Culgoa - Balonne: Oral History of Henry and Joan Cross
Fishes--Identification
Plants--Identification
Siltation
Blackwater
Water quality
Droughts
Weeds
Weirs
Livestock
An informal interview with Henry and Joan Cross. No audio was recorded. Henry and Joan Cross live at Goonaroo Station, an 11,000 acre sheep and cattle property. The property is located north of Hebel on the New South Wales and Queensland borders and was purchased by Henry's father. The Bokhara River cuts through their property. Henry was born at the property 85 years ago. In the river he has caught Catfish (5-6 lbs), Yellowbelly (3-5 lbs), and many Crayfish. One time, he was stung by a Catfish barb. Henry used to use cloth line for fishing, and would bob for fish as there were no lures back then. He could even tell the different fish species from their bites (bite impressions). The rivers used to run clean. Big worms (up to 2 feet long) were the best bait to use for fishing, and he still sees these worms around. 'Tea Tree Hole' was the most popular place to fish before the weir was built. In the drought of 1958 the hole went dry, and he remembers pulling dying Murray Cod out, but didn't like to eat Cod as they tasted bad. Henry spent a considerable amount of time on the river with family. Most picnics were on the Culgoa River where the fish were better, the Narran River even better than the Culgoa. He first noticed the fishing holes fill with silt about 30 years ago. Now trees fall into the holes, which hold up the silt and built-up material. Siltation began before European Carp arrived. The river ran clear before the 1970s and 1980s. Weeds used to grow on the water, but do not any longer. Siltation now blocks the weirs. Blackwater (black) floods take the oxygen out of the water, killing fish. Dirranbandi saw many dead fish. Thousands of fish died there, including Cod 3 feet long. Trucks were used to load and bury the fish. Now Culgoa River gets the most water. The weed is dead and it used to have [Red Carp/Spangled Perch/'puppy dogs']. Vegetation on the river used to be River Red Gums, Coolabahs, and the occasional Tea trees and Lomandra. Today's fishing is very poor. The river has dried out many times - three times after the weir was built in 1958, however, on the property the water is 'very good'.
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
Culgoa - Balonne: Oral History of Pat Cross
Floods
Water conservation
Cotton
Water--Law and legislation
An interview with Pat Cross. Pat Cross and her husband, George, are the owners of the Mehi Station, a 16,000 acre property previously owned by George Hatfield. They have lived on the station since 1952 and in the interview Pat revisits her experiences of the lake with her children and views some old photos that shed some light on the history of the region. Pat also advises of the changes in the water quality in the Narran River, particularly after the introduction of cotton farming, and its impacts water flows.
Culgoa - Balonne: Oral History of Robert Lacey
Waka Waka / Wakka Wakka people
Mandandanji people
Native plants
Land custodianship
Connection to Country
Dreaming (Spiritual)
Kitchen-middens--Australia
Erosion
Farming
Deforestation
Aboriginal fish traps
Places of significance
Land degradation
Water allocations
Water pollution
Salinization
River rehabilitation
Aboriginal history
Introduced fishes
Water wells
Mandandanji (Australian people)
Sacred sites
Activism
An interview in two parts with Robert Lacey. Robert Lacey is an Indigenous man who has resided in the St George area in southern Queensland most his life. His people are the traditional owners of the land: his mother is a Mandandanji woman, while his father is a Waka Waka man. Robert discusses the connection he has with the land and the river, he expresses the honour he feels in being trusted to take care of Country. He discusses the history of the river and its declining health; commercial use of the river; and the work he personally does on recording the sites of cultural significance and heritage sites finding over 100 in just a few years. He says that the river is a source of peace, tranquility, food, leisure - the life blood of the land. Robert also mentions the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI) and his elation at the 1967 Australian Referendum and what it meant for Aboriginal people, and also the political activism by his family.
