“The river is the blood of the Earth”, Muruwari and Budjiti man and artist Bruce Shillingsworth declared at the “Yaama Ngunna Baaka — Welcome to Our River” Mosman Art Gallery exhibition on April 28.
Shillingsworth also used the occasion, which included works by his daughters and granddaughter, to launch the Water for Rivers Campaign Corroboree Expedition project.
“We want our rivers back”, Shillingsworth said. “The recent drought in western New South Wales has exposed the deep corruption of water management in this country.
“The big irrigators are taking our water. Our people are forced to drink bore water, which is bad for their health.
“We will win this campaign to save our rivers through people power. But we need your help.
“We want you to get on board … It’s all for the coming generations, and we will keep fighting for what is right.”
A proportion of the funds raised from the exhibition will assist the Water for Rivers Corroboree Expedition, which will travel from Walgett, through Brewarrina and Bourke, to Wilcannia from late September into early October.
Film producer, director and artist George Gittoes spoke of his close connection to the Shillingsworth family and stressed the need to support the campaign to save the rivers.
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