This week we’re excited to share a special interview we’ve been working on for a while with one of the country’s renowned artists and water activists.

Born on the banks of the Baaka river in 1947, Uncle Badger Bates is a proud Barkindji man and an inspiration to both artists and water activists alike. He’s been a strong voice for Barkindji people, fighting for their land and water rights, and he’s also had a very successful career as an artist, using art to tell stories of the Baaka River and the decimation of this sacred place. In recognition of these achievements, Uncle Badger was awarded the prestigious Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2024 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards. 

The Red Ochre Award was established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board in 1993 to pay tribute to senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons for their outstanding lifetime achievement.

Badger Bates is predominantly a carver, turning his hand to wood, emu eggs, stone carving and linoprinting, but has also made sculptures out of welded steel and although he doesn’t see himself as a painter, he has completed some wonderful paintings.

It was our great honour to sit down with Uncle Badger and to share this conversation with you.

This week we’re excited to share a special interview we’ve been working on for a while with one of the country’s renowned artists and water activists.
Born on the banks of the Baaka river in 1947, Uncle Badger Bates is a proud Barkindji man and an inspiration to both artists and water activists alike. He’s been a strong voice for Barkindji people, fighting for their land and water rights, and he’s also had a very successful career as an artist, using art to tell stories of the Baaka River and the decimation of this sacred place. In recognition of these achievements, Uncle Badger was awarded the prestigious Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2024 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards. 
The Red Ochre Award was established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board in 1993 to pay tribute to senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons for their outstanding lifetime achievement.
Badger Bates is predominantly a carver, turning his hand to wood, emu eggs, stone carving and linoprinting, but has also made sculptures out of welded steel and although he doesn’t see himself as a painter, he has completed some wonderful paintings.
It was our great honour to sit down with Uncle Badger and to share this conversation with you.

***Bonus EXTENDED Interview with Uncle Badger Bates***

Episode 86: Uncle Badger Bates

This week we are traversing from the depths of the world's oceans to the mud and silt of freshwater rivers and lakes, ponds, dams and backwaters of the world. This episode we're talking about the extraordinary lives of eels. 

Few people know about the vast journey that every eel makes from the bottom of the world's oceans to freshwater rivers and creeks and back again during their life cycle. Eels are ancient animals, having evolved over millenia to make these vast migrations.

This week we speak to Dr. Malcolm Johnson, manager for environmental sustainability at the Huon Local Council in southern Lutrawitta/Tasmania, and in Malcolm’s spare time he is a passionate freshwater eel advocate, educating people about the life of eels and collecting people’s stories and memories of eel experiences.

To look further at Malcolm's work, you can visit his website https://www.malcolmsjohnson.com/

We also hear music from the world's first eel skinned instruments constrcuted and played by Emily Sheppard and Yyan Ng from the musical group Where Water Meets. For further information about Where Water Meets visit www.wherewatermeets.com

This week we are traversing from the depths of the world's oceans to the mud and silt of freshwater rivers and lakes, ponds, dams and backwaters of the world. This episode we're talking about the extraordinary lives of eels. 
Few people know about the vast journey that every eel makes from the bottom of the world's oceans to freshwater rivers and creeks and back again during their life cycle. Eels are ancient animals, having evolved over millenia to make these vast migrations.
This week we speak to Dr. Malcolm Johnson, manager for environmental sustainability at the Huon Local Council in southern Lutrawitta/Tasmania, and in Malcolm’s spare time he is a passionate freshwater eel advocate, educating people about the life of eels and collecting people’s stories and memories of eel experiences.
To look further at Malcolm's work, you can visit his website <a href="https://www.malcolmsjohnson.com/">https://www.malcolmsjohnson.com/</a>
We also hear music from the world's first eel skinned instruments constrcuted and played by Emily Sheppard and Yyan Ng from the musical group Where Water Meets. For further information about Where Water Meets visit <a href="https://www.wherewatermeets.com">www.wherewatermeets.com</a>

***Bonus EXTENDED The Wonderful World of Eels***

This week we are traversing from the depths of the world's oceans to the mud and silt of freshwater rivers and lakes, ponds, dams and backwaters of the world. This episode we're talking about the extraordinary lives of eels. 

