Yarra Birrarung: Artists, Writers and the River

The Yarra River is an important feature of Melbourne though its significance is often overlooked. In Yarra Birrarung: artists, writers and the river Judith Buckrich has provided an historical perspective of the river before and since the arrival of Europeans in the colony of Port Phillip in the 1830s to the present day.

Much of the story of the river is told via paintings and photographs of the river during the past two hundred years. The author recounts the many ways that the river has been used and abused over time. Chapters include the effects on the river as the European settlement expands, changing landscapes, artists colonies that have been established along the river, flooding and changing the course of the river and the use of the river today.

This is a beautiful book with illustrations and accounts written by people associated with or living near the river in order to convey the importance of the river not only to Melbourne but also to other settlements near the course of the river. Anyone interested in the history of Melbourne should read this book.