On Saturday the 17th of May 2025, the National Museum of Australia’s Gandel Atrium was transformed with the vision, hopeful ideas and hard work of our small team. The result was a sold-out venue overflowing with harmonies, emotion, and a powerful sense of shared purpose as over 300 people came together to celebrate the power and significance of rivers in Australia and worldwide.

What unfolded over the next 90 minutes was nothing short of moving: a journey through time and water, woven with First Nations wisdom, ecological urgency, and moments of breathtaking beauty.

But perhaps more than anything, Riversong created connection.

From the very beginning, the night was anchored in heart and Country. Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan offered a deeply grounding Welcome to Country encouraging unity and reminding us, as always, that everything begins with respect, and that it is the responsibility of all generations to care for Country. Acclaimed journalist Alex Sloan then welcomed the audience with warmth and clarity, setting the tone for the experience that followed.

From there, the performance swept us away.

Act I: The Spirit of the River 

It all began with shimmering satellite imagery of Earth, setting the scene as the program opened with Ola Gjeilo’s The Spheres, the ethereal voices of The Resonants instantly filled the room. You could almost feel the collective breath being held and then released as the first notes began to ring out. 

That serenity quickly gave way to a surge of energy with Paul Stanhope’s This Is Our Home ‘Ngindja Ngarragi Muwayi’ and Rachel Hore’s arrangement of The River. Aboriginal language, stomps, claps, and a perfectly synchronised choir made it feel as though the river itself had found its voice. 

The room didn’t just listen — it felt it.

From there, we were swept through performances of Iain Grandage’s Three Australian Bush Songs and a stunningly beautiful and lively Waltzing Matilda arranged by Ruth Kilpatrick. Each piece layered meaning and memory and shared new perspectives on the rivers we all love and care for. 

With voices echoing native bush sounds, for a moment felt like we were standing on a riverbank at dawn, mist rising between ancient river gums. These weren’t just songs; they were stories. Of rivers as lifelines. Of connection to Country. Of what we stand to lose, and what we can still protect. 

Act I closed with Down by the Riverside, arranged by John Rutter, and when the room came together to sing the line “I ain’t gonna study war no more,” you bet they held that note.  

The energy was electric, the applause thunderous. 

As the lights came up, so did the silent auction bids, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors (and a few seriously competitive bidders). Drinks flowed, conversations buzzed, and the room was alive. 

Act II: Reflection and Resilience

Act II opened with Whisper of the Dying Stream, a stunning original composition by Sophie Van Dijk. Paired with Simon Lowes’ stark image of the Upper Murrumbidgee running dry, the room fell silent once again. It was a sobering reminder of how fragile our rivers have become, and how urgent our action must be. 

What followed was one of the most powerful moments of the night: Kirsten Duncan’s The Weather Makers, a choral reflection on human impact. As visuals of fossil fuels burning, bushfires roaring, and dry creek beds filled the screen, the music swelled not just through the speakers, but in the chest. It started with sadness, but something shifted. As the music reached a crescendo, you could feel the collective resolve in the room to take action and save ourselves, each other, our rivers and our planet.  

And that was the heart of the night: feeling. 

It was a turning point, and the program met that shift with the piece Hope There Is, a setting of Oodgeroo Nunuccal’s poem Hope arranged by Clare Maclean, gently guiding us from grief into possibility. The harmonies rose with quiet strength, reminding us that even in the face of crisis, there’s always room for action especially when we move together. 

That sense of hope continued to build through a gorgeous rendition of Shenandoah, arranged by James Erb. The vocals of The Resonants stood particularly strong here, the female voices soaring with conviction and clarity. 

Then came Let the River Run by Carly Simon and arranged by Craig Hella Johnson, a call to arms wrapped in song. This choral rendition of the classic song filled the room with harmony and nostalgia. You could feel people straightening in their seats, sitting taller, listening more closely. The message was clear as Ngunnawal Kamilaroi custodian Richie Allan says, “we belong to the river, and the river belongs to us”.  

Moon River, composed by Henry Mancini, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and arranged by Steve Zegree followed delicately, utterly captivating the audience. This love song swept over the room, allowing a moment to breathe, reflect, and hold the night in your hands before letting it go. 

And then… Riversong.

As vibrant lights filled the Atrium and the setting sun glowed across the screen, the evening wrapped up with a triumphant celebration and tribute to our rivers, a reminder of the endless possibilities that flow from connection, care, and optimism. 

Just when we thought it was over, the encore kicked in with Kylie Van Dijk conducting a full-audience rendition of Andy Beck’s Riversong. People stood. People sang. People smiled. And for one extraordinary moment, 300 people became one voice, one river, one reminder of why this all matters. 

The speeches that followed were heartfelt and grounding — a chance to thank the many people who made the night possible: the composers, the choir, the conductors, our sponsors, and of course, the incredible audience full of love and support. 

We left in awe, full of flowing river conversations, heartfelt smiles and strengthened purpose. 

A Moment of Thanks

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made Riversong possible — from our audience and supporters to the incredible team behind the scenes.

Special thanks to The Resonants for their powerful and moving performances, and to Helen Swan for her inspired conducting and decades of musical leadership. Thank you also to Siwan Lovett for her vision and voice, to Masha Artamonova for bringing it all together, and to Chris Walsh for the stunning visuals that brought the rivers to life on screen. 

We’re also deeply grateful to our sponsors, silent auction donors, and everyone who continues to stand with us in restoring and protecting our rivers. Your support means the world. 

• Silver Sponsor: Environmental Restoration Design and Planning 
• Networking Sponsors: eWater Group, ASN Events, DFK Everalls, and Money Mechanics. 
• Silent Auction Sponsors: ACT Brumbies, Bush Heritage Australia, Capital Brewing Co, Ginninderry Conservation Trust, Givery, Kadwell & Co Gourmet Potatoes, Michael Wilson (group CEO of eWater), Owen Lyons Art, Siwan Lovett (ARRC), Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach, Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch and Yurbay. 

What Comes Next…

Riversong was a reminder of what is possible when people come together with purpose. It was an evening of shared voices and stories, but more importantly, it marked a step forward in a larger movement to restore our rivers and reconnect people to the natural systems that sustain us. 

The challenges facing our river systems are real. But so too is the power of community, collaboration, and action.  

Now, more than ever, we need people who care to walk alongside us. 

Join us and our journey by: 

• Signing up to our newsletter and following us on social media to stay connected with our work and hear about upcoming events, campaigns, and stories. 
• Supporting our work by donating or wearing our message proudly through our river-inspired merchandise. 
• Start a conversation with us, with your neighbour, or with a family member about the importance of healthy rivers. If you have an idea, know someone who wants to get involved, or are interested in collaborating, we would love to hear from you. 

While it may be some time before we run another event like Riversong, the work to protect and restore our rivers continues every day — and we’d love for you to be part of it. 💚