Council is teaming up with the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre and Birdlife Australia for World Migratory Bird Day and World Mental Health Day on Saturday 9 October, from 9am to 1pm.
The day’s events welcome home migratory birds who have flown home from as far as the Arctic and include three exciting online workshops and a nature-themed yoga which have been designed to invite the community to sing, fly and soar.
World Migratory Bird Day is a global awareness campaign dedicated to raising awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.
The program kicks off at 9am with a specially designed yoga and meditation class with Hobsons Bay local Shavita Kotak to help you connect with nature and yourself.
The World Migratory Bird Day choir will launch the Migratory Birds of Hobsons Bay workshop at 10am. Council’s friendly and knowledgeable Conservation Rangers will provide insight into migratory birds who fly 11,000km each year to rest on our shores and how we can all do our part to ensure they enjoy their stay in Hobsons Bay and are reenergised before repeating their incredible yet arduous yearly journey.
Migratory Shorebird Program Officer at Birdlife Australia Lindall Kidd will give an overview of the life of a shorebird and Council will launch an animated video which traces the path of a Red-Necked Stint’s journey from Hobsons Bay to Siberia, a route called the East Asian Australasian Flyway.
Then get creative at 11am with printmaker Kate Gorringe-Smith and author and performance storyteller Jackie Kerin. Kate and Jackie will provide expert tips and ideas to inspire you to get into nature and help spread the migratory shorebird word through art and storytelling.
To round off the day, join Dr Rebecca Patrick, Director Sustainable Health Network Deakin University and Alison Hill, Managing Director People & Parks Foundation to discuss how time in nature enhances our wellbeing.
Hobsons Bay is home to a number of significant bird habitat sites, including Truganina Parklands in Altona, Altona Coastal Park, Sandy Point, Paisley Challis Wetlands, Rifle Range Reserve, and Parks Victoria-managed conservation areas Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve and Cheetham Wetlands.
The event is supported by Hobsons Bay Community Fund and hosted on the platform. Community members are welcome to attend one or all three workshops. Please note, the nature-themed yoga will have a separate Zoom link, please keep an eye on our website for the link.
To view the program, visit
