Community events

The Our Living River team has participated in a wide range of community events in recent weeks, from tree planting and clean-ups to a celebration of Aboriginal culture. We have enjoyed so many wonderful conversations with people about our Ten Steps to a Living River. Thank you to everyone who has dropped by to say hello at one or more of these events.

Powells Creek Open Day

Sydney Water hosted a community open day to celebrate the transformation of Powells Creek. The creek has been naturalised by removing the deteriorating concrete and replacing it with natural sandstone, native plants and new cycle paths and walkways. It offers fantastic habitat opportunities for our local wildlife, including our wonderful mascots, the Bar-tailed Godwit and Powerful Owl.

Local residents were treated to marine and wildlife shows, interactive talks, kids’ activities, and a free sausage sizzle and coffee. Our Living River was one of several community stalls that provided information on a range of interests from recycling and wildlife to projects and activities in the local area.

National Tree Day

The Our Living River team took part in the City of Parramatta’s National Tree Planting Day on 30 July at Third Settlement Reserve in North Rocks. More than 1000 volunteers planted 10,000 seedlings along Toongabbie Creek – an amazing effort and great example of communities coming together to conserve their local environment!

Photos: Rowena Clarke.

Beat the Bottle

An initiative of Sydney Water, the Beat the Bottle event was held on the river foreshore near Lennox Bridge in Parramatta’s CBD. The aim of the event was to bring the community together to keep our waterways free from plastic waste.

Lots of volunteers came along to help clean up the Parramatta River, some of whom hopped on their kayaks to fish out a range of rubbish from the river and surrounding environment, including three shopping trolleys! By the end of the day, over 167kg of rubbish had been collected, including 7700 cigarette butts, 122 water bottles, 80 straws, and 300 plastic food wrappers.

Burramatta Naidoc

The theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week was ‘Because of her, we can!’, which recognised the invaluable contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made, and continue to make, to families, communities, and culture.

There was a range of free activities including music and dance, workshops, traditional arts and crafts, astronomy, barbecues, heritage tours and market stalls. Singer-songwriter Casey Donovan performed her hit songs and the event ended with a spectacular fireworks display.