WHY NETWORK 43

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On The Tamar for instance, in an attempt to downplay cultural considerations, and to focus on more pragmatic issues with added ‘scientific’ accuracy, the ‘water catchment‘ has been given the number 43 – or more precisely the name, Catchment 43 … likewise 40 for the Macquarie system; 41 for the South Esk; and 42 for the North Esk. It’s a ‘place’ that finds its physicality in a ‘waterway’ as well as the adjoining land and placescaping located at the confluence of the Tamar and Tasmania’s two Esk Rivers.

At the confluence of the Tamar and the two Esk River something in excess of 20% of Tasmania's water caught in its catchments passes that point. So, a network of networks – NETWORK43 – that radiates from that point up and down 'the catchments' makes sense. Likewise, catching story telling, vernacular musings, whatever, for publication in the 'the catchments' seems to make sense as well.

Catchment 43 is a place that might be understood, even if somewhat differently, as ponrabbel if we invoke palawa-kani, Tasmanian Aboriginal language, and thus invoke palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal!) cultural imperatives. Here palawa understandings and palawa knowledge systems created a cultural landscape. ponrabbel is a palawa understanding and imagining of place and the place’s utility and amenity.