The Mildura section was officially opened on 30 April 2009 by Kaye Darveniza MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Development in Victoria. It was well-attended by representatives from Local Government councils, business, community groups, tourism, regional development, catchment management authorities and government agencies.
    
Implementing the Trail in Wentworth Shire is proceeding in conjunction with the Shire Council.

A start will be made in 2010 to develop the Trail in the Upper Murray of NSW/Victoria.

2. STUDENT PROGRAMS
2.1 Honours Scholarship program
The Elliott Newspaper Group at Mildura supports an annual study program by an honours student at the Lower Basin Laboratory of the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre at Mildura, on a subject relevant to the emerging research agenda. After the initial five years program, the Elliott Newspaper Group has now agreed to make this an on-going project.

Recipients of Honours Scholarship Student Program supported by the Elliott Newspaper Group, Mildura

   
2.2 Undergraduate vacation program - Lower Murray
Supported by Trentham Estates in NSW, this initiative provides funds to support an undergraduate vacation program for the Lower Basin Laboratory of the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre at Mildura.

Recipients of Summer Scholarship for undergraduate students at the
Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Mildura supported by Trentham Estates and SunSalt Pty Ltd.

    
2.3 Undergraduate vacation program - Upper Murray   
Water for Rivers in Albury has provided funds to support an undergraduate vacation program at the Lower Basin Laboratory of the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre at Wodonga.

Recipients of Summer Scholarship for undergraduate students at the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Wodonga supported by Water For Rivers
  

 
3. EDUCATION PROGRAMS
3.1 Save The Murray website
This project, supported by the South Australia Cooperative of McDonalds franchisees and Peat Soils and Garden Supplies at Willunga, SA, is preparing and maintaining an interactive education website to help educate youth about the importance and state of the Murray River. During 2009, the website was completely revised and updated and is now live.

3.2  Discovering The Darling website
This new program will complement the Save The Murray website by preparing and maintaining an education website to help educate the community about the importance of the Darling River. The initiative has received funding and in-kind support from the Broken Hill Community Credit Union, Wentworth's Community Bendigo Bank, the Bendigo Bank's affiliate Web Partner, Country Energy, the Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority and the Western CMA.

'Discovering The Darling' will focus on the rich heritage, environments and communities along the Darling.  It will also have links to a range of relevant council, catchment, natural resource management, agency and community group websites. 

The new website was  launched in March 2010 at Wentworth and Broken Hill.

3.3. Teacher handbook
In May 2009, Murray Goulburn, Victoria's largest dairy cooperative, agreed to a partnership project with the Foundation to prepare a handbook to improve the confidence and skills, and provide guidance and advice, for primary school teachers to take students on excursions to engage positively with natural resource, sustainability and environmental issues that will develop strong commitments to sustainable communities, agricultural industries and environments along the Murray River.

It is the first time that Murray Goulburn has ventured into the education field and the cooperative is looking forward to working with the Foundation, teachers and schools.  

In early 2010, the Murray Catchment Management Authority contributed to the project.

It is anticipated that the project will be completed in late 2010.

4. TRAVELLING BURSARIES
4.1 CMA Travelling Bursary
McArthur Management Services Pty Ltd is supporting a five-year program of travelling bursaries to allow a selected younger catchment management authority employee to expand their knowledge and skill base by visiting other areas of natural resource management significance across the Murray-Darling Basin. The inaugural bursary was awarded in September 2007.

In 2008, Mr Rodney Campbell of the Central West CMA received the 2008 CMA Travelling Bursary. The bursary allowed Rodney to visit northwest NSW and Queensland to look at how communities, landholders, natural resource management groups and governments work together to manage invasive woody weeds

The 2009 Catchment Management Travelling Bursary was awarded to Mr Bruce Christie of the Central West CMA, based at Mudgee, NSW. Bruce will use the bursary to improve his knowledge of how agriculture can have a positive ecological outcome while still producing economic agricultural outcomes. Bruce will also look at what motivates land managers to embrace improved management practises to enhance environmental outcomes He will visit NSW, Queensland and Victoria in his travels.

4.2  Local Government Travelling Bursary 
Russell Kennedy Solicitors in Melbourne is supporting a program to encourage Local Government planning and environment staff along the Murray River in NSW and Victoria and along the Murrumbidgee to expand their knowledge and skills in relation to land use planning and change by visiting other councils across the Murray-Darling Basin.

In August 2008, Andrew Powell of Mildura Rural City Council was the recipient of the inaugural Travelling Bursary. Andrew used the bursary to study utilising recycled water to supplement existing water supplies and to assess its suitability for the Mildura area.
 
The 2009 Local Government Travelling Bursary was awarded to Ms Sue Mahon, Sustainability Resource Co-ordinator with the Swan Hill Rural City Council. Sue will use her bursary to explore best practice irrigation techniques to help improve water use by the council. Sue will visit councils in South Australia, NSW and Victoria to evaluate water efficiency initiatives, develop networks, and provide feedback to the council and community in these times of drought and water restrictions.

