Soldier settlement]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Droughts]]> Floods]]> Bushfires]]> Siltation]]> Grazing]]> Environmental flows]]> Introduced fishes]]> Aboriginal culture]]> Depressions--1929--Australia]]>
Dougie talks about: the effects of drought and economic depression on communities; government property ballots,1951; soldier settlements; cycles of drought, floods, and bushfires; silt build up in water holes from grazier activities, changing river and creek flows; relationship between Warrego and Paroo; periods when water ran from Paroo into the Darling (1950, 1956); Aboriginal fishing methods, catching ‘sleepy cod’; siting carp in river branches connected to the Murray; gelignite used to erect power lines throughout Paroo. Drought events discussed: 1930, ending 1947, 1957. Flood events: 1942, 1947, 1950, 1956.

]]> 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]]> Floods]]> Siltation]]> Riparian restoration]]> Fish stocking]]> Camping]]> Irrigation]]> Introduced fishes]]> Lure fishing]]> Bait fishing]]> Family life]]> Weeds]]> Billabongs]]> Fishes--Breeding]]> Tournament fishing]]> Fishes--Identification]]>
In the interview, Jason covers the changes in the river including silting, the declining frequency of floods, his work in land care and regeneration with the Catchment Management Authority (CMA), the fishing techniques he employs, occurrences of illegal fishing and the continually changing laws, issues with Carp, and the interesting prevalence of Cod over Yellowbelly. He also discusses: the impact of irrigation on water levels, fish migration and breeding; translocating Catfish into dams and the hardiness of the species; a 'red carp' and 'mirror carp' species, the latter with large scales.]]> CC-BY]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Floods]]> Siltation]]> Water quality]]> Fishing--Australia]]> Lippia (Genus)]]> Introduced fishes]]> Stream restoration]]> Erosion]]> Restoration ecology]]>
Eric and Carol Hannan are the owners of the Rampadelles property near Boggabri by the Namoi River and have lived here with their four children since 1973. During this time, the Hannan family have experienced numerous floods, and as a result have devised their own way to prepare for, and survive them.

The interview covers the types of fish in the area, flood patterns and frequency, life surrounding the river and its importance, changing river conditions, and recommendations moving forward.

Mentioned: Willow trees,
]]> CC-BY]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Weirs]]> Dams]]> Fish stocking]]> Introduced fishes]]> Siltation]]> Cotton]]> Overfishing]]> Bait fishing]]> Fishery depredation--Prevention]]> Predatory animals--Behavior]]> Fishes--Cannibalism]]>
Don 'Spider' Cunningham is a recreational fisher who is part of the Narrabri Fishing Club and has resided in Narrabri (NSW) his entire life. He has strong ties with the area with his father also from Narrabri and his mother from nearby Wee Waa (NSW).

In this interview Spider discusses his childhood and youth around the Namoi River and also how the onset of maturity saw his views change toward the river to those of conservation and sustainability. He talks about his involvement with the fishing club and how they have been working for the past 25 years on the river. He discusses the fishing restrictions placed upon fishers, restocking efforts, fish feeding habits, the changes of the fish population and the predatory and cannibal nature of the Murray Cod.

Mentioned: Turtle, bream, trout, sparrow, starling, willow tree, azolla. ]]> CC-BY]]> Water levels]]> Lure fishing]]> Bait fishing]]> Floods]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Environmental flows]]> Tournament fishing]]> Water sports]]>
Tony discusses bait and lure fishing; permanent set lines; and recalls the arrival of Redfin and Carp. He shares stories about the professional fisherman who used to fish the Murray; illegal fishing; and talks about electric motors; trolling for cod and Callop; fishing from cliffs and catching Cod and Catfish. He also discusses the advent of lure fishing in the area; what he looks for in a lure (the right action, the right size and then colour); the reasons why fishing gets better when the water's low; and competitive fishing with the Lower Murray Lure Fishing Club. He notes that the popularity of lure fishing in the area contributed to the closing of the Cod season for a couple of years. He talks about water skiing; the floods of 1974/75; yabbying; proper fish handling; his fish 'finder' or fish 'sounder'; and shares what he likes about fishing.
]]> CC BY]]> Mannum, SA [populated place]]]> Murray Bridge, SA [populated place]]]> Wynarka, SA [populated place]]]> Bow Hill, SA [populated place]]]> Walker Flat, SA [populated place]]]> Lake Mulwala, NSW [lake]]]> Younghusband School, SA [school]]]> Nildottie, SA [populated place]]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Floods]]> Weirs]]> Brackish waters]]> Floodplain ecology]]> Colonisation]]> Cotton]]> Connection to Country]]> Aboriginal technologies]]> Traditional ecological knowledge]]> Cultural Flows]]> Rice]]> Ngiyampaa / Ngemba people]]> Restoration ecology]]>
In the interview, Richard discusses his life growing up around the river with his family and how it was a central part of his life. He tells of his cultural connection with the land and the need to maintain and pass on that connection and knowledge; something that is being done through his CMA work with Aboriginal men. He says that Aboriginal people are losing their connections to Country and culture where colonisation played a pivotal role. He notes that his situation is not helped by the declining health of the land and rivers that he says have been affected by introduced fish and plant species such as the European carp and willow trees.

