Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Weirs]]> Dams--Australia]]> Fishing industry]]> Fishing nets]]> Water quality]]> Fishing regulations]]> Fishes--Migration]]> Floods]]> Droughts]]> Cotton]]> Introduced species]]> Billabongs]]>
Bill, a professional fisher since 1953, resides in the small town of Wentworth in northern Victoria. Born in 1926, his life experiences of the neighbouring areas of the Murray, Darling and the Great Darling Anabranch reveal numerous changes to the region in terms of fish, crustaceans, the fluctuating commercial demand of fish, and the health of the river systems. Bill also discusses his preferred fishing techniques, areas he likes to fish, government regulations, and the impacts on his region that are a result of irrigation and farming further up the basin.

He also talks about: yabbying in the Paroo River; finding large mussel populations in billabongs; drought and flood cycles of the 1960s, 1970s; differences in water quality and its decline since the 1950s; reduction in water quality in the Culgoa River since the St George Weir was built; the impact of European Carp on Catfish, little water snails and mussel beds.]]>
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Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Birds--Identification]]> Reptiles--Identification]]> Plants--Identification]]> Dams]]> Blackwater]]> Water--Law and legislation]]> Droughts]]> Weeds]]> Fish stocking]]> Billabongs]]> Introduced species]]> Water quality]]>
Born in 1955 at Mildura, Rodney grew up on the Darling. He has witnessed the changes in the native fish population, particularly relating to the arrival of the European carp; the decimation of Catfish; restocking; fish kills at Wakool; the removal of Willow trees; the disappearance of bird life following the wave of the calcivirus; blackwater and its impacts on the region; yabbying; fishing techniques; the way fish behave during droughts; the Darling floods of 1956 and 1976, and the various flora and fauna present in the region.

He also shows the research crew Fort Courage and talks about fishing at the junction of the two systems, including a description of a "mini delta" in the Anabranch when it runs.

Mention of 183 Dam and a fish species 'Minnow' (unspecified).]]>
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Paakantyi / Paakantji / Barkindji people]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Indigenous foods]]> Cotton]]> Weirs]]> Land custodianship]]> Aboriginal history]]> Cultural flows]]> Connection to Country]]> River flow]]> Cotton]]> Droughts]]> Water allocations]]> Traditional ecological knowledge]]> Nations Committee (NBAN).

Born in 1956, Jenny talks about families and growing up on the river at a camp on the Darling at Menindee; living, working and playing together. She discusses the drought years from 1985 and the blue-green algae bloom that ran from Mungindi to Menindee. Jenny also speaks about what cultural flows are, and how they are important as they are the inherent water entitlements of Indigenous Nations.

Mention of perch as a significant part of diet however species is undefined; Witchetty grubs, turtles, eagles, porcupine, kangaroo.]]>

Electronic records have been made private as per the request of Jenny Whyman. As part of our data access requirements, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Data Archive (located at the University of Technology, Sydney) requires an applicant to sign an undertaking before access to material can be approved. These undertakings may include a request for information about the intended use of the data. The depositor and/or family may be informed of the application.

Preliminary applications may be made to:
atsida@lib.uts.edu.au.]]>
Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Artesian basins--Australia]]> Weirs]]> Cofferdams]]> Floods]]> Siltation]]> Turbidity]]> Aboriginal culture]]> Introduced species]]> Aboriginal fish traps]]> Bore water]]>
With over 50 years experience fishing in the region, Keith, George and Robert share their knowledge of the Culgoa-Balonne region. They discuss floods, particularly the 1950 flood; the turbidity and silting of the river; the arrival of European Carp and the resulting impacts on vegetation, Catfish and Black Bream populations; Aboriginal rock corrals; fishing, spinners and their favourite fishing holes.

Mention of the Gapski Scheme (GABSI? Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative?), the replacement of bore drains with 'poly piping', and the resultant changes in the Yabby population.]]>
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Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Floods]]> Dams]]> Water quality]]> Cotton]]> Introduced fishes]]> Environmental flows]]> Grazing]]>
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. ]]>
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Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Birds--Identification]]> Plants--Identification]]> Water resources]]> Floodplains]]> Weeds]]> Irrigation]]> Water quality]]> Introduced fishes]]> Cotton]]> No-till farming]]> Aboriginal culture]]> Weirs]]> Fishes--Breeding]]> Aboriginal scarred tree]]>
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).]]>
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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. ]]>
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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.

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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.]]>
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