• Charles Sturt hosts ‘Exploration Series – Living with the Hume Dam, 1919-2019’ to mark the dam’s 100-year milestone
• Series will provoke conversations about the dam and its environmental, social and economic impact
• University has invited 10 speakers to explain the history and legacy of the dam

It has been 100 years since work began on the Hume Dam and to mark the milestone, Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) is co-hosting an event that delves into the history, impact and legacy of the iconic landmark.

Charles Sturt in Albury-Wodonga has partnered with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, La Trobe University and the Albury and District Historical Society to create the public lecture event: Exploration Series – Living with the Hume Dam, 1919-2019.

Director of External Engagement in Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga Ms Samantha Beresford said the collaboration had cultural and historical significance to the region.

“This event will engage the rural and regional communities served by the University in discussion and debate about major issues facing our regions, including water and land use,” she said.

“The Hume Dam is an important contributor to this region and it is exciting Charles Sturt University can partner with La Trobe University and the Albury and District Historical Society to make this story accessible and bring the dam’s history to life.”

The event will feature 10 speakers, including the president of the Albury and District Historical Society Mr Greg Ryan, representatives from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Water NSW, ecologists and university professors.

Discussions will be held about the dam’s impact on the surrounding region as well as how this landscape can increase the understanding of past and present Indigenous culture.

Associate Professor Bruce Pennay in the University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society research centre organised the event and said this Exploration Series is a look into a milestone that joins the ranks of the centenary of the Great Ocean Road and the 70^th anniversary of the Snowy Hydroelectric Scheme.

“We hope that this mini-conference and the other events organised to make the centenary show that the University and the Albury-Wodonga community values the Hume Dam and its environs,” he said.

The Wodonga Albury Camera Club will showcase 70 images its members have taken of the dam and surrounding areas before father-and-son musicians John and James Ross perform a piece they comprised for the occasion titled Water Music.

The Exploration Series is a Two Cities One Community initiative and is held with the support of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

It is a free event, to be held on Thursday 28 November from 4.30pm at the Commercial Club in Dean Street, Albury, and registrations must be made via the University’s website.