Bourke was once the end of the line for most of the paddlesteamers that made their way up the muddy Darling. They sometimes had to wait for months before the waters became navigable and when the rains didn’t come, the channel dried to a series of pools.

Since the coming of Europeans, the health of the river and its fish have degraded. The paddlesteamer trade, grazing, and irrigation, all changed the rivers. Weirs were constructed, reaches desnagged, water extracted, foreign animals and plants introduced and new ways to catch fish also had an impact. These changes mean there are now a lot less fish than there were. Before the turn of the twentieth century there are stories of catching great numbers of silver perch, Murray cod, catfish and yellowbelly - and no tales of carp.

These are the traditional lands of the Ngiyampaa, Murawari and Yuwalaraay peoples. They have seen great changes to the river and surrounding waterways where they fished and hunted the wetlands.

(Source: Frawley, J., Nichols, S., Goodall, H. and Baker, E. 2011. Darling ‐ Brewarrina to Bourke: Talking fish, making connections with the rivers of the Murray‐Darling Basin. Murray‐Darling Basin Authority, Canberra.)]]> Map image attribution: Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Talking Fish Project see details...]]> View or download from publisher...]]> http://geonode.research.uts.edu.au/layers/geonode%3Afrawley2012page178]]> The Paroo River catchment is in the north‐western corner of the Murray‐Darling Basin. The river flows across the Queensland border into New South Wales, where it spreads out over floodplains. Beccause of this dispersal and the hotter, dryer climate, it now rarely flows into the Darling River and is known as an ephemeral river. It is the last unregulated river of the northern Murray Darling basin and sustains important wetlands and sub-artesian waters.

The region has been inhabited by Aboriginal peoples for around 20 000 years; the Maranganji, Kalali, Badjiri, Kunggari and the Parundji people, from whose name the river's name is derived.

(Source: Sarac, Z., Sewell, H., Baker, E . and Ringwood, G. 2011. "Paroo: Talking fish, making connections with the rivers of the Murray‐Darling Basin." Murray‐Darling Basin Authority, Canberra.")

]]> Map image attribution: Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Talking Fish Project see details...]]> View or download from publisher...]]> http://geonode.research.uts.edu.au/layers/geonode%3Afrawley2012page198]]>
The Condamine River is one of the major tributaries of the Darling River System. It rises in the Border Ranges then makes its way along the eastern part of the Darling Downs region in Southern Queensland, becoming the Balonne River near Glenmorgan. It waters one of Queensland's richest agricultural regions. Intensive land use and development has resulted in a very different river to that of years ago. The floodplains are easily eroded and with the arrival of hoofed stock the Condamine River changed and now the catchment is degraded significantly. Over 60% of the aquatic habitat is now considered in poor condition.

Twenty thousand years ago, the Barunggam, Bigambul, Giabal, Kambuwal, Githabul and Jarowair people knew a different Condamine River that flowed year round. With much of the water in the Condamine River flowing underground, spring fed creeks and waterholes were permanent water sources utilised by fish and traditional owners alike.

(Source: Sarac, Z., Sewell, H., Ringwood, G. Baker, E. and Nichols, S. 2012. Upper Condamine: Talking fish, making connections with the rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin. Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Canberra. )

]]> Map image attribution: Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Talking Fish Project see details...]]> View or download from publisher...]]> http://geonode.research.uts.edu.au/layers/geonode%3Afrawley2012page242]]> Birds--Identification]]> Reptiles--Identification]]> Plants--Identification]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Water--Law and legislation]]> Tools]]> No-tillage]]> Floods]]> Introduced fishes]]> Fishes--Migration]]>
The Shooters speak of their experience living next to Dalrymple Creek, a tributary of the Condamine. Ray talks about the changes he has observed in the creek over almost 80 years, its transformation, and the changing patterns of fish migration and sizes. The Shooters reflect fondly on their continuing recreational use of the creek.

Mention of the River Improvement Trust and The Tulgai Skull documentary made in the 1960s, investigating the history of the Indigenous peoples in the region.]]> CC-BY]]> Birds--Identification]]> Reptiles--Identification]]> Plants--Identification]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Weirs]]> No-tillage]]> Vertisols]]> Irrigation]]> Fish stocking]]> Fishes--Breeding]]>
Geoffrey Riley is the owner of the property 'Lennie Brae' that has been in his family for generations. Geoffrey speaks of the changes as a result of the weirs, flood irrigation, and fish ways. He talks about a fauna and fish 'sanctuary zone' and simultaneous government efforts to replenish fish stock and increase fish breeding.

Geoffrey also describes the benefits and issues that arise with the presence of the rich agricultural black soil that is found locally. He elaborates on his no-till approach to his crops that he deems as most suitable to his needs.

]]> CC-BY]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Fish stocking]]> Weirs]]> Bait fishing]]> Cotton]]> Fishes--Breeding]]>
Dessie talks about: restocking fish species Yellowbelly and Murray Cod, since 1986; changes in vegetation, floods, water clarity, fish spawning activity as a result of weirs, since 1970s; fishing methods; types of bait used for different fish species; snags; irrigation and cotton growing demands on water. (Note: ‘Bolbie’ refers to the Bobby or Spangled Perch fish species.)]]> CC-BY]]> ]]> Local history]]> Fossils]]>
Images of local history, including fishing prongs and the infamous 'Talgai skull', reported to be the first fossil evidence of human occupation, found in the Dalrymple Creek area.]]> CC-BY]]> Revegetation]]> Water resources]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Fish stocking]]> Introduced fishes]]> Environmental flows]]>
Brian talks about: the state of the Condamine River over the last twenty years, and the lack of rain; translocating Murray Cod from drying water holes; restocking fish species Golden Perch, Murray Cod, Silver Perch, since 1990s; fishing methods; role of Condamine Alliance negotiating revegetation with private landholders; movement of European Carp through the system, and involvement in Carp Busters; differences in the taste of fish and methods of food preparation; removal of trees in streams by Condamine River Trust, 1960s; changes in water flow and impact on river banks; recent re-snagging; underground water and irrigation bores; platypus sightings.]]> CC-BY]]> Fish habitat improvement]]> Fish stocking]]> River survey]]>
Noal has lived in the area for 40 years. He discusses the changes he's observed in the River ecosystem since becoming involved with the Oakey Freshwater Fish Stocking Association in 1995. He also talks about the broader history of the system. He explains why the area is suited for European Carp but comments on the strong presence of native fish. It's a popular fishing spot.

Mention of: Condomine Alliance, River Trust]]> CC-BY]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Birds]]> Plants--Identification]]> Trade routes]]> Connection to Country]]> Githabul people]]> Traditional fishing]]> Wildlife conservation]]> Traditional ecological knowledge]]> Camping]]> Dreaming (Spiritual)]]> Aboriginal history]]> Water--Symbolic aspects]]>
Sam Bonner is a Githabul Elder who lives near Emu Creek, which is a tributary of the Condamine River. Sam speaks about his childhood experiences of the river, his love and passion for the river, its history, and his traditional and environmental knowledge about the river.

The interview was recorded at The Canoe Tree and water hole on the Condamine River, Queensland. Sam shares his extensive knowledge about his Indigenous culture and history and outlines Indigenous customs and practices of conservation. He is passionate about the Condamine River, and keen to pass on his traditional and environmental knowledge on to the next generations, to show them what the river means to him and his people.

Mentioned: white ants, porcupines, casuarinas, willy wagtails, finches, double bars, swallows, doves, blue wrens. ]]> CC-BY]]>