Forum 1: Feb 22, 2007
Environmental Protection for the catchment
Aboriginal heritage - Susan Moylan-Coombs
Ecological significance of bushland in the catchment - Chris McIntosh, National Parks and Wildlife Service
Environmental protection / Crown Lands - John Filocamo, Dept of Lands
Narrabeen Restoration project - Angus Gordon, chairperson
Roadkill mitigation - Dr Conny Harris
Pleniary Session - Dr Judy Lambert
Announcement of success in gaining $1.9m Urban Sustainability Grant

Workshop - May 29, 2007
Issues in the catchment
Participants identified the following issues in the catchment and brainstormed about possible solutions:
Urban expansion, Weeds in bushland, Flooding, Loss/extinction of native species, Feral Animals, Stormwater Scouring, Reduction in amount of bushland, Weeds in Waterways, Erosion after bushfires and from other causes, Siltation, Litter, Track Maintenance, Wildflires in Bushland, Native animals killed on roads, Pollution and contaminants, Unstable Creek Banks

Forum 2: Second Anniversary - Sept 18, 2007
History of struggle to protect Narrabeen Lagoon
Rob Stokes, MP for Pittwater, spoke about ways to protect the area.
Slide show of photos from the 30 year history of struggles to protect Narrabeen Lagoon by the Narrabeen Lagoon Committee.

Forum 3: Oct 16, 2007
Urban Sustainability Grant program
Angus Gordon spoke about progress on the Narrabeen Lagoon Restoration Project. Urban Sustainability project staff (Blayne and James) presented the Business Plan for the Sustainability Grant. They were the newly appointed project officers for the $1.9 million grant for the Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Sustainability Project.

Forum 4: Feb 28, 2008
Your Lagoon - Your Catchment - Can They Be Conserved?
Bronwyn Bishop, Federal MP for Pittwater, spoke about the importance of the area.
Georgina Woods, Crown Lease Project Officer for National Parks Association, reviewed successful Crown Land conservation in NSW.
Angus Gordon, Chairman of the Lagoon Restoration Project, discussed plans for dredging the lagoon.
Blayne Petrowicz, Urban Sustainability Project Officer detailed new program of catchment events for 2008

Forum 5: May 29, 2008
Creating a sustainable catchment
Brad Hazzard, MP for Warringah, spoke about the environmental value of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment
James Brisebois outlined the project works of the $1.9m grant
Pathway around Narrabeen Lagoon announced - agreed by Minister West.

Forum 6: Aug 25, 2008
Newsfront & Narrabeen Lagoon - 30 years on:
Bob Ellis, writer of the movie, spoke about incidents during the filming. Cake was presented to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film. The climax of the film, recreating the horrific Maitland floods of the 50s, was shot on Narrabeen Lagoon.
Candidates for the election of Warringah Councillors each spoke to the meeting. The new council will replace Administrator Dick Persson.
Blayne Petrowicz, Urban Sustainability Project Officer, outlined progress with Sustainability education program

Forum 7: Nov 6, 2008
Why Garigal National Park should include NLC bushland
Jonathon O'Dea, MP for Davidson, spoke about "What next?" in protecting the catchment
NPA speaker Andrew Cox spoke about how to lobby for extensions to National Parks
James Brisebois outlined progress on Major Project onground works.

Forum 8: Feb 23, 2009
Say "NO" to Oxford Falls $100m Retirement Resort
Wendy Harmer had the audience in fits of laughter as she described the proposed development but there was a serious side to the discussion as well. This proposal is alien to the desired future character of the Oxford Falls locality.
Jacqui Marlow, Conny Harris and Fiona van Dort discussed the plants, animals and threatened species in the catchmen.
Blayne Petrowicz spoke about the Catchment Sustainability Education Project.

Forum 9: May 25, 2009
Balancing Development and Environment - Community Consultation in the Planning Process
Announcement of $4m from Federal Government for completion of walkway around Narrabeen Lagoon.
Brad Hazzard MP Shadow Minister for Planning
Sylvia Hale MLC Greens Planning spokesperson
Rob Stokes MP for Pittwater
David James Mayor of Pittwater
Michael Regan Mayor of Warringah
James Brisebois gave anupdateon the major works being undertaken in Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment.

Forum 10: Aug 24, 2009
Meeting the Challenge - How do schools, business and community live sustainably in a catchment?
Representatives from schools, the community and businesses in the community made presentations on initiatives they have undertaken to improve the sustainability of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment.
Jim Somerville announced that the Geographical Names Board has officially reinstated the name "Narrabeen Lagoon" for the waterway.

