Riverfest
21–29 September 2024
Riverfest is the Parramatta River Catchment Group’s annual, premier community event – celebrating the Parramatta River and surrounding creeks and environment!
This year’s festival is being held from Saturday, 21 September (World Clean Up Day) to Sunday, 29 September (World Rivers Day).
Coordinated by the Parramatta River Catchment Group, Riverfest events are run by community groups, councils and partner agencies across the catchment that focus on improving the health of our waterways, wildlife and their habitats and ways you can help.
The festival is an opportunity to connect to local groups, and we invite you to ‘come and try’ volunteering or learning about your local area.
See below for information on this year’s Event Program, hosting an event and how to get involved.
Event Program
This year’s Riverfest program offers a wide range of events and activities for you to connect with the Parramatta River and its surrounding creeks and environment and help make a difference. More events will be added in coming weeks, so check back regularly to see what’s on!
DURING RIVERFEST
National Biodiversity Month
Biodiversity is often described as ‘the web of life’, encompassing all living things and their ecosystems. This event is held each year to help promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity. Unfortunately, there are many threats to Australia’s biodiversity, including habitat destruction, introduced species, poor fire management and climate change. You can help protect Australia’s biodiversity in lots of ways, such as by taking part in National Wattle Day and National Threatened Species Day. Find out more.
SATURDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2024
World Clean Up Day
The World Clean Up Day annual event unites volunteers, governments and organisations in 191 countries to tackle the global waste problem and help create a more sustainable world.
Check this page for clean-up events being organised across the catchment. There will be groups in every part of the catchment, volunteering to help protect habitat. Find out more.
SUNDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2024
Spring Clean for Shorebirds – Community Clean Up @ Halliday Park
Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Venue: Halliday Park, Five Dock
Register for this event
Join us for our annual Spring Clean at Halliday Park this Riverfest! Roll up your sleeves and help us keep our parks and river clean as we welcome the Bar-tailed Godwits back to our foreshore!
The Bar-tailed Godwit is a cherished symbol of the Parramatta River – a small migratory shorebird that visits our city each spring to feed along our foreshore. Unfortunately, their visits have been declining in recent years, partly due to threats like river pollution and off-leash dogs in breeding areas.
To protect these birds and support Our Living River, come along for a festive community clean-up. All cleaning equipment is provided and there will also be fun activities and a free sausage sizzle for everyone!
Interested in learning how to identify and count birds? Birdlife Australia will be on-site to teach you how to participate in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count this October.
Live Stream Regeneration Masterclass
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Gallery Gardens, Picasso Crescent, Old Toongabbie
Register for this event
Join the River-caring Bushcare group for a hands-on workshop aimed at restoring the natural sidestream of Bogalara Creek.
This creek is being green-engineered to stabilise urban areas within the endangered River-flat Forest running through Old Toongabbie.
Register with the City of Parramatta Bushcare Volunteer program to participate. The workshop includes tree and sedge planting along the creek bank, easy hand-weeding, and habitat tours.
Enjoy a morning tea featuring native Warrigal spinach and cheese pastries. Gloves will be provided, but please wear sturdy shoes, appropriate clothing, and a hat.
SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2024
World Rivers Day
World Rivers Day celebrates the world’s waterways, highlighting the many values of our rivers and encouraging greater public awareness and improved management and protection. It started in Canada, where community action has restored rivers to help the salmon run free.
Each year, Parramatta River Catchment Group supports groups to run events on this day. Please fill out an Expression of Interest if your group would like to do an event or webinar this year. Find out more.
24U Youth Dragon Boat Event
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Location: Ryde Dragon Boat Club, Kissing Point Wharf, Putney
Register for this event
Looking for a new summer adventure? Join us for a ‘Come and Try’ session and discover the excitement of Dragon Boating! This event is open to youth and juniors (24 years and under).
Bring water in a plastic bottle, wear comfortable gym-style clothing and wet shoes (like crocs). Don’t forget a towel and a change of clothes! We’ll provide paddles and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). Come and give it a go!
Wetland Family Walk and Talk
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Location: William Lawson Wetland, Lancelot Street, Blacktown
Register for this event
Pack a picnic blanket and join us for a morning of family fun at William Lawson Wetland. A hidden gem in Blacktown City, this picturesque parkland features a large constructed wetland area, lots of ducks and other birdlife, walking paths and plenty of tree shade.
Book in for a guided tour to explore the wonders of this unique wetland, joining guides from Landcare NSW and Streamwatch. Learn how wetland systems work and their role supporting local biodiversity and waterway health. Not keen to walk? Get your hands wet testing water quality and catching local water bugs, have your face painted with one of our waterway mascots, or participate in environmental craft and hands-on fun.
This free event is organised by Blacktown City Council as part of Riverfest 2024, an ‘Our Living River’ initiative of the Parramatta River Catchment Group.
Volunteer for Riverfest
A key goal of Riverfest is to provide opportunities for the community to connect with their local waterways, environment and each other. Volunteers play a vital role in helping to run many of the events and activities.
Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people and have fun, learn more about your local area or support a cause you’re passionate about.
Riverfest offers many ways to volunteer, such as participating in citizen science activities, litter clean-ups or helping out at community events. Your contribution, no matter how small, makes a big difference to the success of Riverfest and allows more people to learn about and connect with the Parramatta River and its surrounds.
If you would like to learn more about ways you can volunteer for Riverfest, please contact the Riverkeeper, Camila Drieberg, at: riverkeeper@ourlivingriver.com.au.
Hosting an Event
Riverfest is an opportunity for community groups, councils, state government agencies and other organisations to showcase the work being done in the Parramatta River catchment to improve the health of our local waterways and provide opportunities for the community to connect with and support their local environment.
Expressions of Interest
We are seeking expressions of interest from relevant organisations and community groups who would like to run an event as part of this year’s Riverfest (21-29 September 2024).
The event can be in-person or online and include activities such as talks, workshops, seminars, walks, working bees or clean-ups.
To register your expression of interest, click here and complete the form.
The closing date for expressions of interest has been extended to Thursday, 22 August 2024.
All expressions of interest will be reviewed by PRCG and a response provided by end of August 2024.
If you would like more information, please contact the Riverkeeper, Camila Drieberg, at: riverkeeper@ourlivingriver.com.au.
