“CULTURAL FLOW” WORKSHOP

Walhallow Local Lands Council hosted a workshop on 29th August 2026 in Quirindi, featuring Bradley Moggridge, Professor (Science)and Associate Dean (indigenous Leadership and Engagement from University of Technology, Sydney.

Professor Moggridge is a researcher in Indigenous Water Science (qualified in hydrogeology and environmental science) with 25 years in water and environmental science, cultural science, indigenous engagement, regulation, water planning and management, water policy development, legislative reviews, applied research and project management.

Professor Moggridge presented some of his research on the value of water for Kamilaroi people and how modern water planning can accommodate these values.

In a deeply thought-provoking manner, the presentation included:

• The Australian way – crisis driven responses
• Traditional Water Knowledge and Science – some of the cultural values of “Gali” (water) which is protected by Lore, and occurs in traditional songs, dance, Dreaming stories and art.
• How Aboriginal people’s knowledge relates to people and country vs Western thinking relates to gaining and owning.
• Water Policy and Rights – waters have been modified, diverted, harvested, over extracted and polluted.
• Water Dependent Cultural Values – Creation sites and Cultural heros link with the song lines and dreaming tracks; Language; Resource sites for artefacts, tools, art and crafts; Gender specific sites; Ceremonial Sites, Burial places
• Cultural Access Licences – permission is given for inundation of floodplain wetlands; provision of habitat for native animals and threatened amphibian species, regeneration of bush tucker and medicine plants, regeneration of hunting grounds, natural control of invasive plant species, revegetation of cleared areas, soil stabilisation around Aboriginal sites.

A brief visit to Jacob & Joseph Creek to discuss protocols to do an Aboriginal cultural assessment demonstrated some of the values that can be assessed.

Members of Tamworth Regional Landcare, Upper Mooki Landcare Inc, Wallabadah Water Catchment Committee and the Walhallow Community were represented.

It is hoped that links with the Water In The Landscape Initiative (WITLI) will be established.