Listening to the River
Dates
Saturday 14 March | 4.30 - 6.30pm
Bar and DJ from 4.30pm
Talk from 5pm
Standard | $18
Concession | $16
Suitable for ages 18+
Members
Friend Members receive 15% off ticket pricing for this event.
Site access information
WA Museum Boola Bardip is fully accessible. Call 1300 134 081 for assistance. Accessible resources and programs >
On International Day of Action for Rivers, join us beneath the blue whale for an evening dedicated to the lifeblood of our city – the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River).
Hear from a panel of leading voices, including renowned environmental scientist and Gardening Australia presenter Josh Byrne, as we explore the river’s story: its deep cultural significance, its current challenges and the future we can shape together. From everyday actions in our backyards to big-picture strategies for river health, this conversation will inspire practical steps and fresh perspectives.
After the discussion, let the ideas ripple into connection. Enjoy a DJ set and bar service in Hackett Hall – perfect for mingling, sharing stories and continuing the conversation.
This event is part of WA Museum Boola Bardip’s The Attenborough Effect series – a season of programs exploring sustainability through local stories and global perspective.
Meet our speakers
Professor Josh Byrne AM
Josh Byrne is an environmental scientist and urban design professional whose career intersects professional practice, academia, policy and media.
Well known as the WA presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia program, Josh is Director of Fremantle based landscape architecture and urban sustainability practice JBA, and Dean Sustainable Futures in the Faculty of Humanities at Curtin University.
Josh is a Board member of the Waste Authority and Deputy Chair of the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority. In January 2025 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to conservation and the environment, and as a media presenter and author.
Natasha Bowden
In her role at the Southeast Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL), Natasha works alongside school and community groups, local and state governments, and industry to deliver education about the impact of nutrients on waterways. At SERCUL, Natasha develops, implements, and manages environmental education programs and community behaviour change campaigns. She coordinates the Phosphorus Awareness Project and Fertilise Wise programs, which are supported through funding from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and Mozzie Wise, an awareness campaign that seeks to educate the community about how to adopt an integrated mosquito management approach.
Jason Menzies
Jason Menzies holds a degree in Environmental Science and spent the past 30-years blending environmental science with social science in a variety of roles in both the private and government sectors. Jason has worked on some well-known behaviour change programs in Perth including Living Smart, Perth Solar Cities and the award-winning Switch your Thinking program.
More recently, Jason has spent the past 15 years working for the Swan River Trust / Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) as the Community Engagement Manager in the Swan Canning Waterways Branch. In this role, Jason has overseen the successful development and delivery of the River Guardians program – a river-focused community education and behaviour change initiative.
