Up the Mighty Murray! – Episode 16: Where the Murray changed course

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 16                  Where the Murray changed course

 

At Echuca in the Goulburn Valley League

 

Echuca on the Murray

 

In episode 16 we soak up the history and geography of the Echuca region. We will also investigate one of the Murray’s major Victorian tributaries, the Goulburn River, and the football league that shares its name. The Echuca section of the Murray is one of the most geographically significant along its entire length, for it is here that the course of the mighty river was dramatically changed. 

 

The Cadell Tilt and the changing course of the Murray River

(adapted from http://www.envirostories.com.au/

source of base map: Google Earth)

 

How the Murray River changed course –  the sequence of events

 

1. Prior to the tectonic uplift known as the Cadell Tilt, which commenced approximately 70 000 years ago, the Murray flowed westwards across the plains beyond Mathoura in a prior stream, Green Gully (see map above: Ancient Murray River).
2. Approximately 45 000 years ago uplift along a north-south fault line between Deniliquin and Rochester, via Echuca, forced the Murray to be entrapped causing a large expanse of water fed by glacial and snow melt to be formed (Northern Lake). 
3. Eventually the waters of the Murray broke through the lake and flowed in a new direction, to the north through the Edward River channel (old Murray course) on its westward journey to meet the Wakool River and finally the Murray west of Kyalite. Meanwhile the Goulburn and the Campaspe Rivers were stranded in a southern lake (Lake Kanyapella) near the site of Barmah. 
4. Fluvial and aeolian (water and wind) action eventually allowed the Murray (present day Murray River) to push southwards through what is known as the ‘Narrows’ or the Barmah Choke, into the course of the ancient Campaspe River, while the Goulburn River followed suit. But that event is a very recent one, only about 550 years ago. Interestingly, because of the restriction of the Barmah Choke, more water flowing down the Murray River passes through the Edward River than the present day Murray itself.

 

Local Yorta Yorta Indigenous people have a version explaining the most recent change in the course of the Murray River (Dhungala). Their folklore explains that the local Aboriginal people carved a channel through the sandhills holding the waters of the Northern Lake back, which then allowed the water to flow into the Goulburn River and form the modern course of the Murray.

 

Another significant after-effect of the Cadell Tilt, around 6 000 years ago, was the formation of the Barmah forests which were fed by snowmelt flows down the Murray. Upon reaching the lowlands the water spilled out in seasonal flooding events providing an ideal environment for the vast River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forests we see today. And that takes us to a major theme of next week’s episode – River Red Gums.

 

The Barmah-Millewa Forests house the largest continuous stand of the species on the continent, in fact, the largest River Red Gum forest in the world. Some stands are estimated to be at least 400 years old. The Barmah Forest is on the Victorian side of the Murray, while the Millewa group of forests are on the NSW side. Together they occupy 65 000 ha of Murray River floodplain country. The Barmah forest is a Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance) and was recently declared a national park, managed by Parks Victoria in partnership with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and the Yorta Yorta Traditional Owner Land Management Board.

 

Management issues of the Barmah-Millewa Forests include changes to flooding regimes, ‘blackwater events’ (see episode 14) and the impacts of introduced species of mammals (horses, foxes and rabbits in particular) and invasive plants. The management responses involve: prioritising the timing of seasonal flooding to promote the growth of floodplain vegetation and to support breeding water birds; the control of invasive plants; and the eradication of introduced grazing animals. The vision of the management plan for Barmah National Park is ‘Heal the Land, Heal the People – Healthy Country’. 

 

Arrival at Echuca 

 

We tie up at the historic Echuca Wharf, lower the light blue and white striped Lower Murray flag and raise the dark blue and white striped Upper Murray flag before resuming our five month river marathon. Hopwood’s Ferry, as Echuca was first known, was a major paddle steamer port on the mighty Murray. In Echuca’s heyday (1860 to early 1900s) there were 250 paddle steamers and 700 barges working up and down the Murray, most of which visited the port. Today it is home to the largest collection of paddle steamers in the world.

 

Paddle steamers on the Murray at Echuca

 

Here amid the paddle steamer whistles, the clip-clop of horse hooves and the cacophony of corella and cockatoo screeches is one of Victoria’s major inland tourist attractions. The historic red brick portside buildings and the red gum timber wharf lining the river set the scene. For many visitors it is a place to ‘experience’ the life and colour of a river town from 150 years ago, but for those who prefer the peace and quiet of a river journey, it is a shade too theme park-like. 

