Grafton and Yamba are home to the first two Green Seats in New South Wales, with the installations marking a major milestone for The Green Seat Project after local community members successfully rallied councillor support earlier this year.
The seats have been installed at Corcoran Park in Grafton and at Turners Beach in Yamba, serving as a visual reminder of those missing from the Clarence Valley and helping to raise public awareness of missing persons.
Clarence Valley Council’s General Manager, Laura Black, said the community has played an important role in shaping this initiative in the Clarence Valley and she is pleased to see it put in place.
“I’m so pleased to see the seats installed at Corcoran Park and Turners Beach in honour of those who have sadly gone missing in our beautiful area. These green seats provide a place for reflection, remembrance and hope.
“Council has received multiple inspiring deputations at Council meetings from individuals sharing their lived experiences and the impacts on their families and friends. These firsthand accounts have played an important role in raising awareness and supporting the introduction of this initiative in the Clarence Valley.”
Each seat features the words “THE MISSING MATTER”, encouraging community conversations about long-term missing persons and the impact their disappearance has on families and loved ones. The installations also include a QR code that links visitors to information about missing persons cases and support services available to affected families.
Founder of The Missing Matter – The Green Seat Project Inc, Sally Leydon, has praised Clarence Valley Council for supporting the initiative.
“On behalf of The Green Seat Project Inc., I would like to thank the Clarence Valley Council for recognising that the missing do matter and thus granting the Clarence Valley community two green seats in both Yamba and Grafton.
“The first for the Green Seat Project in NSW – Clarence Valley Council are leading the way, providing a place to reflect; a place people can go to remember the missing when they have nowhere to go. A place where people can learn more about the missing whilst providing a place for hope – because The Missing Matter.”
The Clarence Valley currently has 24 combined missing persons cases and unresolved cold cases under ongoing investigation by the NSW Unsolved Homicide Squad dating back to 1902.
Clarence Valley Council invites community members to attend the official unveiling of the seats at two events: Sunday 13 September at 1 pm in Corcoran Park, Grafton, and Monday 14 September at 10 am at Turners Beach, Yamba.
Visit Council’s website for more details about the events: www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/Community/Whats-on/Green-Seat-Launch
