Support the ARRC’s heart work
The ARRC team, from left to right: Jed, Tom, Lucy, Lori, Siwan, Alex, Kate, Masha, Pat, Matt, Chris and Andy.
Not pictured: Our superstar Isobel who was unwell when this photo was taken.
Support the ARRC’s heart work 
The ARRC team, from left to right: Jed, Tom, Lucy, Lori, Siwan, Alex, Kate, Masha, Pat, Matt, Chris and Andy.
Not pictured: Our superstar Isobel who was unwell when this photo was taken.
With 15 years of delivering on-ground river restoration and leadership in the waterway management sector, we rely on your help to fund those parts of our work that do not attract investment – our heart work – which is mostly unpaid and in-kind.
I'm new here, who is the ARRC?
For those who have recently joined us, we – the Australian River Restoration Centre or ARRC – are a multi-disciplinary group spanning social, ecological, environmental, marketing and restoration science. We combine our expertise and lived experience to ensure a people-first approach to protecting and restoring our rivers, creeks, wetlands and billabongs.
Our seven interconnected areas of focus include Advocacy, On-ground river and riparian restoration, Science communication, Partnerships, Stakeholder engagement, Indigenous knowledge and connection, and Leadership and mentoring.
What we achieved with last years donations*
*Donations collected over financial year 2021-22
Inspired people who care about rivers to value themselves and the work they do
At the ARRC, we believe rivers and people need each other to thrive. Underpinning the work that we do are our core values: optimism, empathy and connection.
We believe that when people are given the opportunity, they want to make a difference by caring for the world around them. Offering empathy and kindness provides the foundations necessary for shared problem solving, creativity and joy. And it is only when people are connected to each other and to nature they are happier, more resilient, full of hope and able to do their most impactful work – and have fun along the way!
Promoted a campaign to stop the raising of the Warragamba Dam wall
Our work:
We advocated for the dam wall not to be raised through an opinion article: Why we need you to give a dam?
We released two podcast episodes that captured the voices of experts and community:
- Podcast with Kazan Brown: How will raising the Warragamba Dam wall erase Indigenous heritage
- Podcast with the Honourable Bob Debus: Why raising the Warragamba Dam wall raises serious concerns
What was achieved:
In early 2023, the proposal to raise the dam wall was shelved – YAY!!!
The proposal would have flooded the core of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, destroying thousands of Gundungurra cultural sites of significance, thousands of hectares of national park and habitats, and 60km of wilderness river. This great news that the proposal will not go ahead is a win for the environment, and shows the critical importance of community-driven advocacy for protecting our environment and Indigenous culture and heritage.
Kickstarted a campaign called ‘The Forgotten River’ for the Upper Murrumbidgee
Our work:
Launched a website to get the word out that this river needs our help, with support from the ACT Government: www.theforgottenriver.au
Facilitated and participated in a lobby group to seek support for the campaign.
Hosted the Snowy Advisory Committee on a tour of the Upper Murrumbidgee to highlight key issues.
Hosted ACT Minister Shane Rattenbury on a tour of the Murrumbidgee and Naas rivers to demonstrate work done to date and the need for further investment.
Met with Senator David Pocock to discuss the campaign.
Wrote letters to Senators Gallagher and Bowen highlighting their responsibilities in caring for the Upper Bidgee as key ‘Snowy Hydro’ shareholders.
What was achieved:
We have been raising awareness amongst State, Territory and Federal politicians of the plight of the Upper Murrumbidgee and the need to act. Our next steps include a meeting scheduled with Senator Katy Gallagher at the end of June to discuss further.
Multiple activities aligned with our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
Our work:
Collaborated with a variety of people from different nation groups who kindly shared with us stories of resilience, healing and reconciliation.
- Podcast with Richie Allan: River Dreaming and Reconciliation
- Podcast with Tanya Keed: Healing and Connection to Country with Yarning Circles
- Interview with Aaron Chatfield – National Reconciliation Week
- Episode: How will raising the Warragamba Dam wall erase Indigenous heritage
Authored an article ‘What is positionality and why is it important in water management’ that allows us to reflect and own our personal perspectives, position, and privileges, in relation to Indigenous Peoples, and how this can lead to true allyship and more effective pathway to reconciliation.
Authored an article ‘Slowly slowly: Cultural flows and realising Indigenous rights’ that looks at the dispossession of Indigenous rights to water and how there is need to fully recognise and prioritise Indigenous water rights and interests.
Collaborated with experts on the ARRC podcast sharing timely knowledge about our waterways
Our work:
We collaborated with researchers, scientists and landholders on a variety of topics to learn and share important knowledge:
Why science and people matter for Australian rivers. Guest Speaker: Fiona Dyer
What happens to freshwater systems during floods? Guest Speaker: Angus Webb with support from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
Why regenerative farming helps our waterways with Felicity Wheelwright
Engaged over 1200 Australians with the ARRC monthly newsletter
Every month, the ARRC newsletter shares a mix of updates between our funded projects and in-kind work. If this newsletter brightens your inbox each month, please donate what you feel it is worth.
If you don’t currently receive this newsletter, we encourage you to subscribe here
Support our heart work with a tax-deductible donation
You can also donate via Direct Transfer:
If using direct transfer please have as the reference your name & date of donation. We can send you a receipt if required, just email enquiries@arrc.com.au with the details of your donation.
Westpac Bank
ARRC Public Fund
BSB: 032-730
Account: 198844
We will keep you up to date with how your investment in the ARRC is used through our monthly newsletter.
Thank you!
– Siwan, Lori, Matt, Andy, Tom, Alex, Lucy, Kate, Masha, Isobel, Chris, Jed and Pat
“Just wanted to thank you for the link in your newsletter to this podcast [Pandemic Flux Syndrome with Amy Cuddy]. It was a really interesting and relevant session – certainly made me feel a lot better knowing [it’s] just not me thinking/feeling the way that I do at the moment. Really resonated with me.”
Sally Day
Greta Valley Landcare Group
“Thanks for another cracking read. I like your five Ps. I’ve been writing an article on management of gully erosion and your paper hit me between the eyes – yes I’d been hiding behind a conceptual model! Management starts with defining your purpose (the why), and your paper was a helpful reminder to make things enjoyably readable.”
Scott Wilkinson
CSIRO
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we work, learn, celebrate and live on. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise Elders past, present and emerging. We value their deep, rich knowledge, insights and ongoing connection to the rivers, creeks, wetlands and billabongs we love and care about. We also acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.
Image: Adapted from ‘River Dreaming’ Artwork by Richie Allen (Ngunnawal/Kamilaroi), Traditional Aboriginal Owners Corporation