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]]> 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.

]]> CC-BY]]> 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.]]> CC-BY]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Plants--Identification]]> Siltation]]> Blackwater]]> Water quality]]> Droughts]]> Weeds]]> Weirs]]> Livestock]]>
Henry and Joan Cross live at Goonaroo Station, an 11,000 acre sheep and cattle property. The property is located north of Hebel on the New South Wales and Queensland borders and was purchased by Henry's father. The Bokhara River cuts through their property.

Henry was born at the property 85 years ago. In the river he has caught Catfish (5-6 lbs), Yellowbelly (3-5 lbs), and many Crayfish. One time, he was stung by a Catfish barb. Henry used to use cloth line for fishing, and would bob for fish as there were no lures back then. He could even tell the different fish species from their bites (bite impressions).

The rivers used to run clean. Big worms (up to 2 feet long) were the best bait to use for fishing, and he still sees these worms around.

'Tea Tree Hole' was the most popular place to fish before the weir was built. In the drought of 1958 the hole went dry, and he remembers pulling dying Murray Cod out, but didn't like to eat Cod as they tasted bad.

Henry spent a considerable amount of time on the river with family. Most picnics were on the Culgoa River where the fish were better, the Narran River even better than the Culgoa.

He first noticed the fishing holes fill with silt about 30 years ago. Now trees fall into the holes, which hold up the silt and built-up material. Siltation began before European Carp arrived. The river ran clear before the 1970s and 1980s. Weeds used to grow on the water, but do not any longer.

Siltation now blocks the weirs. Blackwater (black) floods take the oxygen out of the water, killing fish. Dirranbandi saw many dead fish. Thousands of fish died there, including Cod 3 feet long. Trucks were used to load and bury the fish.

Now Culgoa River gets the most water. The weed is dead and it used to have [Red Carp/Spangled Perch/'puppy dogs']. Vegetation on the river used to be River Red Gums, Coolabahs, and the occasional Tea trees and Lomandra.

Today's fishing is very poor. The river has dried out many times - three times after the weir was built in 1958, however, on the property the water is 'very good'.]]> CC-BY]]> Floods]]> Weirs]]> Water conservation]]> Cotton]]> Water--Law and legislation]]>
Pat Cross and her husband, George, are the owners of the Mehi Station, a 16,000 acre property previously owned by George Hatfield. They have lived on the station since 1952 and in the interview Pat revisits her experiences of the lake with her children and views some old photos that shed some light on the history of the region. Pat also advises of the changes in the water quality in the Narran River, particularly after the introduction of cotton farming, and its impacts water flows.]]> 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]]> 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]]> 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]]> 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]]> 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]]>