Shorebird Quest

Shorebird Quest follows Curtis the Curlew on his perilous breeding migration from Siberia to Roebuck Bay through a fusion of Yawuru Country knowledge, musical theatre, puppetry and original music written by Jaime Jackett. Writer and puppeteer Bernadette Trench-Thiedeman said the show celebrates the biodiversity of Roebuck Bay, bringing life to the creatures that exist in its water and mudflats. Shorebird Quest is a co-creation between Theatre Kimberley, Broome Bird Observatory, Parks and Wildlife Service Yawuru Rangers, Nyamba Buru Yawuru Country Managers, five Broome schools and the community.  Made by Paul Bell (Feral Films) and funded by Rangelands NRM through the Federal Government National Landcare Program.

State & Territory Coastcare Award

Roebuck Bay Working Group has won the 2019  State & Territory Virgin Coastcare Award

The award focused on the collaborative Keep Our Bay Clean campaign (2005-19) to reduce anthropogenic nutrient sources contributing to Lyngbya majuscula blooms which threaten Roebucks Bay’s biodiversity, indigenous heritage and economic values. The entry is now a contender for a 2020 National Coastcare Award.

Some of the awesome members of the Roebuck Bay Working Group, with Kandy Curran and Dr Alexander Watson (Chairperson) in the foreground.

Thanks to the RBWG Management Committee members who supported the Keep Our Bay Clean projects and grants and Yawuru Rangers who have been involved in all Keep Our Bay Clean projects, along with staff at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Moreover, the Shire of Broome for their collaboration on the McMahon Reserve project to plant the riparian zone of an upper catchment drain with a bush tucker trail.

Special thanks to Grant Pearson who coordinated the first Lyngbya Forum and got Dr Sora Estrella on board to undertake post doctorate studies on the effects of nutrient enrichment on toxic blooms of Lyngbya and benthic invertebrates and migratory shorebirds of the Roebuck Bay Ramsar site. Hydrogeologist Dr Ryan Vogwill,  who helped run the Lyngbya forums and supervise four post graduate studies on groundwater and surface water nutrient inputs to Roebuck Bay.

School children planted hundreds of native plants along the McMahon walkway and stormwater drain with help from Yawuru Ranger Curtis Robinson. Kandy Curran

These independent peer reviewed studies were critical drawing attention to RBWG concerns regarding; nutrient seepage into groundwater from the unlined ponds at Broome South Waste Water Treatment Plant, adjacent golf course irrigated with treated wastewater; and the aging network of stormwater drains discharging into Roebuck Bay.

Finally, thanks to the Shire of Broome who paid for the travel for Kandy Curran to attend the awards.

Wet Season activities in Broome

October 3, 2019
Wet Season activities in Broome

David Murray has worked with Bureau of Meteorology as a Technical Observer in the Kimberley for the last 12 years, during which time he learned how to take lightning photos. A great way to learn all about how to observe and understand Broome’s wet season.

David will speak about weather, answer questions on how to take photos of lightning, what types of lightning there are to take photos of, where storms mainly happen around Broome and the Kimberley, the best direction to travel to the storm, why storms die down when they get to the coast and the settings for your camera!

All participants have a chance to win an amazing photo (30 x 75cm) donated by Richard Young Photography, beautifully framed by Kimberley Kolors.

When October 3, 2019 6-7.30pm
Where The Hall, Notre Dame University, 88 Guy St, Broome
Free    Gold coin donations welcome 🙂

Mud & Saltwater Film Fest Premiere

Book tickets now and feel the excitement of the 2019 Mud and Saltwater ‘Premiere Night’ Friday September 13, 2019 (always books out), with the short films on the big screen for the first time. Filmmakers will have a chance to win the ‘Muddy Award’ for the Best in Fest, but… there are so many fantastic films this year!

Sun Pictures is perfect to screen the short films about Roebuck Bay, Broome and the Kimberley region, with the Kimberley rugged scenic and rich in natural heritage and cultural values, there are fascinating, and at times hilarious and perilous stories to be relived through films. What is especially unique about the short films, is that they almost all made by filmmakers who live in the Kimberley region, so its a unique insight into our way of life and values. You may also meet some of the film crew and actors from Mystery Road!!

Organiser: Mud and Saltwater Short Film Fest

Book tickets www.shinjumatsuri.com.au/program/

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Book your tickets now for the 2019 Mud and Saltwater ‘2019 Short Films & Secrets of the Kimberley’, Saturday September 14, 2019 .

All the 2019 entries will be screened with the exception of Saving Seagrass at historic Sun Pictures, and the award winning short film ‘The Secrets of the Kimberley’ shown for the first time in Broome. Audiences will be inspired by the cinematography and photography, and opportunity to see the Kimberley region through the eyes of the people who live in this incredibly beautiful, and at times, tough part of the world.  On that note, what is especially unique about the short films, is that they almost all made by local filmmakers who live in the Kimberley region, so its a unique insight into our way of life and values.

