The small remote community of Chillagoe, west of Mareeba, will host a national documentary series on Friday designed to capture life in small towns.
The We Are Here series is the brainchild of the Australian Horizons Foundation, the national arm of charity group, Gulf Horizons which was started in Georgetown.
Chillagoe is the third town to be featured in the series, which was launched in Cairns at the start of the year.
Producer and music industry veteran Anita Donlon said there were 180 towns around Australia on the program’s radar.
“I grew up in a small country town in South Australia and as a young child I saw everything from drought to flood to fire,” Ms Donlon said.
“I have a dream to head bush with a documentary crew and one of our comedians, Dan Ivkovic, who is celebrating his 20th year in comedy.
“I want to bring a sense of pride and celebration and bring people together to celebrate their spirit and culture within their small towns and allow them to show off for the day.
“We capture it and pop onto DVD and once we compile it we will then take it to the television networks.”
Ms Donlon said she was focused on working with musicians to improve mental health awareness.
She said the series would also encourage tourists to stop off in small remote communities.
“If we can encourage 10 per cent of everyone that goes on an overseas holiday to go inland and visit a small town, become a local for the day and stay at the pub - life is not about five star,” Ms Donlon said.
“Leaving your money in a local economy is priceless.”
Chillagoe residents are asked to gather at the Post Office Hotel at 1pm.
A drone will be used to capture the gathering, afterwhich the film crew will check out some the town’s highlights and meet the characters.
The town’s starlet, award-winning country music start Becci Nethery, will perform Friday evening, and Dave will host a comedy show.
The series is looking for donations.
Anyone interested in donating should SMS 0437 371 371 and a link will be provided.
For more information visit here
