Saving water and caring for Country through Pun Pun project at Willum Warrain
The Mornington Peninsula’s Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association is showcasing Aboriginal-led water innovation and cultural care, supported by a South East Water grant to enhance its culturally significant ‘Pun Pun’ (Bunurong for wetlands) and save water sustainably.
Willum Warrain, meaning ‘home by the sea', is a gathering place located in Hastings running Aboriginal cultural programs, events and activities for the community. It seeks to provide a safe, cultural space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to gather on the Mornington Peninsula.
Willum Warrain is using a 2025 South East Water community grant for its ‘Water for our Pun Pun’ project that will plumb and trench an existing 3,000-litre tank to harvest rainwater and stormwater and redirect it to a creek swale running directly into the Pun Pun in summer and at times of low rainfall.
This climate resilient enhancement will reduce reliance on precious drinking water supplies and ensure the Pun Pun remains vibrant and sustainable during drier periods. With water levels kept higher, it will also ensure the Pun Pun’s resident turtles are kept alive during summer when the water would otherwise be very low.
This grant follows a 2020 South East Water Community Grant which Willum Warrain received for an extension project to help construct a billabong to support the Pun Pun and local wildlife.
Willum Warrain’s Executive Officer, Peter Aldenhoven said the project was an important way to support the environment.
“This project will help prevent the Pun Pun’s water level dropping and becoming stagnant, supporting our commitment to caring for Country while using water responsibly.
“We estimate that rainfall should fill the tank 26 times per year.”
South East Water Senior Manager First Peoples, Glenn Pellegrin said the project highlights the importance of supporting culturally significant environmental initiatives.
“We’re proud to support so many community-driven initiatives making a real difference.
“Projects like this help protect our environment and honour connections to land and water and show how partnering with local Aboriginal gathering places can result in initiatives that heal and connect to the land, seas, and waterways of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples.”
Now in its sixth year, South East Water’s Community Grants program has provided more than $600,000 to nearly 100 community groups across Melbourne’s south-east and $130,000 to 20 community groups in 2025.
This year’s recipients include projects that promote water education, support vulnerable community members, enhance environmental health, and foster active, connected communities.
For more information and to see the full list of 2025 grants recipients visit southeastwater.com.au/grants
Media contact: media@sew.com.au
Photo 1 L-R:
South East Water Senior Manager First Peoples, Glenn Pellegrin
South East Water Project Lead First Peoples, Tara Fry
South East Water General Manager Strategy and Stakeholder, Karen Lau
Member for Hastings, Paul Mercurio
South East Water Project Officer First Peoples, Ceara Larkins
Willum Warrain General Manager, Cara ‘Kurlu’ Loveridge at Willum Warrain in Hastings.
Photo 2 L-R:
Ducks in the Pun Pun (Bunurong for wetlands) at Willum Warrain in Hastings.
Photo 3 L-R:
Member for Hastings, Paul Mercurio
South East Water Senior Manager First Peoples, Glenn Pellegrin
South East Water Project Lead First Peoples, Tara Fry
South East Water General Manager Strategy and Stakeholder, Karen Lau
South East Water Project Officer First Peoples, Ceara Larkins at Willum Warrain in Hastings.