Two Bays Podcast

3. Young Aussies & Kiwis are teaming up for Change

When you’re facing a mammoth challenge, like climate change, you want your strongest allies by your side. For young Australians, there’s so much to learn & share with our friends across the Tasman.
Pok Wei-Heng also lives in the Land of the Long White Cloud - Aotearoa New Zealand. He’s the Curator of the WEF Global Shapers Community Auckland Hub and a Sustainability Consultant at Edge Impact.
Shruthi Vijayakumar also calls Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland home. As a Coach, Facilitator & Educator, she supports leaders committed to systemic change.
Vasil Samarjiev lives in Tarntanya / Adelaide, and is the Chief Youth Representation Officer at UN Youth Australia and Australia’s UN Youth Delegate for 2024.
In a (gum)nut shell …
Issue: Social and Environmental issues like climate change don’t stick to geographic borders.
Opportunity: So, when young leaders share knowledge and experiences, we are stronger.
Insights: There’s a range of international programs that bring young climate actors together!

2. The Stats don’t lie! Don’t worry, there’s hope

Heads Up! When you hear the statistics, this is going to hit home. But don’t worry … there’s good people doing good things to transform #EcoAnxiety2Action. You’re in safe hands in Episode 2!
This week’s sensational  line up includes:
Maureen Pillon is the Co-Chair of the Young Tourism Network and works as a City Economy Coordinator at the City of Melbourne.
Dora Marinova is a Professor at Curtin University of Technology, and like our next guest was originally from Bulgaria.
 Vasil Samarjiev now calls Tarntanya / Adelaide home, he’s the Chief Youth Representation Officer at UN Youth Australia.
 In a (gum)nut shell …
Issue: The Academic and Industry research on youth climate anxiety is alarming.
Opportunity: But elevating research to decision-makers is critical to moving forward. 
Insights: Innovations in policy, investment and capacity building are waiting to be scaled.
 
The ‘Transforming Youth #EcoAnxiety2Action’ campaign is a collaboration between Regeneration Projects, UN Youth Australia and RMIT University. Join us on this journey!

1. Young Aussies are not OK

In this first episode of the new Two Bays Podcast series ‘Transforming Youth #EcoAnxiety2Action’, we’re setting the scene on the connection between youth mental health and climate change. 
Our incredible special guests include:
Vasil Samarjiev was born in Bulgaria and now calls tarntanya / Adelaide home, he’s the Chief Youth Representation Officer at UN Youth Australia.
Charlotte Gallace lives on Wurundjeri land, is a student at Prahran High School in Narrm / Melbourne and an Organiser with Schools Strike 4 Climate.
When he’s not at home on Millowl / Phillip Island, Joey Thompson’s voice can be heard stopping traffic in Melbourne’s CBD. He’s also an Organiser with Schools Strike 4 Climate.
In a (gum)nut shell …
Issue: The youth mental health crisis is serious, and climate change is a big trigger.
Opportunity: But surrounding yourself with good people is a starting point for positive action.
Insight: Youth leaders and organisations have a message that decision-makers need to hear. 
The ‘Transforming Youth #EcoAnxiety2Action’ campaign is a collaboration between Regeneration Projects, UN Youth Australia and RMIT University. Join us on this journey!

10. Next Gen Civic Leadership

Are you ready to hear about local political leaders transforming climate anxiety into action?!
 The international Swimmable Cities Charter has now launched! Inspired by the example of Paris cleaning up the River Seine for the Olympic Games, civic leaders around the world are starting new conversations about climate resilience with their local communities.
 Our final episode for the ’10 Steps towards a swimmable Birrarung / Yarra River’ series features two inspiring next gen leaders.
 Mayor Edward Crossland and Councillor Sophie Wade are taking swift action on implementing the City of Yarra’s NEW Climate Emergency Plan, helping their municipality to become the FIRST in Australia to sign the Swimmable Cities Charter.
Let’s tune in to hear how they’ve made this breakthrough and its lessons for other communities!
 
Note: Two Bays Podcast series #2 is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.

9. Let’s start with intergenerational Education!

During your childhood, did you get to play in Nature? You know, along creek lines, in gardens or even on farms. Well, if you did, you were super lucky. But not everyone gets this opportunity.
Episode #9 of this series focuses on the power of education in growing the next generation of civic-minded leaders. We talk about ‘ecological literacy’ and spotlight the example of one school community that works with the Birrarung in innovative ways that other groups can emulate. 
You’re going to meet a young rising star, a wise community Elder and a passionate educator empowering lives, introducing:
Sophie Hart, 2023 Environmental Captain at Melbourne Girls College & Environmental Science student at Deakin University
Don Vogt, Coordinator, Inner Melbourne branch of the Australian Conservation Foundation 
Andrew Vance, Sustainability Coordinator at Melbourne Girls College
We’re realising that the Birrarung is a sensational teacher! Are you ready to embrace lifelong learning?
 
