The Mozzy's Wozzies: Plastic in the Outback

In hopes of getting the Aboriginal perspective on waste management, Cryptic Moth flew from Melbourne to the absolute opposite corner of Australia, which included a stopover in Perth.





Our destination was Broome, located in the northwest corner of the Kimberly on the Indian Ocean.



The Kimberly is an area roughly the size of Germany but only has a population of around 35,000. Our contact was Jake, who heads waste management in these remote areas for the environmental organization Clean-Up Australia. (www.cleanup.com.au)



Jake has been organizing local clean-up days as well as consulting Aboriginal communities on the best practices for waste management. Since we had a day to kill before heading into the outback, we joined Jake and his family for a wonderful lunch at a beachside restaurant.



Then we set out on Cable Beach to film “the gray nomads” driving off-road vehicles in the setting sun.



We then captured some stunning shots of the camel tours that have made Cable Beach famous.



Cryptic Moth also took the time to send a shout out to our ladies back home.



The following morning we picked up our rental 4X4 called a Troopie (complete with swags and an Eski with 2 chickies) and hauled ass into the outback with Jake behind the wheel.



He was quite adept at maneuvering the ruts of deep red sand while pointing out the trash that line these remote transport lines and even doing stand-ups on command.



After a bouncy 4-hour ride, we arrived at Goombaragin (“meeting place”), a 25-acre piece of property next to a nature preserve on the Dampier Peninsula owned by Kathleen and Jamie. To give you an idea of the remoteness, this is the view from their backyard.



Kathleen is part of the Ardi people (meaning people of the ocean) and her family has lived here for thousands of years.



Kathleen is very concerned with the amount of litter on the land and spoke of many examples of things that wash up on her pristine beach.



On top of attracting eco-tourists looking for an authentic outback experience that includes whale watching (www.goombaraginecoventures.com.au), Kathleen is also actively educating her community on conscious consumerism and recycling initiatives.



We interviewed Kathleen and Jake in the setting sun and then took a quick tour of their beach before racing back to the cliff top to film the full moon rising.



Generously, Kathleen and Jamie treated Cryptic Moth to a delicious stew over an open fire and under the stars, followed by drinks and long conversations on everything from politics to the environment to bad television before retiring to our tent. It was a great day and a deep, deep sleep.



In the morning, Jamie drove us around the property, stopping to point out different tree species and those with curative properties. They even showed us homespun recycling examples and a collection of poisonous spiders and snakes. We were truly blessed.



Jake wanted us to speak with some people from the Lombadina community – a model Aboriginal town a couple hours away. Not only do they restrict alcohol consumption, but all the homes have garbage pick-up. It was hard for even Jake to spot the brand litter…



…until we visited the adjacent town.



While most of the people we met with on the street were too shy to go on camera, we did get a few choice quotes from a shop owner and younger blokes who insisted they’d never litter. Even so, most had barely heard of recycling or alternatives to “the tip” waste disposal.



This is the tip – your basic dump site – where everything from plastic to food to car batteries are piled up and then lit on fire. The site had an apocalyptic feel but being so remote, it was not difficult to see why this is their only option.



Jake hopes they could stockpile the recyclables for on site crushing, baling and eventual retrieval. After all, there is plenty of land.



Cryptic Moth shot through the heat and stench and occasional mini-explosions from the odd aerosol can until it was time to saddle-up yet again.



A 4-hour drive ahead to Jake’s hometown of Derby passed quickly and we were met with warm showers, cold beers and a hot meal. Hospitality appears to be a way of life in the outback.



Keen on getting us an elder’s perspective on plastic pollution, Jake arranged for us to meet Lucy at the Derby pier.




Lucy is known “to talk under water” if she could and we quickly saw just how much she like to regale the past – from how her ancestors lived simply with the land to finding an alligator who ate a plastic bag and died. Lucy’s answer: get the plastic manufacturers to stop. Just tell them to stop. Having raised more than 20 children, Lucy was very convincing.



Then it was Jake’s turn under the spotlight. We spotted an excellent location on the jetty next to these towering rows of car tires. Jake, a natural on camera, spoke passionately about how much clean-up's can not only make an aesthetic difference but can create a shift in consciousness about how we treat the things we use. Lead by example, basically.



Our only hurdle to the interview: a quickly rising tide!



Sadly, we had a 3-hour drive ahead to catch our plane out of Broome. It was hard to leave the bush after only a taste. We recommend the pilgrimage.



Cryptic Moth extends big hugs to all of those who granted us their time and insight. And especially to those who brought us into their homes. You have all become dear friends and a home/couch is always waiting in Canada.

Now it's off to Sydney - the last stop on Cryptic Moth's world tour...until July, that is.



Out.

I+G