Liz Jeremy, Coffs Coast Branch
In an era when environmental concerns often feel overwhelming and distant, a short film from Coffs Coast offers a refreshing perspective that brings conservation back to the local level. “Whispers of Wilderness,” a 10-minute documentary commissioned by the NSW National Parks Association’s Coffs Coast Branch, has rapidly become a catalyst for regional environmental engagement since its premiere last month.
The film, which debuted to a packed house at the Jetty Theatre on April 14, is not just another nature documentary but serves as “a love letter to our home, a celebration of our shared heritage, and a powerful call to action.” Funded through the Coffs Harbour City Council’s Environmental Levy and produced by local filmmakers Bathtime Productions, the project exemplifies how targeted community initiatives can spark meaningful dialogue about conservation.
“We wanted to create something that would cut through the noise and help people reconnect with the extraordinary natural landscape we sometimes take for granted,” explains Paula Flack, Great Koala National Park campaigner and branch member who features prominently in the film. “The Coffs Coast sits at this incredible intersection of diverse ecosystems, and we needed to highlight that and remind everyone to tread lightly when they visit these special areas.”
“Whispers of Wilderness” does precisely that, through sweeping visuals of the region’s lush national parks and vibrant marine reserves. The film’s strength lies in its local focus, featuring respected community voices including Gumbaynggirr man and teacher Uncle Micklo Jarrett, who provides cultural context to the region’s environmental significance.
“Our homeland is sacred to everyone, so when you walk on our country, walk gently, and take care of it, and acknowledge that she is there and is a living entity and that’s who we are,” Uncle Micklo explains in one poignant moment of the film.
The short film also features Andrew Turbill, a climate change expert affectionately known locally as “Andrew the Bird Guy”; Yvonne Everett from Coffs Bushwalkers; and Professor Kirsten Benkendorff from Southern Cross University’s Marine Science Centre. This diverse array of perspectives creates a multifaceted view of conservation that extends beyond traditional environmental discourse.
The film’s impact has already transcended its artistic merits. Following the public premiere, “Whispers of Wilderness” was screened at a gathering of regional business leaders who met with three independent members of parliament to discuss the establishment of the proposed Great Koala National Park. This ambitious conservation project would protect 176,000 hectares of state forest to safeguard vital koala habitat between Kempsey and Grafton.
“What’s remarkable is how the film has created common ground between groups that don’t always see eye-to-eye,” notes Grahame Douglas, Coffs Coast Branch President and past NPA President. “When business leaders, politicians, and environmentalists are all moved by the same message, there’s potential for genuine progress.”
The documentary represents the second major project undertaken by the NPA’s Coffs Coast Branch in the past 18 months, following their successful citizen science initiative. This sequential approach to community engagement demonstrates the branch’s strategic approach for building environmental awareness through diverse avenues.
For Bathtime Productions, a local filmmaking collective, the project offered an opportunity to blend artistic expression with environmental advocacy. “We approached this as more than just capturing beautiful scenery,” shares the film’s director Matt Bath. “We wanted viewers to feel something profound—that mixture of wonder and responsibility that comes from truly seeing your home environment.”
The film’s emotional impact is carefully crafted through its visual storytelling and soundscape, which features recordings from the region’s diverse habitats. These auditory elements reinforce the title’s emphasis on “whispers”—the subtle communications from nature that often go unheard in our busy lives.
As audiences throughout the Coffs Coast region continue to engage with the film through community screenings, educational institutions, and online platforms, organizers hope “Whispers of Wilderness” will inspire tangible conservation actions.
“A 10-minute film won’t save koalas or protect marine ecosystems on its own,” acknowledges Flack. “But it can change how people see their relationship with the natural world. And that shift in perspective is where all meaningful conservation begins.”
With its focused message and celebration of local natural treasures, “Whispers of Wilderness” exemplifies how regional environmental advocacy can create powerful narratives that resonate far beyond geographic boundaries. As climate and biodiversity challenges intensify globally, such community-driven projects may offer a template for engaging citizens through emotional connection rather than distant data—reminding us all to pause and truly listen to nature’s voice.