COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE CURDIES RIVER AT FAMILY FUN DAY

Families, locals and visitors gathered at Peterborough Hall on Saturday 16 May for the highly successful Curdies Family Fun Day, celebrating the unique environment and strong community connection to the Curdies River and Estuary.

Hosted by the Curdies River Coordinating Committee, the free event attracted a great turnout and offered a vibrant mix of education, culture and hands-on activities for all ages.

The day began with a Welcome to Country, acknowledging the deep and ongoing cultural connection of Traditional Owners to land and waterways, before moving into a community forum exploring the story of the Curdies River from past to present and into the future.

John Sherwood presents to the community

Keynote speaker Dr John Sherwood was a standout highlight of the day, with many attendees praising his ability to clearly and engagingly tell the story of the Curdies catchment in a way that resonated across all ages and backgrounds.

From midday, after sharing a meal together, the event transitioned into a lively family celebration, featuring interactive displays, citizen science activities and nature‑based experiences. Children and families enjoyed water bug displays, marine touch tables and creative activities, while others took part in guided walks and free canoeing on the Curdies Estuary. These activities were delivered by a range of passionate local volunteers and organisations, including bird and blackfish enthusiasts, and representatives from the Friends of the Bay of Islands, Heytesbury and District Landcare Network, OzFish Unlimited and local EstuaryWatch volunteers.

Waterbugs and caneoing provided entertainment for all

The day also provided valuable opportunities for connection and future involvement, with attendees keen to know how they could become more involved in their local waterway. Organisers received new expressions of interest from community members keen to become Community Representatives on the Curdies River Coordinating Committee, a positive outcome for the ongoing stewardship of the catchment.

Sarah Holland‑Clift, Curdies River Coordinating Committee Chair, thanked everyone who contributed to the day’s success. She said, “We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community.

“It was wonderful to see people of all ages coming together to learn, share stories and celebrate the Curdies River. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, our presenters, partner organisations and especially our incredible volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make the day such a success.”

Birdwatching on the estuary

The Curdies Family Fun Day highlighted the important role the river plays in supporting local livelihoods, biodiversity, recreation and community wellbeing, while reinforcing the shared responsibility to care for and protect it.

The event forms part of a broader commitment to strengthening community awareness, partnerships and action to ensure the long‑term health and sustainability of the Curdies River and Estuary.