Letter from Pauline Bartels
Great Murray River Run experience

Dear Jock,

Thank you for an incredible journey downstream on the Great Murray River run from Mildura to Renmark including the cruise to Avoca on the Darling.

The logistics of the tour which included bus transfers, side tours, accommodation at the overnight station stays was carried out to the last detail.

The meals catered for by yourselves on board enroute; our station hosts, and Richards mobile catering, were all excellent and served with friendly hospitality.

This part of the the Cruise has fulfilled a lifetime dream of travelling by boat on the Murray River that I have grown to love and enjoy.

Like yourself and others on the cruise I have a concern for the river environment and have participated in waterbird surveys of the Murray Darling Basin at local and regional wetlands.

On the cruise I recorded 96 species of birds some of which were found on short walks from each overnight station stay. Highlights for me as seeing chicks of Purple Swam Hen and Dusky Moorhen as they are usually hidden in the reeds and not visible form the bank side. Breeding records are always important especially as our wetlands are under so much pressure.

I have attached a list of the bird species I recorded on the trip for you to include in your information of the River Run.

Once again Thank You Jock and Neil for your care to myself and other passengers.

From my interest in the environment I have met some special people over the years; I think I can add another two names to my list of acquaintances.

Yours Sincerely, Pauline Bartels