The North West Star

The Darling River wends its way through 1500 kilometres of Australian Outback. It's part of the vast Murray Darling Basin stretching from southern Queensland, through most of New South Wales and into South Australia. In 2019, millions of fish died outside Menindee and it sits at the centre of water management policy. To the Barkindji people of far western New South Wales, the river channel marks the course of the Naatji -- the rainbow serpent. It has sustained cultures and communities for thousands of years. But the River is in danger, and the people along its course face an uncertain future.

Forgotten River | Australian Community Media

Forgotten River

A mural showing the importance of the Barka Darling River at Wilcannia, NSW. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Water theft, missing flows, floodplain harvesting - isn't it time the people on the receiving end got some answers?

Ensuring the voices of the Barka River don't go unheard

First light reflections in the golden hour, when the sun is low and the air still, show a bend in the Darling River. Pictures: John Hanscombe 

It may be worthwhile to look at the facts, says Cotton Australia's Michael Murray.

Why demonising cotton doesn't wash in the water debate

John Hanscombe

A trip to the outback provided a chance to tell an important story and learn more about the art of drone photography.

Stunning drone footage captures the beauty of outback NSW

The long and never winding road to Tilpa. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Our journey to the Darling to find the voices of the Forgotten River.

Three storytellers, one ute, 3500km: Behind the Forgotten River journey

The confluence of the Murray and Darling rivers at Wentworth in NSW. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Authors Scott Hamilton and Stuart Kell examine how the water market works in the Murray-Darling Basin, and who's paying the price.

New book exposes how the Murray-Darling Basin Plan has gone horribly wrong

Brendan and Jacinta Cullin with their dog at their homestead in Kars Station, NSW. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

When Brendan Cullen is embarking on one of his long swims, his mind wanders away from daily concerns.

The Aussie farmer training in the outback for English Channel swim

Will Ashby pictured at his parents' property, Trevallyn station, Wilcannia, NSW. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Floodplain harvesting should be regulated but the argument across the Murray-Darling Basin is over how.

What's floodplain harvesting and why should we care?

Dion Georgopoulos

Emus at Toorale National Park. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

With no preconceived notions photographer Dion Georgopoulos travelled across Outback NSW's vast spaces, camera in hand ready to capture its beauty.

Seeing the mighty Darling River for the first time through a photographer's lens

Forgotten River: An Outback Tragedy. Farmer Terry Smith pictured mustering sheep on his property Scarsdale Station in NSW. Picture: John Hanscombe - ACM

'Scientifically indefensible': how a political fix is strangling the Murray-Darling Basin

Why Australians should care about the Murray-Darling Basin

According to Cotton Australia, less water is now required to grow a hectare of the commodity. Picture: Shutterstock

We all use cotton. Many wouldn't know what's required to take it from farm to fabric.

Inside the economic generator that is Australia's cotton industry

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