Healesville: Lyrebird screening wrap
Image of the Great Forest National Park. Photographer: Michael Woods.
Over eighty audience members attended The Memo in Healesville on Sunday 24th April to watch The Message of the Lyrebird on the big screen.
The event was organised in support of Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum Inc and the Great Forest National Park (GFNP); a precious and diverse ecosystem where conservation scenes were filmed for the 84 minute feature film.
Arts and culture venue, Memorial Hall, aka The Memo in Healesville (Yarra Ranges) Victoria. Images: The Yarra Ranges website
The Great Forest National Park proposes that Victorians create and add an additional 355,000 hectares of protected forests to the existing 170,000 hectares of parks and protected areas in the Central Highlands of Victoria. The basis for this tenure change is weighed scientifically, socially and economically against 5 key reasons; conservation, water catchments, tourism, climate, and places of spiritual nourishment.
“The screening of Lyrebird was a triumph,” said Steve Meacher, event coordinator for the Great Forest National Park. “The film was absolutely captivating and packed with glorious images and information.”
After the film, a panel discussion took place inside the theatre, promoting community decision-making for forests and wildlife.
Dr Chris Taylor, a Research Fellow at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University spoke about the importance of the GFNP for the conservation of many species including the lyrebird. He quoted activist, Cam Walker’s last line the film, "The world will be a better place with [the Great Forest National Park] in it".
Jenny Erdos being helped out of the forest by her late husband Laszlo Erdos during the making of Kingdom of the Lyrebird (1985). Image supplied by Jenny Erdos: Laszlo Erdos Nature Films.
Filmmaker Jenny Erdos, who co-produced the only other feature film on the lyrebird [Kingdom of the Lyrebird] with the late Laszlo Erdos, joined the panelists and talked about her husband’s love of nature and the experience of making the 1985 film. Jenny handed out a few dvd’s of the original definitive lyrebird film, which thrilled many people in the audience.
Image of Alex Maisey: The Message of the Lyrebird (2021)
One of the stars of the latest lyrebird movie, Dr Alex Maisey was reported by audience members as being “inspirational” as his “passion and knowledge of the lyrebird shined through” during the Q&A discussion.
Image of Kevin Mason: The Message of the Lyrebird (2021)
Another key cast member and former lyrebird keeper from Healesville Sanctuary, Kevin Mason who recently received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his environmental conservation efforts, told a very moving and powerful story reflecting his intimate experience of a male lyrebird at the sanctuary that unexpectedly took over the care of a chick after the female died.
“It was my first viewing of The Message of the Lyrebird,” Kevin commented after watching the film. “It’s a very special film promoting an Australian icon and the importance of our temperate rainforests and all species throughout its range. The film was well supported and received today, and I am sure it will be well-received wherever it is screened,” he said.
Click below to follow more about the plan to protect and experience the Great Forest National Park.