GROWING Up on the Mehi, a landmark three-day event, will bring people from across the northern Murray-Darling Basin together in Moree from June 25 to 27.

The gathering will be hosted by the Mehi Centre in Moree, Nature Conservation Council of NSW and the Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance.

The three-day program will see senior Aboriginal women sharing their experiences and knowledge of growing up along the Mehi River.

On Friday, June 26, government and non-government water experts will answer community questions about water rights, river management and the future of the river system.

The event will conclude with an open market day and community celebration on June 27.

Polly Cutmore said the Growing Up on the Mehi event will be an important milestone for Aboriginal women in the region.

Organisers say the gathering aims to achieve several long-term outcomes, including establishing a united voice for Aboriginal women on water issues, sharing cultural knowledge between generations and improving community understanding of water management.

A key outcome will be the development of a formal Statement of Intent outlining the expectations and priorities of Aboriginal women from the northern Murray-Darling Basin for the future management of water and Country.

The event, described by organisers as a significant step in advocating for First Nations water justice, will provide an opportunity for Aboriginal women to share stories, learn from water experts and develop a formal statement outlining their priorities for Country and water.

Polly Cutmore said the event will be an important milestone for Aboriginal women in the region.

“This is the first time there will be a meeting of all Elder women in town for as long as I can remember,” she said.

“It’s our time. For thousands of generations, Gamilaraay people have lived alongside, depended upon and spoken for this river.

“Despite being the original custodians of Country and water, Aboriginal women have been systematically excluded from water planning and decision-making in the Murray-Darling Basin. That changes here,” she said.

The Mehi River flows through the heart of Gamilaraay Country in north-western New South Wales and forms part of the Barwon-Darling river system within the Murray-Darling Basin.

Organisers say the event comes at a critical time for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and will highlight the role of Aboriginal women as cultural leaders with longstanding connections to the river and surrounding Country.

The Mehi Centre is providing local leadership and community connections for the event, while the Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance advocates for the protection of Australia’s largest river system. The Nature Conservation Council of NSW is the state’s peak environmental advocacy organisation.