by Gabriella Vukman
Running for three weeks over September, the 2024 Birrurung River Fest is a Victoria-wide celebration and recognition of the Yarra River.
With events located across Eastern Victoria from Federation Square, to Warrandyte, to Warburton, the festival is free and open to all.
Having commenced on September 1, the festival is scheduled to end September 22, with a big finale event in Federation Square.
2024 Birrarung River Fest producer Carolyn Tate said, “The festival is about collaboration and bringing the community together.”
“Really my role is about identifying all the organisations, communities, government agencies, individuals, artists and all the people along the river who have got an interest in the river and who are running projects and things,” Carolyn said.
First introduced in 2023, the Birrurung River festival started out as an idea before quickly evolving into 16 events, attended by approximately 440 people.
Carolyn said, “This year we have been funded through Melbourne Water and have expanded the festival so we’ve been able to run over 40 events and we are expecting over 2000 people over the period of the festival.”
According to Carolyn, the Birrurung River Festival is important because “Victorians do love the river and I think we are all looking for ways to connect to nature.”
Carolyn said, “The bigger picture is that people are really craving connection to nature and the river is a really great way to connect because there are a lot of things that can be done for or with the river such as tree planting, kayaking and clean ups.”
“I love swimming in the river. It is a way for people to connect to the lifeforce of our state because it is 240 km long and it is an incredible, iconic river that is loved by so many and riverfest is a way to celebrate and reflect on our relationship with the river and whether we are using our head, heart and hands to restore and rejuvenate it to its rightful health.”
Warburton events will run from Saturday September 14 to Sunday September 15 with a variety of activities throughout the suburb.
The Warburton events across the weekend of September 14-15 consist of:
A Wayapa earth connection practice with Michelle Maxwell on the grassed areas across from Koha community house.
A documentary screening of ‘River’ at the Warburton Arts Centre.
Smoking ceremonies at the Redwood community Centre
Birrarung River bathing at platypus bend behind the Redwood Centre.
Cultural activities at the Redwood Centre
Qi Gong with Peter Lorbeck
A walkshop with Maya Ward.
Ephemeral Art workshop with local Warburton artist Sioux
Eco-linking with Anni Bolitho.
For more information visit the Warburton Riverfest page on:https://ticketing.humanitix.com/tours/warburton-birrarung-riverfest
