Neil Murray at the Hopkins mouth prior to the heeling walk
A SYMBOLIC walk from the mouth of the Hopkins River to the shores of Lake Bolac will kick off the town's first eel festival early next month. Led by singer/songwriter Neil Murray, the walk will trace the path of the elongated fish as they make their way from the ocean to the celebrated eel habitat of Lake Bolac. Aboriginal people used to gather at the lake and Mr Murray said the walk and subsequent festival would allow indigenous and non-indigenous Australians to reconnect with the area. "It will bring home to people that we are part of the land and need to work with the land and not against it," he said. "When you walk through a country it's different to going by car or any other means. "We especially want to look at . . . regenerative farming methods to stimulate and restore natural ecosystems. "It's a quiet protest because we want our waterways to be healthier." Mr Murray said the eel was a particularly fitting symbol for the festival because Lake Bolac had not overflowed for a long period, preventing young eels from getting in from the Hopkins River. The lake was stocked by a local fisherman who brought in young eels from Tasmania, he said. The festival, which was put together by a dedicated committee, will commence when the small number of walkers arrive at Lake Bolac on April 2. Featured performers will include Shane Howard, Kavisha Mazzella, David Bridie and Murray. "I had the idea for a few years now and just wanted people to do it," he said. "It's the first festival for Lake Bolac and we hope to keep it going." The walk will begin at the mouth of the Hopkins River early on Wednesday morning.
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