Platypus Project

Can the Platypus Unite the People of the River Valleys?

Arts & Education Trail | Rallying the River Guardians | Regional Unity & Collaboration

School & Youth Programs | Respectful Ecotourism

Objectives

Scope

The Land of the River Valleys (Dungog Shire and immediate surrounds including Stroud)

Objectives

Create a strong sense of unity between the towns involved
Demonstrate the power of broad scale collaboration spanning community groups, individuals, businesses, schools and government agencies.
Raise community awareness and mobilise people to act to preserve our river systems and the species of flora and fauna that live there
Improve the health of river ecosystems
Create economic opportunities that align with the above that value add to the benefits for communities

Governance

Project planners are logging watch outs so that all project initiatives keep the best interests of the platypus front and center.

Consultation

Community Consultation

Key communication channels are The Stroud Community Hub newsletter, an email mailing list (see below to join) and this webpage
Feedback from each town will be sought for town specific elements through the Community Builders engagement channels, as well as any processes required by Council etc.
Community Builders Conversation Kickstarters will be updated monthly/bimonthly on progress to use local communication channels as well as the above

How to Get Involved

See below and/or contact project lead.

Project Overview

Purpose

This is a grassroots initiative with the aim of bringing the people of the Dungog Shire, Stroud and surrounding areas together under a shared regional identity, with the platypus as our unifying symbol. This will not only boost the health of our river ecosystems and protect the wildlife that depend on them, but also strengthen connections between our communities.

Healthier rivers improve water quality for drinking, farming, and recreation, while enhancing the area’s natural beauty. This helps fosters local pride and also opens creates opportunities for respectful ecotourism, which can supplement agricultural income, create diverse job opportunities, and inspire visitors to connect with and care for the land - creating a positive ripple that extends beyond borders. Additionally, healthy rivers play a vital role in reducing the impacts of floods and droughts, supporting the long-term resilience and stability of our communities.

Lead Group/Contact

Stroud Community Builders - Rachel Barry rachel.patricia.barry@gmail.com (program engagement enquiries/community questions/media enquiries)

Support

Jim Doyle (head of the cheer squad)
Dr. Sian Ineson BVSc (project management and communication support)

Phase

Assess, Design, Build & Manage

Involved Parties

See the loooong list of people and organisations collaborating below!

Aboriginal Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the Gringai, Wonnarua, and Worimi Peoples as the Traditional Owners of the lands across this region. We honour their deep connection to Country, particularly the waterways that run through our river valleys. We thank the Traditional Owners for taking care of the land and its creatures, including the platypus, for tens of thousands of years. We pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present, and emerging and are proud to live alongside the oldest living culture in the world. We recognize the immense wisdom they offer us and hope to learn from it.

For river communities within the Gringai, Wonnarua, and Worimi Peoples in our region, including those with connections still present today, rivers and the creatures within them, such as the platypus, have long been respected and protected as part of their custodianship of the land. Aboriginal culture involves stories, teachings, and a shared responsibility to care for the waterways that sustain both people and animals.

Our research suggests that there are many words for platypus in this region. Indigenous languages were spoken languages, not written, so it is important to note that there are variations in spelling. In Wonnarua language, the word for platypus is “becan.” Gathang, the language of the Worimi people, contains many different dialects. In Gathang, the word for platypus is “bikan, bitang, or yapii,” depending on the area.

Conversations have begun with local Indigenous groups, marking the start of a collaborative journey for this project. These early connections are essential as we take our time to ensure that the project is approached with the utmost respect and cultural sensitivity.

Rivers of Collaboration

Arts & Education Trail

Arts Upper Hunter (Suzannah Jones): have committed to collaborate with various partners in the planning group to develop an Arts Trail featuring sculptures and other public art at key locations, all inspired by the platypus and related themes. We'll weave in educational content, so that the trail inspires all who follow it to honour the river valleys that sustain us. Arts Upper Hunter will also pursue funding, including from relevant state and federal sources, to support the enormous potential of this initiative.
Dungog Shire News of the Area: The editor (Doug Connor) has offered to share major updates on this project via this free, local newspaper.

