Australian Story: Season 24, Episode 11

24 - 11: Cry Me a River

Introduced by Mal Leyland

When 21-year-old Menindee farmer Kate McBride came across thousands of dying fish in her beloved Darling River she was determined to tell the country what was happening.

She posted the pictures on her family's Facebook page and the images went viral.

"I don't think there's a way to put into words what seeing millions of dead fish on the river that you've called home for your whole life is," she remembers. "It was just pure devastation… these animals were suffering."

By the time truckloads of fish were disposed of at the town dump, Kate was emerging as a fierce advocate for the health of the Darling River and a leader to watch.

She's been documenting local health concerns about water supplies from the river and is pushing for a Federal Royal Commission.