Our Power - Advanced Screening and Fundraiser
6pm April 29th, 2 Kerr St, Fitzroy
Please join Artist Film Workshop and Arena Journal at the advanced screening of the documentary OUR POWER.
Doors at 6pm, screening at 7pm, followed by a discussion with the community members and Our Power filmmakers with special guest John Hughes (filmmaker).
OUR POWER is a Melbourne-made documentary about the Latrobe Valley community as they bear the brunt of the privatisation of Victoria's electricity in the 1990s and deal with the devastating Hazelwood mine fire of 2014.
The film exposes the tragic impacts of the 45-day fire, the fundamental issues facing the community today, and their transition to a post-coal world.
Entry: $10 donation to the filmmakers.
Speakers:
LaTrobe Community Members
BIO: LUKE VAN DER MEULEN
At a young age, Luke van der Meulen migrated with his family to the Latrobe Valley from the mining town of Valkenburg (Netherlands) with his father working in the gas and fuel industry.
Luke is a living product of the SEC system. At the young of 16, after finishing school, Luke secured an apprenticeship at the SEC as a boilermaker and through many years worked his way up into being a unit controller at Loy Yang power station - this time armed with an Associate Engineering Supervision Qualification.
In 2001, Luke took on the role of CFMEU Victorian District Mining and Energy Division President. Having been in the role for 15 years, Luke retired from the position in mid-2016 to focus on his fishing and golf handicap!
BIO: TRACIE LUND
Born and raised in the Hunter Valley (NSW), Tracie Lund is no stranger to the coal industry. In 2011 she moved down to the Latrobe Valley with her family where she took up the position of Coordinator at Morwell Neighbourhood House.
Mother of three, Tracie also ran as an independent candidate for the state seat of Morwell in 2014 to fight for the community’s rights in reaction to the Hazelwood Mine Fire.
Working at Morwell Neighbourhood House, Tracie is on the ‘front lines’ of the socio-economic issues in the Valley. Together with her staff, Tracie always organises community focused days at Morwell Neighbourhood House in an effort to strengthen and unite the community.
BIO: RON IPSEN
Ron Ipsen is a third generation power station worker and worked across Operations at Yallourn W power station before being compulsory retired in 1991 after a motorcycle accident. With a mixed background in medicine, arts and engineering, Ron built the first regional ISP in Gippsland and pioneered the Internet industry.
‘Sparked’ into action since the Hazelwood Mine Fire, Ron was heavily involved in helping the community re-open the Mine Fire Inquiry – leading to the full implementation of inquiry recommendations.
In the last three years, Ron continues to work on health in the Valley and has looked extensively into viable ways forward for the community - including ideas such as co-operatively owned industries and community owned battery banks (virtual power stations).
Today Ron continues to be a passionate motorcycle enthusiast, despite losing a leg in a road accident.
Joined by John Hughes (filmmaker - The Archive Project, Indonesia Calling)
DONATIONS:
OUR POWER is an 100% crowd-funded, independent film. To date, we have raised $20,000 over the last two years which has enabled the crew to get the film up to this point today. We will need to raise an additional $20,000 to master the film and pay for licencing. This means all funds raised will directly towards, broadcast footage licencing (from news outlets like the ABC, Channel 7, Channel 9, Channel 10 and WIN TV) and post production costs which include colouring the film, sound mixing, sound mastering and music composition.
These are just the production costs. The film is a labour of love and no funds have been used to reimburse the director or producer. Other professionals in the industry have graciously donated their time (and lots of it!) to the film as they too see the importance of this story being told across the country.
Donate directly @ www.ourpowerdoco.com/donate