CCWA Annual Conference
November 12 – 13, 2025
Wednesday 12th – Thursday 13th of November
The Wetlands Centre, Cockburn
Caring for place, people, and nature through collective action.
Join us for Western Australia’s leading climate and nature event – where community, First Nations leaders, researchers, and innovators come together to turn ambition into action.
Together, we’ll explore how to accelerate the shift to renewable energy, cut emissions, and protect ecosystems for future generations.
This event is a space to learn, share, and work together for real change.
Major Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Program
Registration and Networking
Terrace
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Smoking Ceremony
Cyril Yarran
Amphitheatre
8:15 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome to Country and Opening
Cyril Yarran, Jemima Williamson-Wong
Main Hall
8:45 AM – 9:15 AM
Opening Address
Matt Roberts
CCWA Executive Director
Main Hall
9:15 AM – 9:25 AM
Minister’s Address
Hon Matt Swinbourn MLC
Minister for the Environment
Main Hall
9:25 AM – 9:35 AM
Session 1
Why our work matters
CCWA Program Managers
Main Hall
9:40 AM – 10:15 AM
Morning Tea and Member Group Expo
10:15 PM – 10:45 PM
Keynote Address
Professor Brendan Wintle
A nature positive transition to renewable energy is both possible and essential – reasons to be optimistic.
Main Hall
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
Lunch and Member Group Expo
12:40 PM – 1:40 PM
Session 3
Choose one
Connecting habitat in the suburbs – Banksia Woodlands and Carnaby’s Cockatoos
Steve McCabe
Program Manager, ReWild Perth
Main Hall
1:40 PM – 3:00 PM
What would winning look like? Imagining strategies for a fast, fair, and nature-friendly transition
Matt Berry, Rhiannon Hardwick, Sarah English, Liam Lilly
CCWA
Education Room
1:40 PM – 3:00 PM
The Changing Landscape of Giving
Margie Jenkin
Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network
Meeting Room
1:40 PM – 3:00 PM
Afternoon Tea and Member Group Expo
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Session 4
Accelerating the shift to renewable energy
Wilf Johnston, Charlie Caruso, Oral McGuire, Piers Verstegen, Jai Thomas
Main Hall
3:30 PM – 4:40 PM
Day 1 Reflections
Key takeaways and next steps
Main Hall
4:40 PM – 5:00 PM
Sundowner
Sea Swallow featuring Bill Lawrie and Claire Moodie
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Registration and Networking
Main Hall
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Welcome to Country
Cyril Yarran
Main Hall
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome to Day 2
Jemima Williamson-Wong
Main Hall
9:20 AM – 9:30 AM
Morning Tea and Member Group Expo
10:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Session 2
Choose One
Panel
From grassroots to government: strategies that shift power and policy
Hon Jess Beckerling MLC, Chris Tallentire, Rachel Siewert
Main Hall
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Workshop
Restoration skills lab: learn the basics of non-chemical urban bushland restoration
Jane Bremmer, Friends of Success Hill Reserve, Bassendean
Education Room
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session 3
Walking With the River: Caring for Martuwarra Through Culture, Science, and Community
Martuwarra River Keepers
Main Hall
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Lunch and Member Group Expo
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Session 4
Member Group Speed Talks
Martin Pritchard | Environs Kimberley
Dr Helen McCarthy | Esperance Local Environmental Action Forum
Bart Lebbing, Dr Catherine Spaggiari | Denmark Environment Centre
Judith Hugo OAM, Susan Swain | Friends of Australian Rock Art
Raelene Cooper | Save Our Songlines
Main Hall
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Afternoon Tea
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Session 5
Legacy and Leadership: a dialogue across generations
Victoria Pavy, Oscar Jones, Steph McGuire, Emma Heyink, Jo Vallentine, Dr Giz Watson, Carol Pettersen
Main Hall
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Closing remarks
Where to from here?
Dr Richard Yin
CCWA President
Main Hall
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Conference Close
