arkaroola at the fringe

Australian film-maker Tim Baier's Unmineable Minds has been selected as a finalist in a mini-documentary competition funded by Australian Ethical Investments in association with the Documentary Australia Foundation.

This competition is set around the theme of 'corporate responsibility and the environment.' The aims include expanding the public's awareness of corporations' impact on the environment, and how they influence government policy.

As you're doubtlessly aware as we await the state government's response to it's 'Seeking a Balance' mining access blueprint, both of these issues are highly relevant to the proposal to mine Mt Gee and the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, and this is the subject of Tim's entry.

The award ceremony to be held this Thursday night will reveal if Tim's video will go on to win first prize, and I wish him further good luck for his excellent entry!


standing in amazement - fringe tickets are now available


Adelaide audiences can soon enjoy Tim's 3D feature highlighting the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and the Flinders Ranges - 'Standing in Amazement' - from March 1st-7th as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

I have posted the 'making of' YouTube video at the top of this post to give readers an idea of what to expect. But most of the movie was shot using a pair of Nikon D2 digital SLR cameras synchronised in a complex array developed by Tim - the result is well beyond anything you can imagine staring at a small YouTube video! And it's 3-dimensional!

He has secured a most appropriate venue for this tour of the natural wonders of the Flinders Ranges... The South Australian Museum! He has brought along the most sophisticated stereoscopic digital projection rig he's ever used specifically for this screening, so the quality should be truly outstanding.

Tim has taken leave from the $100 million dollar Warner Brothers feature film he is currently stereoscopic supervisor on, but, as he sees it, "time spent on this feature film project is leave taken from Arkaroola."

Tim aspires to return to Arkaroola and make a feature documentary about Mawson and Sprigg's passionate quest to comprehend this amazing world we've found ourselves in.

He is very concerned of returning to find a hole in the ground that destroys the amazing legacy of Mawson and Sprigg's passion and prevents the Sanctuary from being an eternal outdoor museum.

Arkaroola and the Flinders Ranges - Standing in Amazement - Digital 3D Cinema Event at Adelaide Fringe Festival:

State-of-the-art digital technology transforms the silver screen into a breathtaking window. As live narration guides you through a tapestry of stereoscopic 3D satellite, aerial, landscape, and macro photography, learn how South Australia's beautifully sculpted Flinders Ranges depict hundreds of millions of years of our Earth's fascinating history.

The introduction above quite aptly describes Tim Baier's planned 3D Cinema Event to be held during the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Tim's 3D film is a must see for anyone who loves the Flinders Ranges - it will leave you spellbound as you watch his amazing movie and listen to his impassioned narration.

I call on all South Australian politicians to make the effort to get along to see the show - particularly those ( sadly a large number ) who are seemingly happy to condemn Arkaroola and the far-northern Flinders to becoming an industrial site sight-unseen!

Arkaroola has come to you - there really is no excuse; you owe it to all present and future South Australians to take the time to get along to it.


a night at the museum - the venue


The Armory Gallery of the South Australian Museum on North Terrace, Adelaide.

Session Times:

Monday 1st March -
6.00pm and 8.00pm

Tuesday 2nd March through to Friday 5th -
3.00pm, 6.00pm and 8.00pm

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th March -
10.30am, 12.00 noon, 3.00pm, 6.00pm, 8.00pm

60 tickets available for any one show:

Large School Groups and Pensioner Groups - Free of Charge. Tim will be adding additional entirely free sessions for large groups of people from schools, retirement villages, hiking groups etc. Please contact Tim at timbaier@vfxgang.com if you can coordinate such a group.

Media most welcome

Fringe Tickets are available from the Fringe's Standing in Amazement page, or by fringetix.com.au and searching for Arkaroola, or clicking on the "FILM" category.

A minimal fee of $5 is charged - a $15 donation suggested if people find they love the show and wish to help Tim cover his costs.

parking and public transport access:

The Wilson Car Park at David Jones is the closest. $8 for half day if the parking ticket is validated at the Museum's Information Desk.

For the carbon-conscious the Museum is a five minute walk from the Rundle Mall tram stop and Adelaide Railway Station and is close to (or on) various bus routes. Adelaide is also an easy cycling city!