Murray Darling Basin Tour 3 - "It is in the sitting around together..."

Torrumbarry Weir

It was time to hook up the trailer, load the suit cases and head out to see more of this River. We drove out through channels, down the road, through Gunbar and out to Torrumbarry Weir. The weir is an interesting man- made change agent in the river with massive doors holding back the rubbish and debris that flows along, then there is the loch that allows us to climb or drop down, to the river.

Fish ladder at the weir.

Off limits was an old wooden weir across a bridge (maybe next time.) The fish ladder is a wonder that allows the fish to climb over all man’s steel to pursue pathways they always have done.

The Wetlands for a spot of bird watching

As three people were leaving the tour at this point, we took time for a group photo; not by me, as my monopod needs me to hold it. (Thanks Miriam.) We then picked up lunch and went out to The Wetlands for bird watching, mostly Ibis. Salt based plants glistened and tasted salty – interesting (!)

Citrus farm 

Then full steam ahead, stopping for ice cream and fuel at Boundary Bend and then on to Robinvale. Brad showed us around his friend’s citrus farm. Free fruit for all! So much fruit has to be thrown out just because of marks! (When this situation was discovered by the originators of the Waste Not Want Not program, which originated in the Riverina ,a way was found for such produce to be sent to Foodbank for those in need. But that’s another story.)






The fruit, although not accepted by the supermarkets, tasted good, even to this carnivore! I had a good feed. 

At dinner, hearing their stories, this town, with many cultures, was much like housing areas of Southwest Sydney but in the midst was a church filled with hope, working together. Myung Hwa Park and a couple of others went to watch local youth do a rap version of Shakespeare. They loved it! When Ivan thanked them in Tongan and prayed, I was so proud of this group opening to those around us and not just expecting it to always be the other way around.

Our home away from home on the river.

Finally, we arrived at the marina and loaded on to our new homes. 

Up at 7 to find that plans had changed! 
We had the morning off. Some lazed on board, others of us drank coffee from the dockside café until it was time to head out to another farm and down to Wentworth or “The Junction.” This is where the Darling River from up round Bourke flows into the Murray.  





Now my co- driver in shotgun seat, Charles, insisted, “No walker thank you.” Next thing he is up top on the viewing tower! A lesson learned - Never tell people what they can’t do. Allow them to work it out.

 A trip past the local gaol, our wonderful local guide answering all questions he could, headed us back to the marina to pick up his car and get ready for dinner on the boats. Without even trying, those on the boat were now in Gol Gol and moored behind the pub- lots of chatter and excitement. Sadly, those driving, missed the boat trip over and the crew missed the time we spent hearing from Bert how, years ahead of his time, he had set his irrigation system and planted gums as a drain. His water filter system was now very good. My attention then turned to parking issues as I found my instructions from my navigator meant I was stuck in the bus as the trees were too close for me to get out. (Had to talk to my co- driver!)  

Next day was the turn round spot for me. The day I was heading away from the river to desert country.  Most of us went and some, who had not been on one before, chose to go down to get a ride on paddle boat while they could.

Good to see the river run again after the drought.

In my blogs have not covered or named everyone who was on the tour or who spoke with us. This is not to say they did not play major part, just that my brain dumps info into my memory in a set way called “random!” 

I also had to write 200 words about this trip for Insights UCA NSW ACT magazine for November. Wow -that took some editing!




 

Ideas covered in that article and this blog that summed up the purpose of this trip were -Why is the church involved? God so loved the world -Questioning and listening to people from different cultures- Farmers hospitality- Recreational.

MDB vineyard

Also - this trip opened the eyes of those on the bus - those we met have been asked the questions and seen a real concern from City, even Canberra, but mainly church, people. This opened the eyes of some locals to look and listen again. Shaun also stated the need for indigenous and non- indigenous folk to listen to each other too. Listening needs to go both ways- Do you feel “us” and see them as “they“? - Truth is we are all “They” to someone else.

We learned it is in the sitting around together and listening to each other so we can grow that is important.

Why we were there.

Shalom 

Phill Matthews

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From Gordon to Clare and Ivanhoe with Love.

While Phill was touring down South along the Murray, Julie was headed out West to Ivanhoe and Clare with a group of 4 from Gordon Uniting Church. As part of the Church Links program, arrangements have been made for a relationship to be formed between the large city church of Gordon Uniting and the tiny town of Clare.

Janet and Paul, Bruce and Rosemary.

The idea of the Church Links program is for a city church to lend expertise and resources to a small isolated town and school and share, in return, the joys and adventure of living "out West." In a small isolated place there are often plenty of good ideas but not enough people to do them or to pay for them.






 Gordon Church hopes to fill that gap and join in the fun of helping to make things happen.This visit was a preliminary one to see and discuss, what input there could be.