See the trailer 

Organiser: Mud and Saltwater Short Film Fest

Book tickets www.shinjumatsuri.com.au/program/

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Seagrass: Invisible thread that weaves Roebuck Bay together

The Broome Seagrass Monitoring Program is Broome’s most successful citizen scientist program gathering vital information on seagrass health in Roebuck Bay.

Program coordinator, Fiona West and her team will share information and experiences. An informative and entertaining evening guaranteed. Join the team for muffins, tea and coffee at the end of the presentation BYO keep cup.

The Science on the Broome Coast event is an initiative of the Roebuck Bay Working Group and Yawuru Land and Sea unit and sponsored by Inspiring Australia, Environs Kimberley, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, University of Notre Dame, Broome Community Resource Centre and National Science Week.
Where: The Hall, University of Notre Dame, 88 Guy St Broome
When: Thursday 22, 6 – 7:30pm
Free: Gold coin donations welcome

July School Holiday Program

Its the best time of year in Broome and Eighty Mile Beach for kids to get onto the beach and do some sand sculpting, or create a flock of colourful shorebirds and other school holiday activities being run by Parks and Wildlife Service.

Giant shorebird puppetry event

As well as puppets, there will be original live music from musical director Jaime Jackett and Hayden Kutze. WoW

On Saturday May 4 at 5.45pm, Roebuck Bay will light up with giant illuminated puppets, storytelling, dance and original music in one of Theatre Kimberley’s biggest collaborative works. Bring friends and family, a picnic, something to sit on and enjoy the event of the year!

The Shorebird Quest is a co-creation between Theatre Kimberley, the Broome Bird Observatory, Parks and Wildlife Services’ Yawuru rangers, Nyamba Buru Yawuru Country managers and local schools.

The puppets are only half of the Shorebird Quest – the other is incredible original live music from magical musical director Jaime Jackett, a bird nerd and musician originally from Canada, co-written with Hayden Kutze. WoW!!

Seasonal Climate Forecasting

Love a natter about the weather? Well BOM is coming to Broome to present a free Q & A forum on Seasonal Climate Forecasting and Key Climate Drivers for northern Australia.

The presenters, Dr Matt Wheeler from the Bureau of Meteorology, Dr Chelsea Jarvis & David Cobon from the University of Southern Queensland and Jardine Macdonald from Local Climate Mate, are at the forefront of climate forecasting and research so the forum will be fascinating.

When   April 1, 2019 6-7.30pm
Where  The Hall, University of Notre Dame, 88 Guy St, Broome
Free      Put on by Rangelands NRM & Science on Broome Coast

Coastal planting guide for Broome

Hoorah! Roebuck Bay Working Group has produced an inspiring booklet on local coastal plants.

Coastal Gardens – A Planting Guide for Broome provides advice on growing a waterwise garden that benefits your wallet and Broome’s coastal waters. The book is online and suitable for smartphones.

https://roebuckbay.org.au/p…/coastal-gardens-web-version.pdf

The local coastal plants (endemics) in the book, thrive in Broome soils and climate. Most are cyclone resistant, require less water than introduced plants and resistant to tropical pests. Local coastal plants have defence mechanisms to cope with common pests, thereby require fewer pesticides than introduced species. Less pesticides used in your garden, means less chemicals entering Broome’s coastal waters via roadside stormwater drains.  The book also includes the plants to avoid – with many of the weeds we see in Broome, escaped garden exotics.

The booklet was launched on February 8^th, 2019 with books available from Rangelands NRM office at Lotteries House, 257 Cable Beach Road, Broome. Gold coin donations welcome 🙂

This project is funded by State NRM with support from Royalties for Regions and Rangelands NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Making a film with an iPhone 2

December 15, 2018
‘LEARN TO MAKE SHORT FILMS WITH AN IPHONE’
This is the second workshop to help you make a short film with in iPhone or iPad. Filmmaker Brad Turton makes and edits his films on his iPhone, so he’s the man to teach you, with considerable experience in the film industry, including acting, directing and filmmaking.  The Mud and Saltwater Short Film Fest wants to help you make and improve your films,  so are offering workshops prepare you for the 2019 Mud and Saltwater Short Film Fest. The short films needs to have links to the natural, cultural and heritage values of Roebuck Bay and Kimberley WA. Check out the films from 2015, 2017 and 2018 to get an idea of just how far you can go!  A good motto, is keep them family friendly 🙂
Where   Broome Community Resource Centre, 40 Dampier Terrace, Chinatown
When     December 15, 2018
Free       🙂
Register info@mudandsaltwater.org.au