 

The Goulburn is Victoria’s largest river basin covering 7% of the state. The Goulburn River flows for 600 km from its source in the Great Dividing Range to its confluence with the Murray River just east of Echuca. It is an important water resource for not only Victoria, but also the Murray system as far downstream as South Australia. Like the other major rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin, its flow is highly regulated. Lake Eildon and the Goulburn Weir, near Nagambie, store water for peak releases in summer, which serve the Murray-Goulburn Irrigation District, the towns throughout the Goulburn Basin and provide water for the environment under the Living Murray Program. The Barmah-Millewa Forests (NSW) are one of the six key sites in that program.

 

Indigenous footballers from the Goulburn Valley League

 

In this episode we continue the celebration of Indigenous footballers along the Murray as we reflect on the football careers of five GVL champions – Jeff Cooper, John Cooper, Gary Cooper, Charlie Stewart and Dowie Bux. There are many other indigenous players of note who have played in the Goulburn Valley League, such as Bobby Egan and Brian Bennett, but here we celebrate the careers of the cream of the crop.

 

The name Cooper has been prominent in GVL football from the late 1950s to this day. In fact, Coopers were members of the Cummeragunja football teams of the early 20th Century.

 

Jeff Cooper was a champion player with Kyabram in the GVL during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He first played senior football with Mid Murray League club Woorinen in 1955 before joining Mathoura in the Echuca District League where he won the league best and fairest award in 1957. In 1958 Cooper transferred to Kyabram and won the Morrison Medal in his first year of GVL football. It was a triple celebration for the classy Cooper who was a premiership player and also the winner of Kyabram’s goal kicking award. Three years later he won the medal for a second time and in the following two seasons was second and third, respectively, in the best and fairest counting. Jeff Cooper played a total of 104 games with the Bombers and is a member of the club’s Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the GVFNL Hall of Fame in 2019.

 

Whilst Jeff was a small player he was powerful with relentless running power, speed and reflexes. He was a player well ahead of his years and the game as it was played in those days. Coaches in today’s frenetic style of football would have loved the way he ran through the lines, dodging, mesmerising and frustrating opponents with his scorching pace and uncanny ball skills. Umpires in the GVL appreciated his electrifying style of play. (GVFNL Hall of Fame, June 2019)

 

Good judges in the Goulburn Valley rate Jeff Cooper as an absolute champion, one of the best all time GVFL players, and the best player never to play VFL football. 

 

 

Jeff Cooper

(source: GVFNL Hall of Fame)

 

Jeff’s brother John Cooper also played with Kyabram in the 1950s and 1960s. John started at Kyabram with a “seconds player” tag, but quickly shed that and showed he was a very formidable player. He is remembered as a “tough as teak” midfielder not given to taking backward steps. So much so that legendary Richmond and Shepparton coach Tom Hafey described John as one of the toughest rivals he had met on a football field – Goulburn Valley and VFL!  John Cooper’s son Gary continued the family’s fine tradition in GVL football. (source: Kyabram Free Press, 12 July 2023)

 

 

John Cooper

(source: GVFNL Hall of Fame)

 

Gary Cooper

 

Gary Cooper burst onto the GVL scene in the early 1970s as a pacy rover playing for Tatura. 

 

His natural talent for the game was immediately obvious as was the way he reminded older football followers in the Goulburn Valley of two Coopers they had witnessed before – his father, John, and his Uncle Jeff.

 

Gary Cooper in his Mooroopna days

(source: GVFNL Hall of Fame)

 

Gary won the first of his three Morrison Medals in 1976, with his second coming in 1983 and third in 1985 playing with Mooroopna. It was through interleague football (the Winfield Country Football Championships) in 1978 that Gary’s wonderful football ability became more widely known. That day he was the best on ground when the Goulburn Valley League knocked off the Hampden League in the final to become Victorian Country Champions. He would eventually play a record 23 games for the GVL. Gary spent two seasons (1980-81) playing with Mount Gambier in South Australia before returning home to play with Shepparton United. His next move was to Mooroopna where he was a driving force in the Cats’ back to back premierships of 1985-86. A true sportsman, Gary was never reported during his 322 game career.

