World Rivers Day – Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District

World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Rivers in virtually every country face an array of threats, and only through our active involvement can we ensure their health in the years ahead. Shepparton will hold its first ever River Run Race on World Rivers Day!

A brief history

In 2005, the United Nations launched the Water for Life Decade to help create a greater awareness of the need to better care for our water resources. Following this, the establishment of World Rivers Day was in response to a proposal initiated by internationally renowned river advocate, Mark Angelo.

The proposal for a global event to celebrate rivers was based on the success of BC Rivers Day, which Mark Angelo had founded and led in western Canada since 1980. A World Rivers Day event was seen by agencies of the UN as a good fit for the aims of the Water for Life Decade and the proposal was approved. River enthusiasts from around the world came together to organize the inaugural WRD event. That first event in 2005 was a great success and Rivers Day was celebrated across dozens of countries. Since then, the event has continued to grow. It is annually celebrated on the fourth Sunday of every September. Last year, several million people in up to 100 countries celebrated the many values of our waterways.

Shepparton celebrates World Rivers Day
Let’s come together to celebrate our rivers on World Rivers Day – a morning of free school holiday fun for the whole family including the first ever River Run Race!

Picture this, you gather a team, create a theme and costume, and build a craft to race on land. With twists and turns and challenges along the way, the champions will walk away with not just bragging rights, but a legacy trophy for the next year. Has your team got what it takes?

Registrations are open for entries in the River Run race!

Everyone is welcome with many other stalls, activities, food and entertainment to be had as we bring a whole new way to celebrate our rivers to the region.

Ready to register for the River Race? Click here
World Rivers Day 2023
Sunday 24 September
9am-12pm
Victoria Park Lake (grassed area opposite KFC)

World Rivers Day

	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District acknowledges the Yorta Yorta People of the land which comprises the Goulburn Valley. We pay respect to tribal Elders, past, present and emerging and we celebrate their continuing culture and acknowledge the memory of their ancestors.
	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District is a peak body whose mission is to promote and represent the social, cultural and economic well-being of ethnic communities in the Goulburn Valley Region through the provision of quality and innovative settlement, refugee support, community development, and information and advocacy services.