Note: Two Bays Podcast series #2 is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.

8. Preparing for the Journey

Haven’t we all had to learn about resilience these few past years?!
As the City of Paris’ leadership in cleaning up the River Seine before the 2024 Olympics shows, restoring urban waterways and building urban swimming culture takes decades.
So, could adopting the practices of endurance athletes give us the resilience we need to achieve a swimmable Birrarung? Listen now!
As far as we know, Karin Traeger, is the only person who has successfully run the entire length of the Yarra River, from its source at Mt Baw Baw to the Bay, a journey of over 280km. She’s a Chilean Ultramarathon runner & the Founder of La Loyka.
Hilary McAllister, joined Karin as a support crew and runner on the epic Birrarung / Yarra river run in September 2022. She’s also an Ultrarunner and the CEO of For Wild Places.
Sometimes, life feels like a marathon. In this Two Bays episode, our special guests will share how their experience as endurance athletes inspires fearless environmental leadership.
 
Note: Two Bays Podcast series #2 is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.

7. Cleaning Up Our Act

Sometimes, you need to go upstream to find the true causes of environmental issues. We’re about to meet three grassroots leaders who educate Melbournians on what makes healthy urban waterways.
April Seymore is incredibly passionate about the Planet! She’s a responsible dog walker and the Executive Officer of Port Phillip Eco Centre.
Liam Higgins represents a new generation of environmental leaders! He’s the Co-Founder & COO at VOLI, an app that makes doing good easy.
Anthony Despotellis literally has his finger on the pulse of the Birrarung’s health! He’s the Litter Project Officer at Yarra Riverkeeper Association.
Stormwater runoff (from streets, parklands & industrial areas) pollutes the Yarra River, but if we can prevent litter, slow down runoff and filter stormwater, change is possible. 
Alrighty then, it’s time for another opportunity to transform climate anxiety into action!
 
Note: Two Bays Podcast series #2 is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.
 

6. Living Well with the Birrarung

Time to dial up the community vibes! Join us on the Two Bays Podcast, where we dive into skills, knowledge and practices to improve Melbourne’s liveability and sense of connectedness and belonging.
In this episode, our special guests talk about how they and their organisations’ are chipping in and how you can too! 
We will meet a quiet advocate for the Birrarung who draws on her experiences as a former Mayor to inspire others to fall in love with our River. Then there’s the surfboard-making engineer who’s bringing fun back into urban swimming conversations, as well as an internationally recognised researcher with some provocative perspectives on future tourism.
Make that cuppa, find a cosey corner and nestle into this heart-warming conversation!
 
Note: Two Bays Podcast series #2 is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.

5. Joining the global Swimmable Cities movement

It’s time to go global folks! In this episode, we’re guiding Two Bays listeners on a virtual tour through Copenhagen, London and Vienna to get our finger on the pulse on the very latest from the urban swimming movement.
Melbourne may sit on a remote island ‘Down Under’ but that doesn’t stop Regeneration Projects from collaborating with international pioneers, people like:
Ana Mumladze Detering, Convenor of the Pan European Urban Bathing Network, and Co-Founder of the Danube Canal Swimming Association, Vienna
Chris Romer-Lee, Co-Founder of Studio Octopi (an architecture firm specialising in urban swimming projects), Co-Founder of Thames Baths & Co-Founder Future Lidos, and
Johann Durand, Blue Flag International Director at Foundation for Environmental Education (fellow actor in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration)
For the latest on the Paris Olympics build up and some very exciting NEWS for the Swimmable Cities movement, don’t miss this episode.
 
Note: Two Bays Podcast series #2 is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.

4. Mapping out a Masterplan

Why have one swimming spot in the lower Yarra, when you could have a whole corridor of swimming experiences?! That’s the vision for a Birrarung / Yarra River Swimming Trail between Deep Rock, Dights Falls and the Bay.
In this episode, you’re going to meet three talent professionals who know how to transform urban design visions into clear, deliverable masterplans.
Skye Haldane is the Principal of Strategic Design at the City of Melbourne and Project Lead for the Greenline Project
Thomas Flugge is a Senior Landscape Architect at McGregor Coxall
Dr Chris Speed is a Professor of Design for Regenerative Futures at RMIT University
Together, our guests represent some of the freshest and brightest minds shaping Melbourne’s built environment. No challenge is too great! Don’t miss out on this deep dive into the power of design in making swimmable cities a reality.
 
Note: Two Bays Podcast series #2 is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.