5. WATER
5.1  Water Bank
In 2007, the Foundation established a Water Bank to invest in water for environmental purposes. A small parcel of high security permanent water has been purchased for use in the long-term and will be added to over time. The Foundation Committee will deploy the water for works that benefit Murray-Darling Basin councils, environments and their communities. The program is being supported by Brihelg Services, Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (Pratt Water Fund), L & K Thompson, Mildura Theatre Brewery, Lower Murray Water, Merbein Mushrooms and Tankard Dental.

In 2008-09, water was purchased with financial support from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal. The Foundation Committee is now looking for sites of environmental importance where the water can be used.

In early 2010, additional water was purchased.

5.2 Watering Deakin Avenue
In 2008, the Foundation facilitated support from 25 business and community donors in Mildura to purchase water to preserve Mildura's iconic Deakin Avenue during summer and autumn of 2008. Another 50MGL of temporary water was purchased in 2008-09 but summer rain dented the enthusiasm to raise extra donations.

With the approval of donors, the outstanding (and unused) funds from this project were transferred to the Water Bank in early 2010.

5.2  Water Stewardship Program
In 2008, the Foundation became a member of the Water Stewardship Initiative Reference Group, providing input into the development of this initiative. The year also saw some lengthy negotiations for funding support to allow the Foundation to be a joint partner for the stage one field trials of the International Water Stewardship Standard. In addition to the well-utilised and important existing standards that apply to forestry, fisheries and marine industries, these standards, when finalised and licensed, will be a valuable contribution to future Australian and Murray-Darling Basin water use operations.

6. OTHER
6.1  Research equipment
Sun Salt Pty Ltd in Mildura is supporting the purchasing of scientific equipment for the Lower Basin Laboratory of the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre at Mildura. In 2009, Sun Salt agreed to a request from the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre that the contribution be used to support a summer scholarship student instead.

6.2 Cultural heritage project
This project is working with Aboriginal communities to develop a cultural heritage bush tucker and medicine trail at Horseshoe Lagoon at Moama in southern NSW. The project is supported by the Murray CMA. The project is currently consulting with Aboriginal groups to ensure the accuracy of material for interpretive signs and printed material. An appropriate and complementary garden is also being designed by the Murray Catchment Management Authority.

6.3 Max Schmidt Memorial Trust Fund
The Foundation is holding funds in trust to develop a lasting memorial to the late Cr Max Schmidt of Paringa in South Australia, a Life Member and tireless worker for the Murray Darling Association. In 2008, the Trust Fund agreed to provide a significant donation towards the Savethemurray.com website.

WHO IS CURRENTLY SUPPORTING THE FOUNDATION

Arumpo Bentonite
This company's donation has supported the operation and maintenance of municipal gross pollutant traps to prevent pollution of the Murray River and supporting the Only Rain Down The Drain community eduction program.

Brihelg Services
This organisation supports the purchase of permanent water for the Foundation's Water Bank.

Broken Hill Community Credit Union
This organisation, based in Broken Hill, has provided valuable support for the development of the Foundation's new Discovering The Darling education website about the Darling catchment in western NSW.  The website was launched in March 2010.

Country Water
Part of Country Energy, this organisation based in Broken Hill, has provided valuable support for the development pf the Foundation's new Discovering The Darling education website about the Darling catchment in western NSW.  The website was launched in March 2010.

EGL Limited
This organisation has provided funding to support outstanding environmental initiatives of Local Government, community groups or schools across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Elliott Newspapers
This donor supports an annually-selected postgraduate student to undertake an honours program on a topic relevant to the research program of the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre's Lower Basin Laboratory at Mildura.

Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
In 2009 this national organisation, made ca contribution to the Foundation's Water Bank through the Pratt Water Fund.

Lower Murray Darling CMA
This catchment management authority, based at Gol Gol in south west NSW, has provided valuable support for the development of the Foundation's new Discovering The Darling education website about the Darling catchment in western NSW.  The website was launched in March 2010.

Lower Murray Water
This organisation located in Mildura is supporting the Foundation's Water Bank.

McArthur Management Services
In 2007, the Foundation initiated a travelling bursary scheme for young catchment management authority (CMA) staff.  This bursary, sponsored by McArthur Management Services, aims to give young CMA employees within the Murray-Darling Basin, an opportunity to obtain greater exposure in other Basin areas.

McDonald's Owners Co-op, SA
This company is committed to protecting the environment.  Its contribution has supported the development of a South Australian-based savethemurray.com website that plays an important role in protecting the future of the state and the nation's most important environmental asset.

Merbein Mushroom
This organisation located at Merbein (just west of Mildura) is supporting the Foundation's Water Bank.

Mildura Brewery
This donor supports an important bridging program of between Sunraysia TAFE's Land & Water Centre and University vacation employment studies at the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre in Mildura.

Murray Goulburn Cooperative Company Ltd
Victoria's largest dairy cooperative is contributing to the development of a handbook for primary school teachers along the Murray River in three states who want to take their students on excursions to wetlands, forests, floodplains and waterways to help their students engage positively with natural resources.

NSW Murray CMA
The Murray Catchment Management Authority is contributing to two Foundation projects.

