On 12 December 2023, the Authority (our Board) held their final meeting of the year in Murray Bridge, South Australia.
Arriving in Ngarrindjeri Country, attendees convened on the banks of Moorundi (River Murray). Ngarrindjeri Elder Uncle Clyde Rigney welcomed them to Country. Cedric Varcoe, a respected Ngarrindjeri community member, performed a moving smoking ceremony.
During their final meeting, MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville shared a summary of key achievements in 2023. All Authority Members took the time to reflect on a year that presented a challenging operating context for river operators.
Read more about the meeting in the December Authority Communique.
The next day, Chair Sir Angus Houston and other Authority Members visited Pomberuk (Hume Reserve). Uncle Clyde Rigney shared stories of his ancestors. Uncle Clyde spoke about the cultural significance of the surrounding lands and waters. He talked about strengthening our river communities through ongoing engagement and collaboration.
Authority members heard the history of Pomberuk and the surrounding areas.
Uncle Clyde shared stories about how his ancestors cared for the land and the waters. His ancestors conducted trade with First Nations further up and down stream of the river, and inland.
Connection to Country has been shared through generations and with the many individuals who now also call Moorundi home.
The Authority then travelled to the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area where they met with young local dairy farmers and sheep graziers. Some of these local farmers belong to families who have been farming the area for 5 generations. They shared their experiences of droughts and the 2022–23 River Murray flood event.
Authority Members heard about the challenges each farming family had managed and they shared how they planned to adapt their businesses to changing climate conditions. They spoke of wanting to manage water effectively and farm sustainably so their farms can carry on for generations to come.
Sir Angus noted what an incredible experience it was to share in their challenges. He noted how well the MDBA values align with the aspirations of river communities. We are all working to ensure a healthy Basin and secure rivers for generations.