Exhibition dates: 23 July – 6 September 2026
Times: 9am – 4pm, daily
Entry: FREE
Venue: CCC
Exhibition Public Program: Free Documentary, The Plastic Country 6pm Thursday, 27 August 2026.
A collaborative community exhibition about the waterways and biodiversity of Cardinia Shire Council led by artists, Kate Gorringe-Smith and Jina He.
Developed by CCC and the Environment and Heritage Unit to map the flow of water through the Shire, from the hills to the bay. This exhibition highlights the environmental impacts of what ends up in our waterways.
Come follow the journey of water across Cardinia Shire and beyond, from upper catchments rich with wildlife, through urban and agricultural landscapes shaped by human activity, to the internationally significant wetlands and waters of Western Port Bay.
Along the way, you will discover how water nurtures ecosystems, connects habitats, and tells stories of change (cultural, environmental and ecological) and the impacts of how we all manage land, waste and infrastructure.
Bringing together artists, community members and scientific knowledge, this exhibition highlights the importance of healthy waterways, thriving biodiversity, and our shared responsibility to care for water and country as a living system.
The exhibition explores how colonial settlement, farming and urban development have changed local landscapes, while also showcasing projects that protect ecosystems and wildlife corridors. It will highlight key species which are found in the region, including some that are endangered and many threatened by human impact and behaviour.
As you move through the exhibition, consider your place in the catchment, and how even the smallest actions upstream can ripple into the future downstream.
KATE GORRINGE-SMITH, ARTIST
Melbourne-based artist Kate Gorringe-Smith works in contemporary and traditional print media in 2D and 3D form and installation. Her art investigates our relationship with the environment: the threats we create vs our connectedness with it. Kate’s work often references migratory shorebirds to illustrate the environmental connections that link us individually and globally.
JINA HE, ARTIST
Jina is a Melbourne-based creative with a multidisciplinary art, design, and architecture background. Her practice is characterised by a deep commitment to transforming public spaces through creative expression, social engagement, and urban strategy. She sees public spaces as dynamic environments wher social interactions and daily events meet practical and emotional needs, providing rich backdrops for her creations. This perspective drives her fascination with the elements that define the public realm and the stories they generate.
COLLABORATORS
Thank you to the students from Garfield Primary School, Pakenham Consolidated School, Pakenham Springs Primary School, St Partricks Primary School Pakenham, Pakenham Hills Primary School, St Francis Xavier College and ECG Secondary College, for creating the beautiful cyanotype and monoprint artworks with Kate Gorringe-Smith displayed throughout the exhibition.
Thank you to the Emerald and District Museum, Cockatoo History and Heritage Group, and Cardinia Shire’s Berwick Pakenham and Koo Wee Rup Swamp historical societies for loaning collection items, curated by Mikala Bulleid.
This exhibition is presented by Cardinia Shire Council in collaboration with Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Melbourne Water and the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation.
Image credit: Kate Gorringe-Smith (detail)