ROTARY
"HEALTH OF THE RIVER FORUM"

                           A joint project between The Rotary Clubs of Sunraysia (D9520) and 
                                         The Murray-Darling  Freshwater  Research  Centre
                                                                      www.mdfrc.org.au 
                                                                                                                                                             
                                               ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 9520 GROUP 1

The project has been running for over 12 years whereby Rotary clubs from the Sunraysia District (District 9520 group1) host a 3 day camp at Lake Cullulleraine located approximately 60kms west of Mildura. The camp hosts 40 plus students each year.

                                            Forum dates are: 17 November to 20 November 2011

The program is now run annually in November (depending on availability of site) in partnership with the Murray Darling freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC). Dr Todd Wallace is the manager of the Mildura centre at the Latrobe University Benetook Avenue Mildura and assists run the program in conjunction with Michelle Kavanagh, Knowledge Broker. They supply the scientific & technical resources from their Mildura and Albury laboratories for approximately 10 members from their organisation, providing expert advice on the science and ecology of the river. Some of the key aspects covered during the camp are:-

        · Dealing with management of this scarce resource
        · Fish ladders visit Lock 9 (how they operate & benefit fish migration)
        · Monitoring water quality

Identification of river/lake species each group then provides a presentation centring on "what river health means to them" and awards are presented to the winning team members. In previous years organisers and the participants have been very impressed with the high standard of the presentations which demonstrates a great deal of imagination & understanding of these issues.

There are many other activities involving water quality testing, GPS mapping, vegetation or bird surveys, visiting vineyard & involves other presentations & the group activities.

We have broadened the forum scope to also include aboriginal cultural content in this program.

The forum caters predominantly for year 9 & 10 students from Secondary Colleges throughout the Rotary district. The students are split up into 4 groups and they learn about the biology of the river and the impact of our use of the resource.

Students are encouraged to seek sponsorship from Rotary Clubs close to their schools and at the conclusion of the Forum, the sponsoring Club awards a certificate to the student at a club meeting, allowing the student to present to them about the forum.

The cost on sponsoring Rotary clubs remains unchanged at $250 for South Australian clubs (higher transportation costs) and $200 for Sunraysia/Robinvale/Broken Hill clubs.

Nomination forms & additional background information about the forum can be accessed by clicking the links below. 
Students require parental/guardian consent to attend the forum and are making a committing to attend the forum when they are submitting their nomination forms to their local Rotary club for sponsorship funding.

We would like to thank all sponsors and in particular our major sponsor, Murray Darling Basin Authority, for their financial support and assistance in hosting this event.　　

Organising Committee Chairman:
　 Greg Missen
　 Work: 03 5025 8746　　 A/H　 03 5023 5295
　 Fax:　 03 5022 2775
　 Email: greg.missen@elders.com.au
Secretary:
      Marissa Shean
      Mobile: 0427 09896
      Fax: (03) 50514523
      Email: Marissa.Shean@dpi.vic.gov.au

  
General Background Info            Brochure             Lake Cullulleraine Facilities 

                       Nomination Form            Medical Form & Consent