FAQ
What is a Waterkeeper?
A Waterkeeper is firstly the group of people who are non-governmental carers for an identified river, lake, bay, coastline, estuary or other waterway. They respond to community complaints, identify problems which affect their identified bodies of water and devise appropriate remedies to address these problems.
But a Waterkeeper is also one person, the central organiser of a Waterkeepers group. They are the person recognised by their community, local government, and media as the voice for that particular body of water.
How did Waterkeepers Australia begin?
The Myer Foundation identified the US Waterkeeper Alliance model as a way to overcome the lack of effective ways for communities to engage in protecting their waterways and take part in policy and planning around water use.
They invited Murray Fisher, then Director of Waterkeeper Alliance US, to Australia where, after research, he presented a report indicating that a Waterkeeper style organisation could be very effective.
The Myer Foundation then commissioned Dr Paul Sinclair, Director of Environment Victoria’s Healthy Rivers Campaign, to examine the role of an Australian Waterkeepers Alliance. His report suggested a meeting of interested participants with topics including relationships with other environmental organisations and government programs, and avoiding duplication of effort.
Waterwatch, a major Commonwealth government funded initiative, which trains and supports community members in monitoring their local waterways, was a key partner organisation.
The meeting was a success and Waterkeepers Australia was born, with some notable changes from the Alliance version to fit the Australian situation.
How is Waterkeepers Australia structured?
Waterkeepers Australia is incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee.This is a form of public company which is limited by members’ guarantee and not by shares.
The Waterkeepers Australia constitution allows a minimum of three and a maximum of nine directors. The Board is comprised of two types of member representatives - support organisation members (maximum four) and Waterkeeper members (balance of the Board).
The current Board is:
Jennifer Singfield, Chairperson - Bramble Bay Wetlandskeeper
Ian Penrose - Yarra Riverkeeper
Martin Boyer - Surry Riverkeeper
Dr Paul Sinclair - Healthy Ecosystems Program Manager for Australian Conservation Foundation
Kelly O’Shanassy - Chief Executive Officer Environment Victoria
Megan Utter, Secretary- Lawyer DLA Phillips Fox
Dominic Morello, Treasurer - Davidsons Accountants and Business Consultants
The main office is staffed by two part time employees:
Stacey Bloomfield - Program Support Coordinator
Jode Cowie - Administration Officer
Why all the different “keeper” names?
The Waterkeeper program names, such as “Riverkeeper,” “Lakekeeper,” “Baykeeper,” “Coastkeeper” “Creekkeeper” and others, are synonymous with effective waterway care and protection. Waterkeepers Australia wishes to protect these names under trademark law. By protecting the names we can prevent their misuse. As a result, we require users to meet standards of performance to ensure the Waterkeeper family of names is used in a way consistent with our mission. Our goal is to ensure that anytime you see a Waterkeeper name, you will know that the user is part of Waterkeepers Australia and adheres to our Quality Standards and ways of working.
What is the Waterkeeper Alliance?
Waterkeeper Alliance is the international centre of a network of Waterkeeper programs. Waterkeepers Australia is a member of the international alliance. Based in America, the Alliance approves new Waterkeeper programs, licenses the use of the Waterkeeper names, represents the individual Waterkeepers on issues of national interest, and serves as a meeting place for all the Waterkeepers to exchange information, strategy and know-how. The Alliance and its member Waterkeeper groups meet at least once a year, rotating between regions, and communicates regularly in the interim.