The group with Megan Baker at Clare School

The group comprising Paul and Janet Swaddling and Rosemary and Bruce Watson arrived in Hillston  in time to join the Tuesday night bible study group.The next day they travelled, with Julie, to Clare, the most isolated school in NSW. Headed by Teaching - Principal, Megan Baker, the 8 student school is impressive -well equipped, with a lot of learning going on and a P & C who make a big effort to keep the school looking great.

Children at Ivanhoe central enjoy a visit.

Next stop was Ivanhoe for afternoon tea with the Mayor, School Principal and other community members, and then dinner with the Lion's Club, to find out more about the area. There is a possibility of 8involvement with the Youth Centre run by the very capable, John Walker, and at the school. Ivanhoe Central School Principal, Mark Denismore, gave the group a great tour.

Discussions with John Walker about the Youth Club.

Impromptu visits over coffee with the small the faith community in Ivanhoe, the only congregation in town, now pastored by a young Aboriginal couple from Brisbane and the Salvation Army Rural Chaplains, Maree and Trevor Strong, who were visiting pastoral properties in the area were enjoyed by all, before the return to Hillston and then home.

The Uniting Church places a great emphasis on being in Mission in the community and these partnerships are ideal opportunities for churches to be at mission in places where there is very minimal or no formal congregations.They aim to build long term relationships between the church and the community with both sides benefiting from the skills and strengths of the other.

Murray Darling Tour 2 - "Seeking to Hear All Voices Involved in the Life of the Rivers " -

A good view of the Barmah Lake from the The Kingfisher Cruise plus the speed of the Murray as it rushes down  

We were now running late as the stop at Savernake Station was a last minute add-in but worth it!

Finley is a farming community. The Church Fellowship had done a lunch that was wonderful- the choices! Yum O! The format of our time there was same as before with a forum of 3 speakers - Tim Strong, a rice Farmer and Malcom  Holm, a dairy farmer and Perin  Davey, a water policy officer with Murray Irrigation. We were also treated to some great songs from Kathryn Creek, Paul and Dorothy’s daughter, great songs! Dorothy was joining the group from this point, as was Myra Cowell, a leader here at Finley.

Uniting Church Finley NSW

After great insight from the speakers it was off, out and open the bus, check all aboard, out to the Dairy Farm for a visit. City to the country big time - 750+ cows lined up to meet us   as well as being milked. Round and round they went. The size of the cows surprised some. After some input from Malcom, history from Myra, as she also lived and used to farm here, it was down to see the calves.

Myung Wha, the Moderator Elect, get's in touch with the locals.

Visit to the Dairy 

Then, well – “Head ‘em up, move ‘em out” heading to dinner and sleep at Maidens Inn Caravan Park Moama NSW. We had by now crossed in and out of NSW and Victoria more than 18 times. I lost count after 18 but we were to cross that river many more times in the days to come. As we pulled up Paul met us with the usual “Where you been!?” We unpacked and it was back out for dinner at the club down the road.

Next morning- round to Barmah for a River Cruise. This was the cruise Lyn and I did (see photos in the blog (May 9th 2014) and Insights. Today was a bit fresh so the water bird life was not coming out for a photo but the commentary and answers to many questions where good. We learned a lot before heading back to the Barmah Hotel for a pre- ordered lunch. (Lucky Paul kept the list as many forgot what they had asked for!)

Under the this River Gum is a lot of  signs of early meetings 

Over to the Yenbeena Indigenous Training Cultural Centre where Shaun spoke to us on his people and culture “we ground ourselves in our dance to the land“   he said, taking the stance and stamping his feet as we see in many dance moves and“ we have to sit on our bottom on the land.” The “Yorta Yorta” people have lived along the river from the time of the earth’s plate moving. He told of his grandmother’s stories of the people seeing the water change and them climbing up the hill to escape it.  He also spelt out much of the “Lore .“ (See photo of white board questions) His people ask,” Where you from, where you going?”, their trading paths and song lines took them far and wide. I found this all very interesting.

We then went to Echuca, through the Cadell Fault made 25000 years ago, to the Historic Port Interactive centre.   Here we got a guide’s eye view of the history of the Port. Very interesting! No time to look at all the “old” boys toys unfortunately but we did see a very modern sight on the river. A boat went passed with a man standing up with strange thing strapped to his back, a Google earth camera. Must check to see if our group made Google earth!

Emma Ivan and Myra at Echuca Forum 

 We met later for next the  Forum.I was chairperson this time. Our guest was, Emma, who works for the Murray Darling Water Authority and is on local council. She was very excited that we took this issue so seriously as to take this time to tour the area and that the Uniting Church was seeking to hear all voices involved in the life of the rivers, that she drove up from Melbourne. One of the people at Albury had rung and told her about us and she decided she needed to meet with us, so glad she did!  We also had 2 more members join our group for the day and night, Rev Hawea Jackson and his wife Janice, who sang some songs to open the event. It was good conversation from the panel and Emma. The night ended and home to bed. 

