Humans have drained, filled or otherwise destroyed nearly 87 per cent of the world’s wetlands over the past 300 years. Unintended consequences include biodiversity loss, poor water quality and the erosion of cultural sites, and only in the past few decades have wetlands been widely recognised as worth preserving.

Using the Murray-Darling Basin – Australia’s largest river system, which includes more than 30,000 wetland areas – as a case study, the book draws on archival research and original interviews to examine how people and animals have shaped wetlands from the late 19^th century to today. Associate Professor O’Gorman brings to light the human and non-human entanglements of the area, and importantly, the deeper dynamics relating to Aboriginal people as custodians of the landscape.

“Indeed, this history shows that the voices of Aboriginal people need to be listened to and occupy a more prominent space within environmental management, not only to address past injustices but also to ensure healthier Country and communities into the future,” says Associate Professor O’Gorman.

“Further, engagement with the long histories of Aboriginal people’s connections with, and uses of, wetlands overturns narrow views of these places as damaged by human practices. Instead, we need to acknowledge the vast array of potential interactions people can have with wetlands.”

Ultimately, the book argues for wetlands to be understood as socioecological landscapes to establish and strengthen our relationships with these places.

Wetlands in a Dry Land: More-Than-Human Histories of Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin is published by the University of Washington Press.

The story of these refugees is documented in the film Routes, which is directed by Macquarie MRes student Petar Bojovic and screens this Friday 25 June at Randwick Ritz Cinema as part of Refugee Week.

1. Something you’d like staff to know about
Routes follows the refugee journey from Greece to Western Europe. Many of those who have been instrumental in making my PhD research possible (mostly from afar, due to COVID restrictions) have been part of Routes, including my research assistant who shares his story of the journey.

2. A Macquarie person you admire
Dr Richard Carter-White, my associate supervisor for my PhD, has been a brilliant support through this crazy year and I always know I can go to him when I am feeling stuck and can walk away re-energised to keep writing.

3. What you need to do your best work
A strong black filter coffee!

4. Something you’ve read recently that has had an impact on you
I’ve just read The Ministry of Pain by Dubravka Ugrešić. A powerful novel on Yugo-nostalgia following the Balkan Wars. I highly recommend to anyone interested in that era and the region.

5. Your definition of success
No matter what I do, I will feel I have succeeded if I have been able to have a positive impact on those who are in need.

6. What you like about where you live
I live in Neutral Bay and love being able to take my dog for a walk along the harbour –it’s the perfect start and end to the day.

7. A personal quality you value in others
The ability to listen to others who may have a different life experience from you, and to take the opportunity to try and learn from them.

8. Something you’re trying to do differently in 2021
Trying to maintain a good work life balance. I sometimes can get a bit caught up in my work and this year I am trying to balance that.

9. A favourite photo from your camera roll
I was enthralled by this book stand when taking a walk through the city centre of Skopje in North Macedonia.

10. A moment you felt proud
After finishing my Bachelor’s, I received a Fulbright grant to work in Serbia. Looking back, this is one of my greatest achievements and started me on the path that I’m on today.