National Museum of Australia

John Holmes & Ron Barnett, Cassie (Goolwa)

Photo of John and Ron with a friend, in a workshop

John & Ron in the Shed at The Alexandrina Centre For Positive Ageing (ACFPA)

John and his wife, Marian, moved to Goolwa in March 1997. Ron and his wife, Barbara, moved to Goolwa in April 2000. They ended up as neighbours and have become great buddies, even though there is a 14 year age difference. John decided he would join the Centre to learn the art of leatherworking. He asked Ron to come along with him and they are both now well entrenched in the Men's Leatherwork Group on Tuesday afternoons. This is held in the Centre's shed and you will always hear a lot of talking and laughter coming from the shed throughout the afternoon. Amazingly enough, as the picture shows, the men even have time to produce some very nice leatherwork, under the watchful eye of their instructor, Reg (seated). Ron speaks of Goolwa as another day in Paradise and doesn't know how he ever had the time to work as he is now busier than ever! John wishes he had moved to Goolwa when he retired instead of waiting until 1997. Both enjoy the many pleasures Goolwa has to offer.

Goolwa Ferry, Cassie (Goolwa)

Last trip on Ferry to Hindmarsh Island

Goolwa is the last town along the Murray River and is the gateway to the Coorong, one of the wonders of the world. The Heritage Club, an innovative day centre which was to coordinate necessary services and programs for aged persons, enabling them to remain in their homes as long as possible with a good quality of life, commenced in February 1984. The Club was officially renamed The Alexandrina Centre For Positive Ageing in June 2003 and in October 2004 it celebrated 20 years with the launch of a book, A People's Place - The First Twenty Years. Val, Margaret, Ron and John are involved in various programs at the Centre and all have chosen to reside in the Riverport Town of Goolwa. For these four people, Goolwa provides for all their needs and wants and they can't imagine living anywhere else. Being members of the Centre ensures their social, health and paramedical needs are met and that they are valued members of their local community.

Bathing beauties, David (Goolwa)

Photo of bathing beauties holding a surfboard

Surf club calendar

There are many community groups in our region, and like lots of these the Port Elliot Surf Lifesaving Club does a huge amount of volunteer work. Most of these clubs are scratching for funds and have to think of innovative ways to raise the funding necessary for their ongoing viability. This shot is from a calendar the Port Elliot Club produced which was a big hit locally, featuring many of their female members.

Theatre, David (Goolwa)

Strath youth theatre

There are many opportunities in our local communities for people to be involved in a wide range of projects and interests. Here, participants in the Strath Youth Theatre group (including my daughter Emma) are performing an evening of skits. She is "Lady Black Adder".

Lakes & Coorong Cockling, David (Goolwa)

Lakes & Coorong Cocklers working in the Southern Ocean

Fishery Information
The original 3,000 Aboriginal residents of the Coorong region traditionally fished the rich marine, estuarine and freshwater resources of this highly productive ecosystem. Commercial fishing by white settlers is documented from as early as 1846, and soon developed into a significant supply of fish to the Adelaide Markets. A limited entry fishery with currently 37 licensed family businesses, it continues the conservative resource management tradition which has seen the fishery prosper through 151 years.

The diversity of species mirrors the diversity of habitat available to the fishery including the freshwater lakes Alexandrina and Albert, the estuarine/marine/hyper saline Coorong, and coastal waters extending out to three nautical miles from Goolwa Beach. The dominant commercial species of the fishery currently are yellow-eye mullet, mulloway, cockles, callop (golden perch), carp and to a lesser extent flounder and bony bream.

Fishing methods utilise low mechanisation coupled with highly energy efficient netting and manual harvest types. This results in low by-catch, highly specific methods when undertaken by the well-trained operators. Significant effort reduction has taken place over the past 20 years to make up for gear developments. The Fishery directly employs 73 people and indirectly up to 50 more. It produced a GVP in 2002/03 of over $5m, which contributes greatly to the regional economy.

Murray Mouth, David (Goolwa)

Photo of Murray mouth and Coorong from the air.

Picture of Murray mouth

The Murray Mouth is one of Australia's most recognised icons, and holds great significance for all Australians. The mouth is at risk of closing, because of the huge volumes of water extracted and diverted throughout the Murray Darling Basin. The drought much of Australia is currently experiencing exacerbates this.

Living

Living

John Holmes & Ron Barnett, Cassie (Goolwa)

Goolwa Ferry, Cassie (Goolwa)

Bathing beauties, David (Goolwa)

Theatre, David (Goolwa)

Lakes & Coorong Cockling, David (Goolwa)

Murray Mouth, David (Goolwa)

Living

Living

Image Gallery Page Navigation

John Holmes & Ron Barnett, Cassie (Goolwa)

Goolwa Ferry, Cassie (Goolwa)

Bathing beauties, David (Goolwa)

Theatre, David (Goolwa)

Lakes & Coorong Cockling, David (Goolwa)

Murray Mouth, David (Goolwa)