Murray River Lore

Murray River Lore

Murray River Lore explores the deep spiritual connection between the Murray River and the Aboriginal people, revealing the river's sacred status within Dreamtime stories and its vital role in cultural heritage. The book highlights the ancestral significance of the river, not just as a geographical feature, but as a living entity deeply interwoven with Indigenous spirituality. Readers will gain insights into how the river serves as a pathway for ancestral spirits and a source of spiritual renewal, emphasizing the responsibilities associated with its care and the ongoing cultural practices that maintain this connection. The book provides essential historical context, examining the impact of European settlement on Aboriginal communities and their ancestral lands, while advocating for collaborative approaches to river management. Through ethnographic research, oral histories, and analyses of Aboriginal art, it presents a narrative non-fiction account, weaving together historical accounts, personal stories, and cultural analysis. It progresses from introducing Dreamtime concepts to exploring specific stories and discussing contemporary environmental challenges, offering a unique perspective by centering Aboriginal voices and challenging dominant narratives about the Murray River.

“The” Murray

Harnessing the River Murray

This book celebrates the lives of those who were involved in the works which flowed from the River Murray Waters Act of 1915. The focus is on the first nine locks and weirs which were built by South Australia over a period of twenty years. Combining oral history and archival research, Helen Stagg shares stories of the construction communities whose itinerant lifestyle led to them being referred to as 'the great wandering class'. However, the communities are shown to have been relatively settled with their own school and with an active social and sporting calendar. Dances, silent movies, horse races, carnivals and occasional visiting entertainers provided a balance for the difficult living and working conditions. Health care was precarious and hardship affected many; work-time was reduced, accidents were common and tragedy took a toll but the people faced these issues together. The second part of the book consists of the memories of seven people who were children of lock builders. In addition, there are details of over 500 accidents, petitions signed by the lock families for services and a chronology of events. Today, irrigation and a reliable water supply sustain towns and cities along the Murray River and scores of riverboats enjoy ready transit through the locks. This book provides an insight into the life and times of the resilient people who harnessed the River Murray between 1915 and 1935.