Richmond Riverkeeper, Kristin den Exter, has been recognised at the 2025 NSW Coastal Conference Awards, receiving honours in the Local Hero category for her outstanding contribution to river health, community collaboration, and coastal care.

The annual NSW Coastal Conference, held this year in Ballina, celebrates the people and projects working to protect and restore the state’s coasts, estuaries, and river systems. The award acknowledges Kristin’s leadership through Richmond Riverkeeper and the Richmond RiverFest — a month-long celebration of culture, community and Country that connects people from the sea to the source.

Associate Professor in History at Southern Cross University and fellow Richmond Riverkeeper, Adele Wessell, said “Kristin often asks, ‘If the river had a voice, what would it say?”. She has been listening to what the river is telling us her whole life, listening to the knowledge of Custodians and First Peoples and committing herself to a lifetime of working with the river with integrity and love in a way that inspires everyone around her.”

“This award recognises the incredible collective effort of our community,” said Kristin den Exter. “From Elders and artists to scientists and volunteers, we’re all working together so that the rivers of the Richmond catchment can one day be drinkable, swimmable and fishable again.”

Under Kristin’s guidance, Richmond Riverkeeper has become a leading voice for catchment-wide action, promoting education, citizen science, cultural renewal and environmental restoration across Bundjalung Country.

Her work brings people together around shared care for Mamaang Balun – the Richmond River, inspiring both local and regional partnerships to heal Country and strengthen community resilience.

The Richmond Riverkeeper initiative is supported by partners across the Richmond River catchment.