The old way of using the Murray 

I found this re visit to the Barmah area still opened new things to me as we came with an agenda to hear how it affected lives of those on the river. Not all felt this was enough and more answers were needed but we came to listen to the role of all stake holders which is vital to the life of the river if it is to stay healthy.

 There is still more listening and looking to do, questions now flow easy for this “Community” that is forming in the bus as it travels along. 

Shalom

Phill Matthews 

Murray Darling Tour 1- “What's this Got to Do with the Church ?”

What time do we go? How long do we have and where do I sit? Some of the questions asked daily on our trip. We were also asked to reflect on what we saw, what did we learn and how has it changed us? 

Where do you start when your head is so full of great memories and you just travelled 5000 km over 17 days? The last 8 days are the main story of the next few blogs; there so much to share.

"Sunrise over Lake Hume. What a sight!  Worth getting up so early!" 

We picked up our group in Albury. The first night was worship and a forum, plus yummy soup of all kinds!  Well done Albury!

 But this was not just a holiday tour. We went to hear “the voice of the people of the river land”. We travelled 2296Km -from Albury to Wentworth and back to Albury. We covered many places but you have to follow the blog to find out which ones. Up to 22 people journeyed the river lands, some for the full time, others a part. Enough facts. Time for the view from the front seat.

Miriam Pepper at the Albury forum

  At the stops we had, one of the main questions to us was “What's this got to do with the church?" This came from churched and non- churched people. I hope by the end of these blogs you will see "what it’s got to do with the church.”

The forums where made up of a speaker section of one or more people, followed by a panel made up of the speakers and some of the members of the tours.

In Albury tour member, John Goss, joined Max Finlayson as the speakers and  Paul Creek and I were on a panel with the speakers. This set up a good start with a number of people in attendance, a wonderful service by Christine Moi Moi  and our daily reflection by Geraldine Leonard,  which were a great help. 

Hume Dam 

Next day we were on the road to see sunrise over Lake Hume. What a sight!  Worth getting up so early! 
(Travel tip- Don’t share cabins with farmers.) 
We travelled round the area for the day, visiting the weir wall, then - heart break!  The shop was not making coffee for another hour so we travelled to Corryong, a river town with museum and coffee shops. Yes!! Safety at last!

Pipeline at Murray water transfer station

We then travelled out to “Murray 1 “power station and visitor centre," the giant pipe, bringing water to the complex, followed the slope of the hill down. We spoke of it as a power station but it is a water transfer station. The power was a by- product.  One of our group, Charles, had worked on the scheme many years ago. His joy was to return. Sadly, he could not do the tour as the 45 stairs were seen as too much for him, as he had mobility issues.

After that we were off to see a tree plantation that had been burnt out in a bush fire a few years ago, followed by dinner at the pub -Jingellic Hotel- worth the trip!

 Rain showers made the trip back to camp a little more challenging dodging wombats and roos .(Aarrgh! -flash backs!) Charles kept watch too! 

The next day we moved on from Albury to Finley, stopping for a break at Corowa Chocolate Factory for coffee and chocolate. We dropped off the cars of those who had driven to Albury, then  everyone joined the bus for the rest of the tour.

Rare lichen on Savernake Station

We also called into “Savernake Station” on our way to Finley. The house was built in 1862.We were met by Ann Sloane, the owner of this wonderful place. She and her husband, Alex, have a passion for the land, history and environment.

I could do a whole blog just on the 3/4  hour or so we had there but on we went, leaving the old buildings ,the rediscovered lichen and rare plants in our dust; on to meet, eat with and talk to, the Finley Church.

Next time - Finley forum, the Rice Farmer and dairy farm plus calves, the forest , the Yorta Yorta people run a great Yenbeena Indigenous Training Cultural Centre, river cruises and lots more!

Including .......  

Shalom!
Phill Matthews

English Classes get the Thumbs Up in Hillston

Tommy (Jihoon Kim), Jenny Moran, Roma Cashmere and Andrew (also Jihoon Kim)
 enjoy English lessons together each week with Sue Chapman.

Every Monday before the night shift starts at the cotton gin, Andrew,who is a musician in Korea and Tommy,who is a trained mechanic, join fellow class mate,Yoko,who works at the local motel and Roma, Jenny and Sue, for Conversation Group to practise their English. We have met for several months and are now friends, despite the age differences, such is the graciousness of the Koreans and Japanese, and the generosity of the Australians.

Conversation Group aims to give an opportunity for those in town wanting to improve their English to practise speaking with native speakers. And speak we do!

(Our Korean and Japanese is improving slowly and their English is improving rapidly.)

