Monthly Lunchtime Talks Program
Presented by Varcha Sidwell, filmmaker and co-director of “Real Life Water Rats”
Varcha Sidwell worked on Real Life Water Rats, a four part documentary series that looks into the exciting world of Tasmania’s elite Marine Police Unit. The series was broadcast on ABC TV during 2005, to wide acclaim. The first episode centred on the successful rescue of sixteen crewmembers on the maxi yacht Skandia, during the 2004 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Real Life Water Rats: OCEAN RESCUE
This episode is a testimony to the skill of police skipper, Leigh Stanley, and the bravery of his four crewmembers. In wild and deteriorating conditions, the Van Diemen’s small dinghy rescues grateful crewmembers from the drifting life rafts and transfers them to the big police boat, eventually reaching the safety of Flinders Island. The skipper and crew receive the highest police commendations for this rescue operation as well as Bravery Awards. Varcha will screen an excerpt and share her experience of what it was like being part of the action and what it took to capture the life and death story for the small screen.
Real Life Water Rats: WHAT WE’RE TRAINED FOR
The Real Life Water Rats train hard and often. They have to because they never know what is coming next. This episode also investigates the ongoing training regimen the squad needs to undertake to keep up with the pace of their challenging jobs. Varcha will screen an excerpt and share more of the ‘behind the scenes’ story.
Varcha Sidwell is an award winning Australian filmmaker and content creator with a thirty-year career in television production across many genres and programming styles. Awards include an AFI Award for Best TV Documentary, as producer on ABC TV’s Four Corners and director on the iconic Bananas in Pyjamas. Collaborating with Tasmanian based production company Roar Film, documentaries include the landmark series The Abbey, Real Life Water Rats, and Bali High Wedding. Varcha is also a dedicated Guide Dog puppy boarder.
Time: 12.00-1.00pm, Tuesday 3 April 2018
Place: Royal Society Room, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Customs House, 19 Davey St entrance.
Phone the Maritime Museum on 6234 1427 for more details or email [email protected]
John Wadsley
