Hurry Save The Murray!

Prof. Diane Bell, River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group Inc (RLCAG) campaigner, went from the heat wave of Adelaide to the humidity in Brisbane to deliver the Keynote Address, River Stores, to the Community Broadcaster Association Adelaide annual conference.

It was an opportunity to meet with people across Australia and to learn of the role of Community Broadcasting in addressing concerns about water and the River Murray. It was also an opportunity to see how the Brisbaners are engaging with water politics, from the Traveston Dam decision to appeals to be water savvy in bathrooms.

The general level of knowledge of what was happening with the River Murray and Lower Lakes was impressive. Representatives from stations across Australia were well informed and curious to know more of our situation. Each had in-depth knowledge of the water crises in their own communities, and was curious to learn more of ours. At the Welcome BBQ, on Thursday at 4EB 98.1FM, Diane caught up with a number of old friends from Victoria and heard more of the Goulburn pipeline; colleagues from Canberra and the Northern Territory; new friends from Warnambool and Yarabah. On Friday it was off to hear a selection of Queensland’s best up and coming artists and bands in a showcase curated by Amrap to highlight the fresh musical talent emerging from Queensland and to listen to young Australians.

Diane’s argument that the airwaves and the rivers were part of naturally occurring ecosystems and should not be privatised was well received. Click keynote for the text of “River Stories”.