Odyssey and awakening, flight of the Bogong Moth

The Bogong Moth from the great Australian Dividing range to the southern alps is in serious decline, it could be endangered or extinct someday soon. The human relationship to the moth was once sacred with one of its sacred epicentres being the location of new parliament house. Understanding the moth has mythical implications for change, however parallels can be drawn through the ritual of the moth as a protein source and its decline in the shadow of the modern worlds need for harvesting food and protein. A more modern relationship to the moth is that nature has become aestheticised as a pest. At issue is that the decline of the environment has a relationship to modern and colonial societies. Will survival of the moth demand a new political relationship with the environment?

The project aims to be a educational resource for young audiences, bringing an awareness of climate change, human relationship to wildlife and the environment since colonialism, the relationship of indigenous cultural practice, as well as an introduction to managing fragile ecosystems. This aims to give confidence to both scientific and indigenous communities as a way to nurture and acknowledge a future voice in relationship to the land.

The film aims to engage an awareness and appreciation of the natural world by discussing the historical and future relationship of human centeredness as an effect on ecosystems. This awareness hopes to empower younger people in taking action and responsibility for their immediate surroundings. The film making process aims to empower local narratives and voices on sustainability.
In the longer term, this could see how attitudes through participation might influence management and policy in being more proactive towards a sustainable future.

The work is being developed closely alongside recent PhD research and indigenous people relative to the Bogong Moth. Further networking with these contacts will drive the narrative creativity and voice, while also extending the outreach potential. The project will also be developed with advice from online educational distributors, which will also determine the narrative style and format.

- An attitude shift of audiences that will engage an active responsibility towards environmental choices, such as food and transport choices.
- An awareness and interest in local ecosystems
- Actively taking steps in reducing unnecessary chemical, sound and light pollution.

- To inspire interest in future design and protection of biodiversity and vulnerable species.

Indicators for success include
- Completion of a film whose narrative process demonstrates creativity and inclusion, while
-Being recognised and utilised as an educational resource to human impact on fragile ecosystems.
- An increased presence on social media platforms relating to the Bogong Moth, associated groups and wildlife species.