News and events

In 2022, the Birrarung Council spoke at the River Conversations Symposium. This was a two-day event held as part of the Sydney Biennale arts festival. The River Conversations Symposium was held on the Parramatta River and at the Cutaway, at Barangaroo.

The Symposium was created by:

Erin O’Donnell (University of Melbourne and Birrarung Council member)

Alex Pelizzon (University of the Sunshine Coast), and

Lleah Smith (Sydney Biennale).

First Nations voices lead the symposium and this included interdisciplinary caretakers.

The sharing of the River conversations was communicated using film, workshops, poetry, talks, story-telling and deep listening.

The Birrarung Council presented on the origins of the unique Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017. They presented on the progress made over the past five years. The event Included the launch of the Yarra Strategic Plan, 2022. Council members shared the importance of walking together to heal Country. The Council also spoke to the power of the river to bring us together.

Uncle Dave Wandin conducted a smoking ceremony at the Symposium. Water from the Birrarung at Warrandyte was infused with smoke from the smoking ceremony. Participants were invited to take small vials of this water back to share with their own rivers. The physical sharing of water reminds us of the connection to the rivers and waters that support our lives. The Birrarung Council received a gift of the water of the Burramatta/Parramatta River. This water will be infused with the waters of the Birrarung.