Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Ian Hoskins, NLA Publishing, $49.99.
Out of every aspect of the amazing Australian landscape, its rivers demonstrate the interconnectedness of life. In this broad-ranging survey of 10 Australian waterways and river systems, Ian Hoskins, an award-winning author presents a history of our complex correlation to water.
It’s the fascinating visual history of the many wondrous waterways Australia has to offer. Interesting to note that Australia happens to be the second, most-driest continent on the planet, yet it is covered with waterways, from Tasmania’s Franklin River to the Ord in Western Australia, the Alligator Rivers of Kakadu, Melbourne’s Yarr and the Murray, the nation’s longest river.
These rivers are crucibles of culture, a means of transportation, sites for play, sources of power, bringers of joy and anguish, and are givers of life.
This hardback is for travellers who appreciate knowing the human and geographical history of the places they visit. For example, the story of the Clarence is full of interesting snippets about the steamer trade in the days when most of NSW’s fish came from estuaries, rather than the deep sea via ocean-going trawlers.
The first chapter covers the pre-settlement period when Indigenous people lived in harmony with the land; the ways in which early settlement emerged around waterways (that often turned out not to be permanent); and how agriculture and urban life changed hydrology in populated areas.
The academic and historian investigates the history of Australian rivers – the soul of the country – the lifeblood of Australia. From the connection of rivers with Indigenous Australians to the continuing politics around usage and waste, this precious resource also provides beauty, supporting Australia’s unique fauna and flora.
Here’s a history and travel compilation that’s helpful, prudent and packed with noteworthy aspects of Australia’s history.
Name Australia’s longest single river. If your answer is correct, then you could win one copy of Rivers. Entries should be sent to [email protected] by Monday, 30 November 2020. Names of the winners will be announced in Frank Cassidy’s PS-sssst…! column on 1 December 2020.
