Grafton and Yamba have become home to the first Green Seats installed in NSW, providing places to remember missing people and raise awareness of unresolved cases.
The seats have been installed at Corcoran Park in Grafton and Turners Beach in Yamba following a community campaign that gained the support of Clarence Valley councillors earlier this year.
The installations are part of The Missing Matter – The Green Seat Project and are intended to serve as a visual reminder of people who remain missing from the Clarence Valley.
Clarence Valley Council general manager Laura Black said the community had played an important role in bringing the initiative to the region.
“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.” said Black.
“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 carries the words “THE MISSING MATTER” and aims to encourage conversations about long-term missing persons and the impact their disappearance has on families and loved ones.
The seats also feature a QR code linking visitors to information about missing persons cases and support services for affected families.
The Missing Matter – The Green Seat Project Inc founder Sally Leydon 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.” said Black.
“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 has 24 combined missing persons and unresolved cold cases under ongoing investigation by the NSW Unsolved Homicide Squad, with cases dating back to 1902.
The seats will be officially unveiled at two community events.
The Grafton unveiling will be held at Corcoran Park at 1pm on Sunday, 13 September, while the Yamba event will take place at Turners Beach at 10am on Monday, 14 September.
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