Community Film Premiere and Conversation: Keeping the Fire Burning on Traditional Fire Management
On Saturday 29 June, Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council and Sustainable Braidwood co-hosted a special ‘world premiere’ film screening and community conversation on traditional fire management practices. Showcasing not one, but two feature films produced by talented local filmmakers, the event was a great success and completely sold out, with over 150 ticket holders filling the National Theatre in Braidwood.
The first film - THE CIRCLE: Fire as a Tool for Healing Country and Community - is directed by Braidwood-based filmmaker Clare Young. It documents the traditional burning workshops led by Upper Shoalhaven Landcare, in collaboration with local First Nations fire practitioners the Walbunja Rangers, Mongarlowe Volunteer Bushfire Brigade and local community members, on a block of land just outside the Mongarlowe village.
“I think it is a great method and there should be more of it” Angelo Rossi (Mongarlowe RFS).
The project was inspired by community momentum following the 2019-20 bushfires, looking for ways we can bring fire back into the landscape through regular cool burns to mitigate severe bushfire risk. Initially pioneered by Paul Bott (Captain of the Mongarlowe Brigade), Maria Bakas and previous Local Landcare Coordinator Rebecca Klomp, the film is the culmination of four years of effort.
Beginning with a NSW Government Increasing Resilience to Climate Change Grant in 2020, followed by a NAB Foundation Community Grant in 2022, Upper Shoalhaven Landcare was able to support traditional burning workshops with the Rangers and Brigade in April of 2022 and 2024. The goal was to foster local connections and heal Country and community through good fire practices.
“Projects like this give me hope for the future” Felicity Sturgiss (Chair Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council)
The second film to premiere on the night was Yana Djamaga Ganji/Walk Good Fire - an Indigenous-led production created by the Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council. The film follows the story of the Walbunja Rangers as they go back onto Yuin Country, working with cultural fire to heal the south coast and their people.
Directed by Monga-based filmmaker Clancy Walker and Walbunja/Yuin man Adam Nye, the screening of Yana Djamaga Ganji offered a well-overdue look into the holistic approach of First Nations’ land management practices, encouraging others to understand and help reclaim the healing benefits of walking good fire onto Country for all Australians.
“We are thrilled to have been able to collaborate with the Walbunja Rangers on this project, illustrating the power of collaborative burning to promote resilience in the landscape, as well as our community” writes Erin Brinkley and Clare Young. “We are so grateful to the Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Council for sharing Yana Djamaga Ganji/Walk Good Fire to feature alongside THE CIRCLE for its first public screening”.
Both films combined to tell a powerful story of how local groups within our community are striving to care for Country and incorporate more traditional burning methods into land management practices.
“A Healthy Bush is a Healthy Community” Uncle Les Simon (Walbunja Elder).
The double film premiere sparked a lively community conversation on the night, with a live Q&A and panel discussion featuring Walbunja Rangers Adam Nye and Andrew White, Mongarlowe RFS Captain Paul Bott and Landcare Coordinator Erin Brinkley. Supported by Sustainable Braidwood’s Community Conversation series, the audience was encouraged to consider how our local community can “keep the fire burning” on traditional fire practices into the future.
“This was perfect timing in the lead up to NAIDOC week, where this year’s theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’” says Erin, “I encourage everyone, even those who couldn’t attend, to have their say in the community conversation, as your feedback will help us shape and work towards hosting more traditional burning activities within our region”.
At the moment, there are two more events in the pipeline, with Sustainable Braidwood soon to announce the next two chapters in their conversation series. In the meantime, if you have any unanswered questions about the film premiere, or would like to Have Your Say in the Community Conversation on Traditional Burning Practices - please scan the QR Code or visit https://forms.gle/XL1N6VyH2upk8e8QA to complete the short online survey from Upper Shoalhaven Landcare.
This film premiere event was only made possible by the generous support of Braidwood Community Bank, the Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council and Sustainable Braidwood. For more information contact the Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Coordinator at 0473 407 079 and upper.shoalhaven@gmail.com.