by FilmInk staff
“We are thrilled to begin the development of All of Us, thanks to the support of Screen Tasmania”, said Genevieve Dugard, Big hART Associate Director & Director of Project O. “Rosie Batty’s story and that of young women from Project O is a story of hope and demonstrates family violence prevention takes a whole-of-community approach.”
Similar to their successful impact doco Namatjira Project, Big hART will follow the making of a new theatre work with Rosie Batty which is part of their broader initiative, Project O.
“The important work of Project O began here in our electorate of Braddon five years ago, and included Rosie Batty,” said the Honourable Roger Jaensch MP for Braddon. “I have seen firsthand the leadership skills these young women of our community have developed through Project O and I know their example will be instrumental to the success of the film and community change.”
Founded in North Tasmania 28 years ago, Big hART is Australia’s leading arts and social change organisation. Rosie Batty’s life was changed forever in 2014, when her 11-year-old son was murdered by his own father. She bravely became a domestic violence campaigner, named Australian of the year in 2015 and in 2019 appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).
According to Big hART’s press release, ‘All of Us captures the urgency of Big hART and Rosie Batty working together to drive change and prevent family violence. Focusing on a powerful new theatre work combining Rosie’s story, with stories from young women in regional communities around the country, All of Us seeks to capture the many hurdles, setbacks and triumphs of this grassroots, arts driven campaign.’
The documentary will capture the making of the theatre show, narrative workshops with Rosie Batty and the show’s tour through festivals and regional communities. ‘At the heart of the film are the moments of vulnerability and change as communities across the country rise to the challenge that ‘it takes all of us’ to beat the scourge of family violence,’ states the press release.
Photo: Rosie Batty with Beth, one of the young women from our Project O Frankston initiative.
I wish the project well. It is an endless campaign and big thanks to Rosie Batty for her endless, ongoing work – and those supporting this project.