Over the last 5 years collectively we have changed the story and reality about what's possible for our people and communities through the transition to clean energy, which is critical now more than ever.
The Symposium has always been about action and the power of working together.
Through sharing knowledge, case studies, workshops and plenary sessions, we'll get to the heart of what's working, the challenges we need to address together, and how ideas from each other can shape the vision for what's next. We're also joined by an amazing delegation of Indigenous leaders from around the world, sharing their experience of influencing governments, unlocking investment, building community wealth and demonstrating what's possible when Indigenous peoples lead.
Together, we'll continue building power and shaping the action needed to ensure the clean energy transition delivers lasting, self-determined benefits for our communities, our Country and future generations.
symposium program
Tuesday, 18 august - Symposium welcome
Tuesday, 18 august - Symposium welcome
CULTURAL WALK ON WADAWURRUNG COUNTRY (OPTIONAL)
4:00pm - 5:00pm, meeting in Gheringhap Plaza
Begin your experience with a guided cultural walk across the waterfront of Nyaal Banyul, grounding participants on Wadawurrung Country. Led by Ash Skinner from the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, this one-hour walk will explore the deep cultural significance of this place and the enduring connections between land, sea and people. Participants will gain insight into Wadawurrung Sea Country, its rich biodiversity, cultural practices and ongoing custodianship, while reflecting on thousands of generations of gathering, knowledge-sharing and caring for Country. This experience invites participants to begin the symposium with a deeper understanding of place, culture and the responsibilities we all share in caring for Country.
WELCOME RECEPTION
6:30pm - 8:30pm: Waterfront Room, Crowne Plaza Geelong
On the eve of the Symposium, we'll come together on Wadawurrung Country to reconnect after another busy year, welcome those joining us for the first time, and enjoy local snacks, refreshments, and music.
We'll be welcomed to Country by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, who will share the story of Nyaal Banyul and the significance of the Country on which we gather.
WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST - DAY ONE program
WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST - DAY ONE program
Click on the session title for more information.
| Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Gheringhap Plaza, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MORNING BREAK |
| 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LUNCH BREAK |
| Breakout 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Delama Room A, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breakout 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Darrwal Room, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breakout 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Delama Room B, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AFTERNOON BREAK |
| 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3:45 PM - 4:00 PM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SYMPOSIUM DINNER SHOWCASE
6:30pm - 8:30pm: Wala Mirr Theatre, Nyaal Banyul
We are working with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to develop a deadly Symspoium Dinner Showase this year, that honours Country, culture and language throughout the evening.
Featuring local artists and performers, we'll come together over local food and beverages to share stories, great company and celebrate five years of the First Nations Clean Energy Network.
THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST - day two program
THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST - day two program
Click on the session title for more information.
| 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9:15 AM - 9:40 AM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9:40 AM - 10:30 AM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MORNING BREAK |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LUNCH BREAK |
| Breakout 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Darrwal Room, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breakout 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Delama Room A, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breakout 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Delama Room B, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AFTERNOON BREAK |
| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Delama Ballroom, Nyaal Banyul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note: The Symposium program is subject to change.
Stay tuned for updates and speaker announcements. In the meantime, feel free to take a look at the incredible line up on speakers we had at our 2025 Symposium below.
The Symposium program is centred around four streams that reflect what is needed to deliver real outcomes for our communities, our Country and future generations. From affordable and reliable energy in our homes and communities, through to community-owned projects, large-scale economic opportunities and the policy reforms needed to unlock them, these streams explore how First Nations people are shaping, leading and benefiting from the clean energy future.
POWERING HOMES AND PEOPLE
Affordable, reliable and clean power is fundamental to healthy homes, strong communities and people’s ability to live well. From rooftop solar on all homes, batteries and energy upgrades to stand-alone systems and remote microgrids, this theme is about making sure no one is left behind.
POWERING THE TRANSITION
A just transition will not happen through projects alone - it needs the right policy, finance, infrastructure and institutions to make First Nations leadership possible from the start. This theme focuses on policy reform, investment architecture, transmission planning and negotiation support needed to change what is expected, what is possible, and who benefits.
POWERING COMMUNITIES AND COUNTRY
Across the country, First Nations communities are not waiting for others to solve these problems - we are getting organised, building solutions and shaping clean energy on our own terms. This theme focuses on community-owned projects, local energy enterprises and governance models that build community control, local jobs, capability and benefits that stay on Country and also can sustain Country for generations to come.
POWERING OUR ECONOMY
Clean energy is one of the biggest economic opportunities of our lifetime, but it must not repeat the mistakes of the past. This theme is about moving beyond benefit-sharing to genuine ownership, equity, revenue and strategic control, so First Nations people are backed as proponents, partners and owners. We will also tackle the capital gaps and access to the right kinds of finance that could enable project builds and different forms of ownership.