Join ANMF at this special screening of the Walkley Award-winning documentary YURLU | Country
As part of ANMF (Vic Branch) National Reconciliation Week activities, ANMF will be screening the Walkley Award-winning documentary YURLU | Country on Friday 29 May, from 6pm in the Carson Conference Centre (535 Elizabeth St, Melbourne).
This film follows Banjima Elder Maitland Parker’s final year with mesothelioma as he strives to preserve his culture and heal his homeland, scarred by Australia’s own Chernobyl-scale disaster.
Set against the breathtaking yet contaminated landscapes of the Pilbara/Ngambigunha, it lays bare the devastating impact of the Wittenoom blue asbestos mine, where millions of tonnes of waste laced with deadly asbestos fibres have poisoned both land and people. The deadly contamination is spreading and will do so ‘for hundreds of years’ if left unchecked, according to a West Australian Government-commissioned report. There are feasible strategies for remediation and yet for 60 years the government has done nothing.
Native title over these lands belongs to the Banjima peoples, who have lived here for millennia, and they are now taking on the WA Government over their inaction, and they are being represented by Gordon Legal. Senior Partner Peter Gordon will introduce the screening alongside ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Maddy Harradence.
Peter Gordon has worked at the cutting edge of the rights of workers and injured people for nearly 40 years. In 1985, he obtained the first successful asbestos cancer damages verdict in Australia and since that time has acted for over 2000 people in successful claims over asbestos-induced disease. His work for Wittenoom asbestos miners established the right of Australian workers to claim punitive damages from their employer.
The screening will be free and open to all ANMF staff, members, unionists and community groups, however donations for the Clean Up Wittenoom campaign are encouraged.
Register to attend YURLU | Country film screening on Friday 29 May, 6pm
Film details
Rating: Parental Guidance recommended, mild coarse language and thematic content
Run time: 82 minute
Please note: you must register to attend this screening. Light refreshments will be provided.
Getting to the venue
Melbourne Central, Flagstaff and State Library railway stations are a short walk or tram ride away from 535 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. From Flinders St station, tram routes 19, 57 and 59 travel along Elizabeth Street and all stop outside Queen Victoria Market, close to ANMF.
For more information about public transport and to plan your journey, please visit the Transport Victoria Journey Planner here.
Parking
There is no parking available within this venue.
Limited parking exists near the venue, with two hour paid street parking located on Elizabeth Street and at the rear of the venue on O’Connell Street. Parking at the rear of the venue is unlimited from 6.30pm onwards.
Register to attend YURLU | Country film screening on Friday 29 May, 6pm
