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GFD Dialogue Update 2026

June update

Hi all, this is a quick update of our planned dialogues, and a reminder to register.

Fire dialogue program

Planning is progressing for our August "Fire in the Forest" dialogue program.
As advised in our April newsletter, we are trying a different format for this dialogue. Rather than one 2-day event, we are conducting it over three days in August. This will hopefully provide more flexibility for people and allow some localised gatherings to feed into the broader dialogue at Knob Reserve.
Fire is a very big topic, we want this conversation to be as open as possible, if it means that we need follow up dialogues to dive deeper into issues raised or focus on particular aspects then that will be a key outcome.
So what can you do?
  • Register for the program
  • Help promote the dialogue, share this email with others

The program

The following is the program and events to choose from. It runs over three days.
Day 1 is introductory and looking at fire in a local forest context at three sites across Gippsland. You have a choice of 3 options Noojee, Mirboo North and Bairnsdale.
Day 2 is a social gathering before the formal dialogue, a chance to get to know people before the formal discussion.
Day 3 is the coming together at Knob Reserve from across Gippsland for the formal deliberation.
If you can only come on one day that is fine, the registration allows you to select what you wish to attend, we hope to see you at all three but will be happy to see you at whatever you can make.
This link

Registration

Follow this link to register or if more convenient use the QR code
GFD Fire Program Tickets (Eventbrite)
8th August - Local context for the dialogue - A choice of one of three field trips
Each trip - 10am to 2pm Cost: $20 (lunch and bus provided)
Noojee
Host: Wally Notman
Meet at Heritage Park
Mirboo North
Host: Jess Reeves
Meet at Baromi Park
Bairnsdale
Host: Peter West
Meet at Howitt Park
21st August - Social night pre dialogue with a guest speaker
Cost: $25 (finger food, drinks at the bar), Time 6pm to 8pm
Friday August 21
Pre Dialogue Dinner (informal)
Host: Chris McEvoy President
Cost: $25 (finger food, drinks at bar)
6pm - 8pm 4 Bond Street Sale
Guest speaker: John Schauble
22nd August - Dialogue - structured Gippsland wide deliberation
Saturday August 22
Dialogue gathering
Host: Ewan Waller, Steve Pascoe
Cost: $25 (BBQ lunch)
10am - 6pm Meet at Knob Reserve Stratford

Fire dialogue scope

A scoping document will be sent to all registered participants ahead of the Knob Reserve dialogue on the 22nd of August. This will include, background information and references, dialogue agenda and dialogue scope.
We have established a page on our website with current information and reference material, and this will be updated as we progress,
Dialogue scope and questions
To lead our conversation, we have identified 4 propositions to explore namely:
  1. Fire is natural
  2. Fire is dangerous
  3. Fire is useful
  4. Fire is changing
We will ask a series of open questions to validate or explore these propositions
We will also review recent enquiries and their recommendations.
Alpine Ash - September
On September the 12th we plan to conduct a dialogue on Alpine Ash. Planning is still progressing for this so more details will be provided as this is finalised but at this stage we are working on Omeo as the likely host location and Tom Fairman and Kate Auty as the co-chairs.
When details are finalised we will send out more information and seek registrations.
AGM - September
September is a busy month, we are required to conduct an Annual General Meeting is scheduled for 24 September, 6pm via Teams. An invite will be sent to full members 2 weeks prior. This is a requirement as an Incorporated entity and to maintain our not-for-profit status. It is also a chance for members to raise issues and seek election to our Steering committee and the filling of key roles. We renewal on our committee and welcome anyone who is interested.

Next newsletter

We hope to have our next newsletter in July when we are closer to the Fire dialogue and have more information on the Alpine Ash event to share.
Thanks and if you have any information or stories to share in this newsletter please let me know

Many thanks Peter (eo@gippslandforestdialogue.org.au)
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Gippsland Forest Dialogue is conducted across the Traditional Lands of the Gunaikurnai, Bunurong, Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung, Taungurung peoples and into the lands of the First Nations of far East Gippsland, the Moogji, Bidhawel/Bidwell/Bidwall and Monero peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. We acknowledge Traditional Custodians on whose land we tread as the original custodians of Country, their enduring right and that many of the issues we will discuss are the product of settlement. We open the door to hear and respond, to listen and learn, to understand and acknowledge their individual/collective voice. We aspire to strengthen partnerships and acknowledge that increasing agency for traditional owners comes through ongoing conversations and working together.