When asked why the Werribee River Association decided to start its own festival, Jess Fairfax gets straight to the point.
“It’s basically about celebrating the Werribee River,” said Ms Fairfax, one of the organisers of the inaugural River FEST which will take place on September 24 to coincide with World River Day.
“It’s a pretty amazing natural asset that we’ve got. It runs 110km from Wombat State Forest down to Port Phillip Bay, through areas close to our homes, central Werribee and it’s something we enjoy walking and cycling along and has great naturally flora and fauna.
“I reckon it needs as much celebration as possible.”
Given the line-up of attractions booked for the festival, Ms Fairfax and her colleagues are certainly staying true to their word.
Beginning with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, the festival’s main stage will feature performances from 60-person community choir, Glee West, celebrated western suburbs band, The Orbweavers and will be headlined by Ethiopian born, now Wyndham-based musician, Nhatty Man.
Weaving, painting and craft workshops will also be held, as will drumming, conservation and recycling activities.
Featuring throughout will be the platypus, the Werribee River’s most famous fauna.
Ms Fairfax said the platypus represented why the Werribee River shouldn’t just be celebrated but protected too, another focus of the festival.
“There’s also threats to the river such as pollution and run-off that we as a community can help protect it from.”
River Fest runs from noon to 5.30pm on Sunday, September 24 at Wyndham Park.
Entry is free.
Cade Lucas
