased remarkable community involvement, contributions, and cooperation, significantly improving the area along Forest Creek in the heart of Castlemaine, north central Victoria. From the start, the Forest Creek Revitalisation Project Implementation Group has driven the project through the passion and persistence of its members, including key members from the Castlemaine community, the Castlemaine Landcare group, Friends of Campbells Creek and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation. The judging panel highlighted that the project serves as an inspiring example of a grassroots community-driven waterway project, with government agencies recognising and supporting the initiative through investment and support.

 

Runner-up – South Australia  Department for Environment and Water

Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Community Advisory Panel

With Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Community Advisory Panel, Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Department for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

 

Innovation in Waterway Management Award, proudly presented by Ben Dyer

Winner – Melbourne Water and Jacobs

Developing a quantitative method for prioritising ?sh barrier mitigation efforts

With the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research.

An innovative framework prioritises Melbourne fishway investments by integrating ecological modelling, feasibility assessment and cost benchmarking to identify cost-effective connectivity improvements. A first-of-its-kind Genetic Algorithm evaluates thousands of project combinations, maximising ecological benefits relative to cost while accounting for non-cumulative effects across the river network. Multi-Criteria Assessment considers engineering feasibility, safety, cultural heritage and operational factors, while Australian fishway project data supports cost benchmarking and uncertainty analysis. The judging panel was impressed with the method, which is scientifically rigorous, practical and scalable for restoring aquatic connectivity.

 

Runner-up – Streamology MR Buffers is here (Method for River Buffers): the innovative science tool

With Melbourne Water, Hume City Council, Coliban Water, Melbourne University

 

Highly Commended – Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) & North Central Catchment Management Authority

DJAARA and North Central CMA Joint Management of the Coliban River

with Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH), Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH).

 

Outstanding Project in Waterway Management Award, proudly presented by Louissa Rogers

Winner – South Australia Department for Environment and Water

Reinstating natural habitat conditions in the Bookmark Creek Complex

With Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Fulton Hogan Constructions, Jacobs, Bookmark Creek Action Group, Renmark Paringa Council, Renmark Irrigation Trust, Riverland and Murraylands Landscape Board.

The Bookmark Creek project completed in 2025, demonstrates how strategic investment in environmental infrastructure can deliver integrated environmental, social and economic outcomes. By restoring ecological function, strengthening community connections to waterways and supporting regional prosperity, the judging panel felt that the project represents an outstanding example of active water management delivering measurable outcomes on the ground.

 

Runner-up – NRM North

Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan – Catchment Works Program

With City of Launceston, Australian Government, Tasmanian Government, West Tamar Council, Meander Valley Council, Tas Farmers, Dairy Tasmania, Tas Water

Highly Commended – City of Gold Coast

Breaking Barriers – Reconnecting the Albert River

With Logan City Council, Logan & Albert Fish Management Association , Resilient Rivers, CS Environmental , Griffith University.

 

Congratulations to all our Awards finalists, and a massive thank you to everyone who put in a nomination!

 

Life Memberships Awarded

In addition to the Awards, there were some additional honours to bestow. After a 12 year hiatus, we had some Life Memberships to announce! Life Member Sandra Brizga presented three Life Memberships to the following people:

Ross Hardie served on the RBMS Committee for six years, including as President in 2006–07 and 2007–08. His leadership helped reinvigorate the Society and establish a stronger national focus, and he subsequently chaired the organising committees for the 6th and 7th Australian Stream Management Conferences. Ross has maintained a strong connection with RBMS and the wider profession through continued conference participation, most recently receiving the award for Best Presentation at the 11th Australian Stream Management Conference in 2024.

Amanda Wealands served on the RBMS Committee for six years, including as President in 2008–09 and 2009–10. Her leadership was pivotal in reinvigorating the Society and taking it to new heights, particularly through the Australian Stream Management Conference, which helped expand RBMS’s reach and profile. Amanda has remained connected to RBMS and the wider profession through subsequent conference contributions and her continuing work in water-resource management, environmental flows, integrated catchment management, strategy and evaluation.

Joanne Andrews served on the RBMS Committee for seven years overall, including as President in 2010–11 and 2011–12. Working alongside Ross and Amanda, and other committee members, during this important period, her leadership helped sustain the Society’s reinvigoration and organisational continuity.

Congratulations to our newest Life Members, and thank you for all you have done to support the RBMS!

 

Finally, it couldn’t be a proper birthday without cake. We all awkwardly sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the RBMS, before the real tunes started – and with it, the dance floor!

Thank you to everyone who helped with the Awards Gala this year, especially Karen White, Claire Fitzpatrick, Stephanie Phillips, Jo Slijkerman, and of course, Ian Rutherfurd. We look forward to the next Awards Gala!