Hurry Save The Murray!

SEE FOR YOURSELF! Our Living Murray photographic exhibition

As Adelaide sweltered, intrepid campaigners for the River, set up and took down the photographic exhibit of “Our Living Murray”, first in Victoria Square and then in Hindmarsh Square.

“People have fond memories of childhood holidays on the River, of fishing on the Coorong, of the shacks at Milang on Lake Alexandrina. When they see the before and after photographs in the exhibit, they are shocked, saddened, angered and want to know why? And what can be done?” says Ruth Trigg, former university lecturer, now an activist for solutions to a whole and healthy Murray Darling Basin.

The problems of the River Murray: lack of flow, slumping river banks, salinity.

The problems of Lakes Albert and Alexandrina: lack of fresh water, salinity, acid sulfate soil hotspots, disconnection.

The problems of the Coorong: a silted Murray Mouth, lack of fresh water flow, loss of marine and bird life.

It’s all here in the photographs.

Yes, Adelaide residents are aware of the problems of the Murray – as a far distant problem that does not affect their daily lives.

The 28 panel photographic exhibition is on display for two weeks in Victoria Square and Hindmarsh Square. (See Schedule below)

The exhibition presents the dire problems of the River Murray and Lower Lakes and the communities dependent on fresh water flowing through the system.

This display shows Adelaide residents why they need to know what the issues are with the River, Lakes and Coorong. All South Australians need to fight for fresh water flows along the whole system, so that a healthy river flows to the sea.

The photographs remind us of the River at its best, and then show the slumping river banks at Murray Bridge, and the effects of acid sulfate soils and how they can be remediated without dams and regulators. The ‘before and after’ photographs show how much the system has changed in the past two to three years because too much water is held back for irrigation in other states. The drought is not the main cause of the problems in the River, Lakes and Coorong in SA.

This free‐standing display of poster‐sized photographs, showing the state of the River and Lakes in graphic detail, has been developed solely through public donation. Local photographers have donated their photographs for public distribution, the metals stands were made by a community volunteer, and the graphic design has also been donated.

The display will be on view from 8.30 – 6pm.
Mon Nov. 9 and Tues Nov. 10 Victoria Square, northern section, west of the fountain
Thurs Nov. 12 and Nov. 13,  Hindmarsh Square, south western corner
Tues 17 Nov. and Wed. 18 Nov. Victoria Square
Fri 20 Nov. and Sat. 21 Nov. Hindmarsh Square