Goulburn: Oral History of Geoff Brennan
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85074038.html' target='_blank'>Water temperature</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008120678' target='_blank'>Fishing--Australia</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh93005906' target='_blank'>Lure fishing</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85114241' target='_blank'>River engineering</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048782' target='_blank'>Fishes--Migration</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/832' target='_blank'>Irrigation</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/973' target='_blank'>Water quality</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2001000600' target='_blank'>Stream restoration</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/867' target='_blank'>Water resources</a>
An interview in three parts with Geoff Brennan.
Geoff was a construction contractor but has been working with water management for twenty years. He talks about his understanding of the cross over from recreational fishing to management of water, and about Lake Makoan being decommmisioned 2009.
Geoff grew up on the Broken River. He shares his earliest memories of learning to fish with his father and sister; camping on the Murray River; his desire to pass on a sense of ownership of the rivers to his children and grandchildren; what to look for in the river when fishing for trout and Macquarie Perch; fly fishing; which parts of a snag different fish prefer; lake fishing compared to river fishing; fish behaviour depending on temperature and time of day; and what he likes about fishing. He discusses the benefits of fresh bait; where to collect scrub worms; catching yabbies; attracting shrimp with orange peel; decline of Catfish; changes to the Broken Rivers structure (de-snagging programs, the construction of the Nillahcootie 1967, the floods of 1974); fish migration and fishways; changes in fishing technology; the opening cermemony of Lake Nillahcootie; the changes in water quality due to the introduction of Carp; the Broken River Irrigators and their advocacy that a dam be build on the Broken River; the dams effect on the local ecology; Lake Mokoan water turbidity; and how the Broken River earnt its name. He goes on to discuss community engagement and the future of the River.
Mention of "Barragunda" a place at the head of the Broken River (Vic), "Green Swamp" or "Green Wetlands" near Winton Wetlands (VIC).
Mention of scrub worms, mud eyes, black crickets, grasshoppers, bardie grubs, shrimp, yabbies
Mention of Sedges, ribbon weed
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-11-18
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
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audio/mpeg
English
Upper Darling: Images from interview with Dwayne Willoughby
Images were sourced by the Talking Fish project team from Dwayne Willoughby on the day of his oral history interview.
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-11-30
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
All rights reserved
image/jpeg
Upper Darling: Oral History of Dwayne Willoughby
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008120678' target='_blank'>Fishing--Australia</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/973' target='_blank'>Water quality</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh87004578' target='_blank'>Restoration ecology</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2001000600' target='_blank'>Stream restoration</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2003004809' target='_blank'>Riparian restoration</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh96006425' target='_blank'>Introduced fishes</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048621' target='_blank'>Fishes--Breeding</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/6272' target='_blank'>Floods</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048745' target='_blank'>Fishes--Diseases</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048874' target='_blank'>Fish surveys</a>
An interview in six parts with Dwayne Willoughby.
Dwayne talks about fishing with his family; tagging fish; the influence of water colour on fish colour; fish parasites; his two boats; electric motors; and his dislike of nets. He says the water takes two years to clear after a flush and mentions that lure fishing is at its best when it does. He discusses the river ecosystem; bank stabilisation; re-snagging programs; the impact of Carp; carp musters and changing attitudes towards angling (catch and release). He also talks about flooding and fish breeding habits; yabbying on the Warrego River; and mentions storing yabbies with gum leaves and sighting black Yellowbellies at a place called Black Rocks.
Mentions Darling River Weir 19A (30°13'55.0"S 145°41'49.0"E; MDBA Site ID 425037; "19-mile weir"), Ford's Bridge (NSW, -29.753215, 145.430510), Warren Reservoir (SA), Bourke Weir (-30.086914, 145.894400), Bree Weir, Black Rocks
Mention of garden worms, white sea eagles, emu, king brown snakes, carpet snakes, red belly black snakes, water lillies, gums, algae and Dace Cordina of the Cathment Management Authority
Bourke Shire Council Environmental Officer. Has a fishing hut at Beemery - half way between Bourke and Brewarrina. Passionate catch and release fisherman. Fishes with father-in-law and extended family. Tagging fish with sheep tags.
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-11-30
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
application/msword
audio/mpeg
image/jpeg
English
Upper Darling: Images from interview with Phillip Parnaby
Images were sourced by the Talking Fish project team from Phillip Parnaby on the day of his oral history interview.
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-11-30
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
All rights reserved
image/jpeg
Upper Darling: Oral History of Phillip Parnaby
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008120678' target='_blank'>Fishing--Australia</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85011046' target='_blank'>Bait fishing</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/5361' target='_blank'>Fishing nets</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85114241' target='_blank'>River engineering</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/6986' target='_blank'>Water levels</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/867' target='_blank'>Water resources</a>
<a href='http://dharmae.research.uts.edu.au/items/show/402' target='_blank'>Water allocations</a>
An interview in three parts with Phillip Parnaby.
