THE Mullinmur Billabongs Demonstration Wetlands Project will be officially opened on Wednesday, April 28 after COVID restrictions postponed the event from its original date late last year.

The event will be held at the wetlands at the northern end of Phillipson Street and is scheduled to begin at 9am, and will include environmental displays, a demonstration of electro-fishing by the Arthur Rylah Institute team, guided walks, morning tea and lunch, yabby and native fish releases, guest speakers and an official opening scheduled for 11am.

The celebration acknowledges the partnerships involved in creating this environmental restoration project and educational space.

The land was purchased in the 1950s by the Roman Catholic Church for the educational needs of the region - an emphasis on education which prevails to this day as numerous school groups, community groups and individuals use the riverine environment to commune with nature.

A Landcare Australia grant initially financed the start of the project; this has been continued by the Victorian Government's North East Catchment Management Authority's involvement with a $50,000 grant to create a management plan and resulting infrastructure projects.

Over the last nine years hundreds of students from local schools and volunteers have planned projects, weeded exotic plants, planted habitat, collected data on water quality and levels, created built learning spaces and planted Indigenous food gardens at the site, with more projects and events being added weekly.

An art exhibition showcasing work inspired by the wetlands is planned to be opened at the site in May.

Those wishing to attend the opening celebration of the Mullinmur Billabongs Demonstration Wetlands Project can RSVP with Ian Minns either by email ian.minns1@gmail.com or by phone 0427 686 357.