RiverFest 2024 will be celebrating the Richmond River and its tributaries and revitalising the rivers of the Richmond catchment between September 22 and October 20.
In her diary Mary Bundock, daughter of one of the first settler families who came to the upper Richmond in 1842, recorded that, ‘The Upper Richmond was then a beautiful stream of clear water, running over clean sand and pebbles, an ideal of beauty and purity not to be surpassed anywhere, with steeply shelving banks either of clean grass or shaded by beautiful trees of many kinds.’
The aim of the Richmond Riverkeepers is to improve the health of the Richmond River and its catchment so that it is once again swimmable, fishable, and drinkable – closing the gap between what it once was, and what it has become.
Join in RiverFest
The Richmond RiverFest is asking the community to get involved and will start in Lismore on World Rivers Day, September 22 with the launch event, RiverTime. RiverTime will mark the official start of the festival with a dynamic day of activities at Riverside Park. The event will include river-themed stalls, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities, all designed to inspire and engage the local community.
This will be followed by a range of activities throughout the region over the next month including a Paddle on the Wilsons River in Lismore, a Brunswick River kayak, clean up and and mangrove tour, a sustainable fishing day on the banks of the Richmond, tree planting, writing workshop and nature journaling and more. The closing event, Where the Waters Meet in Coraki on October 20.
‘These cornerstone events will highlight the importance of healthy, thriving rivers and provide opportunities for community involvement in river restoration and protection,’ said organisers.
Where the Waters Meet in Coraki will conclude the festival with a community picnic, river paddle, and tree planting day, encouraging ongoing stewardship of the Richmond River.
For more details on the events, registration, and how you can participate, please visit the Richmond RiverFest website at www.richmondriverfest.com.
The Richmond Riverkeeper is for drinkable, fishable, and swimmable rivers – to find out more visit richmondriver.org.au
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