This slide presentation gives an overview of the outcomes of the Caring for Mary Forums held in June 2012 and organised by the Mary River Catchment Coordination Committee (MRCCC). It was uploaded on 25 July 2012.

1. Based on a presentation to the
MRCCC General Committee
Tuesday 24 July 2012

2. This slideshow gives…
A summary of responses to the main questions asked
at the Caring for Mary Forums:
Why do we care about the Mary River?
What do we need more of?
Explanation of the effect of the forum on the actions
listed in the recovery plan
Suggestions for some small projects we could start
now and bigger projects we could work toward

3. Why do we care about the Mary?
Size of the text indicates how frequently each point was mentioned
Love of biodiversity Recreation/lifestyle
Future generations Cultural connectedness
It's where we live
It's all connected Giving back
River health links to landscape health
Have seen change, need to do something
Nature can't speak for itself
It's in our blood
Artistic landscape value River is a resource
Corridor water security
It's the right thing to do Nutrients to fish nurseries
Passion Sustains life
Spiritual nourishment The stuff of legends
Create an example

4. What do we need more of?
(responses have been grouped into these 12 categories)
Summary of responses to the question: Access to information and advice
"What do we need more of to Care for the Mary
Building capacity and connection of groups
Engaging groups who we don't already have
strong links with
Recurrent/flexible funding for groups and
landholders
School based education
Regulation and planning that better considers
the river
Subcatchment based rivercare
Recognition and Celebration of contribution
Mary River media
Personal rivercare philosophy
Safe access to the river
Economic opportunities

5. Major Actions under Objective 3: Increase societal
capacity, sense of connectedness and motivation to
contribute to recovery of target species and river health
(new actions generated by the forums are shown in black. Each major
action includes sub-actions which are in the Action Spreadsheet)
A11: Support and reward involvement of stakeholders
in implementing the recovery actions
A12: Increase awareness of the general public of the
links between general river health, umbrella species
(at multiple life cycle stages) and community values
A13: Encourage responsible recreation, celebration of
the River and Rivercarers, in ways that also creates
opportunity to touch, experience, and love the river
A14: Provide extension services such as on farm
advice, incentives, field days and workshops on an
ongoing basis

6. A15: Increase capacity and effectiveness of local
organisations involved in activities that affect the
river and threatened species recovery
A16: Creating economic and employment
opportunities
A17: Continue to build and strengthen involvement of
schools (at all levels) in river recovery and incorporate
information about the catchment and priority species
into classroom activities
Coordination of the recovery plan and tasks for the
recovery team have been added under objective 6

7. Reflection on the forums
Thanks to Peter McAdam, Dale Watson, Steve
Burgess, Eva Ford, Susie Duncan, Sue Sargent, Ian
Mackay, Emma-Kate Currie, Marilyn Connell and
Glenda Pickersgill for helping to inspire people at the
forums
There is a real hunger for information and support
A regular series of information sessions around the
catchment would be well received
This could be part of the public reporting on the
recovery plan
A question for everyone: How can we best provide
long term support for implementation of the actions
under this objective?

8. Long term implementation of the
recovery plan
It was proposed at the MRCCC meeting on 24 July
that MRCCC leads the formation of an
implementation committee for the recovery plan.
Implementation of the plan can start now… projects
that have been given a boost by the forums:
Developing local content for the national curriculum
“Something about Mary” booklet which will give an
overview of the ecology of the Mary River and priority
species
We’d love to hear about it if you have a project that
has been given a boost by your participation in the
forums

9. Small projects we could start now…
From the forums, it seems that there are some small projects
that would make a difference that we could start now.
Support formation of local, neighbourhood groups by
providing guidance on dealing with insurance issues etc.
Providing catchment maps that show distribution of
endangered species
Cultural Awareness workshops for
community/NRM/environmental organisations
Developing a Mary River t-shirt and other creations
Create More Mary River Media by providing Media
training and possibly mentoring for community
organisations (both using traditional and social media)
 What do you think of these ideas?
 What role would you like to play in making them happen?

10. Potential bigger projects…
(under this objective and in addition to those already
underway)
Developing sub-catchment specific information about the river
and threatened species, using locally iconic species e.g. Giant
Spiny Crayfish in the upper Mary
In 2013 continuing the very successful workshop/field day series
that has happened in 2012, and hold the workshops in different
locations throughout the catchment
Any comments or suggestions, please contact
Tanzi at MRCCC on
mrccctanzi@ozwide.net.au
(I will be away for August, so email is best)