THE Save Nambucca River Group, in partnership with OzGREEN’s Resilient Communities Program, held a Community Field Day at Bellwood Park, Nambucca Heads on Saturday, January 7.

The day began with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Bud Marshall, and again in Gumbaynggirr by Uncle Micklo Jarrett, who then shared stories about the river’s significance to Gumbaynggirr people and their history with this river.

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2NVR Nambucca Valley Radio President Donna Collins conducted an outside broadcast of the event providing music, airing the stories and interviews.

The Community Day was part of a three-day data gathering project.

Elizabeth Newman, a spokesperson for the Save Nambucca River group told News Of The Area, “It was an inspiring and educational experience to be involved with OzGREEN and the water testing from Nambucca, to Bowraville and Missabotti, and from Scotts Head to Macksville and Taylors Arm, and acknowledged the support of Darrell Hughes, founder of the Save Nambucca River Group.”

Co-Founder of OzGREEN, Sue Lennox, presented the results during the Field Day, noting that while the results indicate cause for concern, as with all science, it’s data collection, over a period of time, that will tell the tale of the Nambucca River.

Sam Daykin, Bellingen Riverwatch coordinator, spoke about his role and provided a hands-on activity with aquatic macroinvertebrates.

Allison Heeley, Nambucca Valley Resilient Communities Local Coordinator, supported her OzGREEN team over the three days of gathering samples and testing and discussed her role in gaining funding for this day.

Concerned residents were interviewed, including the General Manager of the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club, Johnathon Zirkler.

“Poor water flow has created a huge amount of sediment on the causeway’s southern side with increased salinity in the river affecting the golf greens,” Johnathon said.

“More importantly the water over the causeway due to flow blockage poses a safety risk to workers and the community crossing it”.

The Save the Nambucca River Group has also commenced fundraising to purchase water testing kits for a Citizen Science Program along the 87 km of the Nambucca River.

“We are also collecting signatures for a petition to address the Bellwood causeway issue,” Elizabeth said.

For further information please email the group at savenambuccariver@gmail.com or telephone/text Beverly on 0422 331 878.

By Andrea FERRARI