To mark World Rural Women's Day on the 15th of October 2004, the Gippsland Women's Network and Wellington Shire Council hosted this one day Forum and people from all over Victoria were invited to attend.

About 150 Forum participants heard from a range of speakers through presentations and workshops and much discussion was held on the future of water.

The forum attracted staff from Government departments, and Authorities from Canberra, Melbourne and across Victoria, along with Gippsland business people and farmers.

Chair of the Regional Women’s Advisory Council, Anne Dunn, said she would take the outcomes of the conference and report directly to the Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson.

One of the main concerns MS Dunn will report on is the impact the International Free Trade Agreement will have on water management.

For the first time a workshop was dedicated to identifying the social impacts of the water reform. The Forum steering committee will investigate the possibility of ongoing research in this area.