10am - 4pm
Joseph Road Precinct, Footscray
(Between Warde St Pontoon & Heavenly Queen Temple)
Sunday 30 Nov, 2025
River Landings Community Event is proudly presented by Joseph Road Precinct Action Group Inc. with support through Maribyrnong City Council’s Signature Festivals and Activations Grant Program and in partnership with SOCM, highlighting the shared vision of creating a stronger, more connected community along the Joseph Road corridor. Special thanks to our Event Partners:
Taking place on Sunday 30 November 2025, this free community event will transform the Joseph Road Precinct into a vibrant festival space from 10AM to 4PM, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
This event is all about showcasing the heart of the precinct - its people, its stories, and its connection to the river. Attendees can enjoy a rich mix of entertainment and discovery, including Blackbird River Cruises offering scenic journeys along the River, Indigenous cultural sessions celebrating local heritage, and performances from the Snuff Puppets, a much-loved Footscray icon known for their quirky and larger-than-life theatre. For nature enthusiasts, guided walks will explore the area’s green spaces and biodiversity, while Reptile Encounters provide a fun and educational experience for kids (and brave adults alike).
Beyond the activities, River Landings is about community. Families can picnic under the trees, enjoy free entertainment, and connect with neighbours and local organisations working to make Footscray an even better place to live. With an exciting line-up of free activities and plenty of open space, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the precinct’s growing identity as a lively, inclusive riverside neighbourhood.
So grab your picnic blanket, bring your friends, and spend the day by the river, celebrating what makes Footscray truly special!
What’s On:
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Enjoy a relaxing 60 minutes, cruising along the Maribyrnong River, aboard Blackbird River Cruises.
Highlights:
Heavenly Queen Temple. Footscray Park. Flemington Racecourse. Victoria University. Rowing & Canoe Clubs. Edgewater Lake. Riverside Golf Course. Melbourne’s Living Museum of the West & Pipemakers Park. Highpoint Shopping Centre. Sporting Venues. Angler Tavern. Essendon Boulevard. Riverside Park. Wetlands. The Old Sandpits.(ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED) To reserve a guaranteed space on a cruise session, please click on the applicable session below. You will be redirected to our ticketing partner to proceed with a booking. Please bring your ticket or booking confirmation along on the day.
Important Blackbird River Cruise Information:
• Departure/Boarding Point: Departing from Warde Street Pontoon (Joseph Road Precinct)
• Arrival Times: Please arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to your departure time to ensure you are boarded and prepared. You will be provided with a safety induction upon boarding to ensure your safety and the safety of others whilst on the cruise.
• Children’s Policy: Everyone on board must hold either a reserved ticket or be registered on the day, regardless of age, ability or babes-in-arms.
• Cancellations: If you hold a reserved ticket and can no longer attend, please email us at jrpagfootscray@gmail.com so that we can cancel your booking and open the reservation.
Website
Blackbird River Cruises.
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE FOR 1PM & 2:30PM - Additional space may become available on the day.
More info here.
(You will be redirected to TryBooking to complete a free booking)
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Join us for live music on the lawn from 11am - 4pm, featuring the following musicians:
Uptown Brown (Roving from 11am - 1pm)A singing gentleman-adventurer performing a roving program of primitive 1920’s-1930’s jazz and blues on a self invented one man band. A wily mix of connivance and stuff from the shed, his contraption is built from cedar, leather and brass.
Vocals & fingerpicked ukulele are amplified through old megaphones, mimicking the effect of a 78 record. A quality musical and roving act in the finest tradition of vaudeville and ragtime, performance highlights include multiple years at Woodford Festival, Dark Mofo, Port Fairy Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival, Blues on Broadbeach, Sydney Festival and many more good times!
Instagram
Mary Ann Van Der Horst (Lawn Stage from 1pm)
Mary Ann is an award-winning performer with a voice that will move you. A dynamic singer, songwriter, actress, and model from Melbourne, known from X Factor Australia. She has performed and appeared at Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Cup, FIFA Women's World Cup, AFL, SBS, Crown Casino, C31, Netflix, Christmas Carols, Channel 10 and more. With a powerful voice, charismatic stage presence, and an international track record, Mary Ann continues to shine as one of Australia's most versatile entertainers, inspiring audiences both locally and globally.
Angelique Joseph (Lawn Stage from 1pm)
A twenty-two-year old Surinamese-Australian singer and songwriter with big dreams.
Angelique Joseph takes strong musical inluence from R&B, soul, pop and gospel music and vocalists/singers such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Michael Bolton, Minnie Riperton and Lisa Fischer.
She has recently released her debut single called “Bad Thoughts”, hoping to touch and inspire others not only with her voice, but also through her words. She is currently also working on her debut album, follow her journey.
Marlon Agapito (Lawn Stage from 1pm)
Marlon Agapito is a Filipino freelance singer based in Melbourne, known for his powerful vocals, heartfelt performances, and versatility on stage. He performs at weddings, debuts, and special events, bringing a dynamic mix of contemporary, soulful, and inspirational music.
He is also a proud member of the Planetshakers worship team, where he continues to grow as an artist and minister through music.
