The Old Drouin Butter Factory Theatre is set to host the Gippsland premiere of a new independent documentary called C, which looks at the impacts of controversial coal seam gas mining.
Drouin launch: May 10th at 7pm.
Melbourne launch: May 2.
Drouin launch
Iconic venue to roll out the red carpet for CSG film premiere
The Old Drouin Butter Factory Theatre is set to host the Gippsland premiere of a new independent documentary called Gippsland is Precious, which looks at the impacts of controversial coal seam gas mining. Built in 1889 the iconic venue was the beating heart of early agriculture in the region and is a fitting location for the film which documents the stories of farmers across Gippsland and Australia.
"Mining companies make their wealth out of destroying our wealth," said renowned Queensland farmer-turned-activist Brian Monk, who features in the film along with a cast of local characters.
The owners of the venue, Margaret & Ken, were only too happy to support the premiere offering to host the event for free. "We want as many people as possible to see this film so it’s fantastic to have support from Margaret & Ken to make this possible," said the film's producer Pennie Brown. "It is a stunning and unique venue that is classified by the National Trust, so we feel really lucky that they have come on board."
The film was a labour of love for Pennie, whose family reside in Gippsland and understands the importance of clean water and healthy soil to the region's prosperity. "I wanted to make Gippsland is Precious because I wanted to bring home the risks of coal seam gas mining to a local audience," she said. The film also took Pennie on a journey farther afield as she connected with other filmmakers to gather interviews and footage of the destruction wrought by the expansion of the gas fields in Queensland and New South Wales.
The film features narration by iconic Aussie actor and director David Field (City Homicide, Wild Boys, Chopper, Two Hands) who threw his weight behind the project after experiencing the wave of opposition to CSG mining in his local area, the Illawarra.
The premiere will feature an opening address by South Gippsland Shire Mayor Kieran Kennedy, highlighting the region-wide importance of the issue.
"We're encouraging everyone across Gippsland who doesn't want to see our beautiful region turned into a gasfield to get along to Drouin to see the film," said event organiser Ursula Alquier.
Gippsland is Precious will premiere at the Old Drouin Butter Factory Theatre, 1 Main South Road, Drouin on May 10th at 7pm. Entry is by gold coin donation.
Copies of the film will be available to purchase on the night for $5. All proceeds go to local Gippsland communities fighting CSG development.
For more information contact:
Maude Farrugia (Media Liaison) [email protected] Ph: 0417 303 389
Ursula Alquier (Spokesperson) [email protected] Ph: 0499 991 324
For more information on coal seam gas visit www.lockthegate.org.au
Melbourne launch
There will also be a launch in Melbourne on thursday May 2.
Location: 318 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North.
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