Richard also speaks extensively about floods and how withholding the water impacts on the nature of the land as a floodplain; the types of fish, animals and plant life that are present; and his work in conservation, largely influenced by the sustainable practices embedded within his Aboriginal culture.

Richard also mentions also where he has found Trout Cod: Murrumbidgee, Murray River, Yarrawonga, Old Man Creek, Hay.

Also mentioned: Worms, Rabbits, Fish, Kangaroos, Emus. Possums. Antechinuses. Barking owl, Sugar Gliders. Platypus. Willows. Blackberry. Osage Orange. Briar Rose. Patterson’s Curse. Scotch Thistle.
]]> CC BY-NC-ND]]> Wakool Creek (NSW), Wakool River (NSW), Murrumbidgee (NSW/ACT), Yarrawonga (VIC), Old Man Creek (NSW), Hay (NSW).]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Tournament fishing]]> Water quality]]> Water temperature]]> Erosion]]> Fish stocking]]>
Merrylin and Kelli are members of the Corowa Angling Club, Merrylin a champion women's fisher. Kelli is manager of the Corowa Motor Inn and grew up fishing around the Menindee Lakes. They meet with a group of women in Pomona every year for a week long fishing trip.

Merrylin and Kelli talk about: fishing places and trips; fishing and baiting techniques; mammals, snakes, lizards, birds; changes in water quality and temperature; river bank erosion; restocking activities (fundraising).]]> CC-BY]]> Fisheries]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Fishing industry]]> Fieldwork]]>
J.O. Langtry talks about his investigation into the ecology of the Murray-Darling System with the newly formed State Fisheries and Game Department of Victoria. His systematic examination of native fisheries, informed by collaborating with professional fisherman, is central to our understanding of the Murray-Darling ecosystem. He discusses the anabranch system; drainage zones; opportunistic farming; pelagic fish; hatching Murray Cod at Burraby Station; fish stomach contents and diet; his influence on early fishing regulations; and legal and illegal fishing methods.

He also talks about the people who assisted him in his surveys; the various river conditions that different fish prefer; and the cultural and recreational value of fisheries. He discusses ground water; rising water tables; salinity; water and land management; and the 'Landline' TV series. He argues that efforts to restore the Coorong and Lower Lakes are not worthwhile.

He goes on to talk about the wide variety of people and occupations he dealt with in his work; the differences between Murray Cod and Trout Cod; a plan to remove Bony Bream that was later abandoned; fish farming; fish stocking; local and visiting poachers; and commercial fish markets. He discusses his service in the Australian Army Research Group, and his work to develop rations in Korea, New Guinea and Malaysia. He comments on the demographic of the Victorian public service and ends by reiterating the diminished scale of the anabranch system.

Other fish species mentioned: lungfish, trout fish/eastern big belly.

Mention of: Victorian State Fisheries and Game Department, Melbourne University, CSIRO, National Water Board, Rotary Club, Murray Darling Basin Authority.]]>
Electronic records have been made private as per the request of J.O. Langtry. Material may only be accessed under research conditions.

Preliminary applications may be made to
data-librarian@uts.edu.au or State Library of NSW regarding collection ML OH 647/1-130.]]> Bourke, NSW [populated place]]]> Menindee Lakes Park, NSW [park]]]> Murrumbidgee River, NSW [stream]]]> Lachlan River, NSW [stream]]]> Barmah Lake, Vic [lake]]]> Moira Lake, NSW [lake]]]> Hughenden, Qld [populated place]]]> The Coorong, SA [lake]]]> Swan Hill, Vic [populated place]]]> Torrumbarry Weir, NSW [dam]]]> Goulburn River, NSW [stream]]]> Cubbie, Qld [homestead]]]> Warrego River, Qld [stream]]]> Seven Creeks, Vic [stream]]]> Lake Victoria, NSW [lake]]]> Lake Charm, Vic [lake]]]> Bourke, NSW [populated place]]]> Yarrawonga Weir, Vic [dam]]]> Lake Mulwala, NSW [lake]]]> Wakool River, NSW [stream]]]> Billabong Creek, NSW]]> Edward River, NSW [stream]]]> Riverina, NSW [area]]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Communities]]> Environmental flows]]> Floods]]> Fish stocking]]> Licenses]]> Lure fishing]]> Fish habitat improvement]]> Water temperature]]> Boats]]> Water sports]]> Erosion]]> Fieldwork]]>
Graham, Ken and Peter are members of the Corowa Angling Club, and have lived in the Corowa area since the 1970s. Graham has worked as a water bailiff, a law enforcement officer responsible for the policing of bodies of water. They are concerned about restricted access to the river as time goes on.

The group talk about: Corugan Pumps (Hans’ Creek), an anabranch of the Murray River; changes in the Murray’s course as a result of floods, early 1980s; fishing at Jerilderie and Deniliquin; increases in Yellowbelly species since restocking; decline in Redfin species since 1980s; club travels; fishing licences; lure fishing; changes in fishing equipment; snags and fish habitat; types of bait; river health; collecting data for Arthur Rylah Institute; restocking activities, since 1988; changes in fishing culture, ‘catch and release’; changes in vegetation from boating activities; use of pylons and stones to stop river bank erosion; changes in width and depth of the river; mammals, birds, reptiles, snakes; blue-green algae and pollution; temperature differences.]]> CC-BY]]>