The Yarra Link Picnic

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Yarra Link’s Opening Exhibition and picnic/BBQ. Just as the directions said, I went through the Heyington train station car park, down a dirt track and following the Yarra’s grassy southern bank, I came across a group of people having a great time despite the winter day’s chill. I knew a few people there, mainly the administration staff, and actually ran into two people I know from non-native-revegetation circles who had heard about it through others and had decided to come along. There was music, a small fire helped to keep the cold away, and the Yarra Link Project’s first art instillation by the artist Carolyn Cardinet. Craft beer and some pretty interestingly flavored kombucha as well as delicious food was on offer from the refreshments tent too. There was also a composting toilet, which I will go into more detail about another time. I’ll be frank, dear reader; the day was not optimal for a picnic. But a Sunday afternoon could be worse spent than with friends at a small spot next to the Yarra River that feels miles away from the city. As the twilight came and much food, beer and kombucha had been enjoyed, we were all encouraged to plant a seedling in the planter boxes by the bank before we left. It would seem silly or even remiss to come to the Yarra Link Project Opening Exhibition and not plant anything. I planted grass. Did you know planting native grass helps mitigate the effects of drought and extreme weather? I didn’t until I was there, trowel in hand, next to the Yarra River.

All Photos provided by Alexis Desaulniers-Lea

One of our planter boxes.

Good times.

Quite a spread.

Magic hour.