River Guardians

4 Valleys Program (Local Land Services & Hunter Water): are investigating a ‘rivercare’ program as their next big project, which could include a focus on the platypus.
DPI: There is the potential to run a program like their Carp Muster, with prizes for the biggest catch. These guys love corn so it's easy to target this invasive species. Ideally it would build spring board an ongoing targeting program - one run by kids would be epic! We're in early stages of contact.
Local Landcare Groups with active rivercare projects:
- Stroud: working on restoration of Mill Creek, Lions Park. Confirmed platypus, regular sightings.
- Gresford: Working on junction of the Allyn and Paterson Rivers at Vacy.
- Sustaining the Williams Valley: Revegetating parts of the Williams River. Platypus sightings near Abbotts Flat.
- Hunter Region Landcare Network & Landcare Lower Hunter are keen to support.
- MidCoast to Tops Landcare Group: discussions are underway about making use of their school program, doing a water quality workshop in Stroud, and using the momentum to create Junior Landcare Groups - yes please!
Mid-Coast Council: are in touch and working on a proposal to expand their River Revival project to include platypus eDNA studies. The potential to collaborate (shared ideas) with a similar project lead by the Lower Hunter LLS in Wollombi are underway.
Research and Data sharing: we are exploring ways to share water quality data from local catchment communities, as well as address the need for more comprehensive data collection through citizen and government science to monitor environmental health. Ideally, we would use current metrics to benchmark the programs impact.

The Power of One

Individual community members can make a powerful contribution!
Join a Landcare riverbank restoration working bee, such as those listed above.
Discover your local platypus by quietly venturing out at dawn or dusk. Skip the torch to avoid disrupting their feeding. Chat with your neighbours about past sightings, log sightings and share your photos! at 👉🏾 hello@twinrivers.au
Individuals have also offered practical support to Council, such as donating materials, machinery and manpower to work on a platypus-friendly viewing area in Dungog.
Citizen Scientist Opportunities being explored. PAWS (Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub) has been invited get involved and throw out some suggestions.
Join the mailing list! For all projects captured on this site use the email sign up at the top banner. To join a mailing list dedicated to this project, email Rachel Barry at rachel.patricia.barry@gmail.com

Shhhhh...

Engaging Traditional Custodians, the Gringai, Wonnarua and Worimi Peoples

Conversations have begun with local Indigenous groups, marking the start of a collaborative journey. These early connections are essential as we take our time to ensure that the project is approached with the utmost respect and cultural sensitivity.
By incorporating Indigenous stories, art, and education into each viewing site, we aim to highlight the significance of the platypus in Aboriginal culture and deepen cultural understanding across the region. Plans include an Acknowledgment of Country at each site, developed in collaboration with Indigenous leaders to create an authentic and enriching experience.
We hope that this approach not only fosters cultural respect but also creates opportunities and economic benefits for Indigenous artists and storytellers.
Reconciliation Dungog has offered its support for this initiative.

School & Youth Programs

LLS Classroom Activity Worksheet

Suggestions so far include school art competitions and guided outdoor sessions by the creek, with students observing the habitat of the platypus, whilst engaging in citizen science projects. They can learn to monitor water quality, track local wildlife, and contribute to real conservation efforts. A pair of teachers (one with a background in Environmental Science) are working on bringing some ideas to life!
Kids/Youth outside of the traditional school system will be considered so the program is as inclusive as possible
There is also an opportunity to also utilise the Hunter LLS Schools Engagement Program.
Junior Landcare Groups are being established. Stay tuned for more information!

Respectful Ecotourism Opportunities

Visitors to the region could help supplement agricultural income on farms, create a diverse range of jobs and increase our economic resiliency.
Signage, art and trail maps encourage guests to visit multiple towns, spreading the benefits and link Stroud, Dungog, Paterson, Vacy, Gresford and Clarence Town
Viewing areas in select, appropriate spots would encourage guests to stay overnight.
Dungog Regional Tourism (Cameron Archer) has offered support. Helene Leane, both an artist and a member of the organisation, has also contributed to the journey so far.
Collaboration with Aboriginal communities will highlight cultural significance, promoting broad awareness and recognition.
The trail also servers a BIGGER purpose, fostering conservation awareness in our happy travelers.

Your Input Matters!

The regional platypus initiative is still in the planning stages, and we'd love input from everyone! How would you like to see this project come to life? Whether your passion lies in environmental conservation, art, education, ecotourism, or community engagement, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Have suggestions for working bees, school programs, or public art projects? We’d love to hear how you envision turning this idea into reality.

Contacts: Rachel Barry rachel.patricia.barry@gmail.com and Jim Doyle: jdoyle500@bigpond.com 0407 307 800

Media

Local Sightings

Photo credits: Rachel Barry, Stroud