On Wednesday 6 September 15 NPA~Marine Supporters joined NSW Premier Morris Iemma, his Senior Advisor Mark Aarons, Minister for the Environment Bob Debus and NPA~Marine Patron Valerie Taylor for a fundraising dinner.
Supported by Restaurant Forty One, the occasion was an opportunity for guests to discuss marine conservation issues with each of our key guests throughout the evening.
With fine wine and food on the menu and superb harbour views from the restaurant's private dining room, this was a another hit for the NPA~Marine events calendar!
Valerie Taylor has dived with sharks, explored hundred of dive sites around the world and inspired generations of divers. This June, Valerie invited some of her fans and admirers out to dinner.
NPA~Marine auctioned the opportunity for 5 lucky people to share a culinary adventure with Valerie Taylor - Dive Legend, Shark Expert and Patron of NPA~Marine. There were 6 tickets to bid for.
The winning bidders joined Valerie Taylor at "Forty One", one of Sydney's most revered fine dining locations. They got to chat personally with Valerie whilst enjoying spectacular views from the multi-award winning restaurant's private 'Riedel Room'.
Overlooking the Opera House, they dined on the amazing degustation menu complemented by fine wines. As well as getting to spend an evening with one of the world's most respected divers and underwater film makers the winning bidders contributed to marine conservation with proceeds from the winning bids going to support the work of NPA~Marine.
More information on this dinner
Deep Sea 3D
On 17 May 2006 over 350 guests were amongst the first in Australia to view the latest marine IMAX masterpiece, Deep Sea 3D.
Narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, moviegoers swam with some of the planets most unique, dangerous and colorful creatures in the ocean.
Presented by NPA~Marine Patron Valerie Taylor, guests watched sunfish, giant squid, manta rays and a baby southern right whale in what most agreed was the best IMAX film to date.
Funds generated went towards NPA~Marine's conservation work
Shark 3D Special Screening
On Wednesday 11th and Sunday 15th May, NPA~Marine Supporters were treated to free tickets to the new IMAX film Sharks 3D.
NPA~Marine Patron Valerie Taylor joined the guests at the first screening, giving an insightful talk about the sharks in our oceans and the need for us all to play a role in ensuring their survival.
Presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau, SHARKS 3D is a breathtaking new three-dimensional film experience that offers audiences an astonishing up-close encounter with our oceans amazing sharks.
The film takes you face-to-face with Grey Nurses, the Great White, Hammerheads, and Whale Sharks amongst others. You can witness them as they really are: not wicked man-eating creatures, but wild, fascinating and endangered animals that have been in existence a million years before dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
NPA~Marine supporters joined the expert team of ocean explorers that brought you OCEAN WONDERLAND 3D on this unique round-the-globe expedition documenting the life of the ultimate predator. More>>
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Special Advanced Screening
Directed by Wes Anderson
A special screening of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou was held at Bondi Junction to raise funds and awareness of the Grey Nurse Shark campaign Let Lucy Live!
Courtesy of Buena Vista International a large crowd gathered to watch this new adventurous comedy about a washed up oceanographer.
The screening bought plenty of laughs as well as some valuable money to support letting Lucy live!
Some more information about The Life Aquatic
The film provided some comic relief for the audience who were treated to another spectucular movie by Wes Anderson whos previous films include "Bottle Rocket," "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums."
Labelled as Anderson's "fourth and most ambitious film to date" we take a journey with "washed up oceanographer" Steve Zissou played by Academy Award® nominee BILL MURRAY, turning over every starfish to find "love, revenge and a drop of redemption".
Known for his "comically charged yet deeply human view of modern life and Relationships", Anderson mimics the complexity and colour of life with the uncertainties and mysteries evolving into a story about a might-be father and son who go on an underwater expedition to search for this supposed "jaguar shark" spurred by vengeance while being joined by a motley crew which compliments the funny combo of Bill Murray and Owen Wilson.
In the movie that saw Bill Murray come out as a certified diver with over 40 hours logged, stars Australia's own Oscar Winning CATE BLANCHETT. Playing Jane Winslett Richardson, a six-month pregnant English reporter who becomes the object of affection between Murray's and Wilson's characters.