Few people know about the vast journey that every eel makes from the bottom of the world's oceans to freshwater rivers and creeks and back again during their life cycle. Eels are ancient animals, having evolved over millenia to make these vast migrations.

This week we speak to Dr. Malcolm Johnson, manager for environmental sustainability at the Huon Local Council in southern Lutrawitta/Tasmania, and in Malcolm’s spare time he is a passionate freshwater eel advocate, educating people about the life of eels and collecting people’s stories and memories of eel experiences.

To look further at Malcolm's work, you can visit his website https://www.malcolmsjohnson.com/

This week we are traversing from the depths of the world's oceans to the mud and silt of freshwater rivers and lakes, ponds, dams and backwaters of the world. This episode we're talking about the extraordinary lives of eels. 
Few people know about the vast journey that every eel makes from the bottom of the world's oceans to freshwater rivers and creeks and back again during their life cycle. Eels are ancient animals, having evolved over millenia to make these vast migrations.
This week we speak to Dr. Malcolm Johnson, manager for environmental sustainability at the Huon Local Council in southern Lutrawitta/Tasmania, and in Malcolm’s spare time he is a passionate freshwater eel advocate, educating people about the life of eels and collecting people’s stories and memories of eel experiences.
To look further at Malcolm's work, you can visit his website https://www.malcolmsjohnson.com/

Episode 85: The Wonderful World of Eels

This week, we’re heading back to the mid Murray River, where a small community group has been caring for their local forest for decades. 

Friends of Nyah Vinifera Park are embarking upon a legal challenge in the Federal Court over the Federal Government's decision to approve the Nyah SDLAM or “floodplain restoration” project.

Friends of Nyah Vinifera Park believe the process for assessing the environmental impacts of this project were flawed and unlawful and are testing their claims in court. For this episode we speak to Nicola Silbert from Environmental Justice Australia and Jacquie Kelly, chair of the community group.

To visit the community group's fundraising campaign for their legal case, follow the below link:

Help us defend Murray floodplains in court | Chuffed | Non-profit charity and social enterprise fundraising

And to hear an episode touring the Nyah Vinifera Park with Wadi Wadi Traditional Owner Vincent Kirby you can listen to Episode 78 wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, we’re heading back to the mid Murray River, where a small community group has been caring for their local forest for decades. 
Friends of Nyah Vinifera Park are embarking upon a legal challenge in the Federal Court over the Federal Government's decision to approve the Nyah SDLAM or “floodplain restoration” project.
Friends of Nyah Vinifera Park believe the process for assessing the environmental impacts of this project were flawed and unlawful and are testing their claims in court. For this episode we speak to Nicola Silbert from Environmental Justice Australia and Jacquie Kelly, chair of the community group.
To visit the community group's fundraising campaign for their legal case, follow the below link:
<a href="https://chuffed.org/project/murray-floodplains-case">Help us defend Murray floodplains in court | Chuffed | Non-profit charity and social enterprise fundraising</a>
And to hear an episode touring the Nyah Vinifera Park with Wadi Wadi Traditional Owner Vincent Kirby you can listen to Episode 78 wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 84: Nyah goes to court

This week, we're taking you back to the Northern Territory with an interview with one of the Traditional Owners who made the 4,000 KM trek from Darwin to Canberra in September. The delegation of Traditional Owners and environmentalists went to the capital to call on the Federal government to step in and halt the agricultural projects that threaten water-dependent ecosystems. 

In this episode we speak to Cecilia Lake, a Mangarrayi Traditional Owner from Jilkminggan, a community of 300 people on the Roper River, east of Mataranka, where her Country is well renowned for its pristine waterholes and palm forests.

