Book launch: Lachlan Kalari Bila - Sweet Water to the Sea

Join lead author Isabel Goolagong, alongside key contributors for an evening celebrating the people, stories and Country that have shaped the upcoming book, Lachlan Kalari Bila - Sweet Water to the Sea.

The Kalari (Lachlan River) has always known where it is going.

Lachlan Kalari Bila - Sweet Water to the Sea is a First Nations-led collection of personal stories, historical records, archival and contemporary photographs, and artwork that celebrates the enduring connections between Aboriginal people and the Kalari Bila, the Lachlan River. Gathered by Wiradjuri woman Isabel Goolagong, who travelled along the river to sit with family, Community and Traditional Owners, the book brings together voices from across Country to share stories of family, culture, resilience and responsibility.

Dr Siwan Lovett, founder and CEO of the Australian River Restoration Centre, will guide a discussion with Isabel Goolagong and key contributors, exploring storytelling, photography, music and conversation.

A vibrant Aboriginal dot painting, depicting traditional symbols and patterns in earthy tones against a black background.

The first of three artworks by Sissy Pettit, one of the contributors of the book. The artwork series shows a continuous connection between people, culture and Country, from beginning to end of the Lachlan Kalari Bila. Photo credit: Dr. Emma Phillips.

Attend in person: What you need to know

Entry to this event is free but bookings are essential.

There are two in person ticketing options:

General admission only
General admission plus light refreshments after the event. Places are limited and catering runs from 7:30pm - 8:30pm.

Please note that photography, audio and video recording will take place during this event. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed and to the use of these recordings for promotional, marketing, and other purposes by the event organisers. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform a Library staff member upon arrival.

Watch online

The presentation will also be available online. Please make a booking and we will send you a direct link to the livestream event via email. Or you can join anytime through the Library's YouTube channel.

About Lachlan Kalari Bila - Sweet Water to the Sea

These deeply personal stories reveal a river that is far more than a waterway. The Kalari connects people, generations and places, carrying knowledge and responsibilities that continue today. The book also offers important insights into how we care for rivers into the future, bringing First Nations knowledge, cultural values and lived experience more strongly into land and water management.

While this book carries a strong focus on Wiradjuri stories, we also want to acknowledge that there are other Nations and individuals with connections to the Kalari whose stories are not reflected in this book.

Please note that this book is not sold physically. Free copies will be made available online, with a limited number of physical copies being sent out to libraries, universities and similar institutions.

About Isabel Goolagong

Isabel Goolagong is a Wiradjuri woman, cultural advisor, and dedicated advocate for the Kalari (Lachlan River) and its people. She works extensively with state and federal government agencies and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. As a Lachlan River consultant for the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN), she provides Indigenous knowledge and perspectives to inform water resource management.

A smiling woman with her hair tied up sits on a chair on a balcony, wearing a red top and a red and yellow scarf.

Isabel Goolagong, lead author of Lachlan Kalari Bila - Sweet Water to the Sea. Image courtesy of Jacinta Keefe.

Isabel is a member of the Lachlan Kalari Bila Aboriginal Water Committee. She is a current Cultural Advisor to the Flow-MER program, a member of the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program (AWEP) and a traditional consultant for workshops and consultations relating to legislative changes to the Water Resource Plans (WRPs). She is passionate about building bridges between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous communities, promoting the integration of Traditional Knowledge and western science to better preserve our beautiful waterways.

This event is presented in partnership with the Australian River Restoration Centre, the Centre for Applied Water Science at the University of Canberra and Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder through funding from the Flow-Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Program.