The year 2023 ended with a bang for Winton Wetlands, with a series of events that came together to form our first-ever WILD WEEK.
Wild Week ran from 20-25 November, and featured:
· participation by schools in a fabulous creative art and garden-building project
· cooperation amongst local artists to pull together a major wetland-themed art exhibition
· a kids’ photo competition
· release of the first-ever Winton Wetlands wall calendar, featuring stunning new photo imagery submitted by visitors to the wetlands
· an artist-in-residence presence at the wetlands, culminating in an exhibition of the artist Mark Dober’s work that was launched at Benalla Art Gallery on Friday 24 November
· a big public open day on Saturday 25 November
Saturday’s WILD WEEK open day brought together a range of organisations that help make the work of Winton Wetlands possible by offering their staff and volunteer time, expertise and resources to further the restoration of the wetlands reserve.
This open day was an opportunity for all of us to acknowledge and thank our wonderful volunteers, who routinely make contributions that add significantly to the work done by the staff team to “keep the show on the road”.
Importantly, WILD WEEK as a whole provided opportunities for story-telling too: about the work being done at our internationally significant ecological restoration project; about the people and organisations making progress possible; about the issues being faced along the way; and about the big challenges still ahead.
Public Open Day program
Saturday 25 November
Winton Wetlands Wild Week
A celebration of the achievements and contributions made by our supporters during 2023.
MONDAY 20 NOVEMBER
“Welcome to Winton Wetlands WILD WEEK of celebration and activity”
- Launch announcements on social media
- Launch of children’s competition
- Special WILD menu in café begins – for this week only
TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER
- Winton Wetlands first-ever calendar – a special offer for today only. Watch out for announcement!
WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER
- OUR VILLAGE school garden art event begins (More information coming soon.)
THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER
- OUR VILLAGE school garden art event continues
FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER
- OUR VILLAGE school garden art activity concludes in afternoon
- 6pm Official opening of art exhibition: Mark Dober – Wetlands
At Simpson Gallery, Benalla Art Gallery. More information: https://benallaartgallery.com.au/mark-dober-wetlands/
Free Event. To book: gallery@benalla.vic.gov.au
SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER
10am-2pm – Public Open Day
- First hot air balloon flight over the wetlands – click here to contact Goldrush Ballooning for more info
- Cultural activity in and around Education Centre, honouring the Yorta Yorta connection with Winton Wetlands (Mokoan).
- Stalls, displays and fun activities with our partner organisations
- Lively food and drink options on-site
- Guided walks and demonstrations (more information and bookings will be open for these shortly!)
- See Growling Grass Frogs, Turtles and lots more
- Art on the Wetlands display continues (Courtesy of the Winton Wetlands Creatives)
- See a special seed-planting drone in action!
- And yes, lots more…
PLEASE SEE GREEN DISPLAY POSTER ON THIS WEBSITE FOR FULL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EXCITING FINAL DAY
10.am-12.30pm – OUR VILLAGE Public Workshop
Free and open to everyone! Celebrate the wonderful garden sculpture created during the week by the local community.
This is just an outline. We’ll be updating the website and our social media regularly in the lead-up to Winton Wetlands Wild Week. Make a note for your diary – and watch out for more news.