Cecilia attended the delegation in Canberra and is fighting to have her voice heard on the water issues facing her country, particularly the groundwater springs that feed the Roper River during the dry season. According to Cecilia, changes in local agricultural activity that extract groundwater for irrigation are already impacting her sacred springs, threatening the future of her Country and her community.

This week, we're taking you back to the Northern Territory with an interview with one of the Traditional Owners who made the 4,000 KM trek from Darwin to Canberra in September. The delegation of Traditional Owners and environmentalists went to the capital to call on the Federal government to step in and halt the agricultural projects that threaten water-dependent ecosystems. 
In this episode we speak to Cecilia Lake, a Mangarrayi Traditional Owner from Jilkminggan, a community of 300 people on the Roper River, east of Mataranka, where her Country is well renowned for its pristine waterholes and palm forests.
Cecilia attended the delegation in Canberra and is fighting to have her voice heard on the water issues facing her country, particularly the groundwater springs that feed the Roper River during the dry season. According to Cecilia, changes in local agricultural activity that extract groundwater for irrigation are already impacting her sacred springs, threatening the future of her Country and her community.

Episode 83: Fighting for a voice in the NT

Today you’re going to hear from a well read, and well written academic on water issues. Professor Quentin Grafton recently published a book, and the launch of the book was accompanied with an address to the National Press Club and an article in the Conversation. The description of the book proclaims:   

It’s high time to call out the mistruths and post truths and retell Australia’s Water story, In this book Quentin Grafton explains how, from 1788 onwards, those in power have treated fresh water as a resource to be exploited, rather than cared for. 

And to quote the book, 

“Retelling Australia’s Water Story is more than a history lesson, or a list of what has gone wrong. Its a wake up call to fix what is broken, to listen to the voices seldom heard, and to begin a journey towards a just and sustainable water future for all.”    

Author Professor Quentin Grafton has many accolades to his name including chair of the UNSECO Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance, An Australian Laureate fellow at the Australian National University, a Distinguished Fellow at the Australasian Agricultural and Resource economics Society, a recipient of many awards, and he established the Water Justice Hub.

Today you’re going to hear from a well read, and well written academic on water issues. Professor Quentin Grafton recently published a book, and the launch of the book was accompanied with an address to the National Press Club and an article in the Conversation. The description of the book proclaims:   
It’s high time to call out the mistruths and post truths and retell Australia’s Water story, In this book Quentin Grafton explains how, from 1788 onwards, those in power have treated fresh water as a resource to be exploited, rather than cared for. 
And to quote the book, 
“Retelling Australia’s Water Story is more than a history lesson, or a list of what has gone wrong. Its a wake up call to fix what is broken, to listen to the voices seldom heard, and to begin a journey towards a just and sustainable water future for all.”    
Author Professor Quentin Grafton has many accolades to his name including chair of the UNSECO Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance, An Australian Laureate fellow at the Australian National University, a Distinguished Fellow at the Australasian Agricultural and Resource economics Society, a recipient of many awards, and he established the Water Justice Hub.

Episode 82: Retelling Australia's Water Story w/ Professor Quentin Grafton

This week Water Watch looks back to a presentation by Dr Josie Douglas, the General Manager of the Central Land Council speaking at the Fresh Water Futures Panel at the Environment Centre NT State of Environment Conference in September 2023. 

With thanks to the PEW Charitable Trust for accessing conference audio and organising the Fresh Water Futures Panel.

Watch Watch is produced by Broken Hill Community radio 2DRY. 

Watch Watch is produced by Broken Hill Community radio 2DRY. 

This week Water Watch looks back to a presentation by Dr Josie Douglas, the General Manager of the Central Land Council speaking at the Fresh Water Futures Panel at the Environment Centre NT State of Environment Conference in September 2023. 
With thanks to the PEW Charitable Trust for accessing conference audio and organising the Fresh Water Futures Panel.
Watch Watch is produced by Broken Hill Community radio 2DRY. 
Watch Watch is produced by Broken Hill Community radio 2DRY.

