Fishing--Australia]]> Water quality]]> Native title]]> Cultural exchange]]> Guwamu nation]]> Environmental flows]]> Water--Symbolic aspects]]>
Cheryl Buchanan is a woman from the Guwamu (or Kooma) nation located in southern Queensland. Cheryl is a representative for Northern Basins Aboriginal Nations (NBAN) and in this short interview she briefly discusses growing up on the rivers with her Aunties; the interactions her people had with other Aboriginal Nations, and how these meetings fostered cultural exchange and helped the continuation of their respective cultures; the quality of the water; and how she views the water as a force that brings peace and people together.

Cheryl mentions Warrego (western), Balonne (eastern), Culgoa (southern) as the river boundaries of her peoples' Country.]]> CC BY-NC]]>
An archival version of the Talking Fish Collection is managed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Data Archive (ATSIDA).]]> Local history]]>
The images span the late 1930s to 1950s. They show Murray Cod caught from the infamous 'Garden Hole' spoken about during the interview, located south of E.J. Beardmore Dam.
]]> Swimming]]> Local history]]> Family life]]>
The photos show family activities such as learning to swim in the Narran River in the 1920s. ]]> Eucalyptus camaldulensis]]> Floods]]> Floodplains]]>
Images provided by Peter and Margaret (Pop) Petersen. Many show River Red Gums (some of which are up to 800 years old), stressed from changes in flood and dry cycles.]]> CC-BY]]>
Geographically the Balonne is an extension of the Condamine River and starts near Glenmorgan. It flows through gently undulating country before reaching an expansive flat plain where it splits and forms several smaller rivers including the Culgoa. The Culgoa River twists and turns across the floodplain and through coolabah woodlands before flowing into the Darling River between the towns of Brewarrina and Bourke.

The 123 000km2 catchment of the Culgoa – Balonne Rivers is semiͲarid and experiences a highly variable rainfall. The rainfall is reflected in the rivers’ flows which often cease for long periods of time, sometimes for up to a few years. During such prolonged droughts only very large waterholes continue to hold water. When the rains are good, the whole floodplain may turn into a slow flowing river around a metre deep.

These rivers are significant to the Bigambul, Kooma, Muruwari, Gungarri, Mandandanjii and Gamilaroi people who have traditionally lived, fished and told stories about these rivers and the life they support.

(Source: Sarac, Z., Sewell, H., Ringwood, G., Baker, E. and Nichols, S. (2012). Culgoa - Balonne: Talking fish, making connections with the rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin. Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Canberra.)]]> see details...]]> http://geonode.research.uts.edu.au/layers/geonode%3Afrawley2012page220]]>  View or download from publisher...]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Crustaceans]]> Native animals]]> Plants--Identification]]> Weirs]]> Dams]]> Floods]]> Water quality]]> Aboriginal history]]> Local history]]> Livestock]]>
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.]]>
In this interview Ned describes how the river was a huge part of his life growing up. He remembers learning to swim there, visiting there after mustering with his brother, Dick, and fishing - he says it was like a playground.

Ned also delves into the history of the station mentioning a shepherd who previously resided at the property whose personal diaries are being held by the University of New England that describes the local Indigenous tribes at war with one another, and the relationship between the Indigenous peoples and the farmers.]]> CC-BY]]> 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).]]> CC-BY]]> 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. ]]> CC BY-NC]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Plants--Identification]]> Water resources]]> Water--Law and legislation]]> Water quality]]> Floodplains]]> Weirs]]> Cotton]]> Vertisols]]> Blackwater]]> Introduced fishes]]> Aboriginal culture]]> Eucalyptus camaldulensis]]> Grazing]]> Livestock]]>
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.
]]> CC-BY]]>