The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s (CEWH) Science Program funds the Flow Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (Flow–MER).

Figure 1 Breakfast at Cafe Gali with everyone. Left to right: Jason Wilson, Paul Frazier, Kevin Knight, Kerrie Saunders, Tamara Kermode, Jane Humphries, Chrissy Jeffries. Photo credit unknown.

Paul Frazier, Tamara Kermode, Jason Wilson, Jane Humphries and Chrissy Jeffries caught up with Cultural Advisors Kevin Knight from the Kurnu-Baakandji Peoples and Kerrie Saunders of the Gomeroi/Kamilaroi Peoples on the 6th of October 2023 in Moree.

We started the day with breakfast at the Cafe Gali & Yaama Ganu Gallery (Figure 1). This was a lovely introduction to our discussions around how to best bring culture into the Flow Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (Flow-MER) program as we were surrounded by Aboriginal artworks.

Afterwards Kerrie showed us the native grasses garden she has been working on in the Moree Botanic Gardens (Figure 2). Kerrie walked us through the different native vegetation she has planted and how native grains and other species were used by her ancestors and her today as a source of food.

Having the chance to sit down, enjoy the sun and chat about the future of Flow-MER with our Cultural Advisors is always enlightening as new perspectives, thinking and cultures are addressed. Below are a couple additional photos.

Figure 2 Exploring the Moree Botanic Gardens. Photo credit Tamara Kermode.

Managing water for the environment is a collective and collaborative effort, working in partnership with communities, private landholders, scientists and government agencies – these contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work and play. We also pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.