Forum 11: Nov 23, 2009
Bushfire threat- Protecting your patch
Lynne Czinner, a local resident, explained with photographs what it was like to have your home burned down.
George Shepard, Rural Fire Service, outlined what home owners can do to prepare for bushfire season.
Chris Grudnoff, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, gave an overview of the role of fire in Australian bushland
Clinton Drive demonstrated home fire-fighting equipment
Adam Burrowes of Warringah Council gave a presentations of the Council's fire plans

Forum 12: Feb 22, 2010
Bush & Bikes, Lagoon Dredging,
Catchment DVD World Premiere
Professional film projectionists presented the world premiere of "Caring for Catchment" - the DVD about Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment
Angus Gordon organised a discussion about dredging of Narrabeen Lagoon.
David Yonge gave the Mountain Bikers' point of view, Ken Higgs spoke about environmental concerns
Michael Baird, MP for Manly, spoke about permitting mountain biking in National Parks.

Forum 13: May 24, 2010
Threats from the Sea
Mia Dalby-Ball, formerly Natural Environment Manager at Pittwater Council, discussed what we can learn about climate change from history.
Angus Gordon reviewed the latest science and show how the catchment is likely to be impacted by climate change.
Michael Paine described how Tsunamis form, what the risk for this area is and how to prepare for that eventuality.

Forum 14: Aug 23, 2010
Transport - past, present and future
Tina Graham from Warringah Library opened the forum with a stunning presentation, using lots of historical photos, about the history of tram transport to Narrabeen - note the forums take place in the Tramshed.
Ben Taylor, from SHOROC, outlined the current Transport strategy for the Northern Beaches.
Sandy Thomas, who has had extensive involvement with public transport planning, explained some of the factors involved and discussed issues important to Northern Beaches.

Forum 15: Nov 22, 2010
Protecting our catchment
Dennis Foley gave an Aboriginal welcome and spoke about how important the Narrabeen Lagoon catchment, particularly Wheeler Creek Valley, is and was for Aboriginal heritage. Rob Stokes, MP, outlined why the area needs protection and why a State Park is an appropriate mechanism for achieving that protection at this stage. Bronwyn Connelly of Lands and Property Management Authority explained the importance of the Plan of Management in the process of establishing a State Park. Kevin Evans of National Parks Association discussed the challenges of managing for both recreation and conservation and cited the South Australian Belair National Park as an example of how this can be achieved.

Forum 16:- Feb 28, 2011
Meet the candidates
Candidates from all parties for the three electorates represented in the Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment each spoke about the importance of protecting the biodiversity in this area and supported the establishment of Narrabeen State Park.
James Brisebois and Celia Cameron-Smith gave an overview of the work completed during the 3 years of the $1.9m grant.

Forum 17:- May 23, 2011
Aboriginal Heritage Professor Dennis Foley, an Aboriginal elder from this area and author of “Repossession of our Spirit”, gave valuable insights into the Aboriginal heritage of Narrabeen Lagoon and its catchment.
Julie Janson, who is a teacher of Indigenous history and culture, shared inspiring Aboriginal stories and culture.

Forum 18:- Aug 22, 2011
Future of Narrabeen Lagoon and catchment
Rob Stokes, MP, outlined what can be done to provide environmental protection Narrabeen Lagoon and its catchment.|
Mark Winser, Senior Project Officer at Kimbriki Waste Management facility explained what his organisation is doing to minimise adverse impacts in the catchment and discussed what people can do to minimise waste.
Cameron Little, of Sustainability Systems, discussed choices people can make to improve their impact on the environment - including using permaculture methods.

Forum 19:- Nov 28, 2011
Recreation on Narrabeen Lagoon and in the catchment
Various recreational groups gave short presentations on what they do on the lagoon or in the catchment, why it is beneficial to people and in what way they protect the environmental values of the area.

Forum 20:- Feb 27, 2012 at Narrabeen Tramshed
Focus on Fish
The presentations covered:
(i) Overview of changes to Narrabeen Lagoon's water quality over time
(ii) Fish in the tributaries that flow into Lagoon.
(iii) Frogs that live in the catchment

Forum 21:- May 23, 2012
Aboriginal Heritage - Part II Professor Dennis Foley, an Aboriginal elder from this area and author of "Repossession of our Spirit", gave valuable insights into the Aboriginal heritage of Narrabeen Lagoon and its catchment.
Julie Janson, who is a teacher of Indigenous history and culture, explained how research into Aboriginal heritage is conducted.

