The 2026 Mitchell River Forum will be held 24 Oct at Mount Carbine. Come and learn more about what is currently happening in this beautiful part of the world, meet other people who live and work in the Mitchell, share your knowledge, and ask for more information on what matters most to you. 

Confirmed presenters include: 

Our 35th AGM was held online on Saturday, 29 Nov at 10:00.

Chair's Report, Financials, and a statement from the Treasurer were presented and a Committee of Management was elected. All members of the 2025 Committee were returned and we welcomed an additional Director, Hugh Wallace. The full Committee for 2026 is:

A 4-year Progress Report had been prepared and was officially presented to Councillors Ross Cardillo and Amy Braes with Mitchell River Chair Fiona Barron congratulating the Friends on their staunch perseverance in the face of significant challenges.

Friends of Abattoir Swamp, or the “Swampies”, are the volunteer management committee looking after the much-loved environmental park called Abattoir Swamp. 

This year the Mitchell River Forum featured a line up of local leaders offering research reports, project updates, and briefings relevant to sustainable management in the catchment. Biosecurity was a central focus, particularly in light of the projected impacts of Bird Flu. Water was again a theme, with particular focus on the review of the Mitchell River Water Plan.

The meeting convened at 09.30 at the Geraghty Park Hall in Julatten, on Saturday 11 October. The speakers program concluded at 12.30 followed by a networking lunch.

Delicious Barramundi Gardens spring rolls were served along with a classic BBQ provided by the Julatten Mens Shed. Special thanks to Mareeba-Dumbulah Bendigo Community Bank for their generous support.

Mitchell River Forum was an opportunity to highlight changes and challenges across the catchment

What can growers expect from long-term changes to regional rainfall? Can renewable energy projects cause more environmental harm than good? How much will the water cost from the proposed Lakeland Irrigation Scheme? And...are you ready to start running your farm machinery on pyrolised banana bags?

We held our 33rd annual general meeting at the Mt Carbine Rodeo Grounds on 27 October, followed by a Mitchell River Forum featuring landholders around the region.

Vale Viv Sinnamon.

Fiona Barron joins as Chair, Karen Pedersen as Treasurer, and Trevor Meldrum as a regular Director. Deep gratitude was expressed for the outgoing Allan Holmes, Ian Adcock, and Cheryl Emmerson who have been instrumental in keeping the organisation functioning for nearly a decade.

Water Security Forum draws keen interest from irrigators, energy users, researchers, and conservationists. Check out a brief report and download presentations from the meeting.