Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal scientist knowledge shared on-country at Toorale: a case study to encourage non-Aboriginal scientists to take their first step

"Beautiful to see the brolgas, they are here to welcome us because they know that we're here to help them, cause they're our people. . ." Uncle Badger Bates The imperative to incorporate Aboriginal knowledge into Australian freshwater management has never been clearer. The 2024 Menindee fish kill highlight failures in current management and monitoring. Federal and select State Governments have recognised Aboriginal cultural water practices as a component of regional water sharing plans and as an ingredient in sustainable freshwater catchment management. Drawing on stories, experiences and conversations gathered during an 'on Country' knowledge-sharing day at Toorale Station near Bourke, New South Wales, this paper explores the interplay between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal scientist knowledge. Four major themes emerged from the day regarding the current state and future management of the Warriku (Warrego River) and Baaka (Darling River): 1) the experience of welcome and being on Country; 2) the holism associated with a Country perspective; 3) the threats posed to the Baaka and the Warriku and their peoples by settler-colonial land and water management policies and practices; and 4) future directions. This case study aims to help non-Aboriginal scientists bring Aboriginal peoples and their knowledge into environmental monitoring and management of Australian freshwater environments.