Take 3 for the Sea launches new film series, The Next Wave

TAKE 3 for the Sea co-founder Tim Silverwood is taking audiences on a journey along Australia’s east coast in a new documentary series The Next Wave, which will explore the future for the organisation’s environmental action.

Episode 1 of the series, titled Caring for Country, was released earlier this month and begins at Fingal Head, where Silverwood sits down with local Gudjinburra Bundjalung man Josh Slabb to discuss the role community plays in protecting places of cultural and environmental significance.

The series marks a new chapter not only for the environmental organisation but also for Silverwood, who returned as chief executive in October after a five-year absence.

Reflecting on nearly 17 years in the movement, he said perceptions of plastic pollution had shifted in the public consciousness.

“If you fast forward to now, it’s mainstream,” he said.

“Everyone knows about plastic pollution.”

But despite greater awareness, he said plastic production and environmental leakage continue to increase.

 

“It’s changed a lot – it’s just unfortunate that despite all the awareness and all the efforts, the amount of plastic that’s being produced every year is still increasing and it’s increasing rapidly,” he said.

“So for me as an environmental leader I’m just really motivated to look at that strategically and going, OK well, what can Australia be doing a much better job of to not be contributing in the way that we currently are?”

That question has informed The Next Wave, which follows Silverwood as he reconnects with experts, changemakers and long-time supporters of Take 3 for the Sea while helping shape the organisation’s future direction.

“Part of the exercise in doing The Next Wave was to go and talk to people who we really respect who’ve been part of our community for a really long time and gauge their thoughts on that next chapter,” he said.

“What I’m also excited about is that because we’re now engaging in this new story, we can take our audience with us as that plan comes into effect.

“So it’s kind of two parts. It was doing the research, the reconnection to begin with, but now as we start to tell the story people can follow along and be part of the next wave of the organisation so it’s fulfilling two really important purposes.”

Silverwood said it was important that the series begin at Fingal Head.

 

“As a passionate environmentalist, I understand the critical importance of First Nations justice and perspectives in the context of all the work that we do to solve these planetary issues,” he said.

“That was always intended to be the starting point for this next chapter.”

A Tweed Shire resident, Silverwood said he had developed a deep appreciation for Fingal Head and the community that has worked to protect it.

“It just comes down to the long history and lineage that that community has and how well they’ve stood up to protect what is so important,” he said.

“I think Josh’s insights that he shares around connecting with community and building trust and walking step by step, side by side – I just think it creates a really nice baseline to tell the rest of the story from,” he said.

The second episode of The Next Wave, featuring Northern Rivers comedian and writer Mandy Nolan, is scheduled for release mid-July, with new episodes expected to be released monthly.

To watch The Next Wave series, visit youtube.com/watch?v=Ve97Hl3fRQE&t=580s