LEAD CHARACTER

Author of 30 books, Tim is one of Australia’s most significant living writers.  With a long history of environmental activism, he is the patron of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the Native Australian Animals Trust and the Protect Ningaloo campaign. He is listed by the National Trust as an Australian Living Treasure and in 2023, for his life’s work in literature and conservation, he was awarded the Order of Australia. His latest novel, Juice, depicts a world ravaged by climate chaos as a result of denial, appeasement and state capture in our time.

LEAD CHARACTER

John Butler is a multi-award winning songwriter and internationally touring musician. A father, brother and son who, has for the last 30 years, proudly and  intentionally redirected the light upon him towards environmental and First Nations movements.

LEAD CHARACTER

Free-diver, Surfer, and Marine Biologist by trade, Brinkley has travelled the world for the last decade following her passions for the ocean, and wildlife. 

Founding Balu Blue Foundation Inc, along the way, a DGR endorsed, environmental charity now based on Ningaloo Reef, that works to protect both wildlife and their habitats. 

Brinkley has built her career around her greatest love, the sea, and the many animals who need help along the way. 

MARINE ECOLOGIST

Ben is a coral reef ecologist with over 25 years experience working on the conservation, management, and science of coastal and marine ecosystems. He holds a PhD in Marine Science from the University of Western Australia titled: ‘Coral reef fish habitat associations and implications for research, monitoring and the design of marine protected areas. He leads the Coastal and Marine Specialist Group of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, helping to guide the conservation of these environments globally. He is the Director of OWA consulting to private and public sector clients on marine science and is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute.

DIRECTOR/PRODUCER

Jane Hammond is an independent documentary filmmaker and freelance journalist. She specializes in stories of environmental justice, action on climate change and social affairs. 

Corals' Last Stand is Jane's fifth long-form documentary film.

Her previous film, Black Cockatoo Crisis, released in 2022, is currently streaming on SBS On Demand. 

Jane's documentary Cry of the Forests - A Western Australian Story, released in November 2020, was instrumental is raising awareness and changing public opinion on logging in WA. 

Jane's other documentary films include A Crude Injustice (2017), which tells the story of the 2009 Australian Montara oil disaster and its impact on the people of West Timor, and A Fractured State (2016), which outlines the community battle to stop fracking in WA. 

Jane is the mother of three grown-up children and lives in a carbon neutral eco-village, near Margaret River in Western Australia's south-west, with her husband Shane.

NARRATOR

Kelton Pell has built a reputation for being one of our finest indigenous actors. He has enjoyed an illustrious theatre career. Highlights include: Summer of the Seventeenth Doll and Endgame (Black Swan Theatre Company), Bloodland and Secret River (Sydney Theatre Company) and The Season (Performing Lines). Kelton’s films include The Xrossing, Buckley’s Chance, Three Summers, Red Dog: True Blue, Looking For Grace, Last Ride, Bran Nue Dae September and Blackfellas among many others. Television credits include The Heights, Pine Gap, Cloudstreet. The Moodys Redfern Now, The Gods of Wheat Street and The Circuit.

EDITOR AND CO-WRITER

Nicholas Dunlop is a screen editor and writer for issue-driven documentaries and is a frequent collaborator of Producer/Director Jane Hammond. His work regularly screens on national and international broadcasters and in documentary festivals. Nick was editor of the feature documentaries Laura's Choice, Storm in a Teacup and Black Cockatoo Crisis, and is a recipient of the (editor's guild) Ellie Award for the ABC series Don’t Stop the Music. His most recent work was seen in Maggie Beer's Big Mission (for ABC) and the upcoming feature documentary Pointe: Dancing on a Knife's Edge.

IN-WATER CINEMATOGRAPHER

Andre is a true master at sea. Highly regarded in his field, he is one of Australia's most in-demand water camera operators, having worked on some of the largest and most complex ocean documentaries ever filmed in the country, including projects for BBC, National Geographic, and Netflix.

His extensive experience beneath and on the ocean has endowed him with a deep knowledge of marine life. Andre has a relentless pursuit of unique vision.

Based in Exmouth, Western Australia, and known for his relentless energy, positive attitude, and resourcefulness, Andre is deeply committed to ocean conservation and environmental protection. He collaborates with organizations like Protect Ningaloo to safeguard Australia's marine treasures against industrialization. Through his stunning imagery and footage, Andre inspires others to love and protect the ocean, always striving to help the environment by showcasing its wonders and motivating others to preserve it. ​

IN-WATER CINEMATOGRAPHER

Anouska 'Nush' Freedman is a highly accomplished cinematographer, presenter, producer, and water woman. She has worked on an extensive back catalogue of high-profile Australian and international documentary productions, focusing on natural history. ​

Based on the Ningaloo Reef, Nush is active in ocean research and wildlife protection, serving as a worldwide ambassador for ocean environment conservation and protection. Her passion lies in working within the underwater realm, where she continues to develop and grow as an underwater cinematographer.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Nush is an adventurous spirit. Her bubbly and outgoing personality, coupled with her determination and loyalty, make her an indispensable member of the Terra Australis team. ​

Together, Andre and Nush embody a shared commitment to capturing the ocean's magic and advocating for its preservation, inspiring others through their stunning visuals and unwavering dedication to marine conservation.

CAMERA AND SOUND

Founding member of film production company Blue Forest, directing and producing feature and short length Documentaries & Dramas for clients including SBS and ABC. As an editor and visual effects artist Steven has worked on countless internationally recognised feature films including Frackman (2015), Top Knot Detective (2016) and Dying to Live (2018).  

His artistic works are immersive and performance-based experiences using dynamic video projection, three-dimensional mapping and dynamic sound which have been exhibited at galleries including Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Mundaring Arts Centre, Fremantle Arts Centre and Cannery Arts Centre.

In 2019 Steven directed his first documentary series for the ABC: Biogenesis focusing on the world of Biological Art and most recently released feature performance film The Epic of Gilgamesh: Live in the Goldfields (2023) which is currently playing in the international film festival circuit.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

With many years working in the design industry and a strong passion for protecting our planet and wildlife, Donna has lent her skills to many different causes over the years, from ocean to forest campaigns, from climate action to citizen science, and the protection of wildlife.

Her work has included creating design materials for two of Jane’s world renowned documentaries, Cry of the Forests and Black Cockatoo Crisis, as a way to extend the reach and inspire action. With a great love for the ocean, this latest project has brought Donna back to the place where she began her activist journey… fighting to protect our oceans.