White Rock: Ocean Research Climate Action (ORCA) Launch

Join us for the launch of Ocean Research Climate Action (ORCA)—a bold new network led by RMIT’s Professor Wendy Steele, Professor Kit Wise, Dr Rebecca Olive, and Dr Fiona Hillary—reimagining our relationship with the ocean to drive climate action.

ORCA unites leaders in art, design, culture, geography, education, and urban research to ignite creative research and civic action for regenerative futures.

At the launch, we’ll premiere White Rock—a powerful new documentary exposing a hidden crisis in Australian waters: the longspined sea urchins’ destruction of the Great Southern Reef. Blending science, policy, and sustainable seafood, ‘White Rock’ shows how we can protect Australia’s reefs, offering a rare, immersive view into underwater worlds we all depend on, but few ever see.

Following the screening, join us for a panel discussion moderated by ORCA co-founder Dr Rebecca Olive, featuring Yaraan Bundle Couzens, leader of the Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective (SOPEC) and Gunditjmara First Nations Ocean defender; Stefan Andrews, producer and editor of White Rock from the Great Southern Reef Foundation—a marine biologist, filmmaker, and Ocean Literacy advocate known for his underwater cinematography and compelling storytelling that translates complex marine research into engaging, educational narratives; and Cátia Freitas from Deakin University’s Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, whose research explores deeper human-ocean connections.

Presented by RMIT University and Ocean Research Climate Action (ORCA), supported by Environmental Films Australia.

White Rock 

Country: Australia

Year: 2024

Duration:35 mins

Format: DCP 

Director: Stefan Andrews

Producer: Dr. Scott Bennett

Narrator: Damon Gameau

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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