A month-long celebration of our river begins this weekend, with the headline act being two 70-something adventurers taking to the waters in a humble tinnie.

Steve Posselt and Graeme Gibson will begin their journey at Fawcett Park on Sunday with the aim of sparking action to restore the region’s most important waterway.

Their journey upstream –  as far as the small aluminium boat will take them, likely somewhere beyond Kyogle –  is the centrepiece of Richmond RiverFest 2025, which launches on World Rivers Day.

The pair have named their mission “Restore the Richmond”, and along the way they’ll meet residents, listen to stories, and highlight what’s been lost –  and what can be saved.

“The worst river I’ve paddled”

Mr Posselt, who has kayaked across three continents drawing international attention to climate change, says the Richmond is in a more dire state than any other waterway he’s traveled.

“I’ve paddled on the Mississippi in a flood. I’ve paddled through New York, I’ve paddled through London or paddled through Paris, and this river is much worse than any of those rivers, which is a bit of an indictment on us,” he said

“I wish we could celebrate what a great river we’ve got here, but right now, all we can celebrate is what it could be.

Mr Gibson, who moved to Kyogle in 2016, said the state of the river often shocks people once they confront it directly.

“The headwaters were once described as clear water over clean sand and pebbles. 

“Now it’s knee-deep mud. People think it’s always been this way, but it hasn’t. It can be so much better.”

Why it matters for Ballina

The pair stress the economic and social impact for Ballina.

“A healthy river is a public good – like schools and hospitals,” Mr Gibson said.

 “And for Ballina, the cost of an unhealthy river is huge. If visitors can’t swim, fish, or enjoy the water, they don’t come.”

They argue Ballina Shire Council cannot fix the problem on its own –  what’s needed is a single authority responsible for the river’s health.

Part of RiverFest 2025

The launch of their journey coincides with a festival day at Fawcett Park. From 10am, locals can enjoy live music, weaving and fishing workshops, children’s activities and “river yarns” with local speakers including Ella Noah Bancroft, Tom Wolff, the Ballina Co-op and Dave Rastovich.

At 2.30pm, crowds will gather as the men set out in their tinnie — cheered on by family, supporters and the community.

Public forums will follow in Kyogle on 7 October and Casino on 14 October, where Posselt and Gibson will share what they’ve seen and learned.

“We’d like to see people get angry,” Mr Posselt said.

 “Angry enough to demand action. Because this river can’t wait any longer.”

For daily updates on their journey, follow the Restore the Richmond Tinnie Trip.

To be part of Riverfest, check out View the Ballina event program

Main Photo: Graeme and Steve visited Fawcett Park on Tuesday to prepare for Sunday’s launch with their boat, hand-painted by Casino school students.