After traveling to the Simpson Desert with
the University of Sydney’s Desert Ecology Research Group (DERG) in November
2009 it occurred to me that their extensive body of research had never been
shared with the local pastoral community.
On my way back through Bedourie, the small outback Queensland town on the edge of the desert, I spoke to a Diamantina Shire council member
about wanting to organise a community event that would introduce local
residents and graziers to the work the scientists had been doing over 20 years.
Even as an outsider with a peek into their findings, I knew much of what they
studied was relevant to the community.
When I secured a place on the June 2010
research trip I started organising a community information event in Bedourie
for July 1.
As always, when working in a remote
location with no electricity, running water or amenities, it was important to
be organised and prepared. An exciting challenge was playing the diverse roles
of planner, interviewer, producer, sound recordist, camera operator and editor.
For me, the essence of documentary making
is telling stories. It’s about having a very privileged front row seat into
different lives, passions, cultures, communities and peoples.
Stories are everywhere and telling them is
something I want to spend the rest of my life doing. I recently set up a small business to help me do so. www.tellwell.com.au