Combining humour with the exhilarating adventures that can occur in the depths of the oceans, Anderson extends the bar for entertainment as he includes a Portuguese version of various David Bowie songs performed in a "folksy, impassioned bossa nova style" which Bowie himself applauded. More>>
Let Lucy Live! Protecting the Grey Nurse Shark
The Let Lucy Live campaign is a joint effort of NPA~Marine and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC) to increase awareness and interest in protecting this harmless species. Lucy is the face of the campaign and is one of the many Grey Nurse Sharks currently threatened with extinction. Combining efforts and key communication messages, NPA~Marine and NCC aim to gain support for 1500m sanctuary protection at each of 16 key Grey Nurse habitat areas in NSW. More>>
Aliens of the Deep - Special Advanced Screening
2 March 2005
Hundreds of people turned up to watch this special advanced screening of Aliens of the Deep. This new James Cameron film explored the depths of the ocean - 2 miles beneath the surface.
The 'crew' were taken to places that few have ever been. In their state of the art submersibles, they captured footage of some wierd and wonderful creatures, brought to you via the IMAX's 17 storey screen.
Guest Speakers: Dive Legend and NPA~Marine Patron, Valerie Taylor, opened the event whilst guest speaker was Mike McDowell who worked with James Cameron on the film.
Mike McDowell is amongst the selected few who have had the opportunity to travel in submersibles to the depths of our oceans. He is also involved in the proposal being developed to bring the two Deep Rover submersibles seen in the "Aliens of the Deep" film to Australia to explore Australia's oceans. Watch this space for more details of this project!
Thanks to all NPA~Marine supporters who can to the event. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Click here for more information on the event
To visit the film's website please click here
Deep Blue - Australian Premiere
Presented by VALERIE TAYLOR
7pm Wednesday December 1st - Cremorne Orpheum Cinema, Sydney 7pm Thursday December 2nd - Palace Verona Cinema, Paddington, Sydney
NPA~Marine hosted the Australian Premiere of 'Deep Blue', an inspiring marine-based film taking the audience on a unique journey under the ocean's surface.
Both screenings were sold out with all proceeds going towards NPA~Marine's conservation work.
The screenings were additionally a great opportunity to promote HarbourKeepers, a regular program of events that enables the community to participate in marine conservation activities in and around Sydney Harbour.
At the second screening HarbourKeepers with Pro Dive was launched. This program will enable divers to get involved in various marine surveys, underwater clean-ups and marine photography courses.
Deep Blue was shot by the same team that created David Attenborough's series The Blue Planet on a $5 million budget over three years in 200 locations.
20 camera crews shot over 7000 hours of footage, sometimes at depths of up to 16,500 feet.
Deep Blue plunges the audience into the spectacle of the seas and takes it on a journey from the shallowest coral reefs to the barren shores of the Antarctic , from the vast stretches of the open ocean to the nocturnal landscapes of the ocean’s deepest chasms.
Deep Blue offers never-before-seen images of breathtaking beauty and wonder.
Coupled with an evocative orchestral score and voice-over commentary by award-winning actor Michael Gambon, Deep Blue presents highly emotional, powerful images that convey the raw elemental power of the ocean.
Music is by five-time Oscar Winner George Fenton (Gandhi, Cry Freedom) and recorded by the Berlin Philarmonic Orchestra.
What they say........
“If there was a Nobel Prize for wildlife filmmaking these producers would get it !” The Wall Street Journal
“This majestic film has all the hallmarks of BBC quality workmanship -- jaw-dropping, sumptuous visuals, a lush George Fenton score, state-of-the-art technology and some of the oddest creatures ever seen without recourse to artificial stimulants” Variety
“We take you to a world you have never seen before to what I believe is genuinely the last frontier on our planet” Alaistair Fothergill -Director
“Awe-inspiring and ground-breaking. A film that begs to be experienced on the big screen.” Film Review
“Hypnotically beautiful. It’s the real Finding Nemo.”News of the World
“A stunning reminder of just how fragile and beautiful our planet can be, Deep Blue is a visual feast.” Geographical Magazine
More>>
Ocean Wonderland 3D Fundraiser with David Ireland
15 September 2004
David Ireland, internationally renowned wildlife filmmaker and conservationist, presented a special screening of Ocean Wonderland 3D at the IMAX theatre on Wednesday 15th September
This was the second IMAX movie NPA~Marine has hosted this year and attendees were once again taken on a magical underwater adventure. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Bahamas, Ocean Wonderland 3D explored the incredible beauty of life below the ocean's surface.
