The Friends of Wooditjup Bilya (Margaret River) March program will feature a guided restoration paddle along the Wooditjup Billy with Wadandi custodian Zac Webb and local surfing legend Josh Palmateer. You'd be hard pressed find anyone in region who spends more time watching and looking out for the Rivermouth than Josh and his wife Sarah Palmateer along with "Uncle" Wayne Wonitji Webb.

Josh Palmateer was a professional surfer on the World Surfing Tour from 1988 – 1994 achieving a ranking of 45 in the world. After leaving the tour in 1994, he returned to Margaret River where he and an associate introduced surf coaching to the area, starting up the first private surf school in Western Australia. In 1995 Josh launched his own Surf Academy under the banner “Josh Palmateer’s Surf Academy” (JPSA). Josh and his wife Sarah also run Margaret River Kayaks and Canoes, helping locals and visitors alike fall in love with and become custodians of the Wooditjup Bilya.

Zac was born in Undalup (Busselton) and grew up on Wadandi country listening to his father Wayne Wonitji Webb and Elders, who remember sitting with the old people listening to stories of country. Zac passes down these stories, continuing his family’s cultural obligations to the people and the Boodja. He’s spent many years working in the field of natural resource management on an array of projects to protect cultural heritage, land, and kinship through the South West and Great Southern. Zac promotes Wadandi Pibulmun culture throughout the Margaret River Region with Undalup Association to give the wider community a better understanding of cultural protocols, and their connection and responsibility to the Boodja that we all share together while calling this place home.

Hear their stories of this sacred songline, their passion for the river and their vision towards celebrating and protecting this special place.

Starting at the river mouth we'll paddle up the Margaret River, taking in the breathtaking scenery and hearing of the rich cultural stories embedded in this landscape, along with inspiring conservation stories of this special place. After the paddle, join us for the work! Friends of Wooditjup Bilya volunteers will have a unique opportunity to chance to get their hands dirty and be part of the restoration along the St. Alouarn foreshore.

Want to join us?

Registrations are essential, please ensure you secure a ticket. Meet at the Rivermouth carpark at 9:15, Thursday 6th March. Please note that children must be accompanied by a parent and must be over the age of 12. Tickets are $10, and donations are most welcome. Every donation dollar goes back into restoring the Margaret River.

For more information contact: Lauren Scanlon, Friends of Wooditjup Bilya coordinator, at lauren.scanlon@natureconservation.org.au

Please note: Tickets are limited and there is a waiting list so please let us know if you can't make it!

This program is funded by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River through the Environmental Management Fund. Thanks to the Undalup Association and to Sarah and Josh Palmateer for kindly sponsoring canoe hire for the event.