The Australian River Restoration Centre is an independent, not for profit organisation, and was established in 2007 by Siwan Lovett and her husband Tom Clarke. Phil Price, Siwan’s former colleague at Land & Water Australia, also assisted in writing the Constitution for the organisation. Siwan and Tom used their own funds to set up the Australian River Restoration Centre, and the organisation still receives considerable volunteer time and effort from the couple.

The ARRC does not employ anyone directly, but instead uses sub-contracts to hire contractors against specific projects. It is a very ‘lean’ organisation, and applies for grants to support all on-ground activities through the Rivers of Carbon program. Public good work like the monthly e-newsletter, social media and free resources rely on donations and ongoing volunteer time.

The Australian River Restoration Centre is on the Register of Environmental Organisations, as well as being overseen by the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission, both of which require annual financial and governance reporting. The organisation has financial members and each year holds a virtual online Annual General Meeting as members are scattered across Australia. At the Annual General Meeting updates are provided about how the organisation has operated over the past year, and questions asked about how members feel donated monies held the Australian River Restoration Centre Public Fund should be distributed.

The Australian River Restoration Centre is on the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission database that has annually updated information about the organisation’s finances and activities: https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/c41ec0f8b1c86eaaff7a757842a2882f

The Australian River Restoration Centre’s Constitution is available by request.