The Rotary D9510 Health of the River Forum 2022 was held at Calperum Station (27 June to 1 July).  Students from 6 different secondary schools attended.  Under the guidance of Caitlin Polack, Educational Ecologist, the students undertook studies in Environmental Habitat Assessment Surveys including Herbivory Surveys, Cracking Clay Surveys, Soil Condition Testing, Understory Vegetation Surveys, Scat Surveys, Cane Grass Surveys, and Groundwater Condition. 

On Tuesday evening, the students were able to meet resident ecologist, Dr. Heather Neilly, who answered questions about the hypothetical challenge the students had been set.  Wednesday saw the students donning waders to collect water samples which were brought back to the education shed to be studied for invertebrates.  That evening the students were able to meet Courtney Monk, the “Turtle Lady” from Landscapes SA, who gave an in-depth talk about the importance of maintaining a high number of turtles in our river system. 

On Thursday, Rotarian David Crouch from RC Renmark, acted as tour guide with students visiting Lock 5 and the weir system.  David explained the history of the river system, the development of irrigation and horticulture in the Riverland area, and the damage salinity can cause to the river system if the water flows are not well balanced.  Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Renmark provided tea at Calperum Station on Thursday night and then listened to the presentations (with powerpoint) by the students on the hypothetical challenges they had been given.

The students were fully engaged in the studies and activities set by Caitlin Polack.  They worked well together in small groups or altogether and at all times were well behaved.   Sitting around the campfire of an evening was also a highlight for the group. 

Sincere thanks go to the Calperum staff, bus driver, Peter Ryan, Rotarians Bruce Cole and Lou Davey and non-Rotarian volunteers Peter Phillips and Dianne McMahon for their presence and input into a very successful Health of the River Forum.