MATTERS OF INTEREST

MURRAY-DARLING ASSOCIATION

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (16:02): On 3 September this year, I attended the 65^th national conference of the Murray-Darling Association, which was held at Elizabeth. The conference, the AGM and other associated events and tours were hosted by the City of Playford over several days last week. The welcome to the national conference was given by the mayor of Playford Mr Martin Lindsell, and the opening was performed by the Minister for Environment and Conservation (Hon. Jay Weatherill).

Delegates and observers attended the conference from across the Murray Darling Association's 12 regions, which take in parts of four states and the Australian Capital Territory. I will take some time today to mention two aspects in particular that relate to the Murray Darling Association and its various arms. First, I refer to the Murray-Darling Environmental Foundation, which has two very well known South Australian Murray-Darling stalwarts as directors, Mr Jim Hullick OAM and Mr David Dalzell, who are both life members of the Murray Darling Association.

I will quote some excerpts from the 2008-09 annual report of the chair of the foundation Mr Brian Grogan OAM of Mildura:

Negotiations are continuing to create substantial support for a useful, and at the present, small but growing water bank. The capacity of this asset to become a worthwhile instrument to assist niche environmental needs at a local government level across the Murray-Darling Basin, will be relative to size of water shares acquired and held over time…In 2008, the foundation became a member of the Water Stewardship Initiative Reference Group, providing input into the development of this initiative. The year has also seen some lengthy negotiations for funding support to allow the foundation to be a joint partner for the stage one field trials of the International Water Stewardship Standards. These standards, when finalised and licensed, will be a valuable contribution to future Australian and Murray-Darling Basin water operations.

Throughout the year, the Foundation has seen continuing activity on implementing the Murray Valley Trail; the successful travelling bursaries for Local Government and catchment management personnel; continuing support for the Murray Darling Freshwater research centres; and the development of two complementary websites.

I also mention the presentation at the conference by Craigmore High School students. In May, the Murray Darling Association conducted a one day workshop for students of Craigmore High School about The Living Murray. This workshop was part of the program relating to the attitudes and understanding of city students about the river. The workshop was a mix of learning, presentations, interaction, fun and good science.

In early June this year, the same group was taken on a one day bus tour to the River Murray, Murray Bridge and the Coorong to see and speak with people involved in managing the river. The activities were supported by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and encompassed 24 students from years 10, 11 and 12. I very much enjoyed the presentation they gave to the conference, including a DVD presentation about their experiences.

I pay tribute to Pauline Frost, a resident of the City of Playford and also a life member of the Murray Darling Association, for the support she gives to the students at Craigmore High School in a voluntary capacity. I also pay tribute to the retiring President of the Murray Darling Association, Mr Bill Gorman of Mulwala in New South Wales, after three years in that position. I wish the Murray Darling Association well under its new leadership and congratulate the City of Playford for successfully hosting the conference.