Media Release, 9 September 2013
Paddle from Pee Dee Station to heritage-listed Bellbrook and discover the Macleay Valley’s magical upriver country, where bellbirds still tinkle in forested mountains and time has gone fishing.
Save Our Macleay River (SOMR) is hosting the Paddle on the Macleay event on Sunday, 29 September to raise awareness about the threat of mining in the upper catchment and to highlight the region’s splendor.
Organiser, Bernadette O’Sullivan, said SOMR hoped that by experiencing the Macleay River’s beauty first hand, members of the community would realise how much this amazing asset needed protecting.
‘The added bonus is that participants will get to explore sections of the river that they would never normally be able to access due to private land,’ Ms O’Sullivan added.
The four-hour paddle will begin at Pee Dee Station at 9.05 a.m. and end at Bellbrook Bridge.
Anyone wanting to join in on this aquatic adventure should be at Pee Dee Station before 8.30 a.m., as the gate will be closed afterward.
Participants will need to download the Event Registration Form off the SOMR website and have it filled in to handover before beginning the paddle. Visit www.saveourmacleayriver.com for more information.
At 8.45, Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Esther, will give a welcome to country address then at 8.55 Greens MLC, Jeremy Buckingham, will give a brief talk, before commencing the paddle himself.
There will be a band of volunteers on hand to ferry people back up to their car at paddle’s end, but Ms O’Sullivan asked that participants drive up to Bellbrook in two cars where possible.
SOMR, Lock the Mid North Coast, the Greens and the Environmental Defenders Office will also be displaying information about the threat of mining to the Macleay and other areas at the Bellbrook Hall.
Food and drinks will be available from the Bellbrook General Store and the Bellbrook Hotel, which will also feature live music.
Accommodation at Bellbrook ranges from riverside cabins to farmhouses, and a free campground at Blackbird Flat. For further details contact Macleay Valley Coast Tourism on 1800 642 480 or go to www.macleayvalleycoast.com.au
Media opportunities will be arranged at Pee Dee Station and Bellbrook.