The event highlighted the ecological and cultural importance of freshwater mussels, which are considered ecosystem engineers of our creeks.
They perform a role of water filtering (nutrients, algae, silt) at 200-500mls per hour, cycling nutrients and providing food and habitat for other species such as the Murray Cod.
Across the Murray-Darling Basin, mussels are seriously threatened, with 80 per cent lost on the Darling River during the 2017-2019 drying event alongside the infamous fish kill, yet their decline went largely unnoticed.
Under the guidance of Ros Lockhart from the Jeithi Jerilderie Aboriginal Corporation, participants searched a 50m section of the creek using their feet, discovering 18 mussels.
The average size recorded was 13.5cm, with mussels found at an average depth of 72cm.
Among the findings, 13 were live and five were dead.
The species identified was the River Mussel (Alathyria jacksoni), known for its large size and flat base.
Sarah Blasko’s heartfelt tour hits Echuca
Renowned Australian musician Sarah Blasko is performing at Echuca Paramount Theatre this Sunday.
Touring in celebration of her seventh studio album I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain, extra performances were added to her schedule in December last year.
Ms Blasko said she had just come off the busiest week of her tour so far, which began more than three months ago.
Despite pin-balling between shows and states, she said being on the road had been an enjoyable experience.
“It’s been a really beautiful tour. I’ve been proud of how it’s been perceived, how it’s been taken, and just felt a great connection with the audiences,” she said.
“I guess the message of the show and everything has had a bit more power than I even expected.”
The message is broadly about coming to terms with your past self, and deciding whom to be moving forward — an idea brought about by Ms Blasko’s children and her religious upbringing.
Roadworks set to finish after six months
The roadworks on Beer Rd in Moama, also known as Martin Rd, are set to be completed in the next three weeks.
The works at the intersection with the Cobb Hwy were originally on track to be done over a six-week period from September to November last year.
Although the road is overseen by both Murray River Council and Transport NSW, the works are being carried out by Northern Construction Group and other parties.
Northern Construction Group director Damian Smith said the delays had been caused by design changes.
“We’ve been impacted by a couple of design changes that were brought in the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“While it doesn’t appear it out on site, there’s been a fair bit of work done internally to get the designs correct.
“We anticipate we’ll be back on site by the middle of next week, with an anticipated completion date within 14 to 16 days.”
18°C