A new festival will hit Point Cook in a bid to connect locals with the diverse and unique marine environment that's right under our noses.
Day By The Bay – which celebrates Port Phillip Bay and its importance to the identity and culture of communities that live around it – will head to Point Cook Coastal Park on Saturday 23 March.
With nearly five million people living around it, Port Phillip Bay is Australia's densest catchment. It has a unique cultural heritage, boasts amazing biodiversity, offers countless opportunities for adventure, and enhances local livability.
"There's nowhere else like Port Phillip Bay in the whole of Australia – it's a pretty special place," says Chris McCormack from nature connection charity Remember The Wild, organisers of the festivals.
"We can swim, surf, snorkel, fish and sail – you name it and the Bay offers it. But our growing population is putting pressure on Port Phillip Bay, so we need to start caring more about it. That's what we're hoping to achieve with Day By The Bay."
The festival is free to attend, family friendly and alcohol-free, featuring food vendors, community stallholders and activities for all ages. A free shuttle bus will run between Williams Landing train station (Werribee train line) and the festival to transport festival-goers. And a stellar live music lineup from local Melbourne artists who have a strong connection with Port Phillip Bay will add to the atmosphere.
"I grew up by the sea so I always feel at home when close to the water," says Leah Senior, who features in the live music lineup for Day By The Bay.
"Many of us live disconnected from nature but a view of the ocean reminds us that we are just a part of a miraculous natural world. We live in a time where it is more important than ever to remember this and act in ways to protect and cherish it."
Alongside Leah Senior, the Point Cook festival music line up will feature headliner Mojo Juju, plus Orb Weavers, HEXDEBT, Way Dynamic and Jess Ribeiro.
More about the Day By The Bayfestival at connectedtoportphillip.com/festivals/pointcook. More about Remember The Wild at www.rememberthewild.org.au.
