2025 Mark Pascoe Water Sandpit

The Australian Rivers Institute is proud to be the major sponsor of this event which brings together water professionals and academia to exchange ideas in the name of Mark Pascoe.

This year's Mark Pascoe Sandpit will be a special edition of the annual event because the International WaterCentre is turning 20!

We started the Sandpit event 3 years ago as a way to remember and build on Mark's legacy in fostering collaboration and collective discourse on critical issues affecting water management. The events have proved to be lively and popular, and in true Mark Pascoe style, an important networking opportunity. The workshop will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 pm which includes afternoon tea, followed by an evening of networking and celebration. Please note that if you wish to stay for the evening networking, select this as an add on to your ticket.

This year's Sandpit topic is: From Vision to Action: Leadership for our Water Future

Join us for an interactive workshop that explores what leadership looks like in practice across large organisations and how it drives real impact. Through dynamic panel discussions and peer conversations, we’ll unpack the kinds of leadership needed to turn vision into action in the water sector and beyond.

Our expert panel includes:
- Emma Thomas, CEO of Seqwater – Leading one of Australia’s largest water businesses and bringing insights from aviation, rail, public transport, infrastructure, and local government.
- Linda Dobe – With over 20 years of leadership in Queensland’s water sector, including senior government roles, Linda now focuses on improving water and wastewater services in remote communities across Australia.

- Daniel Lambert, Founder of Legacie – A pioneering water infrastructure leader recognised globally for delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that advance water resilience, recycled water, and WASH projects across 25 countries.

Following the Sandpit, to celebrate IWC's anniversary, we will showcase The Heart of IWC: A Visual Story of People and Places - our participatory visual history timeline project. We know that many of our friends and alumni are dispersed across the globe, so help us celebrate our collective journey through this photodocumentary. We will have drinks and nibbles to celebrate, and the opportunity to network for the remainder of the evening.