Our River, Our Future
Applicant: OzGREEN
Fund: Creative Placemaking Fund 2024/25 - Round 1
Funding: $1,500
The Our Rivers, Our Future – Community Banner Project brought the Bellingen Shire community together to create a large, vibrant banner celebrating the Bellinger River. Designed as both a mobile artwork and community statement, the banner promotes shared responsibility for our local waterways.
At Winter Riveryouthfest, 30 community members of all ages participated in a hands-on workshop, contributing ideas and artwork to the banner. Attendees shared their thoughts, including:
This collaborative process fostered intergenerational connection, social cohesion, and community participation, while sparking conversations about river health and environmental stewardship.
The banner has been proudly displayed at three major community events, reaching approximately 13,000 people:
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Urunga Spring Fiesta – 4,000 patrons
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River Sounds Festival – 5,000 patrons
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Bellingen Agricultural Show – 4,000 patrons
It also featured at OzGREEN events, including Riveryouthfest and Macro Muster, connecting directly with 652 attendees and continuing to promote awareness and engagement.
The project aligned with Council priorities in Community Wellbeing and Our Living Environment, by:
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Strengthening community partnerships and cultural participation
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Providing creative learning experiences and celebrating diverse voices
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Encouraging meaningful engagement with the Bellinger River and stewardship of its catchment
Through creativity, collaboration, and ongoing promotion, the Our Rivers, Our Future banner will continue to be a symbol of community connection, environmental awareness, and shared vision, and will be used at future events to keep promoting river health.