Barbara Quayle, by Vic McEwan, 2025
River Stories is a series of evening performances and art installations connecting upstream and downstream Murray-Darling Basin communities in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. River Stories is an invitation to talk and listen about how we can come together to care for our waterways.
Save the Date
River Stories will be held over two evenings in each state.
Sites will be announced later in the year.
St George, Queensland
12 and 13 March 2027
Menindee, New South Wales
16 and 17 April 2027
Goolwa, South Australia
28 and 29 May 2027
Public Programs
Community Gathering for a River Stories development
Friday 11 September 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
St George Harmony Centre
Artistic Team
Lead Artists
Vic and Sarah McEwan
Artists
David Doyle, Kirsten Wehner, Julie Montgarrett, Kelly Leonard, Martin Fox, Jackie Cooper, more TBC
Producer
Melanie Penicka-Smith
Administration/Finance
Kimberley Beattie
Socially Engaged Art Producer
Caitlin Gibson
Storyteller
Adele Packer
Discussion Circle
David Doyle, Kirsten Wehner, Alex Habilay, Matthew McLellan
Supported by
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South West Indigenous Corporation
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Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Public Programs
Contemporary Dance with Adrianne Semmens
Want to learn contemporary dance and perform?
Work with Barkandji artist to create a dance for River Stories, a fun community event celebrating Menindee and the Baaka in 2027.
2026 Workshops
Online
Friday 28 August, 4pm - 5:30pm
Friday 13 November, 4pm - 5:30pm
In-person
Wednesday 7, Thursday 8, Friday 9 October, 11am - 2pm
Sunday 20 + Monday 21 December, 11am - 2pm
Dreamcatcher Workshops
Come and make a dreamcatcher with Barbara Quayle! Adults and children welcome.
Wednesday 7 + Thursday 8 October, 10am – 4pm
Menindee Hall, Menindee
Drop in anytime over the two days between
FREE with lunch Provided
Artistic Team
Lead Artists
Vic and Sarah McEwan
Artists
David Doyle, Kirsten Wehner, Julie Montgarrett, Kelly Leonard, Barbara Quayle, Adrianne Semmens, Madeleine Jevons, Menindee Central School Students and Staff, Martin Fox, Jackie Cooper, more TBC
Producer
Melanie Penicka-Smith
Administration/Finance
Kimberley Beattie
Socially Engaged Art Producer
Caitlin Gibson
Storyteller
Adele Packer
Discussion Circle
David Doyle, Kirsten Wehner, Alex Habilay, Matthew McLellan
Supported by
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Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
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Menindee Aboriginal Elders Council
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Menindee Central School
-
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Public Programs
Would you like to be part of River Stories?
Friday 28 August, 2pm - 4pm
CLLMM Research Centre
Level 1/92 Barrage Rd, Goolwa
Meet artists Vic McEwan, Sarah McEwan and David Doyle to talk more about River Stories and how you can be involved. We will share the documentary More than a Fish Kill (38 mins) as an example of previous work we have created.
Artistic Team
Lead Artists
Vic and Sarah McEwan
Artists
David Doyle, Kirsten Wehner, Julie Montgarrett, Kelly Leonard, Mel Koolmatrie, Martin Fox, Jackie Cooper, more TBC
Producer
Melanie Penicka-Smith
Administration/Finance
Kimberley Beattie
Socially Engaged Art Producer
Caitlin Gibson
Storyteller
Adele Packer
Discussion Circle
David Doyle, Kirsten Wehner, Alex Habilay, Matthew McLellan
Supported by
-
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
River Stories is supported by the Australian Government through its principal arts investment and advisory body Creative Australia; Sydney Conservatorium of Music at the University of Sydney; the Australian Government through the ARC Laureate Fellowship: Multispecies Creativity and Climate Communication; the NSW Government through Create NSW and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development; Minderoo Foundation.
