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.
September in Wistaria Gardens 2024
Dates: To be confirmed
Time: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Location: Wistaria Gardens, Parramatta Park
Entry: FREE
September in Wistaria is back for another year, bringing two weekends full of sun, music and spring flowers at Parramatta Park! This year, take part in one of our many tours and guided walks to experience the park in new and interesting ways. Learn about First Nations’ culture and Wistaria Gardens spring plantings, explore one of Australia’s oldest buildings, take a self-guided tour along the Parramatta River, and much more! 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.
www.worldcleanupday.org/get-involved
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.
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, Jasmine Payget, 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 Wednesday, 31st July 2024.
All expressions of interest will be reviewed by PRCG and a response provided by early August 2024.
If you would like more information, please contact the Riverkeeper, Jasmine Payget, at: riverkeeper@ourlivingriver.com.au.
