Durt’Yowan (Latrobe River): The Life Source

The RBMS with the West Gippsland CMA present to you this World Rivers Day the release of the CMA’s new short film ‘Durt’Yowan (Latrobe River): The Life Source’. Durt’Yowan, the Gunaikurnai name for the Latrobe River, is one of Victoria’s iconic rivers and a life source for people in Gippsland for thousands of years. More than 260 kilometres long it supports plants and animals of major conservation importance, and is also a freshwater source for towns, industry, power generation and agriculture, as working river.

The Latrobe system is undergoing a significant transition triggered by the staged closure of the large coal mines in the Latrobe Valley along with other challenges like climate change and competing demands for the precious water resources. However, from challenges, opportunities arise! A large and dedicated collective of community groups and organisations have been working hard to ensure a better future for the Latrobe River.

The CMA produced the new short film directed by Murray Vanderveer. It explores the history of the river, the challenges and opportunities and features local Gippslanders who are working for the river’s future. World Rivers Day provides a timely reminder that we are at the edge of a once in a lifetime opportunity to change Durt’Yowan from a working river into a river that works again.

Please join the RBMS with the West Gippsland CMA for this special screening of the film online via Zoom on Thursday 28 September 2023, 12:30-1:30pm followed by a short Q&A session with people involved in the film.