Celebrating the region’s rivers

THE inaugural Richmond Riverfest kicked off on Sunday, a four-week-long celebration of the life force of the Richmond River.

The event is presented by Richmond Riverkeeper and supported by community groups and government organisations.

Richmond Riverkeeper aims to “make the rivers of the Richmond catchment swimmable, fishable and drinkable again”, and has 20 events on the calendar to highlight the importance of river health.

RiverTime kicked off the festival, celebrating World Rivers Day on Sunday with river-themed stalls, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities.

Uncle Roy, Uncle Billy, the Nini Nahri-Gali Dance Group, and Abigail and Tess shared their culture with the community.

Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub and Wilson River Landcare shared their creative healing, and River Ecology Australia and OzFish Unlimited brought awareness about river health.

Event activities during Richmond Riverfest include arts days, tree planting, social paddle days, writing workshops, and fishing.

This week’s events include Fruity Landcare day at Banyam Baigham Wetlands in North Lismore on Saturday, September 28, and the Woodburn Riverside Festival from 9am to 7pm at Riverside Park, Woodburn.

Tree planting at Boomerang Creek at Rosebank is on Sunday, September 29 from 9am to 1pm, with the aim to plant an impressive 750 trees into the landscape.

A social paddle on Wilsons River is also being held on Sunday, starting at 9am at the Canoe Clue (Old Rowing Club) Carpark,

beyond the levee wall in Magellan Street, Lismore.

The Namabunda NAIDOC/Community Event is on Monday, September 30 at Namabunda Farm from 10am to 2pm at 112 Whites Lane, Alstonville.

The event will conclude with Where the Waters Meet in Coraki on October 20 with a community picnic, river paddle and tree planting day, encouraging ongoing stewardship of the Richmond River.

For more information on events, go to richmondriverfest.com