WEOFF: The Platypus Guardian

The Platypus Guardian (53min)

Directed by Chadden Hunter & Nick Hayward and produced by Fraser Johnson & Nick Hayward

When local mountain biker Pete Walsh stumbles across a bizarre creature in an urban waterway his life is about change forever. He soon forms a bond with the animal he names Zoom. An egg-laying, duck-billed, venom-spined, furry-coated, underwater mammal otherwise known as a platypus. Pete embarks on a mission to save Zoom’s city creek before it’s too late, while Zoom takes Pete on a magical journey into the secret world of the platypus.

A panel discussion and Q&A with the following speakers will take place after the screening of the films: 

Fraser Johnston (Producer/DP, The Platypus Guardian) 

Fraser Johnston is an experienced producer and Emmy nominated cinematographer, specialising in Natural History, Science, and Ob Docs. His work has taken him on incredible adventures around the world. From exploring the deepest caves in Australia to extinct southern ocean undersea volcanoes in the Southern Ocean and capturing the beauty of the jungles of Papua New Guinea, Fraser has dedicated his career to bringing the wonders of nature to audiences worldwide his work includes projects for BBC, Discovery, Netflix, ABC, PBS and National Geographic.

Natasha Alves (Editor, The Platypus Guardian)

Natasha Alves is a Documentary Editor based in Sydney. She has worked on IMAX films, documentary films and documentary TV series, specialising in Natural History and History.

Some of her recent credits include The Platypus Guardian (ABC & PBS 2023),  Emmy award-winning film Puff:Wonders of the Reef (Netflix Original, 2021) and Out of Bounds Mountain Adventure (IMAX, 2020).

Finn Clarke (Composer, The Platypus Guardian) 

Finn Clarke is a multimedia composer based in Tasmania, Australia. He recently scored the ABC/PBS documentary The Platypus Guardian, AIDC ‘Best Short-Form Documentary’ winner Eden Alone Surpasses Thee, and the ABC Arts Documentary Nothing Bad Ever Happens Here. Finn is currently composing a musical, scoring a series of ads, working on several short films and recently returned from a six-week stint in Hollywood as part of the AiF/Screenworks Regional Screen in LA Scholarship. Finn’s professional affiliations include the Australian Guild of Screen Composers, the Society of Composers & Lyricists, APRA AMCOS, Australians in Film and Screenworks, and he is a founding member of the Tasmanian Media Composers Collective.

Dr Phoebe Meagher (Wildlife Conservation Officer, Taronga Conservation Society Australia)

Phoebe joined Taronga as part of the Wildlife Hospital team in 2012, where she developed a research interest in conservation forensics, leading an international project developing forensic tools to help save the world’s most heavily trafficked animals. Phoebe is now based at the Institute of Science and Learning where she is responsible for conservation recovery programs and population management of Australian mammals and aquatic and marine mammals at Taronga, including legacy species such as platypus and marine turtles.

Phoebe completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) at Macquarie University and her Doctorate in Zoology at The University of Sydney, 2010. Phoebe has a long-standing interest and passion for the marine environment and has worked as a scientific diver and dive master. Phoebe curates and manages the Australian Shark Incident Database and maintains research interest in shark biology and conservation.

Phoebe has worked delivering a range of lectures and presentations for the new Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Taronga) as well as the Taronga Training Institute and school programs. Phoebe has published in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Nature’s Scientific Reports as well as appeared in widely read publications such as Australian Geographic, Harper’s Bazaar and The New York Times. Phoebe is part of the 2019/2020 Superstars of STEM program, dedicated to smashing the gender stereotypes in science and promoting women in STEM.

To see our full program and detailed information please go to: https://wildearthoceania.com/