Liz Jeremy, President NPA and member of Coffs Coast Branch
There are some projects that begin with a good idea and end with a film. And then there are projects like Whispers of Wilderness, a film in 2025 that has gone on to become something larger, deeper and more enduring: a community program about nature, wellbeing, economic opportunity and the value of our place.
The original film was produced by the National Parks Association NSW Coffs Coast Branch with funding from the City of Coffs Harbour Environmental Levy and support from local filmmakers Bathtime Productions. It brought together Traditional Owners, marine scientists, conservationists and local business people to reflect on the coast we are fortunate to share. Its premiere at the Jetty Theatre in April 2025 filled the house, but the momentum it created carried well beyond that night.
What followed was not simply an encore, but a second life for the project. The Whispers program has since developed into a broader initiative focused on the benefits of being in nature for mental health and wellbeing, while also recognising the economic possibilities that flow from a healthy natural environment. Nature-based tourism, local business confidence and the region’s identity as NSW’s first certified ECO Destination all sit within that wider frame. So too does the Great Koala National Park, which continues to shape conversations about conservation and opportunity on the Coffs Coast.
Stage Two of the project has translated those ideas into practical, accessible resources. A new website and a suite of beautifully designed materials, including a colouring book illustrated by Lisa Foote, postcards and bookmarks by Bellingen local Faye Owner, and a jigsaw puzzle by Jess Harwood, are now being shared across the region. They are finding their way into schools, aged care facilities, hospitals, libraries and community groups, where they offer moments of calm, creativity and connection.
The success of Whispers of Wilderness lies in the way it has connected nature-based storytelling with everyday life. It is not only about protecting special places, but about showing why those places matter to people, communities and local economies. The program has become a reminder that regularly spending time in nature can lift mood, reduce stress and support wellbeing, while also opening up fresh ways of thinking about regional development.
It also offers a model for the wider NPA network. With imagination, energy and a willingness to think boldly, other branches could take up grant-based opportunities of their own and shape projects that reflect local landscapes and local priorities. Whispers of Wilderness shows that when conservation is paired with creativity and community engagement, the results can be both practical and inspiring.
As the program continues, it stands as a celebration of what has already been achieved, and a clear invitation to think bigger about what NPA branches can do next.
For more information, visit http://www.npanswcoffscoast.org .