Murrumbidgee Landcare received a Foundation Grant from Riverina Local Land Services to celebrate World Wetland Day. Leeton was the focus as it has a Ramsar-listed wetland nearby that is undervalued for its economic, cultural and natural resource values. It was decided to hold a “Birds and Brekky at Fivebough” event and a viewing of the movie Storm Boy at the Roxy Theatre.
The Fivebough and Tuckerbil wetlands are significant and overseen by a management committee chaired by NSW Department of Industry-Lands. Birds and Brekky at Fivebough started with participants receiving a free breakfast from the Leeton Lions Club. This was followed by presentations from Keith Hutton (Fivebough bird enthusiast), Geoff Sainty (wetland plant specialist) and David Hunter (OEH frog specialist). After the presentations, attendees walked around the wetland and learnt more from the presenters.
In the afternoon, the movie Stormboy commenced with a Welcome to Country from Jimmy Ingram (local Aboriginal elder), followed by Paul Maytom (Leeton Mayor). Erin Lenon then talked on the importance of environmental water and the international significance of wetlands. An evaluation was completed by the participants and the feedback was very positive.