Phillip has lived in Bourke his entire life and in this interview he talks about his experience fishing while growing up in a family of eight, when fish were a large part of their diet. He explains his relationship with the river, his family history, his Indigenous Australian heritage, and how fishing and sharing go together. He talks about swimming in the weir, setting lines, using spinners, teaching his kids to fish. He mentions yabbying at Wearrego and Cuttaburra, and explains how yabbies were used as a Chinese aphrodisiac. He discusses different baits: Silver Carp, Kangaroo, Emu, worms, sand worms, Bardi Grubs, tinned tuna, mussels, and yabbies). He explains the differrence between drop nets and overnight nets, and discusses the conditions that are good for Yabby catching. He talks about the river when it dries; salt springs; algae; water allocations; river management; and weir management. He also talks about the future of Bourke and people leaving town, and his involvement with the program Australian Story - Out of the Dust.
Phillip is an entrepreneur and is the owner of the Back O' Bourke Motel, rental accommodation, and he has just purchased the local RSL club and the Memorial Hall - which he wants to redevelop into a Tavern style place to cater to the tourists that come through in the winter. He explains that there are only two eateries in town at present - Port Of Bourke Hotel and Chinese in the local bowling club.
Mention of Silver carp ("forky tails"), Bardi Grubs, worms, sand worms, Kurrajong Trees, Gum trees, algae and Bourke Weir.
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-11-30
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
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audio/mpeg
image/jpeg
English
Upper Darling: Oral History of Keith Coleman and Max Jeffrey
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008120678' target='_blank'>Fishing--Australia</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/973' target='_blank'>Water quality</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048655' target='_blank'>Fish stocking</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/16447' target='_blank'>Traditional environmental knowledge</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/4315' target='_blank'>Water conservation</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048655' target='_blank'>Fish stocking</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85114241' target='_blank'>River engineering</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85011046' target='_blank'>Bait fishing</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048646' target='_blank'>Fish populations</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh96006425' target='_blank'>Introduced fishes</a>
An interview in two parts with Keith Coleman and Max Jeffrey.
Keith grew up in Brewarrina and learned to fish with his father. He learned to swim in the river, and remembers how clear the water was - clear enough that people could go spearfishing.
Keith and Max talk about using worms, mussels and crayfish as bait and discuss variance in carp populations over time. They also observe that fishing is better in the dry when the water levels are lower. They mention Yellowbelly and Murray Cod restocking programs; talk about de-oxygenated water; changes in attitudes about sustainable fishing (catch and release); how to read the river; what they've learned from Indigenous Australians; the mass of birdlife; weir management; and water restrictions. They talk about boat trips along the river and their sighting of baby catfish in the Bokhara and Culgoa Rivers.
Mention of Goanna, Wallaby. frogs, blacksnakes, brown snakes, carpet snakes, mosquitoes.
Mention of Brewarrina fishing club
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-12-01
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
application/msword
audio/mpeg
image/jpeg
Upper Darling: Oral History of Gordon Brown and Cathy Simpson
1956 floods in Maitland
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008120678' target='_blank'>Fishing--Australia</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh96006425' target='_blank'>Introduced fishes</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048871' target='_blank'>Fishing rods</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85011046' target='_blank'>Bait fishing</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85128574' target='_blank'>Stream flow</a>
An interview in three parts with Gordon Brown and Cathy Simpson.
Gordon reminisces about the 1956 floods in Maitland. He talks about how hew learned to fish at Moruya and Coffs Harbour, and how he learned to make nets. He discusses what features to look for in the river when fishing with rods and setting nets. On netting, he says that illegal fish trapping is still prevalent. He also talks about the introduction of carp and their effect on catfish and weeds; his participation in the local Carp Muster competition; Indigenous Australians living at the Wier; bait; and making and appraising rods. Gordon says the river hasn't changed much since 1956.
Cathy talks yabbying in the Warrego River and off Ford's Bridge, and about the crabs she's seen at Gumbalie.
Mention of Cumbungi (bullrush)
Brown snakes, Black Snakes, Taipan, worms,
Gin (Aboriginal Woman)
Local Studies Librarian in the Bourke Library. Did lots of local fishing with her dad growing up and camping out along the river.
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-12-02
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
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audio/mpeg
English
Upper Murrumbidgee: Oral History of Darren Rosso
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/2981' target='_blank'>Bushfires</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008120678' target='_blank'>Fishing--Australia</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048646' target='_blank'>Fish populations</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048655' target='_blank'>Fish stocking </a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048636' target='_blank'>Fish kills</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048621' target='_blank'>Fishes--Breeding</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85114241' target='_blank'>River engineering</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2001000600' target='_blank'>Stream restoration</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048629' target='_blank'>Fish habitat improvement</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/973' target='_blank'>Water quality</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh87004578' target='_blank'>Restoration ecology</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048745' target='_blank'>Fishes--Diseases</a>
An interview with Darren Rosso in three parts.
Darren has worked in the Murrumbidgee Corridor since 1988.He talks about the Murrumbidgee Rivers historical fame as a Trout Cod fishery and discusses the practice of restocking fish. He describes the decline of Trout populations, recalling a large die-off event along the Murrumbidgee, Lower Cotter and Paddy's Rivers in 1998. He also talks about Trout Cod breeding in marginal conditions.
