Writing Birrarung

Join Tim McIntosh-Hannah, host of the Living with Birrarung podcast, writer Frankey Chung-Kok-Lun, and environmental law researcher Libby Newton for a creative writing workshop on the banks of the Birrarung.

Through a series of guided writing exercises, writers of all experience levels are invited to engage creatively with the river as a living entity, exploring its unique perspectives on time, place and memory.

Reflect on your own relationship with the Birrarung and consider how human actions and urbanisation have both disrupted and created new ecosystems. Imagine the stories the river itself might tell of struggle, adaptation, resilience and renewal.

Discover how storytelling can foster ecological empathy, deepen our connection with the more-than-human world, and inspire new ways of imagining the river's future.

Participants will also have the opportunity to record all or part of their work for inclusion in a Birrarung Audio Gallery, which will be published online.

No previous creative writing experience is required, just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore the stories of the Birrarung.

We will meet at the picnic area right near Dights Falls.

• Most Riverfest events are free, and many have limited places with long waitlists. Please only book if you're confident you can attend, so others don't miss out. Bookings are limited to 2 tickets for smaller events and 4 tickets for larger events.
  

• Can't make it? Please cancel your ticket by opening your Humanitix confirmation email and selecting 'Manage Order'. Your place will then be released to someone on the waitlist. If you need assistance, contact us by email: riverfest@yarrariver.org.au
  

• Events will proceed unless severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances require a change. If this happens, registered participants will be notified by email.

This event is open to anyone over the age of 12, no writing experience needed. We encourage and welcome those with diverse experience and perspectives of Birrarung to attend and share their stories. As the workshop will be outdoors, please ensure you plan accordingly for the conditions.

We welcome people of all abilities. If you have any accessibility requirements or need assistance to participate, please contact us before the event so we can discuss how we can support your attendance.

Celebrate the Yarra, Birrarung at one of 70+ events hosted over three weeks from 27 September to 18 October. Whether you enjoy riverside walks, cleanups, creative workshops, wildlife spotting or paddling adventures, there's something for everyone at Riverfest. Riverfest is presented by Yarra Riverkeeper Association with thanks to our partners Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo collaboration and Water4Good. Check out the full Riverfest program here.

Yarra Riverkeeper Association acknowledges that the lands and waterways of the Yarra, Birrarung catchment, are the unceded territories of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong Boonwurrung peoples. We pay respect to Traditional Owners, who have, and continue, to care for Country. We acknowledge that the river now called Yarra has always been known as the Birrarung by its custodians.