November 2012

Each year in Spring CERES celebrates the Return of the Sacred Kingfisher. For thousands of years the Sacred Kingfisher returned to this part of the Merri Creek after its winter migration north. When we first started the work of reclaiming the land, the site was so degraded that the Kingfisher had abandoned its traditional nesting space. Slowly over time as the land and creek were restored to health the Kingfisher returned.

We welcome the return of the Kingfisher with music dance food and celebration. The Kingfisher is our symbol of renewal and hope.

During the 2011 festival roving entertainment included circus performers from the Women's Circus and Circus Oz. CERES staff took part in a Gumboot Boogie to celebrate the work everybody has done to restore the Merri Creek area.

2011 festival Facebook photo album

The centrepiece of the festival is the Kingfisher Story and Ritual to represent the destruction of the Merri Creek, the realisation that polluting our environment causes great harm and then the regeneration of the area. The final part of the performance is a celebratory parade around CERES to represent the day when the Sacred Kingfisher returned.