Culgoa - Balonne: Oral History of Peter and Margaret Petersen
Water resources
Floodplains
Vertisols
Aboriginal culture
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Grazing
An interview with Peter and Margaret (Pop) Petersen. Peter and Margaret (Pop) Petersen were the former managers of Brenda Station in Goodooga. On the Culgoa River, it spans both New South Wales and Queensland. Previously owned by the Church of England, Brenda Station was primarily involved in grazing sheep and cattle. The Culgoa River which runs through the property, was a major source of feed and water for the Petersen's and their community. Peter and Pop reminisce about the pleasant experiences had on Brenda Station and discuss the course of events leading to the less than ideal conditions that the river is currently in. They also talk about: the long term benefits of floods; the changes in flows as a result of irrigation and intense agriculture; differences in water colour (red Maranoa, black Darling Downs); Artesian bore drains; Aboriginal tools found on the property. The Petersens have maintained records of rainfall, river height, and floods that date back to 1872.
Culgoa - Balonne: Oral History of Pat Stephens
Crustaceans
Dams
Environmental flows
An interview with Pat Stephens, a local butcher. Born in 1933, Pat talks about fishing in the Dirranbandi area and the changes he has noticed over the last 60 years. Having fished since he was a boy, the biggest changes have been a reduction in the smaller, regular floods since E.J. Beardmore Dam was built. These small floods used to wet a large area of the country, which were essential for grazing purposes. He notes the effect of the dam on river flow, and how the water does not clear up like it used to. He also talks about: the impact of European Carp on fish populations over the last 30 years; a flood in the 1890s; floodplains and the effect of river water levels on trees; fishing techniques, such as lures; and the decline in Crayfish since bore drains were removed.
Culgoa - Balonne: Oral History of Rory Treweeke
Birds--Identification
Irrigation
No-till farming
Fishes--Breeding
Aboriginal scarred tree
Rory Treweeke is the owner of the Angledool Station in far northern New South Wales near Lightning Ridge. Rory has been in Angledool since 1969 and has seen a lot of changes in and around the Narran River. These changes include the installation of weirs, the growing cotton industry, the decimation of the Catfish population, droughts, and Aboriginal culture he has observed in the Angledool area over the years. Rory also expresses his appreciation for the river and the floods that it brings, recognising it as a powerful and fascinating force that replenishes the land. He also discusses how European Carp came into the water system during the 1974 flood; the importance of floodplains to the breeding cycles of fish; Aboriginal scarred trees, and evidence of large gathering sites (remains of shell middens); the Chinese population in the area and the environmental impacts of the rice industry. Mention of the the Flood Plain Association and Water Act (Queensland).
Culgoa - Balonne: Oral History of Ned and Lynette Underwood
Native animals
Local history
An interview in two parts with Ned and Lynette Underwood. Born in 1932, Ned grew up as a child on the property Warroo, a sheep and cattle station on the banks of the Balonne, owned by his grandfather since 1890. In the interview, Ned describes how the river was a significant part of his life growing up - like a playground, swimming and fishing. He recalls what the river was like prior to the E.J. Beardmore Dam being built downstream and how it increased the river level along much of their property; the turbidity of the river; and the history of the station as a site of importance for the Aboriginal peoples of the region - recalling stories of tribal warfare, and several locations with remains of shell middens. Ned has kept records of flood locations and heights, which have been helpful in predicting how flood waters might affect the local area. He also discusses 'gilgais' - an Aboriginal word for small water hole or lake, thought to be formed in vertisols. Mention of Warroo Station as a sacred Aboriginal site.
Upper Condamine: Oral History of Sam Bonner
Birds
Trade routes
Githabul people
Traditional fishing
Wildlife conservation
Traditional ecological knowledge
Camping
Water--Symbolic aspects
An interview in three parts with Sam Bonner. 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.
Upper Condamine: Oral History of Noal Kuhl [MASONS BRIDGE]
Fish habitat improvement
Fish stocking
River survey
The first three parts of a twelve part interview with Noal Kuhl. 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
Upper Condamine: Oral History of Brian Kuhn
Revegetation
Brian Kuhn has been working as a farmer since he was seventeen years old. He lives on a property that borders Kings Creek, a major tributary of the Condamine River, between Clifton and Nobby. Brian is a fisherman, fish stocking club member, and Fishcare volunteer. More recently Brian has been involved in river restoration projects. He reflects on the river’s significance to his life, growing up. 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.