Two Bays Podcast

3. The Rights of a River, Our River

Recognising the rights of Nature is an idea that many people find really challenging, but today’s special guest is a Pro at explaining why giving rights to the Yarra River is just common sense. 
Dr Erin O’Donnell tirelessly works with waterways worldwide, from communities in Aotearoa New Zealand to the United States. This is all part of her role as a Senior Lecturer and ARC Research Fellow at Melbourne Law School.
Protecting urban waterways from stormwater pollution, old sewage systems and vegetation clearing is a hard task, especially when you think about the rising pressures of climate change. But embracing Indigenous and Western knowledge could just give us the edge we need, and the Yarra River Protection / Wilip-gin Birrarung murron Act 2017 has already started this journey.
Are you ready for another step towards a swimmable Birrarung?!
 
Note: Two Bays Podcast series #2 is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.

2. Burndap Birrarung, burndap Umarkoo / Good for the Yarra is Good for All

Join us on the Two Bays Podcast, where we dive into water and wellbeing!
In this episode, we meet another two amazing ambassadors for Melbourne’s beloved Birrarung / Yarra River, who hold a wealth of community leadership experience.
Amanda Donohoe fearlessly plunges into the Birrarung all year round! She’s a member of the Yarra Yabbies swimming group and also the CEO of Servants Community Housing, Hawthorn.
Andrew Kelly is well known to community stakeholders along the Yarra River! He’s a former Yarra Riverkeeper, and the convenor of The Waterway Network.
Despite the Yarra River being a civic space, its lower reaches (between Dights Falls in Abbotsford and Port Phillip Bay) aren’t truly accessible. But perhaps the community vision of the Yarra Strategic Plan 2023-2032 is already starting to change that.
Listen now to find out more!
 
Note: This Two Bays Podcast series is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.

1. Inside Melbourne's Urban Bathing Culture during COVID-19

In the first episode of our "10 Steps towards a Swimmable Birrarung" series, we meet two pioneers of Melbourne's urban bathing culture, who developed some incredible wellbeing skills during COVID-19. 
Meg Elkins started swimming in the Yarra River during Lockdown! She’s a member of the Yarra Yabbies swimming group, she’s also a Behavioural and Cultural Economist at RMIT University. 
James Mugavin built a sauna in his parent’s backyard as a Lockdown project! He’s a sauna enthusiast and Founder & CEO of Loyly architecture studio.
Listen in to discover some hidden silver linings to COVID-19 and how the Birrarung / Yarra River is becoming the heart of urban bathing culture in Melbourne.
Oh, and hear our guests' perspectives on the vision of a ‘swimmable’ Birrarung between Dights Falls (Abbotsford) and Port Phillip Bay!
Note: This Two Bays Podcast series is brought to you by Regeneration Projects, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University.
 

PRELUDE - Making Peace with Melbourne’s River

Before we dive into our NEW "10 Steps towards a swimmable Birrarung" series, let’s set the scene by exploring the story of Melbourne's iconic Yarra River, known as the Birrarung to the Kulin First Peoples.
Are you ready to discover how a growing social movement aims to renegotiate and reconcile our relationship with the Birrarung, by drawing inspiration from Indigenous wisdom – Burndap Birrarung, burndap markoo (What's good for the Birrarung, is good for All)?
As a small local business committed to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Regeneration Projects invites you to join us and our series partners – the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University - in supporting the peace-making process between people and Nature.
Tune in and learn how you can turn over a new leaf in your relationship with the Birrarung and your local waterways!

13. Climate Action & Seaweed

In the finale of Two Bays Podcast Series #1, Cam Hines (Co-Founder of Southern Sea Greens, and Co-Founder of Mountain Goat brewery) shares the incredible story of how he’s helped make seaweed a successful business that is good for people and the Planet. He talks Matt and Claire through the growth of climate action and sustainability on the Mornington Peninsula and explains how Southern Sea Greens are working to create nutritious food products while regenerating marine ecosystems.
Cam emphasizes the importance of creativity and tenacity in business and encourages fellow entrepreneurs to trust their instincts and take the first step. Tune in now if you’re ready to be inspired!
 
 

12. Climate Action, Community & Conservation

Join us as we sit down with Greg Holland (Owner of Carranya Farm and President of Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network) and Chantal Morton (Landcare Facilitator for the MP Shire) to explore the vital connections between climate action and landholders.
In this immersive conversation, Matt and Claire learn why raising awareness of the Landcare movement and encouraging more people to get involved is crucial to the Peninsula achieving a climate safe future. We delve into the essential role of landholders and farmers in taking climate action, emphasizing the need for adaptive land management and lifestyle changes. We also learn about concepts like becoming ‘carbon negative’ and the significance of bio-links (large-scale habitat corridors) in preserving biodiversity. 
Let’s jump into the grassroots and listen to some passionate locals talk about what they do best! Tune in now!
 

11. Climate Action & Adventure

In this episode, Matt interviews Nic Cooper, the Founder of Wild Adventures Melbourne (WAM), an ecotourism and adventure tourism company on the Mornington Peninsula. They discuss the vulnerability of the Peninsula to climate change and the importance of businesses taking climate action. Nic openly shares his journey of starting WAM and the initiatives he has put into place to reduce negative environmental impacts and create positive ones. Matt and Nic also explore the connection between First Nations knowledge and businesses that care for Country, emphasising the need for long-term thinking and supporting the local community.
The episode concludes with a reflection on the legacy we leave for future generations, tune in now for a dose of climate hope!

10. Climate Action, Good Cars & Council

Sun, sand...climate change? Our beloved Mornington Peninsula deserves a bright future! 
In this episode, we chat about the Shire's bold Climate Emergency Plan (think zero carbon emissions by 2040!) and how electric vehicles (EVs) are changing how locals and visitors move around. 
Matt joins Anthony Broese van Groenou (co-CEO at Good Car Company) and Mornington Peninsula Shire climate team members Lucy Allison (Team Leader), Jesse Caufield (Project Officer), and Jacqui Salter (Community Environmental Education Coordinator) in a dynamic conversation bridging business and government.
Let's celebrate our wins and work together to protect this paradise. It's time to turn the tide, Peninsula style … tune in now!

9. Climate Action, Education & the Next Generation

Explore the vital role of the education sector in climate leadership! Gab Espenschied (Principal at St Joseph’s Crib Point & St Marys Hastings) and Jane Byrne (Sustainability Leader at St Joseph’s Sorrento) explain how schools are shaping the next generation of environmental stewards.
They share insights into promoting sustainability within schools and empowering students to take meaningful action. From exploring local environments like mangroves to implementing innovative sustainability programs, they highlight the importance of hands-on learning and community collaboration.
Tune in now and discover how schools are making a difference in the fight against climate change!

8. Climate Action, Nature & Conservation

Discover the secrets of nature, biodiversity, and climate action in your own backyard! Join hosts Matt Sykes and Claire Wild as they sit down with Ben Cullen from Trust for Nature for an eye-opening conversation.
In this episode, they dive into the importance of preserving our local bushland, wetland and coastal habitats and how Trust for Nature is leading the charge. From conservation to collaboration, they uncover the ways we can all pitch in to protect our environment.