Encore: Water Rights the New Land Rights

This week we have a bit of arts and culture respite, but that's not to say its not going to get political!

It was our great privilege this week to interview an artist we've been following for a very long time, Murrawarri, Philipino rapper and drummer, Rhyan Claphem, who calls himself DOBBY. DOBBY has just released his debut album Warrangu, river story and it is all about the great beauty and tragedy of the Murray-Darling Basin, from the perspective of his ancestral connection to the waters of the Barwon River and the community of Brewarrina and surrounding areas. 

This album is not just a collection of songs, it is a sonic journey and a research project, as Rhyan journeyed out to his ancestral homelands during 2019, to explore the consequences of drought and extractive practices on the land, animals, people and community.

To listen to the album or purchase your very own copy, please visit www.dobby.com.au

You can follow DOBBY on Instagram DOBBY (@dobbyau) • Instagram photos and videos

This week we have a bit of arts and culture respite, but that's not to say its not going to get political!
It was our great privilege this week to interview an artist we've been following for a very long time, Murrawarri, Philipino rapper and drummer, Rhyan Claphem, who calls himself DOBBY. DOBBY has just released his debut album Warrangu, river story and it is all about the great beauty and tragedy of the Murray-Darling Basin, from the perspective of his ancestral connection to the waters of the Barwon River and the community of Brewarrina and surrounding areas. 
This album is not just a collection of songs, it is a sonic journey and a research project, as Rhyan journeyed out to his ancestral homelands during 2019, to explore the consequences of drought and extractive practices on the land, animals, people and community.
To listen to the album or purchase your very own copy, please visit <a href="http://www.dobby.com.au">www.dobby.com.au</a>
You can follow DOBBY on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dobbyau/">DOBBY (@dobbyau) • Instagram photos and videos</a>

ENCORE: DOBBY - Warrangu, River Story

With things heating up in the Murray-Darling Basin regarding the Basin Plan, we’re continuing to cover Basin politics with a fascinating interview with Richard Beasley who was Senior Counsel assisting to the South Australian Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling Basin Back in 2018.

In a thorough investigation in 2018, the Royal Commission found that the Basin Plan was illegal, not just on the basis of a misreading of the Water Act but also that Murray-Darling Basin Authority had engaged in maladministration, acted with negligence, fostered scientific censorship and engaged in decision making that was incomprehensible and indefensible.

In 2021, Richard Beasley published a book, Dead in the Water, which presented the findings of the Royal Commission in a way that everyone can understand. This week we jump right into the deep end with Richard to remind us about the extraordinarily convoluted and flawed process that has been the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

With things heating up in the Murray-Darling Basin regarding the Basin Plan, we’re continuing to cover Basin politics with a fascinating interview with Richard Beasley who was Senior Counsel assisting to the South Australian Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling Basin Back in 2018.
In a thorough investigation in 2018, the Royal Commission found that the Basin Plan was illegal, not just on the basis of a misreading of the Water Act but also that Murray-Darling Basin Authority had engaged in maladministration, acted with negligence, fostered scientific censorship and engaged in decision making that was incomprehensible and indefensible.
In 2021, Richard Beasley published a book, Dead in the Water, which presented the findings of the Royal Commission in a way that everyone can understand. This week we jump right into the deep end with Richard to remind us about the extraordinarily convoluted and flawed process that has been the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

ENCORE: "A Total Fraud on the Environment" with Richard Beasley SC 

Water Watch is a weekly deep dive into news and current events from policy, ecology, art and climate. With a diversity of voices from our river communities as well as experts in the field, Water Watch celebrates the life and culture of Australia’s waterways, investigates the big issues facing the future of our rivers, and tells important stories about the human connection to land and water. Water Watch is brought to you by Broken Hill based community radio 107.7 2DRYFM.

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