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SEPTEMBER 2021 EDITION
Take me to the river... 🛶
Hi everyone,
I hope you are going okay - as someone who is now in their 8th week of lockdown, I have had a lot of ups and downs over the past few weeks, with some days feeling flat, and others where I am enjoying the lack of expectation to socialise and travel.
With light now at the end of the lockdown tunnel I have mixed feelings, and apparently I am not alone. I recently listened to a podcast where Amy Cuddy talked about a phenomenon called ‘pandemic flux’ which she observed and felt when lockdown ended in America. The expectation was that people would feel joy, delight and relief, but for many, ‘freedom’ escalated anxiety and depression about leaving home, and the thought of going back to their pre-Covid-19 lives was overwhelming.
I can relate to this feeling of overwhelm, and so I am trying to tune in to myself and consider what I want to keep from my lockdown experience. I know that I have missed socialising with friends, having my team physically close and being able to see my family – but once I have reconnected with loved ones, the experience I most want is to sit by the Murrumbidgee River at Cockatoo Ridge. I do not want to go back to racing from meeting to meeting and feeling the weight of expectations (from myself usually!) to keep doing more. I know that the more time I spend being in nature and sitting/kayaking/walking by the river, the greater my ability to hold on to what I have learnt from lockdown about not doing as much. So my number one lockdown priority is to spend more time out on the river where I can reconnect with nature and those I love.
We hope you enjoy this newsletter which is full of ‘Take me to the river’ stories – whether it be our podcast episode with Andy Lowes, World River Trivia, stunning river paintings or thought leadership – they are all about connecting with the rivers and people that sustain us.
Siwan and the ARRC team 🙂
ARRC
At the ARRC, we promote a holistic river management approach by integrating environmental, social and cultural factors.
World Rivers Day Trivia
Last Friday, we celebrated World Rivers Day (26th September) by hosting an online trivia that recognised the unique beauty of our Australian rivers. Although we couldn’t be physically close to our favourite waterways, this event allowed us to connect with each other virtually and share our passion for rivers. Thanks to everyone who joined us, and a big congratulations to our winners!
Take me to the river Podcast Episode:
Why the Murrumbidgee River wrote a letter to Canberra. Guest speaker: Andy Lowes
Andy is Canberra born and bred, growing up swimming, fishing and walking by the Murrumbidgee. Writing this letter from the voice of the Murrumbidgee River was an effort by Andy to raise awareness of an incredibly unusual time for the Canberra community and the Murrumbidgee River, from the devastating impacts of the drought and bushfires during the Summer of 2019 and 2020 to the COVID-19 pandemic that has transformed the way we interact with others. In this episode, we discuss how the letter helps explain the changes the river has seen in its ecology and the way people interact with it, and reinforces the need for immersing ourselves in nature.
Also available on:
Why now is the time to elevate feminine leadership in river management
I wrote this paper for the Australian Stream Management Conference held earlier this year, as I felt compelled to raise awareness about the opportunities that exist when we reconsider traditional leadership styles that tend to embrace masculine traits, with styles that elevate what are associated with feminine traits. Regardless of whether you are male or female you can adapt your leadership style so that it becomes more inclusive, collaborative and kind – these traits result in organisations that are more effective, profitable and have happier people working within them.
Inspiration - Darling River Fish-scape
“Maps are a way of organising wonder”
This quote by Peter Steinhart is spot on when it comes to this stunning map created by fish researcher and artist Dr Brendan Ebner. Brendan is fascinated by fish, and his knowledge of Murray cod and Golden perch inspired him to create this beautiful map of the Darling-Baaka River. Flowing rivers and deep pools are essential for healthy populations of Murray cod and Golden perch, and Brendan has drawn the journeys of the Murray cod and Golden perch as they move up and down the river.
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If using direct transfer please have as the reference your name & date of donation. I can send you a receipt if required, just email enquiries@arrc.com.au with the details of your donation. Thank you 😊