Hundreds of protestors made their way over the old Echuca-Moama bridge for the March Across the Murray on Sunday, August 31.
A local offshoot of the national March for Australia, attendees came from the twin towns and further afield for the event.
Around 300 to 400 protestors carried Australian flags, including the Australian red ensign, from the old Echuca pump house to the Kerrabee Soundshell in Moama, singing and chanting along the way.
Police on both sides of the border closed the bridge to cars, with some attendees making their way on to the road.
Demonstrators spoke to crowds about protest motivations, including concerns over mass immigration, farmers’ rights and widespread division.
Brothers Robert and Colin Hosking were two of the march organisers.
“It's 10 times more (people) than we expected,” Colin said.
“The silent majority is starting to speak out, that’s how we put it.
“Tolerance and apathy is what is bringing us into these — we’ll call it tough situations —and this is showing that not everybody is tolerant or apathetic.”
Robert said his reason for planning the protest was to stand up for farmers.
He was especially worried about laws allowing Victorian Government officers to access private property when implementing the 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan.
“Imagine if Jacinta Allan said, ‘we’re going to put a footpath across Melbourne suburbs, across your backyard ... and if you don’t let us, we’re going to fine you $12,000’,” Robert said.
“But that’s exactly what they’re doing to farmers.
“Where the transmission lines are going, you can’t object to it, or you get fined.”
Addressing anti-immigration claims made at the marches for Australia, Colin said the purpose of the protest was to address the number of people coming to live in Australia.
“It’s not about immigration, it’s about mass immigration,” he said.
“Where you’re bringing more people than the infrastructure, the housing, education, medical (can handle).
“It’s not about race or ethnicity or anything else, it’s about 1500 people a day that we can’t handle.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in the 12 months to December 2024, the Australian population grew by 930 people per day through net overseas migration.
Robert and Colin Hosking’s nephew James Jacques said he attended the protest to show pride for his country.
“What brought me here today was basically being Australian,” he said.
“We’re not against people coming into the country or anything like that.
“I think it’s people coming into the country not wanting to abide by the Australian way ... (which is) not committing crime, living the way we live.”
Fellow demonstrator Andre Thompson travelled from Kerang to attend the protest.
He said that he “make(s) a differentiation between immigrants and immigration”, concerned by government policies around the latter.
“We are tired of government overreach and governments that are not representing Australian citizens,” Mr Thompson said.
“What we’re concerned about is the level of immigration, and that’s not decided by immigrants, that’s decided by our bureaucrats and policymakers.
“We do not have enough time to assimilate them into ... the Australian way of life and maintain our culture.”
Federal Member for Farrer and opposition leader Sussan Ley released a statement to social media on Saturday, August 30 ahead of Sunday’s event.
“In Australia, we protect the right to an opinion and the right to protest, but that must be done peacefully and respectfully,” she said.
“There is no place for violence, racism or intimidation ... strong borders keep us safe, but they also allow us to be generous and compassionate to those fleeing conflict.
“That is the Australian story. Respect, tolerance, community.
“It belongs to all of us, and what unites us will always be stronger than what seeks to divide us.”