Love The Hunter... Rivers

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday January 14, 2009

Lisa Barritt-Eyles

ONCE essential to early European settlement, the Hunter River's status has changed over the years from integral transport system to recreational playground.

Lifelong resident of Millers Forest and local historian Margaret Osborn said her five-times-removed great grandfather was one of the first European settlers in the area and that by 1821 he was sending crops to Sydney via the Hunter River.

"The river was vital in the early days, everything revolved around it. It was the way in and the way out and the only way to receive supplies."

Mrs Osborn said people who live on the river have an ambivalent relationship with it due to flooding and silt build-up.

"The river has been more of a problem to us than anything else because it floods all the time. In June 2007 when the worst of the storms and flooding were over in Newcastle, we were still waiting for the water to come down the river. When it arrived, we were cut off for a week."

Nonetheless, cruise boats, rowers and kayakers have recognised the recreational potential of the Hunter River. Return day cruises from Newcastle to Morpeth were launched by Nova Cruises (pictured) on Australia Day last year.

General manager Peter Hanrahan said these trips and cruises to Raymond Terrace were very popular with both Hunter residents and visitors.

"A lot of people say they go on the cruise because the river is part of their backyard and they've never been up it. They want to see it for themselves."

Endeavour Rowing Club member Brent Tilse says the Hunter's rivers are under-utilised for recreation and that rowing is an environmentally friendly way to explore the river and its surrounds.

"We don't realise how much we can use the rivers. You can travel a long way on the Hunter's rivers, and rowing is good for you. Age is no barrier, you can do it until you're 90."

Mr Tilse is managing director of Greenleaf retirement villages and encourages residents to get out on the river to row on a weekly basis.

"I really believe getting involved in a sport can help people in retirement homes live up to 10 years longer. It gets the competitive spirit going and gives people something to look forward to."

© 2009 Newcastle Herald

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