We have a lot of fun together in the hour we share - playing word games such as "Scattegories", "Animal,Vegetable, Mineral", finding out about each others countries, language and culture during conversation time and doing more brain work during vocab extension time.

                 Yoko tells Jenny and Roma about Japan.

The Innovations grant from Unitingcare Aging, which you have heard about before on the blog,

has provided us with the funds to hire an experienced ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher to run a workshop in town  for all our volunteer Conversation Group native speakers.

We aim to increase our knowledge and resources to so we can better provide this great service to our visitors from other countries and to non-native speaking locals in our own community..

The gin contracts only last a few more weeks and once all the cotton is ginned our friends will have to move on to other parts of Australia or back home.  It will be .....
" Farewell. We hope to see ya later,." 
"Sayonara"
 and "An nyung ha say yo" for all of us.
They will be missed!

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"I’ve been everywhere......"

Remember that old song?

Well, that has been my theme song the last month. I’ve been to Dubbo, Taree, Wauchope, Urunga, Tamworth, Bourke and Wanaaring- oh, yes and home at Narrabri. It was a good trip as I caught up with many friends and along the way I made some new ones.

The view from the driver's seat.

 I drove out to Wanaaring today as part of a planned 4 day Drought workshop but due to an influx of people there was “no room at the inn” so plans changed slightly but the workshop still went on. This program was pulled together by a group of services providers including the Uniting Church Moderators Bush Fire appeal. We called on the skills of a writer to facilitate the workshops.
It was great to sit in the groups hearing their initial nervousness but then Stephanie,our facilitator, drew on our stories and made us aware of the blocks we build or which others built, and helped people find their voice. It was good to hear the negatives turn to positives by lunch time; celebrating their wonderful town, on the edge of the unincorporated land and Bourke Shire, a town on the cut line where the line goes through town.

David Shrimpton 

Pastor David Shrimpton of the Flying Patrol flew in and was happy to join in with the groups. It was a great chance to meet a number of the Wanaaring locals in one place. I also introduced him to Chris, the principal from the school and Chris’s family.  It was a worthwhile day! An earlier plan to spend longer with these people, would have been great but plans change and we can’t always do everything. How we deal with that is crucial. We can stress, wish it wasn’t so or we can move on and see what God has next.

 David's flying patrol plane, a perfect symbol for Phill's words-
"we can move on and see what God has next."

As I am heading down to Albury this weekend for the Murray Darling Tour, I can take time to catch up with some people or have a rest, write this blog and send it in.  Being busy is what we do but Godspots like this are not for us to jump in and fill up but to find time to reflect on what we have been doing, spend time recharging but also to be open for whatever HE has planned. As a church and as people we measure how well we doing by how much we have done. Working with the services I do with drought work at present we see lots of $$ have been given but the sad part is it’s often about doing a heap of short term one offs. These are quality, in most cases but the key people are  having constantly to reapply for their positions and this means that come the end of the year these positions will be gone. People wonder if that work will continue in any way or does it all start over from scratch again. Time spent on reflection instead of jumping in would be very helpful in dealing with situations like those which exist in rural NSW.

Hopefully, these remote rural areas will have follow up rains soon but for many they still will be dealing with life coming out of a drought. Our prayers are that programs like this one in Wanaaring will give them another tool to draw on in that recovery as they rebuild and work on their stories.  

Shalom,

Phill Matthews. 

The Griffith Carevan.

Ever thought to yourself, as an individual or a congregation,

"What can we do to help someone who doesn't have it as good as we do?"

That's where it is very useful to have a Rural Chaplain in your congregation. Every church should have one! Not only are they experts in getting grants for projects to meet needs in rural areas, but because they are very much in the community and listening to the needs of others, they are full of ideas about how you can become involved in taking the love of God to the wider community.

There are endless examples of this but the Griffith Carevan project is the current one for Hillston Uniting Church.

Griffith Carevan has been operating for 6 months and meets up to 130 people each week, providing meals, conversation and care.The need is growing as the number of homeless people and families who struggle to put good food on the table, is increasing, even in rural towns like Griffith. To assist people with their personal hygiene the Carevan staff have requested kits be made up with essential  items like tooth brushes, toothpaste soap and more.

A generous couple from Pymble Uniting Church has offered $1,000 to pay for these small personal hygiene kits to be handed out to homeless people who meet up with the Carevan in Griffith.To save transport costs and spend the money in the rural economy, they have given the money to the Chaplains,who will make it available for Hillston Uniting Church people to spend it on the items listed by the Carevan staff. Congregation members will then pack the kits as a community project.

If you want your church to part of one such exciting adventure please contact Phill or Julie and they will have a project for you. Age or size of the group is no barrier.There are projects to fit every situation.

Just ask them by sending a message via the blog, facebook or email - Phill -  madpom52@gmail.com
or Julie - greig.julie@g.mail.com

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