Yarra Riverkeeper Association

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Yarra Riverkeeper Association

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Yarra Riverkeeper Association is a community of like-minded citizens who advocate for the River. We lobby governments and we educate the community.

“We advocate for the River: for green spaces, for water quality, for biodiversity, for the birds, animals, insects and reptiles along the River, for good planning decisions, for the tributaries, for the parklands, for appropriate recreation; and for an understanding of our river and its role in the life of the city of Melbourne. We tell the story of the River.” – Andrew Kelly, Yarra Riverkeeper

05/11/2026

So many balls 🎾

Tennis balls, a baseball, a dog toy and a scatter of tiny white beads, all in the discharge from a stormwater drain on Yarra, Birrarung.

When it rains, whatever is lying around on our streets and footpaths can wash into the drain, and the drain goes straight to the river without being cleaned first.

Next time you’re out with the dog or the kids, a quick look around before you head home goes a long way 💚

03/11/2026

Meet the black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) 🌿

It’s a short-lived tree, but it does a lot for Yarra, Birrarung while it’s here. This fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing legume colonises disturbed riverbanks, enriching the soil and helping hold it in place so slower-growing shrubs and eucalypts can follow.

And that’s only part of its story. Search it on the Atlas of Living Australia and see how many attributes this one tree has 💚

01/11/2026

Upper Yarra Reservoir 💚

Tucked into the forested hills of the upper Yarra, Birrarung, this reservoir was completed in 1957. When it opened, it tripled Melbourne’s water storage.

It’s filled by rain running off the surrounding forested catchment, which is a good reminder that healthy forests and a healthy river go hand in hand 🌿

29/10/2026

Some days the river just feels looked after 💚

On 9 October, the DocuSign team gave their time to Yarra, Birrarung. They came out, got their hands dirty and did something good for a river that so many of us share.

It’s easy to think one day can’t change much. But the river notices the people who show up for it, and so do we.

Thank you, DocuSign. We’re so glad you spent the day with us.

Want to bring your team to Yarra, Birrarung? Send us a DM or email [email protected]@

28/10/2026

Save the date! 🌿

The Yarra Riverkeeper Association’s AGM and Celebration is coming up, and we’d love you to be there.

📅 Tuesday 24 November 2026
🕔 5pm to 7pm
📍 Studley Park Boathouse

Whether you’re a member, a supporter or simply love Yarra, Birrarung, join us by the river to look back on the year and celebrate everything we’ve achieved together.

More details to come.

28/10/2026

End of day charms 🌈

A double rainbow over Yarra, Birrarung. What a way to finish the day 💚

26/10/2026

Halloween is this Saturday 🎃

If your decorations are already up, take a look at these two nests, found locally. Woven in with the twigs and soft fibres are bright synthetic strands that don’t belong there.

It’s nesting season, and birds will use whatever soft, stringy bits they can find. Fake cobwebs, stretchy webbing and plastic decorations can end up in the wrong place, and anything that blows outside can wash into a drain and make its way down to Yarra, Birrarung.

There’s still time for an easy swap. Fallen leaves, branches, old fabric scraps and paper ghosts all look great, and there’s nothing to clean up on Sunday morning.

We’d love to see your river-friendly Halloween. Tag us and share it with us 👇💚

26/10/2026

For the river lovers. 🌿

This is the Finke River in Central Australia, estimated to be 300 to 400 million years old and possibly the oldest river system in the world. It predates the dinosaurs.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Rivers have been shaping this continent long before any of us got here. They carry stories, sustain life, and connect us to something much bigger than ourselves.

It's a good reminder of why every river, including our Yarra, Birrarung, is worth fighting for. 💚

23/10/2026

More Riverfest recap moments 💚

There was a lot of love in the room for our urban waterways at Confluence. People learning how water science works, a group sharing the history of the Yarra, Birrarung over afternoon tea on Herring Island, birdwatchers settling in at sunset, and a crowd at Birrarung Banks imagining what a riverside site could become. Then we closed the festival at Everflow, at Collingwood Children's Farm, with a Welcome to Country, writing and a light show.

Riverfest has wrapped for this year, but looking after the Yarra, Birrarung doesn't stop here. Picking up litter on your next walk, keeping rubbish out of drains, turning up to the next clean-up: it all adds up. Swipe through to see more.

Address

City Of Yarra, VIC

Website

http://www.yarrariver.org.au/

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