Yarra Riverkeeper Association

Water is life. On this day and every day, honoring Indigenous Peoples by committing to a future where all communities have access to clean, safe, and reliable drinking water.

Mandy Nicholson and the Djirri Djirri dancers attuned us to listening, and hearing, Birrarung. Many Riverfest participants reported the River to be replenishment. Since then I have been looking out for the Djirri Djirri (Willy wagtail) Only one spotted at Westgate Park in September. #Riverfest #Burndapbirrarungburndapumarkoo

It's becoming a more common practice when meeting about the Yarra Birrrung, to meet on or near the River. I love that. This week, I rode through the City of Stonnington's Yarra River Biodiversity project (2010 - 2019) which has done so much to enhance the experience along the River corridor between Punt Rd and Grange Rd while increasing biodiversity and improving water quality. I responded to the invitation to 'Take a minute' and was rewarded by the many elements in this small site including Anton Hasell's Twist Bell (2019) which 'when touched by hand, the hollow structure emits a low, rumbling sound, as if giving voice to its surroundings.' #CityofStonnington #biodiversity #urbanwaterways Nutshell

So interesting to learn that Paris has a Museum of its sewers that talks about the city shaping choice in 1852 to have a shared stormwater and sewer system. Melbourne went down a different path in the 1890s with separated stormwater and sewer systems. In a way, Scienceworks in Spotswood is our Museum of the Sewers of Melbourne. The impressive buildings were designed bythe MMBW’s Christian Kussmaul in a classical revival style known as Second French Empire. https://lnkd.in/gVX5KhPS Different infrastructure choices have left different legacies. Re-thinking stormwater in every dimension is the urgent challenge we face now.

After more than 40 events over 22 days involving close to 2,000 people, we wrapped up with a massive celebration of the Yarra Birrarung at Fed Square for World Rivers Day. Some reflections ~ generosity flowed through Riverfest ~ Riverfest tapped into a reservoir of goodwill for the River - from visual artists, the Riverfest choir, business partners, event hosts, community groups, councils, agencies, universities - everyone gave more, and still more. ~ Riverfest connected people with the River, and with each other ~ the energy and commitment of community was powerfully mobilised. The care for the River was palpable. ~ the Riverfest brand re-inforced a sense of shared commitment and tied all the events together from Warburton to Westgate Park ~ people's understanding and knowledge of Birrarung was deepened and widened. ~ "it was in lockdown, in 2021 when . . . " was a recurrent theme for people's deepening relationship with the River Thanks to come. #burndapbirrarungburndapumarkoo #birrarungriverfest2024

Rug up to watch Birrarung, produced by Maudie Palmer, followed by the movie River at Fed Square this evening at 6 pm A great way to lead in to the Riverfest World Rivers Day celebration at Fed Square and The Edge on Sunday. https://lnkd.in/gW73giEG #shoutoutourivers #WorldRiversDay #BirrarungRiverfest #Riverfest

A full house for our Riverfest Rivercruise on a settled day to spend time on and with the River in good company. Speakers Sophie Hart, Harry Sadler and Zena Cumpston offered moving letters to and from Birrarung of great tenderness, thoughtfulness and deep reflection. Interacting with artist Deb Fisher and her incredible installation Riverbloom - tennis balls retrieved from the River - jewellery for Birrarung - was a highlight. We wrapped up with a collective reading of the Yarra Birrarung community vision "Our Yarra River, Birrarung, is respected as a sacred natural living entity and everyone takes responsibility for its care. Its health and integrity are paramount and uncompromised. Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo What is good for the Yarra is good for all." Thank you to Melbourne River Cruises for your generosity in enabling this event, and to all who got on board. #Birrarungriverfest 📷 Joshua Scott

Paul Boon's report for the CWA spells out the many functions performed by riparian corridors: ecological connectivity and wildlife corridors, shading of the river, provision of organic matter and woody debris, nutrient interception, stablislisation of riverbanks and reduction of erosion, and interception and storage of overland flow. When all those important functions are laid out so plainly, it becomes obvious why attention should be paid to the width and health of the riparian zone.

Thanks to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for creating the opportunity for Birrarung Riverfest participants to visit Melbourne Skyfarm and to Brendan Condon for being super generous in introducing us to the many facets of this abundant farm on the roof. #BirrarungRiverFest

A whirlWIND of a day, launching Birrarung Riverfest 2024! ~ starting the day with Wurundjeri man Daniel Ross Welcoming us to Country at Studley Park Boathouse to launch Riverfest ~ wattle day planting in Warrandyte ~ Deb Fisher's River Bloom at Gardiners Creek ~ finishing the day reflecting on the radical changes to the Yarra Birrarung implemented on Sir John Coode's recommendation at Library at the Dock with Christine McFetridge. I recalled when Yarra Riverkeeper Association last gathered at Studley Park Boathouse. It was to celebrate the passage of the Yarra River Protection (Wilip gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017. Now Riverfest contributes to Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo - what's good for the Birrarung is good for all - by creating an opportunity for communities, artists, agencies and local governments to connect with the Birrarung. All thanks to our outstanding Festival Producer Carolyn Tate #BundapBirrarungburndapumarkoo #BirrarungRiverfest