CONNECT TO THE YARRA
23 February, 2006
An exhibition of photographs of the Yarra River, taken a century apart, kicks off its six-month journey down the river at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre in Warburton next week.
The "then and now" photographs form the main attraction in the Connect to the Yarra travelling exhibition, which also includes a community story-telling quilt and river health education activities.
Connect to the Yarra is an innovative partnership between Melbourne Water, Museum Victoria, Dandenong Ranges Music Council, schools and local community members, photographer David Roberts and Kate Whitehouse, who participated in The Long Yarra Walk. It is supported by the Shire of Yarra Ranges and Monash University.
Project coordinator Jane Scott, from Monash University's Environmental Science Masters Program, said the exhibition is a celebration of two expeditions along the Yarra, and gives us a glimpse of some of the most beautiful parts of the river.
"The photographs tell the story of the river, from right up in the closed water catchments, through rural communities, and down to the city.
Mrs Scott said the 1904 photographs were taken by father and son AG and AJ Campbell, field naturalists and photographers, who undertook an expedition along the Yarra River from Warburton to Baw Baw.
"Exactly one hundred years later, supported by the Shire of Yarra Ranges, adventurer and photographer David Roberts canoed down the length of the Yarra from the source to the Bay.
"We want to really engage people, and get them to think about what the Yarra means to them, and how they can celebrate and protect it.
Melbourne Water is pleased to support Connect to the Yarra under its $26m Healthy Rivers Program, which actively engages organisations and the community in projects to protect the health of our rivers, creeks and the bay.
A second element of the exhibition captures the stories of the Yarra as told through the Long Yarra Quilt. The quilt is being made and assembled by communities of the Shire of Yarra Ranges and the City of Manningham.
Long Yarra Quilt project officer Kate Whitehouse said:
"These are stories of extraordinary beauty and diversity. The Long Yarra quilt website has begun to document these unique stories as a way of enriching the experience of the quilt."
The Upper Yarra Valley Schools Cluster, a major partner in providing the March 6 program, will be introducing their "Sustainable Technologies -Creating Our Future" project to the local community.
Innovation and Excellence Program Manager Kate LeRosiggnol said the skills obtained in this program would provide the means for the students to actively engage in learning of science and technology that positively impacts upon their home environment, both now and in the future.
"The Forum is intended as an opportunity for parents and community members to share in their children's education on a local issue - taking responsibility for their water catchment," Mrs LeRossiggnol said.
The exhibition will stay in Warburton until 31 March, and will then showcase travel down the Yarra, ending with an exhibition (venue to be confirmed) to be launched during National Water Week in October.
The Long Yarra Quilt will be part of the Connect to the Yarra exhibition.