Living Memory South Murwillumbah
Project
South Murwillumbah has a rich history, but there's a notable absence: no accessible environmental history exists that brings together the stories of this place and its people.
As part of Living Memory South Murwillumbah historian Jo Kijas is addressing this gap. But her research depends on more than archival material — it also needs to include knowledge held by South Murwillumbah residents themselves.
For many living near the major rivers in the Northern Rivers region, floods have been the foremost natural hazard. Increasingly, responses to natural disasters are shifting from recovery to long-term, knowledge-driven preparation. This requires grappling with the interwoven histories of people and place—environmental histories that can help build safer, more resilient futures.
1901 old ferry crossing between Murwillumbah and Southside. Photo courtesy of Tweed Regional Museum.
c1920 aerial view meandering downstream from Byangum. Photo courtesy of Tweed Regional Museum.
Steam boat at Murwillumbah 1930. Photo courtesy of Tweed Regional Museum.
Throughout February—April 2026, a curated series of historical stories 'South Murwillumbah Matters' will be shared through Facebook page It Takes A Town. Jo will be sharing a geographical context, early settlement history, flood records and community stories. Each post invites contribution—residents adding their memories, corrections, photographs and observations to build a richer picture of place.
Understanding our past enables us to prepare for our future. True adaptation isn't found solely in infrastructure or government programs—it lives in the social knowledge and community connections, built in place, that sustain people through adversity.
Do you have something to share?
We're seeking your stories, images and memories—from last week and last century—about South Murwillumbah and your relationships with the river.
Project collaborators
Dr Jo Kijas
Jo is a consultant historian and Adjunct Fellow at Southern Cross University, specialising in environmental, community and settler-colonial history with a focus on oral history practice. She has published widely, including nine commissioned histories and multiple award-winning projects. She is co-author of two Tweed Regional Museum publications: The Other Side of the World and Caravans and Communes: Stories of Settling in the Tweed.
Jo runs oral history workshops and has contributed to major heritage initiatives such as Lismore’s Wilson River Experience Walk. Her work explores the histories of rivers, wetlands and remnant landscapes across the Far North Coast.
Elise Derwin
Elise is an award-winning photographer based on Bundjalung Country in Lismore, NSW, specialising in documentary and editorial photography.
Her images have featured in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, The Australian and other major newspapers. Elise has worked extensively across Australia, particularly in the Northern Territory, and completed assignments in the United States, Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
Fuelled by genuine connection to people and places, Elise aims to capture whole stories, not just moments. By taking time to know her subjects, she tells important, often personal stories through images filled with humanity and compassion.
Living Memory South Murwillumbah is supported by NSW Reconstruction Authority, Southern Cross University and University of Technology Sydney. The NSW Reconstruction Authority is funding this work on behalf of the Australian Government.
