Voice of the Birrarung (still)

This artwork is part of the River Voices project which includes several rivers and bodies of water as participants in the 23rd Biennale of Sydney. Members of the communities associated with them, custodians, and people involved in their protection speak on their behalf, in short videos addressing climate issues and rights of protection. Visitors are greeted by one of these voices at each of the exhibition venues.

In December 2017, the Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung Murron) Act was passed by the Parliament of Victoria, to protect the Yarra River for future generations and to recognise the river and its lands as a single living and integrated entity. In furtherance of the Act, the Birrarung Council was appointed by the Government in August 2018 to be the voice for the Yarra River, working with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Elders and communities, to provide independent advice to the government on the implementation of the Act.