- the development of a handbook for primary school teachers who want to take their students on excursions to wetlands, forests, floodplains and waterways to help their students engage positively with natural resources.

- the development of a cultural heritage trail at Horseshoe Lagoon at Moama in southern NSW.

Peat's Soils and Garden Supplies
The Foundation receives a contribution for every bag of Water Saver Mulch sold.  these funds support the development of the savethemurray.com website

Russell Kennedy solicitors
In 2007, Russel Kennedy provided support for a travelling bursary scheme to give young Council land use planning staff or environmental staff along the Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers in NSW and Victoria, an opportunity to obtain wider exposure in other areas, to share and explore ideas, and to encourage and support their work in land use, change and improved land and environmental management.  Applications are only received from Council planning staff employees that work along the Murrumbidgee, Murray Lower Darling Rivers in NSW and Victoria.

Sun Salt Pty Ltd
Annual donations from Sun Salt support the purchase of specialised scientific equipment for the Lower Basin Laboratory of the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre at Mildura.

Tankard Dental
This organisation situated in Mildura is supporting the Foundation's Water Bank.

Trentham Estates Wines
The Foundation received a contribution for every carton of Trentham Estate Wines Murphy's Lore Label to support a university student vacation employment at the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre's Lower Basin Laboratory in Mildura.

Water for Rivers
Based in Albury, the Water For Rivers organisation supports university student vacation employment with the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre at La Trobe University in Wodonga.

Wentworth's Community Bank
This bank, part of the Bendigo Bank's community network, has provided valuable support for the development of the Foundation's new Discovering The Darling education website about the Darling catchment in western NSW.  The website was launched in March 2010.

Western CMA
This catchment management authority located in western NSW has provided valuable support for the development of the Foundation's new Discovering The Darling education website about the Darling catchment in western NSW.  The website was launched in March 2010.

DONOR CATEGORIES
The Murray Darling Foundation has adopted a scale of categories for donors to give recognition to Foundation contributors. The categories recognise cumulative support over the years.

Principal donors
Super Platinum ($100,000)  None to date
Platinum ($50,000)   None to date  

Gold ($25,000 plus)
-Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services  Canberra, ACT
-Elliott Newspaper Group, Mildura, VIC
-McDonalds Owners Coop, SA - Adelaide, SA
-Trentham Estates, Gol Gol, NSW

Silver ($12,500 plus)
-Kingston Estate Winery, Kingston, South Australia
-Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority, Buronga, NSW
-Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Mildura, VIC
-Mildura Theatre Brewery Ltd, Mildura, VIC
-Murray Catchment Management Authority, Deniliquin, NSW
-Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Canberra, ACT
-Sun Salt Pty Ltd, Mildura, VIC
-Russell Kennedy Solicitors - Melbourne

Bronze ($6,250 plus)
-McArthur Management Services, Melbourne VIC
-Murray Goulburn Coop Co Ltd, Melbourne, VIC
-Peat's Soils & Garden Supplies, Adelaide, SA
-Savings & Loans Credit Union, Adelaide, SA
-Stefano's Restaurant, Mildura VIC
-Victorian Department of Sustainability & Environment, Melbourne, VIC
-Water For Rivers, Albury, NSW
-Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Canberra, ACT

HONOUR DONORS

Gold ($5,000 plus)
-Broken Hill Community Credit Union, Broken Hill, NSW
-Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (Pratt Water Fund), Bendigo, VIC
-Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Shepparton, VIC
-L and K Thompson, Mildura, VIC
-The Environment Group Ltd, Sydney, NSW
-NSW Murray Catchment Management Authority, Deniliquin, NSW

Silver ($3,000 plus)
-Arumpo Bentonite, Mildura VIC
-Brihelg Services, Mildura, VIC
-Lower Murray Water, Mildura, VIC
-Max Schmidt Family Trust, Paringa, SA
-Mildura Rural City Council
-Pro Hart Charity Board, Broken Hill, NSW

Bronze ($2,000 plus) 
-Goulburn-Murray Water, Tatura, VIC
-Greenwood Holdings, Adelaide, SA
-Merbein Mushrooms, Merbein West, VIC
-PowerCorp, Mildura, VIC
-Royal Automobile Club Victoria, Melbourne, VIC

For Enquiries, contact the Murray Darling Association:

Mr Adrian Wells
Phone:02 6021 3655
Fax: 02 6021 2025
Email: awells47@bigpond.net.au

or

Mr Ray Najar
Phone: 08 8226 4402
Fax:     08 8226 4408
Email: rnajar@mada.asn.au

Donations to the Foundation are Tax deductible under the Income Tax Assessment  Act 1997.

Donations cab be made by money order, Visa, Mastercard or Bankcard and sent to:

The Murray Darling Foundation
PO Box 359, Albury, NSW, 2640

The Murray Darling Environmental Foundation is committed to full compliance of the Information Privacy Act 2000.  Copies of the Policy are available by contacting the Murray Darling Association or download a copy from the following link:
Information Privacy Policy

To contribute to the Foundation click on the link to download a Donation Form
(52 kb)