Plants--Identification]]> Beekeeping]]> Ecosystems]]> Pesticides]]> Genetically modified food]]> Bushfires]]> Birds--Identification]]> Aboriginal history]]>
Kevin grew up in western New South Wales, and has lived in Eulo since 1972. He is one of several beekeepers, or commercial apiarists, in the area. Kevin reflects extensively on the broader flora and fauna in the area, the impacts of chemicals, and the relationship between ecological balance and honey production.

Kevin talks about: plant species and their flowering cycles; dependence of plants on periodic flooding; role birds play in honey production (in pruning trees); challenge of finding areas free of agricultural chemicals and genetically modified crops; struggle to produce enough bees to pollinate fruit crops; impact of national parks on feral animal populations and bushfires; other threats to apiaries, such as pigs; camp sites and evidence of Aboriginal inhabitants.

Plant species mentioned: Napunyah, Bimble Box, Coolabah, Yarramothla, Lignum, Eucalypt, Black Box River Gum.]]> CC-BY]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Birds--Identification]]> Family life]]> Communities]]> Swimming]]> Floods]]> Water quality]]> Introduced fishes]]>
Colin and Beryl live on the Mooreland Downs sheep property, half way between Wanaaring and Hungerford, west of the Paroo River.

Colin talks about: family history at Moorland Downs; land ballots of the 1920s; growing up on the river picnicing, swimming, fishing, and yabbying with friends and family; variety of floods experienced; drinking water quality; water colours (milky, red, black); water and other bird species; changes in vegetation; recreational fishing methods; records of major flood events since 1941; first siting of European Carp in 1970s (after Paroo connected with Darling in 1974 flood).

Beryl talks about Paroo as a driving force, connecting communities; and her ‘love-hate relationship’ with the river.

Also mentioned are: flood events 1950s, 1970s, 1990s, 2010; dry periods 1958, 1960s, 1965, 2002, 2003.

Caiwarro, Cuttaburra, Eulo, Hungaton, Yandabulla, Wilcannia – mentioned in the context of flood patterns.]]> CC-BY]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Plants--Identification]]> Birds--Identification]]> Irrigation]]> Agricultural land]]> Siltation]]> Physical characteristics (Animals)]]> Introduced fishes]]> Artesian basins--Australia]]> Aboriginal peoples]]> Local history]]> Dust storms]]> Blackwater]]> Floods]]> Environmental flows]]>
Gordon has spent most of his life in the Eulo district, and thirty years on a cattle property at Wandilla on the eastern side of the Paroo River. The district is sheep and cattle country; the Paroo used as a water source for stock. He comments on the health of the river in comparison with Murray Darling rivers used for irrigation.

Gordon talks about: Yowah country; overstocking and changes in vegetation and siltation as a result of smaller land settlement blocks; recreational fishing methods and popular water holes for Murray cod; different types of Yellowbelly species in the Murray Darling compared to Balloo; siting carp in the late 1970s, early 1980s; Eulo spring systems; interconnection between Artesian Basin and springs (Stratton Basin controversy); GABSKI Scheme and government subsidies for Artesian bore closures; Aboriginal peoples in the district; history of local land owners; dust storms from western New South Wales; changes in water bird life and a noticeable decline in ducks; black floods; Eulo in the 1930s and its highest population in its opal mining days, early 1900s; Kopai clay mineral; floods and the pattern of water flow from Warrego.

Mention of: Mulga weed, Lapunyah; water birds; 'moon fish'.]]> CC-BY]]>