The Living Murray Project
Established in 2002, The Living Murray program is Australia’s most significant river restoration program. It aims to achieve a healthy working River Murray system for the benefit of all Australians. The program’s first step focuses on recovering 500 gigalitres of water for the River Murray specifically for the benefit of plants, animals and the millions of Australians it supports, along with improving the environment at six icon sites. To involve communities and individuals in the program’s implementation, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) , in partnership with the Murray-Darling Association, supports a range of environmental education activities and resources.
In 2007 the MDBC provided funding for the development of a DVD by teachers and students from Burrumbuttock Public School. The DVD is a very valuable and stimulating resource which helps students learn more about the Murray Darling river system and The Living Murray program and to think more about how they respond to their local environment.
The Living River DVD
The Living River video is divided up into 5 sessions, each approximately 5 minutes long. For each session, teachers can download focus questions, suggested activities, related photos and research links. Each segment relates a multi-staged unit of work written by a group of teachers from the Walbundrie Small Schools network. The project was a joint project between the NSW Department of Education and Training Curriculum Directorate and the Commonwealth Government Australian Quality Teacher Program (AQTP).
The Living River - Part 1
This section provides some background information about the Murray-Darling River system and its importance to agriculture and the community. An aboriginal artist from Burrumbuttock discusses how the Murray River was formed according to Aboriginal mythology.
Click here to access the teacher activities for this section.
The Living River - Part 2
A group of students from Walbundrie and Brocklesby Public School talk about a school project which involved designing an eco-tourist park on the Murray. They also talk about changes they have made to improve their school environment.
Click here to access the teacher activities for this section.
The Living River - Part 3
We visit the the Barmah–Millewa Forest, one of the Icon Sites. We also talk to a Yorta Yorta elder and find out what the Murray River means to his people.
Click here to access the teacher activities for this section.
The Living River - Part 4
We visit Yarrawonga Weir and find out how the fish lift works. Researchers from the MDBC also discuss some of the native fish found in the River and how the movement of the fish is monitored.
Click here to access the teacher activities for this section.
The Living River - Part 5
In this section we see some primary school students doing research in the waters around the Murray Mouth and find out more about the problem of salinity.
Click here to access the teacher activities for this section.
If you would like to order a hard copy of the DVD please contact us directly.
Additional Resources
The following additional resources are also avaliable;
Living River study guide. (Right click and Save As)
Living River curriculum approved by the NSW Department of Education. (Click on Stage 2/Stage 3 link).
We wish to thank Grant K from “In the news” for his fantastic work in the production of the student study guide