Sacrifice Zone Community, Education, Environment, Health & Wellbeing, History, Human Rights, Indigenous, Rural, Social Justice, Youth The backyard of New South Wales is facing its biggest threat yet – invasive gasfields. Betrayal by governments has meant protectors are fighting to save the things they love. The Pilliga, Great Artesian Basin, Liverpool Plains – all are at risk. This is a David and Goliath battle to save our land, air and water from destruction. It’s also a fight for the soul and future of Australia. In this film we meet the experts and people living in the sacrifice zone and uncover the truth behind the real gas crisis confronting ordinary Australians. Interviewees include farmers, Gamilaraay people, groundwater engineers, medical experts, financial analysts, lawyers, activists, astronomers, toxics experts, politicians, whistleblowers and ecologists. Together they weave a compelling argument against this destructive and unnecessary industry.

Stories of Gutharraguada Country (Shark Bay) Aged, Arts, Community, Disability, Education, Environment, Health & Wellbeing, History, Human Rights, Indigenous, Rural, Social Justice This is the story about Jimmy Poland, senior Malgana man of the Gascoyne region in Gutharraguada Shark Bay country, who has been carving pearl shell, emu eggs and more recently boab nuts for many years- a skill that was passed down from his father. His life stories told though his art is one of inspiration and dedication, not only to the preservation of the Malgana culture, but that it is possible to follow your desires and dreams at any age. \nThe documentary will follow on from a recent mentorship program with Perth based contemporary jewellery designer Helena Bogucki; culminating in a touring exhibition. The documentary will focus on Jimmy’s extraordinary stories of growing up in Shark Bay and his life as a fisherman and the surrounding country. These stories are pertinent to his artwork as his unique environment is to his inspiration.\nTwo WA film makers will coordinate the production through oral histories, community interviews and flash back re enactments; capturing the journey of Jimmy through his relationship with his family, the land, and the people of Shark Bay. Given Jimmy’s age (86 years), his family and the Aboriginal community of Shark Bay are very committed to the urgent documentation of his stories which are representative of the Indigenous history of Shark Bay, making Monkey Mia the popular tourist destination it is today. To date these stories remain unacknowledged.\nTo bring his stories of his youth to life, re enactment techniques will include Jimmy’s younger family members, friends and community members. It will also include mentoring 4 young people and community workshops in photography and film. Professional film makers, Bewley Shaylor and Michael Fletcher will create the narrative structure to the film and will undertake the final stage of editing and post-production. \nAs another way of developing a unified creative vision for the people of Shark Bay, the music score will incorporate the talents of local Indigenous musicians and friends such as Howard Cox with Jimmy Poland himself on the mouth organ. \nThe project has complete endorsement of his family and Yadgalah Aboriginal Corporation. To quote Jimmy’s nephew and local Indigenous Tourism Operator, Darren Capewell: “His art making and stories are a part of our Indigenous cultural history and traditions which in turn promote education, understanding and respect....they are a unique piece of the spirit country representing the landscape he grew up in- Gutharraguada (Shark Bay).”

Antenna International Documentary Festival Aged, Arts, Community, Disability, Education, Environment, Health & Wellbeing, History, Human Rights, Indigenous, Refugees, Rural, Social Justice, Sport/Adventure, Welfare, Youth n/a