With years of experience, he has joined and excelled in multiple singing competitions across Melbourne and internationally. His achievements include:
-Grand Champion – Westside Singing Competition (2020)
-Champion – United Voices International Battle of the Voices Season 2 (2021)
-1st Place – Kono Singing Competition (2021 & 2025)
-1st Place – Promising Star International (2024)
-2nd Place – Ultimate Mic Battle (2025)
…and many more recognitions showcasing his passion and dedication to the music industry.
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Stage Show: 11:30am - 12:30pm
This fun, hands-on Stage Show is the perfect addition to the event’s entertainment line up! Families or kids will flock to the stand to get a glimpse of the amazing animals. Reptile Encounters WildlifeAmbassadors love getting on the mic and talking about native animals. Learn why a crocodile has a third eyelid, a snake sheds its skin and much, much more!
Wildlife Meet & Greet: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Get ready for an unforgettable wildlife encounter! Our Meet & Greet brings the magic of Australian animals to the event. Come face-to-face with majestic saltwater crocs, stunning pythons, wise owls, and adorable marsupials. The friendly Wildlife Ambassadors will mingle and share fascinating facts, create amazing photo ops and memories that will last a lifetime. Let the wild times begin!
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Presented by Tarwin Cultural Service.
Session Times:
10:30am
11:30am
12:30pm
(approx. 25min duration)Join a session on Local Indigenous history, relating to the Maribyrnong River. These sessions will cover:
Who were the people who loved along both sides of the river prior to white settlement; the period of time living here; Kulin Nation and local mobs; relationships between these groups.
Family relationships and marriages organised with other groups within the Kulin Nation; Coolamon baby carrier with baby’s first possum skin - the telling of how the child reaches benchmarks and completes ceremonies and becomes an adult, and how this becomes a possum skin cape.
Local Foods - murnong (yam daisy), fish, wallabies etc; Women collecting plants and small game; Men hunting larger animals; Medicinal plants such as pig face; Eels and eel traps.
Ceremonies and trading with other Aboriginal communities; Marriage; Grimes Reserve
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2 x sessions (approx. 60mins duration)
10:00am - 11:00am
11:30am - 12:30pmJoin Ranger Martin for an educational stroll and workshop through the beautiful landscape that borders the Joseph Road Precinct! Walk and learn about the Newells Paddock wetlands, and how they work with the river health, and water some new plants.
Meeting point: Next to the JRPAG Inc marquee. Please ensure you are at the meeting point on time.
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Available from 10am - 3pm
There’s something for everyone at this event! Kids can enjoy transform into their favourite characters with colourful face painting fun!
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Climate Action Maribyrnong
Footscray Historical Society
** ALL TIMINGS CORRECT AT TIME OF POSTING - PLEASE CHECK BACK REGULARLY FOR FOR UPDATES **
Additional Event Information |
Additional Event Information |
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This is a free community event.
There are no tickets available for purchase to enter the precinct or participate in most activities.
For Blackbird River Cruise, tickets can be reserved for free via TryBooking. Alternatively, you may attend on the day queue for any remaining available space on a river cruise session - this is not guaranteed and wait times cannot be predicted. -
Food and Beverage (non-alcoholic) trucks will be on available.
In addition, we recommend bringing a packed lunch or picnic and snacks, along with a rug or blanket to enjoy in the park. Be sure to bring along plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.
We suggest using containers and other recyclable items that you can take home with you, and advise against bringing glass items.
Alcohol is not permitted in public spaces, including the River Landings area where this event is taking place. -
Portable toilets will be available on-site at this event, situated in grassed area between the Joseph Road Apartments and Heaven Queen Temple.
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Please note that this is primarily an outdoors event and will proceed rain or shine, unless weather is otherwise deemed unsafe for the event to proceed. Please plan accordingly and dress for the weather!
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JRPAG Inc. and our Event Partners are not responsible for lost belongings. If you have misplaced an item whilst in attendance, please visit th JRPAG Inc. marquee to see if a friendly member of the community has handed your item over to our team. Otherwise, all lost & found enquiries can be emailed to email jrpagfootscray@gmail.com.au and a member of the team will respond to you as soon as possible.
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Whilst pets are permitted in the park (on-lead only), we recommend avoiding the main grassed area where families and activities are positioned, due to the nature of the activities.
The trail/path along the river will be open as per normal, and additional green spaces along the river remain available.
If you do wish to bring your pets on site, we ask that you please be mindful of families and the activities occurring in the vicinity. -
The Joseph Road Precinct Action GroupInc. (JRPAG Inc.) was established to give local residents a collective voice as the precinct undergoes rapid urban development.
With a significant increase in high-density construction, residents identified growing concerns around safety, traffic, environmental impacts, incomplete public amenities, and the need for stronger community representation in planning decisions.
JRPAG was formed to advocate for safer streets, better public spaces, timely delivery of essential infrastructure, and policies that support a liveable, inclusive, and well-serviced neighbourhood.
The group provides a collaborative platform for residents to engage with Council, developers, and government agencies, ensuring that the long-term needs of the community remain at the centre of precinct planning and development.
In 2025, JRPAG became a registered Incorporated Association and has established key subgroups to support its expanded community focus. These include: Greening & Environment; Planning & Public Realm; Road Safety; Grants, Donations & Community Events and Neighbourhood Watch.
For enquiries, please email jrpagfootscray@gmail.com