David gave an inspiring talk on the importanceof protecting our oceans and this was reinforced with evocative images in the film. Everone who came to the event left with a smile on their face.
As always our team of volunteers, the NPA~Marines, were on hand to help answer questions about NPA~Marine and NSW waters. All money raised from the evening has gone towards helping NPA~Marine protect NSW waters for the future.
David Ireland's series Wild Adventures is currently screening on Channel Nine. The latest released 'Swimming with Whales' aired on Sept 11th at 4pm. David swam with one day old whales and discussed coral reefs, anchor damage, crown of thorns and global warming issues. For more information please visit www.davidireland.com.
Surf Dive Action Show 2004
15-18 July 2004 - Sydney Entertainment Centre
NPA~Marine was the lead conservation group attending the Surf Dive Action Show, with our Marine Patron, Valerie Taylor giving the official opening and promoting NPA~Marine's conservation work.
The 4-day exhibition was located inside the Sydney Entertainment Centre and showcased the latest in surfing, watersports, diving, fashion, extreme sports, travel and coastal-living culture.
The NPA~Marine stall manned by our army of 'NPA~Marine's' provided visitors with information about our current work and displayed underwater footage provided by award-winning filmmaker George Evatt. There was additionally an opportunity to have your say in signing alongside Valerie on our supporters wall.
HarbourKeepers
Launched 5 June 2004
HarbourKeepers involves the community in a long-term program of regular activities which protects and restores Sydney Harbour and its surrounds.
HarbourKeepers harnesses Sydney's passion for its harbour by creating an opportunity for volunteers to safeguard and restore Sydney Harbour. Volunteers participate in various activities throughout Sydney Harbour including, but not limited to, the identification and removal of visible threats, marine ecology clinics, biodiversity surveys and community events.
On World Environment Day, 5 June 2005, Deputy Premier Andrew Refshauge launched HarbourKeepers at Shelly Beach, Manly.
The Deputy Premier then participated in a clean up dive conducted in conjunction witha team of volunteers coordinated through HarbourKeepers primary supporter Pro Dive.
Find out more about HarbourKeepers. More>>
NPA~Marine Cruise for Conservation
18th April 2004
Renowned conservationist, filmmaker and NPA~Marine supporter, David Ireland, joined NPA~Marine to celebrate a sunny Sunday afternoon on the Sydney Harbour with a 'Cruise for Conservation'.
The renowned conservationist and filmmaker gave an inspiring talk about his experiences with marine life and the importance of conserving the precious underwater environment. He additionally showed the guests footage from his popular TV documentaries now showing on Channel 9.
Following on from the success of the IMAX film premiere in February, the event proved to be an enjoyable afternoon for all. The weather, food, drink and combination of enthusiatic guests all contributed to the terrific ambience of the day.
Courtesy of Captain Cook Cruises, the cruise was held aboard Solar Sailor, the world's most environmentally friendly vessel. Solar Sailor is a unique renewable energy "hybrid" capable of using solar, wind, battery or liquid petroleum gas, either collectively or individually.
Half the guests were given free tickets with the remainder paying a minimal price for the cruise which went towards NPA~Marine's campaign to increase marine sanctuary areas in NSW waters.
Wednesday February 18th 2004
The newly launched NPA~Marine hosted the Australian Premiere of the new IMAX film, 'Coral Reef Adventure' at the IMAX Theatre, Darling Harbour.
Australian Icon Dick Smith was Master of Ceremonies for the evening, urging the audience to get involved in NPA~Marine's work and assist with donations.
Valerie Taylor, NPA~Marine Patron, made a guest presentation. She spoke of her experiences diving, her love of the critically endangered Grey Nurse Shark, and the need for real protection of the marine environment in the form of fully protected sanctuary areas.
This unique evening was a huge success and the first time that the IMAX Theatre has been sold out for a fundraising event.
It was very positive for raising funds for NPA~Marine's valuable marine conservation work through ticket sales, donations and the NPA~Marine raffle.
In addition, NPA~Marine hope that the evening educated and inspired the audience to work towards healthy oceans.
The message was clear:
IT'S TIME TO ACT. IT'S TIME FOR A SEACHANGE!!