 

When he was inducted into the GVL Hall of Fame in 2014, Gary was described as one of the “true greats of the league”.

 

Gary was often referred to as Mr Magic as he flashed around the ground giving a magical performance.  He was a great crowd puller as fans flocked to see the mercurial rover perform. The thousands of fans who saw him play will always remember his mercurial ability (GVFNL Hall of Fame).

 

It was recently announced that a medal named in his honour will be awarded whenever two of his former GVL clubs, fierce rivals Tatura and Mooroopna, meet.

 

Charlie Stewart

 

 

Charlie Stewart in his Footscray days

(source: AustralianFootball.com)

 

One of the five great indigenous players from the GVL we meet in this episode did play senior VFL football. Charlie Stewart from Nathalia, and later Lemnos, played 20 games with Footscray as a wingman in 1961, but was a reserve on grand final day against Hawthorn After returning home he was assistant coach and captain of Kyabram in 1963 and then captain coach of the Bombers from 1964-66. Stewart was a brilliant centreman in the Goulburn Valley winning the Morrison Medal in 1963. He took the Bombers to three grand final appearances against the all conquering Shepparton in the mid 1960s. Charlie Stewart was inducted into the Kyabram Football Club’s Hall of Fame as a ‘legend’ in 2015.

 

Dowie Bux

 

Dowie Bux

(source: GVFNL Hall of Fame)

 

Dowie Bux was recruited by Mooroopna from Nathalia in 1969. It was a smart choice by the Cats, as the speedster won back to back Morrison Medals in 1972 and 1973. He was also runner up on two occasions. In 1972 Geelong talent scouts spotted Bux and invited him to play on match permits with their Reserves team. He played 203 games with Mooroopna completing his football career in 1981 as a player who was never reported. Dowie was later honoured with life membership and legend status with Mooroopna. When he was inducted into the GVL Hall of Fame in 2018 he was described as “Mooroopna’s much loved son”.

 

A wonderful player with blistering pace and spectacular ability. Dowie had conquered some great opponents during his career and his football philosophy was “never underestimate your opponent”.(GVL Hall of Fame)

 

A day at the footy in the Goulburn Valley League

 

 

 

Match of the round: Echuca v Euroa

 

Saturday 29th July 2023

at Victoria Park, Echuca 

 

 

Murray Bombers             v               Magpies

 

A football competition in the Goulburn Valley commenced in 1894 and was called the Goulburn Valley District Football Association. The five original clubs were Kyabram, Mooroopna, Shepparton, Shepparton Ramblers and Tatura. In 1914 the name Goulburn Valley League was adopted. The most successful club in the league’s history is Shepparton (the ‘Bears’) who have won 27 premierships. 

 

The GVFL boasts the highest number of current AFL players of all leagues along the Murray. Eighteen players who started their football in the Goulburn Valley are now on the lists of the 18 AFL clubs. Some very exciting young players and experienced AFL champions are in that company – Joshua Rachele (Adelaide) from Shepparton Swans, Jamie Elliott (Collingwood) from Euroa, Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) from Mooroopna and Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide) from Echuca. Add to those names the likes of Jy Simpkin, Harry Morrison, Jarman Impey, Alex Keath, Lachie Ash, Jake Kelly, Nick Holman, Caleb Marchbank and Laitham Vandermeer and you can appreciate the strength of football in the Goulburn Valley.

 

The Echuca Football Club is one of the oldest football clubs in country Victoria with a history dating back to 1874. Rochester was formed in the same year and stated its purpose as “soon playing and beating Echuca“. An intense rivalry between the clubs has endured ever since regardless of which competition the clubs were playing in. Over the course of its history Echuca has spent time in both the Goulburn Valley football fraternity (Echuca District FA, Goulburn Valley FL, Echuca FL) and the Bendigo League. The Murray Bombers rejoined the GVFL in 1974 after spending a quarter of a century in the strong Bendigo competition. Echuca have won 17 premierships, with their most successful era being the immediate post WWII years when they won three flags in a row in the Echuca FL. The Murray Bombers are the reigning GVFL premiers.

 

Echuca has produced a long list of VFL/AFL players, most notably Graeme Landy (Geelong, Richmond), Paul Brown (Geelong), David Cameron (Geelong, Brisbane Bears), Andrew Walker (Carlton) and Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide). Andrew Walker returned to his home town Echuca in 2018 and was captain/co-coach of the Murray Bombers. His mentoring and onfield contributions finally climaxed with the 2022 premiership, the club’s first flag in 20 years. The Murray Bombers Reserves and Thirds also won premierships in 2022, making Echuca the season’s GVFL Champion Club.

