Narrated by Esperance-based photographer and former Neighbours actor Dan Paris, Remote and Rugged features breathtaking visuals of the region’s broad coastal plain, internationally renowned for supporting one of the world’s 34 recognised biodiversity hotspots and home to numerous plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth.
Among these incredibly elusive creatures are Gilbert’s potoroo (the world’s rarest marsupial) and the western ground parrot, first photographed in the wild as recent as 2004 and thought to number around 110 individuals.
Remote and Rugged also documents the environmental issues facing the region and the important protection and rehabilitation work being undertaken to preserve this area of outstanding natural beauty.
South Coast NRM chief executive Carl Beck said the 60 minute film has wide audience appeal, but its key message is about taking a long hard look at how modern life is affecting the region’s coastline from Israelite Bay to Albany.
“It captures the thoughts of a number of very experienced people who are totally dedicated to natural resource management practices and sharing their invaluable knowledge with others,” Mr Beck said.
“I am very pleased by the positive way so many people have responded to the documentary and I am confident the film will do what it originally set out to achieve, which was to raise awareness about the environment and what a special place the South Coast region is.
Remote and Rugged was created for South Coast NRM by the Esperance-based Blue Office Productions team of Jennene and David Riggs and John Totterdell and is one of several natural resource management titles produced by the team which include Going with the Flow, the Leeuwin Current and Gutharragudu.
The DVD can be bought from selected local retailers or for 0 from South Coast NRM, 39 Mercer Road, Albany.
Remote and Rugged was funded by the Government of Western Australia’s Coastwest initiative and the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program and could not have been made without the support of local NRM community organisations, state government coastal management agencies and volunteers who donated their time and resources.