ATTENDEES at the regular Politics in the Pub will experience something different this Friday night, when they watch the screening of the movie ‘Frackman’.
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The movie outlines a struggle against the coal seam gas industry by former Goulburn man Dayne Pratzky who now lives in the central Queensland town of Tara.
He and his neighbours have unwittingly become the centre of a massive industrial landscape and they have no legal right to stop mining on their land.
Australia is set to become the biggest gas exporter, as more than 30,000 wells have been sunk in Queensland, with many requiring the controversial practice of ‘fracking’.
“The campaign and activism was something I never thought I was capable of,” Mr Pratzky said.
“It took over my life and I was coined ‘the worst environmental activist Australia has ever seen’!”
In the film, Mr Pratzky, who grew up in Goulburn (attending Bradfordville Public School and Mulwaree High), embarks on a journey that transforms him from conservative pig shooter to the sophisticated global activist known as ‘Frackman’.
He meets the people drawn into a battle that is crossing the ideological divide, bringing together a peculiar alliance of farmers, activists and political conservatives.
Along the way he also encounters love, tragedy and triumph.
“I also got the opportunity to speak on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., toured around the U.S., where I met my now girlfriend, as well as around every state of Australia to help spread the message about the dangers of fracking,” he told the Post.
“The issue resonates with many people in many communities around Australia.”
The film has even attracted the interest of radio ‘shock jock’ Alan Jones and former Greens MP Bob Brown, who have put their support behind Mr Pratzky’s campaign.
“This is a great opportunity for people in our region to be a part of the national conversation around coal seam gas development,” Goulburn Greens Convenor, Nick Calleja said of Friday’s film.
“Especially considering Dayne Pratzky is a former Goulburn man himself.
“This issue has also put Alan Jones and Bob Brown on the same side of a debate.
What other issue can have this kind of resonance across the political spectrum?
No matter your background, this film is definitely worth a look and will get you thinking.”
‘Frackman’ will be held at the Goulburn Soldiers Club this Friday night from 6:30pm.
NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham will also be in attendance to answer questions in a Q&A session after the screening.
Tickets cost $12, and can be reserved by contacting Mr Calleja via email at nicholas.calleja.greens@gmail.com.