 

Euroa formed a football club in 1880 and have competed in four football leagues over the course of their 143 year history (North Eastern FA, Euroa District FL, Waranga North East FL and the Goulburn Valley FL). The Magpies joined the GVFL in 1971 and promptly won the flag in their first season in that company. One further premiership followed in 1990. Their most successful era was 1963-71 when they claimed seven flags. 

 

Former Euroa players recruited by VFL clubs include, among others: Rory Hilton (Brisbane, Richmond), Les Reed (Geelong), Bert Carey (Fitzroy), Don Gross (Essendon) and Jamie Elliott (Collingwood). One of the club’s favourite sons is Dick O’Bree. The Euroa-born O’Bree was a sensation as a 16 year old at Lake Boga (Mid Murray FL) where he kicked 140 goals and was part of a premiership team in 1953. He was firmly on Collingwood’s radar at that time playing practice matches in Melbourne before returning home to the country. O’Bree was a Euroa premiership player in 1957 and 1958. He began coaching the Magpies in 1963 and took the club to premierships in 1963, 64, 65, 67, 69 and 1970. O’Bree then coached the Magpies to a premiership in 1971 in its first year in the GVFL. He also coached the reserves to numerous premierships at the same time as coaching the senior team. The prolific full forward kicked 1285 goals in his career and played in 10 premierships. He only played four games with Collingwood before breaking a leg in 1957. His on again-off again VFL career, to which he never fully committed, ended prior to the start of the 1958 season when he headed back to Euroa for good.

 

 

Our featured match in Round 15 of the GVFL is one v four, Echuca at home to Euroa. In 2022 Echuca (the Murray Bombers) and Euroa (the Magpies) staged one of the classic GVL grand finals, with the Murray Bombers holding out the Magpies to win by 12 points. Could they meet again this September? Seymour is also a strong contender for September action.

 

The last time they met: round 8 2023 Echuca 6.11 (47) defeated Euroa 5.8 (38) at Memorial Oval, Euroa.

 

 

The match

 

Echuca did it again, surging away in the second half to a convincing victory. That’s a sign of a top team. For the second time this season Echuca defeated their opponents from last years’ grand final. The green and white Murray Bombers sang their team song in celebration of win number 14 for 2023 and look in fine shape to push for back-to-back flags.

 

“Down by the Murray,

Nestled in amongst the gums

There is a town that is beautiful to see.

And from that town there comes a team of footballers,

Who play the game magnificently.

Up there Echuca, up there Echuca,

Up there Echuca, you’ll do me.

We’ll tear and we’ll fight

For the grand ol’ Green and White

Up there Echuca you’ll do me”

 

 

Scores

 

Echuca 4.1 6.3 11.6 16.7 (103)

Euroa 2.1 7.4 9.4 11.5 (71)

 

Goal kickers – Echuca: Tenace 3, Langborne 2, Anderson 2, Monahan 2, Valentine, Wales, Stewart, Byrne, McHale, Parsons, Willoughby

 

Euroa: Stewart 2, Trotter, Bamford, Gleeson, Bell, Uthayakumar, Hayes, Wilson, Cairns, Harrison

 

Best – Echuca: Matthew Lias, Cameron Valentine, Sam Willoughby, Jack Evans, Noah Langborne

 

Euroa: Jacob Gleeson, Max Gleeson, Nathan Stewart, Lincoln Mckernan, Jake Penman

 

Around the grounds of the Goulburn Valley League

The round 15 winners in other matches were Shepparton, Seymour, Kyabram, Mansfield and Benalla.

 

Golf at Rich River

 

(source: richriver.com.au)

 

Rich River Golf Club is located on the Murray River at the twin towns of Echuca Moama. It is situated on the NSW side of the river at Moama. The two championship courses at Rich River attract golfers from far and wide for a memorable Murray River golfing experience. The course recently hosted the 2023 NSW Open. Have any Almanackers had a round of golf at Rich River?

 

Next episode: to Mathoura in the Picola and District League

 

 

 

Read all episodes of ‘Up The Mighty Murray’ and Peter Clark’s previous series Here.

 

 

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