It has been one year since more than 160 Traditional Owners came together on Gimuy Country for the first Sea Country Forum in over two decades – an historical gathering that continues to shape the future of Reef governance.

Held in March 2025, the Forum created space for Traditional Owners from across the Great Barrier Reef to come together, share knowledge and set priorities for caring for Sea Country. One year on, that momentum has not slowed.

Over the past 12 months, ReefTO has continued to work alongside communities through ongoing conversations, workshops and on-Country engagement. These discussions are helping to strengthen a shared vision for a ReefTO Alliance – one grounded in cultural authority, collective decision-making and the lived responsibility Traditional Owners hold for Sea Country.

The foundations laid at the Forum continue to guide this work, with insights from participants shaping the direction of engagement and informing the next phase of development.

As this journey continues, there is a growing sense of connection and purpose across communities, with a stronger collective voice emerging – one that can drive meaningful change for Reef Traditional Owners and the future of the Reef.

Watch the highlights from the Sea Country Forum and hear directly from participants whose voices continue to influence this work.