26-Jul-2011 - 26-Jul-2011

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Professor Peter Cullen AO was a man who said what he thought — clearly, and with a solid backing of research and experience in freshwater ecology and water science. He was a gifted communicator and mentor in water policy and environmentally-sound river management, at federal level and at ground level, with influential roles in important government and advisory bodies.

Peter was so insightful that much of what he said and wrote more than three years ago is still extremely relevant, particularly with the Draft Murray-Darling Plan due out soon. For example, “We need to measure and manage the whole water cycle rather than selected bits of it and we need to engage with communities to take them along on the journey as we confront on-going water scarcity for rural Australia.”

‘This Land Our Water: Water Challenges for the 21^st Century’ was initiated by Peter’s wife, Reverend Vicky Cullen, and assembled with valuable assistance from Dr John Williams, NSW Natural Resources Commissioner, and former Chief of CSIRO Land & Water. The book spans Peter’s voluminous output from 1990 to 2008.

“Half the papers in the book were written in 2007 at about one or two per month,” Vicky explained at the book launches. “Peter had so many innovative ideas ... He was driven to write all these ideas down. ‘No time to publish’, he said. All his most recent talks are also here.”

Dr Williams says: “Peter would hate us to eulogise him via this book if we fail to hear his call to act and better manage the rivers he so loved. Read it. Do it. Get engaged again!”.

‘This Land Our Water’ was launched during June, in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

To purchase a copy for $79.95 + postage and handling, please email us on office@petercullentrust.com.au.  Payment can be by either cheque or direct debit.