Join us for the opening of Living Water: 75 years of water research at UNSW, an exhibition that celebrates and reaffirms UNSW’s commitment to the stewardship of the planet’s marine, freshwater, and urban water ecosystems.

At the Living Water opening, the Welcome to Country will be performed by Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor, a Gadigal, Bidgigal, and Yuin Elder and Traditional Descendant from the Sydney (Warrane) and saltwater basin and the South Coast of NSW. Martin Borchert, Director & University Librarian, will be the event MC, and the speakers will be Professor Greg Leslie, Director of the UNSW Global Water Institute, and Professor Verity Firth, Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity & Engagement will give the opening address.

Drinks and light refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome.
Registration is essential.

About the exhibition

Water is an ancient, living thing. It has cycled through the atmosphere, soil, oceans, and bodies for billions of years – shaping the land, creating habitats, and sustaining life. As a crucial resource covering over 70% of the planet’s surface, water is at the centre of every community, holding social, economic, and cultural importance. Extreme shifts in water patterns, from floods to droughts, disrupt an ecosystem’s delicate balance and impact the interconnected relationships among all forms of life. Yet, water remains adaptable and resilient. Despite growing threats posed by pollution, misuse, and climate change, researchers remain committed to discovering solutions to safeguard our marine, freshwater, and urban water systems.

Living Water: 75 years of water research at UNSW connects water research across various environments and disciplines. From seagrass reforestation to aquafarming, hydrology to art, this research speaks to the multitude of ways water shapes existence and impacts survival. By drawing together breakthrough studies, technological innovations, and community engagement efforts, we gain insight into how scientists, engineers, artists, and researchers address complex challenges related to the stewardship of the planet’s water systems. Living Water highlights significant contributions made by UNSW toward water governance and security, the support of healthy oceans and resilient coastlines, ensuring safe and equitable access to water, and sharing the knowledge we need to protect this vital resource into the future.

In celebration of UNSW's 75th anniversary, this exhibition is a collaboration between UNSW Library and UNSW Global Water Institute with funding support from the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture, Faculty of Business, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Law & Justice, Faculty of Science, and UNSW Library.

Header Image: Operation Crayweed. Photographer: John Turnbull.

UNSW is located on the unceded territory of the Bedegal (Kensington campus), Gadigal (City and Paddington Campuses) and Ngunnawal peoples (UNSW Canberra) who are the Traditional Owners of the lands where each campus of UNSW is situated.