He discusses his efforts to restore and sustain river habitats and ecosystems with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service, and National Heritage Trust (NHT). Initiatives to restore resilience to the river system included the Million Trees Program, Willow poisoning, and the construction of groynes, rock deflectors and debris clusters.
Darren also discusses the 2003 Canberra Fires, variance in water quality and some of the differences between managing mountain stream systems and flood plain systems.
Mention of Atlantic Salmon, Galaxids, Plague minnows (Gambusia holbrooki)
Mention of Fishing Act 2000 (ACT), Australian Capital Territory Parks and Conservation Service, National Heritage Trust (NHT)
Mention of Pobblebonks (Eastern Banjo Frog), Alpine Litoria lesueuri Rocky River Frogs, broad-palmed frog (Litoria latopalmata), Platypus, EHN Virus, simazine (chemical), Groynes, rock deflectors, electro fishing, Willow, phragmities, blackberries, briars, casuarinas, manna gum, cumbungi, typha, blackwoord, Red Stem Wattle, Muellerina bidwillii, Microcystis and anabaena, and spirogyra algae
ACT NPWS officer. Known for taking his Kayak and little else to do site work on the Upper Bidgee - lives off the land during such trips. Rec fisher, but with a lot of cross over into his work along the river.
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-10-06
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
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audio/mpeg
English
Upper Murrumbidgee: Oral History of Bryan Pratt
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048646' target='_blank'>Fish populations</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048782' target='_blank'>Fishes--Migration</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048621' target='_blank'>Fishes--Breeding</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048809' target='_blank'>Fishes--Speciation</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048655' target='_blank'>Fish stocking</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048636' target='_blank'>Fish kills</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048745' target='_blank'>Fishes--Diseases</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh93005906' target='_blank'>Lure fishing</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85011046' target='_blank'>Bait fishing</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008120678' target='_blank'>Fishing--Australia</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/1455' target='_blank'>Fishing industry</a>
An interview in four parts with Bryan Pratt.
Brian came to the Murrumbidgee in 1965. He talks about seasonal variations in the prevalence of fish, and their breeding and migration habits. He remarks on regional variations within species and cross-breeding (e.g. how the Clarence River Cod differs from the "Fitzroy Cod"). He discusses the annual mass death of Silver Perch and Murray Cod, speculating that its cause is a pathogenic. He also speaks about population decline, and weighing the social and ecological consequences of translocating and re-stocking fish. He offers a strong endorsement of the Native Fish Strategy and talks about his efforts to advocate for native fish in the media.
He shares his knowledge of lures; their colour, size and patterning, as well as other ways that their design replicates nature. He also talks about bait; what it's used for, where it comes from, and how it's collected.
Mention of Fitzroy Cod, Brook Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Nile Perch, Barrumundi, Midget Barrumundi, mussels, scrub worms, bardy grub, witchetty grub, wood grub (variant?), yabby, squid, pilchards, prawn, beach worms, abalone, EHN Virus, pathogens, Lernaea (parasite)
Current owner of a fishing and tackle shop in Belconnen. But this is only a retirement enterprise. He started life as a scientist, but was lured to the public service firstly by Gough Whitlam. When the Whitlam government fell- he went to work for the territories conservation department and so was an early cross over of science and bureaucrat. But all the time he was an avid recreational fisherman. He has been a long time advocate of building bridges between science and recreational fishing and strongly believes that mass communication is the way to go. He has written for popular Rec fishing magazines and newspapers for decades. He also has a regular spot on radio. He sees the tackle shop as a type of liminal space where he can translate science for fishers and gather information and knowledge from fishers for science. I think that Bryan's interview has lots of gems - but the section that I particularly liked was when he and I went over to the lures and he talked to me about how they work; their design and the ways that they replicate nature. He gives very strong endorsements of the Native Fish Strategy.
Heather Goodall
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-10-06
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
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audio/mpeg
English
Paroo: Oral History of Douglas MacGregor
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/7885' target='_blank'>Soldier settlement</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85048775' target='_blank'>Fishes--Identification</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/5366' target='_blank'>Droughts</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/6272' target='_blank'>Floods</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/2981' target='_blank'>Bushfires</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/8796' target='_blank'>Siltation</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/3333' target='_blank'>Grazing</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/3312' target='_blank'>Environmental flows</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh96006425' target='_blank'>Introduced fishes</a>
<a href='http://vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au/scot/255' target='_blank'>Aboriginal culture</a>
<a href='http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2009123209' target='_blank'>Depressions--1929--Australia</a>
An interview with Douglas (Dougie) MacGregor, who has lived in Cunnamulla for over eighty years. Dougie’s father fought in World Wars I and II. He bought his father’s town carrying business as a young man, and shares extensive knowledge of road and river systems in the Paroo area.
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.
Heather Goodall
Jodi Frawley
Hamish Sewell
University of Technology, Sydney
2010-10-14
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NSW Department of Primary Industries - NSW Fisheries
Copyright University of Technology, Sydney
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audio/mpeg
image/tiff
English