The idea behind this project is to try to promote and showcase Australia's magnificent outback and educate people from all nations, all walks of life and those from the more civilized areas of Australia, about the way of life on some of our largest and most remote pastoral stations. And in the outback generally. Aspects will include the human impact of the drought, floods and bushfires, trying to help bridge the gap of understanding between viewers in the city and other nations and the people whom are living the reality of the land. Other aspects are mentioned below.

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But before I proceed, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lannah Sawers-Diggins. I originate from a sheep station in the north eastern pastoral district of South Australia. While I have now lived in Perth, capital of Western Australia, for over 43 years, I am and always will be passionate about life in the outback.

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Some years ago, I found myself facing the chance to combine two of my passions - the outback and writing. And after traveling the nation, especially the outback, I wrote the book 'Red Dust Dreams', which was published in 2017 and actually went on to become a finalist in the International Book Awards of that year. I did not submit it and nor, apparently, did my publisher. The book provided a detailed look at life on 20 of our outback stations, showing how the people do live out there.

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Shortly before Christmas in 2023, I received a message from the owner (Suzannah Cowley) of production company Nviromedia.com and for several reasons I offered Suzannah the chance to produce this documentary with my collaboration. I was thrilled when she jumped at this chance and a few chats later, I found myself hard at work and loving every second of it, doing the research for this documentary. The second production company which is involved is Media Productions - Australia owned by Steve Fitzgibbon. We also have a small but devoted team.

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We want to show many different aspects of life for this - eg how education is provided when the nearest school can be hundreds of kilometres away; how health is handle - both the physical and the mental sides. Shopping, socialisiing, community involvement. How they manage their electricity, gas, fuel etc. Infrastructure. We will also be looking at our spectacular scenery, flora and fauna. The list really is endless. 

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As far as education is concerned, we plan to film a lesson through School of the Air (which is how I was educated in my childhood) in progress as well as filming the same from the base end. And we are hoping to bring the amazing RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) into this as well as they are such an essential and lifesaving necessity in the outback and other regional areas of the nation - but particularly the outback. 

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We are also planning to look at the amazing and fascinating Indigenous people, in many different aspects again. And hoping to include footage of some country festivals, horse racing, sporting events, music festivals - the list continues as it does with our Indigenous hopes. Hopefully included will be a demonstration of the preparation and cooking (and eating) of natural bush food, provided by at least one of our stations as well as an Indigenous chef in two different shoots.

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Most of our participating pastoral stations are working cattle properties as well as being station stays, in an effort to supplement their incomes. At the moment, there is one station that is not also a station stay so it will be wonderful to get the comparison. We also plan to interview one or two small business owners in some of the towns in the outback and perhaps some some on any of the stations, if there are any. This latter idea came from my experience with the research for the book - I met a few entrepreneurs in towns throughout the outback and was very interested to find out where these people came from - some had never moved away from that town, some came from 'nearby' properties, others from other towns or cities and an increasing number from other nations. We will find out more through our documentary. 

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Also included will be major and minor tourist attractions, nationwide. We will be showing some very well known ones and also lots of not-so-well-known ones, but should be well known.

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There is also an increasing number of groups, operating both on and off line, that will also be mentioned and we will try to promote these as much as possible. These do include the CWA (Country Women's Association - our local one during my childhood was presided over for many years by my late mother), also the ICPA (Isolated Children's and Parents' Association) and many more. A lot of which I am only learning about as I do this.

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The mining industry has not been overlooked either, with an interview with a lady whose father was heavily involved. Including mining is essential given how much the industry meant and means to Australia nationwide.

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Our list is endless really and is currently very much a work in progress. The documentary will include a lot more information than the book did. Although I will have to put the brakes on sooner or later...

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Our little team currently consists of two production companies as well as:

• Author and Key Person:  Lannah Sawers-Diggins;

• Nviromedia.com: Producer and Key Person: Suzannah Cowley;

• Media Productions - Australia: Steve Fitzgibbon;

• Cinematographer:  Nigel Christenson;

• Steve Fitzgibbon will also be a cinematographer;

• Potential Stills Photographer:  Billy Ryan;

• General Helper:  Michele Bennier

There could be more team members coming onboard but at the moment, those listed above make up our team. And there could be other changes.

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Having Suzannah on board is proving to be a huge positive in that she has the experience in both raising the funding necessary to produce such a large documentary as well as the contacts with potential broadcasting powers. Hopefully, these will include many of the major broadcasters themselves as well as streaming services and any other areas we can find. She is also a journalist so will be conducting all the interviews. 

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This little information sheet will probably be added to as more suggestions etc are acted on and need to be mentioned.

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Thank you.

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