Water resources]]> Coalbed methane]]> Water allocations]]>
In his interview Dave discusses changes to Oakey Creek on the Darling Downs and the fight for water allocations in lieu of the new mines. Dave expresses frustration with the lack of attention given to the issue of water resources and allocation and the possible effects of coal gas extraction on the greater region.]]>
CC BY]]> Condamine, Qld [populated place]]]> Darling Downs, Qld [region]]]> Oakey Creek, Qld [stream]]]>
Fishing--Australia]]> Bait fishing]]> Fishing nets]]> River engineering]]> Water levels]]> Water resources]]> Water allocations]]>
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.]]>
CC-BY]]>
Introduced fishes]]> Fishing--Australia]]> Fishing industry]]> Stream restoration]]> Restoration ecology]]> River engineering]]> Riparian areas--Management]]> Water resources]]> Water allocations]]>
Mick explains his family history and the history of their property 'Myandetta". He talks about the history of fishing in the area; professional anglers and netters; and changing attitudes towards fishing (catch and release). He learned to fish with nets and lines with his grandfathers. He discusses the arrival of European carp in 1973, noting that they travel in floodwater. He talks about bait, what it takes to catch Bony Beam, and set lines.

Barb talks about yabbying, and says that she likes fishing but loves the river.

Mick and Barb approve of restocking efforts by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), but share their concerns about the reduced responsiveness of fishing inspectors. They observe that there are more visitors and anglers about the river and note that illegal fishing is still practiced. They discuss man made weirs and natural weirs; river management; water allocations; water licenses; grazing along the river: erosion; and efforts to re-establish vegetation along the river.

Mention of NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Catchment Management Authority (CMA)
Penny Wong

Mention of Lake Cargellico (NSW), Burrendong Dam (NSW), Darling River Weir 19A (30°13'55.0"S 145°41'49.0"E; MDBA Site ID 425037; "19-mile weir")

Mention of water lizards, wombats, shrimp.]]>
]]> CC-BY]]>
Fishes--Identification]]> Birds--Identification]]> Reptiles--Identification]]> Weirs]]> Droughts]]> Floods]]> Wetland conservation]]> Wetlands]]> Farming]]> Revegetation]]> Water allocations]]>
Hayley Purbrick is a fifth generation member of the Purbrick Family who owns the Tahbilk Winery. She grew up on nearby Lake Nagambie and has interacted with the river since she was a child. She is involved in the conservation and revegetation of the wetlands in Tahbilk, Victoria.

In the interview, Hayley discusses the wetlands and the wildlife she encounters, the difficulties she experiences in her interactions with government, the Goulburn Weir and how she feels it is an asset to the wetlands and surrounds, and the future of farming that is experiencing a shift towards environmental awareness ushered in by the new generation of farmers.

Mention of:
Worms, Mexican Lily, swans, koalas, wallabies, turtles, platypus, wrens, brown snakes, red-belly black snakes, ibis, cranes, ducks, lizards.]]>
CC-BY]]>
Fish populations]]> River engineering]]> Floods]]> Water resources]]> Environmental conservation]]> Water allocations]]> Fisheries--Equipment and supplies]]>
Born in 1937, Tom grew up sustained by the Ovens River. He talks about fishing crowds at Post Office Lane, a popular spot to catch Redfin after the spring floods. He goes on to describe diverse fishing techniques, from trawling and spinning to tethering and springing, as well as the waxing and waning of different fish populations. He recalls the introduction of outboard motors, and discusses river management, floods, pest and weed control, water allocations and forest stewardship.

Mention of Yurrawonga Wier, Hume Wier, Dartmouth Wier

Mention of 'greasies', Murray Cray, yabbies, bardie grubs, wild ducks, rabbits, Tiger snakes, water rats, platypus Ornithorhynchus, fox, cats, kangaroos, wallabies, blackberries, english broom,

Mention of Victorian Environmental Assessment Council, Murray Darling Basin Authority, Friends of Wonnangatta]]>
CC-BY]]>
Waka Waka / Wakka Wakka people]]> Mandandanji people]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Native plants]]> Land custodianship]]> Connection to Country]]> Dreaming (Spiritual)]]> Kitchen-middens--Australia]]> Water quality]]> Erosion]]> Farming]]> Deforestation]]> Aboriginal fish traps]]> Places of significance]]> Land degradation]]> Water allocations]]> Water conservation]]> Cotton]]> Water pollution]]> Salinization]]> River rehabilitation]]> Aboriginal history]]> Farming]]> Droughts]]> Introduced fishes]]> Water wells]]> Mandandanji (Australian people)]]> Sacred sites]]> Activism]]>
Robert Lacey is an Indigenous man who has resided in the St George area in southern Queensland most his life. His people are the traditional owners of the land: his mother is a Mandandanji woman, while his father is a Waka Waka man.

Robert discusses the connection he has with the land and the river, he expresses the honour he feels in being trusted to take care of Country. He discusses the history of the river and its declining health; commercial use of the river; and the work he personally does on recording the sites of cultural significance and heritage sites finding over 100 in just a few years. He says that the river is a source of peace, tranquility, food, leisure - the life blood of the land.

Robert also mentions the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI) and his elation at the 1967 Australian Referendum and what it meant for Aboriginal people, and also the political activism by his family.]]>
CC-BY]]>
Fishes--Identification]]> Connection to Country]]> Cultural flows]]> Dreaming (Spiritual)]]> Aboriginal kinship systems]]> Riparian areas--Management]]> Floods]]> Dams]]> Weirs]]> Cotton]]> Water allocations]]> Fishes--Migration]]> Fishes--Cannibalism]]> Traditional ecological knowledge]]> Yuwaalaraay / Euahlayi / Yuwaaliyaay language ]]> Environmental flows]]> Ecological sustainability]]> Aboriginal spirituality]]> Water--Symbolic aspects]]> Siltation]]> Wetlands]]>
Michael explains the cultural and spiritual importance of the river systems to Indigenous peoples, delving into the history, language and stories of his Ualarai people. The changes in the fish population, and the traditional practices of his people that were implicit in the flourishing of the basin prior to colonisation.

Mentioned: water rat, mud crab.

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CC-BY]]>
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]]> Plants--Identification]]> Droughts]]> Weirs]]> Paakantyi / Paakantji / Barkindji people]]> Water allocations]]> Overfishing]]> Colonisation]]> Racism]]> Traditional fishing]]> Cotton]]> Connection to Country]]> Water quality]]> Introduced fishes]]> Environmental flows]]> Traditional ecological knowledge]]> Aboriginal fish traps]]>
Born in 1934, William talks about growing up in Wilcannia and Broken Hill in north-western New South Wales. He recalls being taught to fish by his Grandmother and Aunties using hand lines and fish traps. William talks about the effects of colonisation and racism on his life, and how important the river then becomes.

William discusses his work campaigning for change with Northern Basins Aboriginal Nations (NBAN); he compares the 1944 and 2007 droughts and the differences in atmospheric moisture; the impact of the introduction of carp on catfish; the impact of fishing on cod populations; and the changes in water flow and clarity, exacerbated by tree roots, weeds, and chemicals from irrigators.

Mention of: plants River Red Gum, Cumbungi weed; fish perch (species undefined).




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CC BY-NC]]>