STREETON LOOKOUT AUDIO WALK : 11 Stories from the River Dyarubbin

Listen to stories of Dyarubbin / The Hawkesbury River at Streeton Lookout and original music & song they have inspired as you look out over the river at Freeman’s Reach, NSW, Australia...or from the comfort of wherever you are. Dharug educator Rhiannon Wright is our guide as we take in the glorious view over Dyarubbin & her vast floodplain, contemplate Dyarubbin’s formation and how the river's dreaming, the rainbow serpent, Gurangady, reflects the rivers geology. We learn how the Dharug cared for the resources of Waradya / Lagoons and the Richmond floodplain, about the impact of colonisation & land grants along the river here on Freemans Reach. We listen to Arthur Streeton’s inspiration for his famous painting, “Purple Noon’s Transparent Might”, after which the Lookout takes its name: & what it tells us about the river. We hear about the effects of damming, the sustainability of Sydney’s water supply, groundwater, irrigation and the lack of management of the whole catchment. The 30-50 year flood cycle, the proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall & contamination from PFAS through Bakers Lagoon across the Richmond lowlands. We consider how we might care for and celebrate this beautiful and important river, and how earth laws might help recognise and protect the river as a living being. DIRECTIONS: Starting beside the Carpark off Cliff Rd, we follow the path to the cliff edge, we then walk east along the grass to the end of the reserve (towards Windsor), then head back along the path to the other end of the park (towards Nth Richmond), pausing at the sign depicting Streeton’s painting. We then continue along to the western end of the park before returning. GUESTS: (in order of appearance) Tom Hubble, Associate Professor of Geology, University of Sydney Grace Karskens, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of NSW and author of “People of the River" Leanne Mulgo Watson, Dharug artist, Erin Wilkins, Dharug educator, Jasmine Seymour, Dharug artist, writer and educator Jan Barkley-Jack, Historian and author of "Hawkesbury Settlement Revealed” Greg Hansell, local artist, involved in the establishment of the Hawkesbury Artists Trail. Professor Basant Maheshwari, School of Science, Western Sydney University Ian Wright, Associate Professor Water Science, Western Sydney University Sue Rosen, Historian and author of “Losing Ground: An Environmental History of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment” in 1992 Arthur Parkes, Richmond Lowlands Farmer, from an archival interview recorded by historian Sue Rosen, in 1992 Dr Jason Reynolds, Senior Lecturer in the School of Science, Western Sydney University Sue Martin, Environmental educator, Head of Cattai Hills Environment Network, Hawkesbury Waterkeepers Alliance Dr Michelle Maloney, Co-Founder and National Convenor, Australian Earth Laws Alliance ARTWORK: Marri Badu Muru (Big Water Path) © Leanne Mulgo Watson 2022 MUSIC: “11 Stories from the River Dyarubbin” © Oonagh Sherrard, with Dharug songs © Jasmine Seymour and © Stacy Jane Etal. Musicians: Dimitri Vouros: Clarinet, Gary Daley: piano accordion, Jess Ciampa: percussion, Jasmine Seymour and Stacy Jane Etal: vocals, Oonagh Sherrard : guitar/cello/piano/programming

ABOUT: 11 Stories From the River Dyarubbin is 11 audio walks along Dyarubbin - stories of the rivers history, ecology, geology & people at the places they happened. A collaborative public art work led by composer/ producer Oonagh Sherrard with Hawkesbury Regional Museum, Dharug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation, WSU Sustainable Futures and Hawkesbury Historical Society. Created with support from the NSW Government through Create NSW, Museums and Galleries NSW and assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its Arts funding and advisory body. FURTHER INFORMATION: ⁠https://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/museum/historical-walks/11-stories-from-the-river-dyarubbin⁠

WATCH EPISODE ON YOU TUBE:

https://youtu.be/uEO61O7heJA