About TFOR
The Toodyay Friends of the River Inc. (TFOR) is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, consisting of a group of both local and Perth-based community volunteers. In 1994, a small number of like-minded people, interested in the health of our Avon River, gathered together to raise awareness of the issues facing the River’s health.
Following a number of years in consolidating that vision, community members gathered in February 1998 and, with great enthusiasm, supported the original concept; September 1998 saw the Toodyay Friends of the River become incorporated.
In 2019, these visionary people can look back with great pride. In over twenty years of community involvement in river management, there is evidence that their vision is making a difference.
The primary focus of the TFOR is the Avon River, the main tributary of Perth’s Swan River. However our objectives include the river environs, including some of the river’s more substantial sub-catchments and streams.
From the very beginnings of the TFOR in 1994, Incorporation in August 1998 and to the present day, the group have demonstrated the dedication of community members to care of the Avon River as it winds itself, not only through the shire of Toodyay, but also into the heart of the community.
The ‘physical hours’ that have been documented on an annual basis, are an extremely small portion of the actual time volunteers have spent in their quest for Rivercare. Many, many hours have been undertaken completing submissions for funding, public relation exercises, weed trials, publicity and the momentous secretarial and treasurer commitments.
The Group was extremely fortunate to have the constant ‘listening ear’ and assistance of the staff at the Northam office of the old Water & Rivers Commission/Department of Water (now Department of Water & Environmental Protection (DWER) particularly Berny Kelly/Terry Brooks/Martin Revell.
Gratitude is also extended to the Friend’s Patron, Viv Read, who has been a wonderful supporter and mentor, especially in sewing the initial seeds.
Finally, if it had not been for Wayne Clarke’s vision in 1994, his persistence in promoting that vision, and as first Chairperson of the Group in 1998, there may not have been a ‘Friends of the River’ in Toodyay.
The late Jim Masters OAM, an inaugural member of the ‘Friends’, was a great supporter of community involvement in river management. He also had a ‘vision’ for the future – the ‘Friends’ are proud to have aligned themselves with such a distinguished visionary! It is their intention to leave a legacy of which he would have been proud.
Our Mission
To restore our cherished Avon River, and its environs, to a healthy and vibrant ecosystem for both riverine and terrestrial flora and fauna, for current and future generations.
Objects and purposes of TFOR
- To provide an organisation in Toodyay, to be known as the Toodyay Friends of the River (Inc.), that will work towards the conservation and rehabilitation of the Avon River and its environs;
- To help enhance the river environment for the enjoyment of local residents and visitors to the area;
- To provide facilities along the river for the enjoyment of the community that will not compromise the integrity of the river and its environs;
- To work on River Recovery Plans aimed at rehabilitation of the riverine environment;
- To work with the Shire of Toodyay in preparing landscape and amenity plans for the Avon River;
- To encourage group participation by the community in River Recovery projects
- To publish or assist with the publication of news articles, film, literature or electronic presentations that will further the objects of The Friends;
- To encourage partnerships with other environmental groups along the river;
- To work with government and non-government agencies and other environmental groups on projects to enhance the river; and
- To encourage the collection of historical data and to recognise and promote the heritage values of the Avon River and its environs.
Left to right: Martin Revall (Water & Rivers Commission), Doug Morgan; Adrian Bolton, (Shire of Toodyay President); Wayne Clarke (ARMA and TFOR) and Jim Masters (TFOR). Photo Desraé Clarke (1992-02-21)
Committee and Members
TFOR Honorary Life Members:
No organisation can survive without the dedication of members who contribute enormously over a long period. These members don’t usually seek accolades. TFOR recognises the dedication and acknowledges that through awarding Honorary Life Membership to the following people (year indicates the date of award):
- Wayne Clarke (2009)
- Gaven Donegan (dec.)(2010)
- Bob Frayne (2011)
- Desraé Clarke (2011)
- Greg Warburton (2013)
- Robyn Taylor (2019)
- Bethan Lloyd (2020)
TFOR Management Committee (2024):
- President: Jennifer White
- Vice-President: Robyn Taylor
- Secretary: Vacant
- Treasurer: Nalini Robertson
- Seed Orchard Coordinator: Bethan Lloyd
- Project Officer: Greg Warburton
- Co Patrons: Viv Read & Wayne Clarke
- Biddip Newsletter Editor: Gary Payne
- Ordinary Committee Member: Gary Payne
- Ordinary Committee Member: Liz Kington
- Ordinary Committee Member: Hugh Raynor
- Ordinary Committee Member: Nalini Robertson
- Ordinary Committee Member: Sharon Boxall
Awards
2009 RIVER RATS – LIVING STREAMS AWARD
The Toodyay Friends of the River Inc. (TFOR) received the ‘RIVER RATS – LIVING STREAMS AWARD’ at the 2009 State Landcare Awards, joining a distinguished group of individuals with a river-care ethos. Not one to spend time chasing awards, the TFOR are busy working for the environment, particularly that of the Avon River. However the River Rats Award was well-earned, and recognised the on-ground activity that the TFOR are renowned for.
TFOR provided considerable support for the Toodyay Tidy Towns Committee (TTTC) in their quest for the coveted Keep Australia Beautiful awards in the 2014 Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Awards. Toodyay was the overall State winner, and then went on to win the National Title in Tasmania early 2015. Well done Toodyay!
2021 Finalist – Landcare Community Group Award
Toodyay Friends of the River were chosen as a finalist for the 2021 WA Landcare Awards for Community Groups. We were thrilled at this validation of our hard work.
At the WA Landcare Awards night where Toodyay Friends of the River were finalists for the Landcare Group Award.
L to R: Robyn Taylor, Vicki Warburton, Viv Read, Sarah Dudley, Gary Payne and Greg Warburton.
Toodyay Friends of the River Chairs (past and present) Robyn Taylor and Sarah Dudley at the WA Landcare Awards night where Toodyay Friends of the River were finalists for the Landcare Group Award.
2022 AUSTRALIA DAY – ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP AWARD
In the 2022 Community Citizen of the Year Awards, the Toodyay Friends of the River received the Active Citizenship Award (for Community Groups).
The Friends need to give themselves a ‘pat on the back’. Over the years the TFOR have contributed an enormous amount of time and energy on projects that vary from the recent Pelham Brook Outlet Project to the Bilya Walk Track and revegetation projects along the Avon River, along with Harper, Boyagerring and Toodyay Brooks.
The Toodyay Seed Group is a sub-committee of TFOR; they provide seedlings for projects across the Shire and administer and provide seedlings to the Toodyay Native Tree and Understorey Scheme that provides Toodyay landholders with local native plants for revegetation projects and gardens within the Shire.
TFOR Active Citizenship Award Australia Day.
L to R: Vicki Warburton, Greg Warburton, Wayne Clarke, Robyn Taylor, Desrae Clarke and Beth Frayne
Friends & Sponsors
Our friends and sponsors play a crucial role in supporting our mission to restore and protect the Avon River ecosystem. Together, we are making a difference for the health of our river and its environs.
Contact Us
Connect with TFOR today to be a part of our passionate community dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Avon River ecosystem.
