Beyond Bunya Dieback Symposium - connecting people for country
Description
Beyond Bunya Dieback Symposium- Connecting People in Caring for Country
Join us on Friday, 27th February 2026, on Jinibara Country at Maleny, for an immersive day of insights and collaboration at the third Beyond Bunya Dieback Symposium. This dynamic event brings together a diverse line-up of speakers, including Traditional Custodians, researchers, soil pathologists, conservationists, and international presentations.
Event Highlights:
Diverse Perspectives: Experience a rich exchange of perspectives that connect culture, science and community, exploring the significance of Bunya and other species, and how dieback is impacting interconnected ecosystems at local and global scales.
Knowledge Exchange: Take part in meaningful conversations and connections that bring together lived experience, research and practice, supporting collaborative, community-led responses to ecosystem challenges.
Why Attend?
The Beyond Bunya Dieback Symposium offers a valuable opportunity to connect with people from across community, conservation, science, culture and land management, to share knowledge, build relationships and explore positive, practical approaches to caring for Country and supporting ecosystem wellbeing.
The Beyond Bunya Dieback program is initiated and hosted by Brush Turkey Enterprises, a small, family-run conservation and education business committed to collaborative, place-based action.
FULL SPEAKERS PROGRAM to be announced in January 2026 - see below for the great lineup so far.
Let's go Beyond Bunya Dieback and shape the future of conservation together!
Speakers List
Dr Ken Pegg - retired soil scientist, DPI Qld
"Forest Dieback" - KEY NOTE PRESENTATION About the talk: We are privileged to have Dr Ken Pegg, retired soil scientist with over 50 years’ experience in soil health and plant pathology, delivering our keynote address. Dr Pegg will share a deep and accessible overview of Phytophthora research, long-term management strategies, and his invaluable insights into how environmental stress affects plant resilience and disease expression.
Spencer Shaw - Brush Turkey Enterprises
"Beyond Bunya Dieback Update" About the talk: Our opening speaker Spencer Shaw will provide a summary of our activities and achievements over the last year. It’s been another busy year with advocacy, education and many insights into the causes of dieback and the developing of holistic practices for the management of Bunya and so many other species and ecosystems that are suffering from dieback, both here and globally.
Mita Harris - Operations Manager Kauri Protection, Biosecurity New Zealand and Tania Pene - Kaitiai Kauri
"From Investment to Operational Delivery" About the talk: Mita Harris (Biosecurity New Zealand) and Tania Pene (Kaitiaki Kauri) will deliver a joint presentation exploring the journey from investment to operational delivery in kauri dieback management. Mita will provide an overview of how central government investment has supported biosecurity responses, while Tania will share on-the-ground insights from managing kauri dieback operations in the Puketi and Omahuta Forests over the past four years. Together, their presentation offers a powerful case study of how strategic funding translates into practical, effective action for forest wellbeing.
Dr Tracey Steinrucken - CSIRO
"Protecting K'gari Through Ranger-led Biosecurity " About the talk: Exotic pests and pathogens threaten Australia’s unique cultural and environmental values. Working with the Butchulla Rangers on K'gari, this project identified ecological threats to Country and explored practical approaches to detecting, monitoring, and managing them, from diseased native plants to vehicle-borne debris. The work aims to strengthen Ranger capacity to prevent incursions, manage established threats, and reduce long-term environmental impacts.
Stephanie Reif - Sunshine Coast Council
"Fungal diversity of Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - investigating links to tree and forest health" About the talk: This presentation will cover recent research into the fungi of Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve including: - fungal issues affecting plants in the reserve; - how we’re using citizen science to address gaps in fungi knowledge; and - using fungi research to better understand forest health and inform reserve management.
Andy Fairbairn - University of Queensland
"Archaeology’s role in understanding the deep time history of Bunya and the human exploitation of trees in Australia" About the talk: Archaeology often brings-to-mind statues, buildings and imaginary treasures, but less so the history of trees, Country and Culture. Yet, since the 1960’s archaeology has increasingly studied the remains of plants found in archaeological sites and is producing a rich understanding of the history of trees and people across the world. Studying the leftovers of ancient meals burnt in fires, archaeobotanists, including the speaker, are beginning that journey in Australia, working in Aboriginal led research partnerships to build a globally unique 65,000-year history of plant use showing innovation, adaptation and resilience. Looking at examples from Queensland, the NTand PNG, this contribution discusses the potential for extending our archaeological histories of Bunya use and provides advice for how it can be achieved.
Rachael Sanderson - We Forest Earth
"Mycoregen - the application of mycelium in organic land management" About the talk: We Forest Earth updates on the success of Mycoregen over the last 12 months in different applications of organis ,and management and the impacts on ecosystem health.
Adrian Bauwens - Indigenous Biosecurity Network
"Indigenous Biosecurity Network" About the talk: Adrian will be sharing his work as a Forest Health Officer with Bunya Mountains Indigenous Ranger team. The Indigenous Biosecurity Network brings First Nations voices and traditional knowledge to biosecurity processes. He'll share the work the team has been doing at the Bunya Mountains.
Mia Townsend & Tess Bryant - Dieback Working Group
"From the Ground Up: Practical Approaches to Managing Phytophthora Dieback" About the Presentation: Gravel, vehicles and people are everyday pathways for the spread of Phytophthora across landscapes. This presentation provides an update on the Dieback Working Group’s Basic Raw Materials (BRM) project, focused on validating approaches to enable the supply of Phytophthora dieback-free gravel without further clearing of native vegetation. It also highlights the demonstrated success of DWG’s Green Card training in Western Australia, showing how these complementary initiatives strengthen practical biosecurity decision-making and underpin current collaboration in Queensland.
Dr Louise Shuey - DPI
Dr Louise Shuey has been researching Phytophthora locally and at the Bunya Mountains for many years. She presented at our first Symposium event and is now returning with new research results.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
