HISTORIC YARRA IMAGES ARRIVE IN ABBOTSFORD
3 August 2006
An exhibition of photographs of the Yarra River taken a century apart arrives in Abbotsford today (3 August) as part of its journey down the river.
The then-and-now photographs form the main attraction in the Connect to the Yarra exhibition, which is showing at Abbotsford Convent from 3 August to 2 September. The free exhibition also includes a community story-telling quilt and river health education activities.
Project coordinator Jane Scott, from Monash University's Environmental Science Masters Program organised the exhibition, which was funded by Melbourne Water.
"The exhibition is a celebration of two expeditions along the Yarra, and gives a glimpse of some of the most beautiful parts of the river," Mrs Scott said.
"The photographs tell the story of the river, from right up in the closed water catchments, through rural communities, and down to the city."
Mrs Scott said the 1904 photographs were taken by father and son AG and AJ Campbell, field naturalists and photographers, who undertook an expedition along the Yarra River from Warburton to Baw Baw.
"Exactly one hundred years later, supported by the Shire of Yarra Ranges, adventurer and photographer David Roberts canoed down the length of the Yarra from the source to the Bay.
Chris Chesterfield, Melbourne Water's General Manager Waterways, said he hoped the pictures would encourage people to think about what the Yarra means to them, and how they can celebrate and protect it for future generations.
"The pictures give a fascinating insight into how the river looked 100 years ago, and provide a glimpse of parts that we don't often get to see. The resemblance between the two sets of images is quite uncanny," Mr Chesterfield said.
Connect to the Yarra is a partnership between Melbourne Water, Museum Victoria, Dandenong Ranges Music Council, schools and photographer David Roberts and Kate Whitehouse, who participated in The Long Yarra Walk. It is supported by the Shire of Yarra Ranges and Monash University.
A second element of the exhibition captures the stories of the Yarra as told through the Long Yarra Quilt. The quilt is being made and assembled by communities of the Shire of Yarra Ranges and the City of Manningham.
Long Yarra Quilt project officer Kate Whitehouse said:
"These are stories of extraordinary beauty and diversity. The Long Yarra quilt website has begun to document these unique stories as a way of enriching the experience of the quilt."
The exhibition will stay at the Convent until 2 September, before heading to Scienceworks in time for National Water Week in October.
Visit http://www.melbournewater.com.au/ouryarra for more information.