Around the Diocese - Parish of York
Anglican Diocese of Perth
Enables Upgrade of River Trail in York
The Revd Canon Dr Philip Raymont, Priest-in-Charge, Parishes of Beverley-Brookton, Quairading and York
The completion of the realignment of part of the walk trail along the Avon River in York below Holy Trinity Church was celebrated at a Ceremony of Blessing after the Church’s 9.30am Eucharist on Sunday, 16 August.
The project was made possible through the cooperation and efforts of several local groups alongside a Memorandum of Understanding between the Anglican Diocese of Perth and the Shire of York that enabled church land to be used for the trail to be realigned away from the water’s edge with an even, stable surface. Volunteers from the River Conservation Society planted trees and shrubs beside it.
The realignment forms part of a bigger project involving many partners. In her remarks to the gathering, Shire of York Cultural Heritage Officer, Carol Littlefair, thanked the York Parish Council and the Anglican Diocese of Perth for agreeing to the Memorandum of Understanding allowing the track to pass through church land. She described it as an example of neighbours working together for the enjoyment of the community.
Lotterywest provided funding for the new section of track that is part of a project to create an Aboriginal river trail as proposed by local elder, Dennis Kickett, in an effort to raise the profile and understanding of Balladong Noongar culture. A grant from the Department of Cultural Industries, Tourism and Sport enabled the filming of ten Balladong Elders and community members telling river stories, and eight Balladong artists creating paintings that illustrate those stories. The films and paintings will form a virtual trail on the Experience York App. The paintings will be used also in signage at nine points of interest along the river with a plan for one to be transformed into a permanent projection at night across the river in Avon Park.
In blessing the trail, The Revd Canon Dr Philip Raymont, said the Bible records the place of rivers and trails, more often called paths. He noted that rivers are powerful symbols of life and renewal, divine provision, spiritual symbolism and rebirth. As such, they mark sacred boundaries, serve as sites of miraculous transformation and frame the entire Scriptures, starting in a watered garden (Genesis) and ending with the river of life (Revelation).
He explained that the metaphor of paths in the Bible is a rich tapestry that interweaves themes of preparedness, righteousness, faith, patience and healing. These paths encourage believers to consider not just their physical journey but their spiritual one as well.
Residents gather for Blessing of the River Trail