Forum 22:- Aug 27, 2012
Meet the Candidates People standing for election in Warringah or Pittwater Council areas answered questions posed by our members and supporters - in particular about the issues relevant to Narrabeen Lagoon catchment.

Forum 23: Nov 26, 2012
Narrabeen 2050
Brad Hazzard, MP, and Angus Gordon discussed what Narrabeen Lagoon and its catchment might be like by the year 2050 and outlined what needs to be done now to bring this about. Warringah and Pittwater Council speakers explained how the community could be involved in local planning for the future.

Forum 24: Feb 25, 2013
Birds and their habitat
Marita Macrae and David Palmer described the behaviour and habitat of various birds of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment and Tim Thurston demonstrated their calls.
Corinne Fisher explained how proposed changes to NSW Planning laws could impact on bird habitat.
Peter Sedgwick revealed how he took his spectacular photos.

Forum 25: May 27, 2013
Secrets of our Aboriginal past
Dennis Foley told us of the rich Aboriginal Heritage in this area. Neil Evers outlined the numerous events available during this year's Guringai Festival

Forum 26: Aug 26, 2013
Pictures of the Past
Bert Rose, remembered for his generosity with sausages for charity events when running Narrabeen Butchery presenedt his collection of photos from Narrabeen's past. Kathy Ridge outlined the proposal from Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council for Gai-mariagal National Park to be established across their lands.

Forum 27: Nov 25, 2013
Gai-mariagal National Park - how will this work?
Lenore Fraser explained how typically an Aboriginal-owned National Park works, who goes on the Board, how is the park managed,etc.
John Seidel described the process of determining biobanking proposals.

Forum 28: Feb 3, 2014
Dredging Narrabeen Lagoon
The three availalbe options for dredging the lagoon to facilitate recreation were explained - comments and questions were invited.

Forum 29: May 26, 2014
Guringai Heritage and shared History
Julie Janson showed examples of interpretive signage that acknowledge Aboriginal archaeology, shared history and use of the natural environment and talked about the need for local signage.
Clair Jackson demonstrated recent local Aboriginal artwork.
Jenny Harris talked about the proposal for adaptive re-use of Waratah Park in relation to Gai-mariagal Aboriginal Owned National Park.

Forum 30: Aug 25, 2014
Bugs and Beetles in Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment
Martyn Robinson described fascinating invertebrates that are so essential to a healthy environment.
Aboriginal Place Names
Neil Evers gave the meanings of some local Aboriginal place names and told of heritage that needs to be marked with dual signage.

Forum 31: Nov 24, 2014
Managing Narrabeen State Park & World Park Congress
Adrian Turnbull gave a presentation on the management issues for Narrabeen State Park. Bob and Roberta Conroy reported on their experiences at the World Parks Congress.

Forum 32: Mar 16, 2015
Meet the Candidates
This forum was cancelled because of insufficient numbers of attendees and candidates. However, each candidate was asked to submit their answers to questions.

Forum 33: May 25, 2015
Aboriginal Activities
A wonderful evening was had by all - lots of participation in weaving, bush tucker, dancing and learning about artifacts.

Forum 34: Aug 24, 2015
Our catchment - Positives and Negatives
Participants marked up maps with valuable features in the catchment as well as hazards or management issues. Colin Davison spoke about land management challenges on Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council land. Dave Darcy, Northern Beaches Area Commander for Police, spoke about challenges of knowing whose land you were on in the catchment and the need to respect the owners of the bushland.

Click here to read a summary of the workshop findings.

Forum 35: Nov 23, 2015
Our Catchment - Looking back, Looking forward
Jim Boyce of Manly Warringah Pittwater Historical Society told stories that showed why development occurred where it did in the Narrabeen area over time.
Brent Jacobs talked about what needs to be done in the area to prepare for the Future with its impacts from Climate Change.

Forum 36: Feb 29, 2016
Live animals and threatened species
Ryan Dare let everyone touch the native animals and hear about their lives. Nick Skelton gave a presentation about which animals are threatened in the catchment and why.

Forum 37: May 23, 2016
Aboriginal arts and crafts
Participants enjoyed painting and beadwork. Also, Michael Birk and Dennis Foley walked with people to the shores of the Lagoon and explained how people lived there in the past.

Forum 38: August 22, 2016
Building Resilience - options for future proofing our power supplies
Michael Furey and Harley Mitchell outlined the probabilities that power supplies will be interrupted in the future and how to build in resilience by acting now.  They discussed various issues to do with solar power and battery technoligy