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On Australian Shores: Survivor Stories

On Australian Shores: Survivor Stories has been screening nationally on NITV since February 20th, 2023, with an introduction from Karla Grant, in the “Karla Grant Presents” programme. It is still available on and off on SBS On Demand - keep an eye out for it!


PROJECT SUMMARY

Dr Magali McDuffie and Dr Alexander Hayes of Ngikalikarra Media conducted personal interviews, produced, and edited this 54 minute documentary film over a three year period, listening to those directly and indirectly affected by the Agriculture Protection Board (APB) herbicide spraying programs across the East Kimberley and West Kimberley region of Western Australia. The film has been released under a CC BY 4.0 licence type and all members of the project and consultation teams acknowledged in an international social science context.

BACKGROUND

Through invitation, Dr Magali McDuffie and Dr Alexander Hayes of Ngikalikarra Media were invited to connect with individuals firstly to listen to their account of the effects of the use of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, the active ingredients of Agent Orange, a dioxin, toxin and weapon of mass destruction. The first accounts from individuals focussed on the loss of children, cancers and numerous other medical conditions which affected those who were working with the Agriculture Protection Board (APB) which had an epicentre location in Derby, Western Australia.

The project was extended with generous sponsorship from the McCumstie and McCasker families, The Ngalla Maya Corporation, and The First Nations Homelessness Project, when it was identified that teams of young Aboriginal men were conscripted to spray without PPE gear in remote locations of Western Australia. The legacy of that government endorsed Agriculture Protection Board (APB) project is captured in this epic 52-minute documentary film, filmed and edited over many hundreds of hours, with constant community consultation. The Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council generously sponsored the final stages of the editing process.

Screenshot of Project Timeline

THE STORY

On Australian Shores: Survivor Stories is a new documentary which will be aired nationally on NITV and SBS on Demand in February 2023, after SBS-NITV purchased the License Rights in June 2022.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Kimberley Aboriginal workers were involved in weed spraying campaigns organised by the Agricultural Protection Board of Western Australia. They received no training or protection equipment. They were told the chemicals they were mixing and spraying by hand were safe to use. Unbeknownst to them, they were spraying Agent Orange - a mixture of 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D herbicides.

Many healthy young Aboriginal men died in their thirties and forties, leaving behind heartbroken parents, partners, siblings, children, and communities. But the impact was not limited to them. The toxins they were spraying affected their wives, who suffered miscarriages and could not have children, and their own children, who were in contact with their clothes. Aunty Lena Buckle, from Derby, lost a daughter, a son, and a grandson. Many of the survivors today have suffered from cancers and other conditions. Many of their grandchildren are also affected, some born with malformations. Senior Nyikina Elder Lucy Marshall AM campaigned for the victims of Agent Orange in the Kimberley, until her death - she received an Order of Australia Medal for her tireless efforts. She passed away in 2021, without the answers she was seeking, having lost a son, a grandson, and a nephew. Some of her son's organs are still held in a facility in Perth - against Aboriginal cultural protocols.

Two government enquiries were held in 2003 (led by Dr Andrew Harper) and 2004 (led by Dr Bruce Armstrong). Cancer sufferers were promised compensation - none of the other ailments or deaths were attributed to the use of Agent Orange. The ABC covered the story in a 2014 Four Corners Programme (Chemical Time Bomb). Repeated calls for compensation and recognition of the victims have fallen on deaf ears, due to the statute of limitations.

This important documentary gives voice to 42 people, survivors, family and community members, so that their stories are not forgotten.

PRE-SCREENING CONSULTATION 1

Broome, Western Australia

Wednesday, 21st November 2018
Hall 1 - Lotteries House, Cable Beach Road, Broome, Western Australia
Opening 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM - FREE ENTRY
Download flyer - PDF

PRE-SCREENING CONSULTATION 2

Derby, Western Australia

Friday, 23 November 2018
Civic Centre, Loch Street, Derby, Western Australia
Opening 6:30PM - 9:00 PM - FREE ENTRY
Download Flyer - PDF

MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Sydney Criminal Lawyers - An interview with Paul Gregoire - 28th April 2022

Podcast - Goolarri Media with Sandy Dann - Western Australia - 14th November 2018

Radio Show - ABC Kimberley ‘ Morning Show’ with Vanessa Mills - 20th November, 2018

Article - National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), April 2022

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Voices for the Martuwarra

Watch the stories of Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council members talking about their relationship with the Martuwarra, Fitzroy River, in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, and about why it is so important to protect it from invasive mining and agricultural developments - for all future generations of the world! The whole documentary, Voices for the Martuwarra, can be watched here. The film is also featured on the MFRC website.

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Bookarrarra Liyan Mardoowarra Booroo - UN WINNER!

In August 2019 I was honoured to be the Inaugural Winner of the United Nations Association of Western Australia’s Short Film Competition in the Indigenous Culture Category. Bookarrarra Liyan Mardoowarra Booroo was produced by Madjulla Inc. (Broome), and features Anne Poelina and Jeannie Warbie, talking about the protection of the Mardoowarra, Fitzroy River, for future generations of the world…

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LET THEM SPEAK - DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE

On February 8th, 2019, Ngikalikarra Media premiered a 53 minute documentary featuring four courageous Wongi Aboriginal women, Sharon Hume, Rosemary Bailey, Barbara McGillivray and Jillian Heneker, who speak of the catastrophic effects of intergenerational sexual abuse they have suffered, shared and face as a family.

The documentary features Gerry georgatos and Megan Krakouer.

Executive Producers: The Institute for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISJHR) and The National Child Sexual Abuse Trauma Recovery Project (NCSATRP).

