The Fire Dialogue 'Knob Reserve' - August 2026
On Saturday 22nd August 2026, we are planning our next dialogue
It will follow a series of field trips held across the region which will inform the dialogue and bring local perspectives to the discussion. These local field trips are planned for the 8th August in Noojee, Bairnsdale and Mirboo North.
The intention is to build understanding between those with diverse views on the management of fire in our forests- it is not an 'advocate workshop', it is a facilitated community engagement event.
A scoping paper will be prepared to provide some context ahead of the events in August and will be updated based on feedback from the field trips, prior to the main dialogue on the 22nd August.
We will keep you updated with progress in planning for this event via this page and hopefully answer any questions you may have.
If you do have questions or suggestions, please contact eo@gippslandforestdialogue.org.au
Note that we encourage participants to attend as individuals rather than as representatives of their employer (where applicable) and applied Chatham House rules to the discussion, so nothing that is said within the group is attributable to any one individual beyond the event.
Pre dialogue dinner (informal)
Host: Chris McEvoy, President
Guest speaker: John Schauble
Cost $25, Time 6-8pm
Dialogue gathering
Co Chairs: Steve Pascoe and Ewan Waller
Cost $25 (BBQ Lunch)
10am to 4pm.
Co Chair: Steve Pascoe
Steve is passionate about community led approaches to bushfire preparedness and recovery.
He has been involved in emergency management for over 35 years, firstly volunteering with the CFA and SEC, then as a community educator in bushfire safety, as an emergency management coordinator in local government and a disaster management consultant.
In 2009, Steve's community of Strathewen was devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires. 80 of 100 houses were lost including Steve's. Steve helped initiate the Strathewen Recovery Association and supported other communities in recovery including Mallacoota
Co Chair: Ewan Waller
Ewan is a born and bred Gippslander with extensive experience in forest and fire management both at operational and Executive level.
Ewan served as Chief Fire Officer for Victoria, a board member of East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and as a board member of GLAWAC. He is a steering committee member of Gippsland Forest Dialogue, a farmer and prouc Gippslander who wants the voices of locals to be heard.
Scoping document
To help frame the conversation, a scoping document will be prepared ahead of the Knob Reserve session on the 22nd of August, this will draw on research and also feedback from the field trips.
It will contain open questions to help stimulate conversation. Some reference documents have been added to this page and we will continue to add to this prior to the event
Questions for the dialogue
As part of the scoping document we try to identify key questions to lead the discussion, for this dialogue these include:
- How can we improve our response to wildfire
- What is the role of fire in a healthy forest
Registration
Use the link or QR code to go to Eventbrite and select what you wish to attend
Scoping paper and reference documents
Background reading: Summary of Lindemeyer paper
Background reading: Summary of Phillip Zylstra
Background reading: Lutze fire ecology paper
Background reading: Hammond Forest structure paper
Background reading: Collins Journal Env Management
Background reading: Baker paper forest ecosystems
Background reading: Baker People and landscapes paper
Useful webpage links
We would like to thank Wellington shire for funding this community event via their community grants progam
