Welcome to the Toodyay Friends of the River

Working for the health of the Swan/Avon River

BILYA WALK TRACK and JOHN MASTERS BIRD HIDE open again

The John Masters Bird Hide and Bilya Walk Track have been re-opened, with the track taking a different route. Please respect the signage messages.

Above: Redbank Pool damage closed the Bilya Walk Track for a short time.
Did the storm cause this? Go to our News page to find the answer

(Photo: Wayne Clarke 14th March 2021)

The Avon River is unique in its character. Dry for most of the year (but wet in the winter), it originates in an almost flat catchment, then drops sharply to its outlet, the Swan River (most river systems in the world commence in the uplands or mountains, and terminate through flat floodplains). The Avon is also unique in the way it's currently managed - mostly by community groups such as the Toodyay Friends Of the River (TFOR).
The Avon is the upper reaches of the Swan River which flows through the heart of Perth, then on through Fremantle to the sea. Both rivers have had some really poor management decisions made by government in the past (the Avon River Training Scheme a prime example). Now, when the economy is more focused on development, our waterways are again under pressure. Community groups like TFOR, and 'Conserving the Avon River Environment' (CARE) are undertaking whatever activities they are capable of with their limited resources. But they can't replace a committed government.

Storms that crossed through Toodyay (and flooded Northam) also flooded the crossing over Boyagerring Brook (below).

(Photo: Beth Frayne)

Visit our News page for our latest news, including the Annual General Meeting and our newest Honorary Life Member, plus the Pelham Brook Outlet Restoration Project.

If you are interested in helping the TFOR - either with our monthly working bees, with administration, or trying to help turn the tide, you are more than welcome. Contact our President with details of the skills you have to offer.

Our Calendar has a run-down on our proposed activities for 2021

The TFOR Vision is:

The TFOR Mission is:

Your donation will assist us to accomplish our mission.

Check out our Monitoring Project

View our latest'BIDDIP' Newsletter

Volume 14 Issue 3 was the final issue for 2020. Next issue due April 2021

Our 'News Page' has all our latest news

VISIT the Bilya Walk Track

DRUMMOND HOUSE - TOODYAY'S ENVIRONMENT & HISTORY CENTRE
108B Stirling Terrace, Toodyay (next to our website sponsor, Bendigo Bank). This is Our Home we share with the Toodyay Historical Society and Toodyay Naturalists' Club. We are open every Saturday morning from 10am until noon. DRUMMOND HOUSE IS OPEN TO VISITORS, but please ensure you sign our visitor's book and comply with COVID-19 distancing rules.

You can find here a copy of the TFOR rules - 2020

THE TOODYAY FRIENDS OF THE RIVER MEMBERS RECOGNISE THE BALLARDONG AND YUED PEOPLE OF THE NOONGAR NATION AS THE TRADITIONAL OWNERS AND CARERS OF THE LAND ON WHICH WE LIVE, WORK AND MEET.
WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO ELDERS PAST, PRESENT AND EMERGING

THE NOONGAR CALENDAR
We are now in the Noongar Season of DJERAN (April-May) the Season of adulthood.
Cooler weather begins. Also heralds 'Ant Season' - time to repair housing and shelter.
Find out more about the Noongar seasons from the Bureau of Meteorology

TFOR is a CHOOSE RESPECT supporter

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING

You can report cases of 'illegal dumping' to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) on the Department's Pollution Hotline 1300 784 782 or through the Department's website

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Updated 3rd April 2021