The documentary was filmed and edited by Alexander Hayes & Magali McDuffie from Ngikalikarra Media, Perth, Western Australia.

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FRACKING FILM

With the Western Australian Government only days away from revealing whether or not they will allow fracking in the Kimberley, we have produced a film about the dangers of fracking with Madjulla Inc in Broome and other Aboriginal communities. What is Fracking? was released on ICTV on 1st November 2018 for distribution across all remote Aboriginal communities, and can be accessed on the web at ICTVPlay: https://ictv.com.au/video/item/6064

What is Fracking Announcement.jpg


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PAKAM Films

I worked at PAKAM (Pilbara and Kimberley Aboriginal Media) for 15 months as a Community Media Trainer in 2017-2018. In this time I travelled all over the Kimberley and Pilbara, visiting the communities of Ardyaloon (One Arm Point), Beagle Bay, Djarindjin, Bidyadanga, Balgo, Billiluna, Jigalong, Walkali, Warmun (Turkey Creek), Strelley, and Port Hedland. Below is a sample of all the films I had the pleasure and privilege to work on with the fantastic PAKAM crew as a trainer, cameraperson, and / or editor! You can watch them on ICTVPlay from anywhere in the world! 

KALACC Festival 2017: Strong Women

Remote Communities Utility Workers' Graduation 2017

Wandoo Wahpup (Commissioned by and showcased at the Tarnanthi National Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Exhibition in Adelaide, 2018)

Bedtime Stories Series: Yakulipa Kartantarrijirri (Turtle and Two Ducks)

Ardyaloon Indigenous AFL All Stars Visit

Bedtime Stories Series: Ngakalyalya Piyarrku (Cockatoo and Galah)

The Mary G Live Show 

Looma Lady Eagles Grand Final Highlights (Winner of the ICTV Our Sport Award 2019)

Bedtime Stories Series: Kurrparnjipa Manganya (Magpie and Echidna)

Bedtime Stories Series: Wakilypirri Karliparrul (Emu and Turkey)

Bedtime Stories Series: Waparnupa Karnka (Eagle and Crow)

KALACC Festival 2017: Strong Culture

A Day in the Working Life of Minty Sahanna

The Artist Tree

Return to Walkali

Trauma and Healing Workshop at Ngumpan

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Protecting Country: Film Release

We have released our latest film, Protecting Country. The film is also accessible on the International Films For Action Documentary Platform and is now part of the 2019 Official Selection for the 13th Edition of the International Native Spirit Festival in London!

Protecting Country is an independently produced film bringing the voices of the contemporary Adnyamathanha, Gurindji, Tanganekald, Yankunytjatjara Anangu, Mirning, Narungga Aboriginal Australian people forward who are united in their stand AGAINST the present and planned uranium mining and nuclear dump activities in South Australia.

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Protecting Country: South Australia, No Nuclear Dump: Interview Excerpts

In September / October 2016, we had the amazing opportunity to travel to South Australia to interview people on country about their thoughts on the proposed State and Federal Nuclear Waste Dumps. The State proposal for an international waste dump has now been shelved, but there is still a national proposal for a low to intermediate level dump right in the middle of the Flinders Ranges... Below are a few of the responses: Regina McKenzie, Vince Coulthard, Karina Lester, Bruce Hammond, Tauto Sansbury, and Sharpie Coulthard. Our 35-minute documentary, 'Protecting Country', is now completed, and travelling from Canberra to Broome from 17th of July onwards. Stay tuned for more updates here!

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MARDOOWARRA'S RIGHT TO LIFE

Produced for Madjulla Inc., Broome, this film makes a case for the Mardoowarra (Fitzroy River, Kimberley), and its social, environmental, and cultural importance to Nyikina People. The beginning of the film features a voice-over read by Mark Coles Smith, speaking as the river itself. The film was launched and screened during the visit of Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the UN Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in Broome. A previous version of it was screened at the International Tribunal on the Rights of Nature in Brisbane in October 2016, for the Mardoowarra/Fitzroy River (Western Australia) versus the Federal and WA Governments Case. 

View the film below - Password: Kimberley

 

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OUR COMMUNITY, OUR STORY

Our Community, Our Story, was produced with Madjulla Inc., Broome. The film features members of the Yurmulun, Pandanus Park Community, their dreams, hopes and aspirations for the future, but also their struggle to be heard around serious issues such as water contamination. The film was launched and screened during the visit of Victoria Tauli-Corpuz in Broome, the UN Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, on March 22nd, 2017. 

You can watch it below with the password: Kimberley

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An Interview with Gerry Georgatos

On July 27th 2016 I was privileged to interview Human Rights Campaigner Gerry Georgatos, about the grim reality faced by Aboriginal people in Australia today: the statistics of incarceration, youth suicide, abuses and injustices are an abomination in the 12th richest country in the world - time for Australians to rise up as a nation! 

Watch the interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQl3LyZK-4E

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The Yurung Dhaura Project

In 2014 I was contracted as a filmmaker and consultant by the ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and the ACT National Parks and Conservation Service to write a report and make a film about a Natural Resource Management Project in the Canberra region. The Caring for the Cotter Project was part of the wider Federal Caring for Country Program, and involved the training of six Aboriginal trainees over two years in a wide range of NRM activities, including the restoration of the Cotter River Catchment after the Canberra bushfires of 2003. 

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Our Shared & Common Future

This film was presented at the Climate Change Summit (Our Common Future Under Climate Change) which took place in Paris in July 2015. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Anne Poelina. 

Password: Kimberley

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