Northern Waters: In Conversation with Rachel O'Reilly

Next date: Sunday, 17 May 2026 | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

HBRG welcomes you to the closing weekend final screening of Northern Waters with an included discussion with the Artist, Writer and Researcher Rachel O'Reilly along with Butchulla Ranger and Coral Watch Ambassador Mitchell Allen.

From this talk expect to hear about historic and ongoing efforts to protect our reefs through activism, education, governance and Indigenous perspectives. This discussion will give the audience the chance to engage with speakers regarding national and local marine conservation initiatives.

We encourage ecological students, educators and specialists to attend this free event to engage and explore how arts can elevate research and outcomes.

When: Sunday 17 May, 10:30am - 11:45am, followed by a final screening of Northern Waters at 12:00pm.

Price: FREE please register

Take this opportunity to visit HBRG's current exhibitions on their final day of showing along with additional closing weekend programming.

A final screening of Northern Waters will run at 12:00pm after the discussion.

Speakers

Rachel O'Reilly

Rachel O’Reilly is a settler Australian artist/writer/researcher b. Gladstone, QLD. She was film, video, new media curator at GoMA/Australian Cinematheque, has an MA (Cum Laude) in Media and Culture from the University of Amsterdam, was a writer/artist in residence at Jan van Eyck Academie and inaugural Fellow in Ecology at Sandburg Institute. From 2014-21 Rachel taught ‘How to Do Things with Theory’ at the Dutch Art Institute, NL and edited Theory on Demand for the Institute for Network Cultures. Her artistic work has been presented at Haus der Kulturen de Welt, Berlin; E-Flux, New York; Tate Liverpool; Museum of Yugloslav History, Belgrade; Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven; Jakarta Biennale; Qalandiya International, Jerusalem; and Museu de Arte de São Paulo, Brazil. Curatorial/editorial collaborations include The Leisure Class (GoMA), Moving Images of Speculation (NL), ‘Planetary Records’, Contour Biennale (BE), EX-EMBASSY.com (DE) and Feminist Takes (Sternberg Press).

She writes with Jelena Vesic on Non-Aligned Movement legacies, with Danny Butt on artistic autonomy, and edits with Aboriginal contemporary artist Richard Bell. Her longterm project, The Gas Imaginary (2013-2021) used poetry, drawing, installation, essays and moving image media to explore the difference of unconventional gas (fracking) from colonial modern mining regimes, in dialogue with Gooreng Gooreng elders and frontline activists, culminating in www.infractionsdocumentary.net. Northern Waters (2025) is her third major moving image commission.

Mitchell Allen

Mitchell was chosen from a competitive field of applicants and will represent Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation at the Coral Watch Ambassador Workshop 2026 at the Heron Island Research Station. This intensive, place-based workshop connected community leaders, educators, scientists, and advocates who are passionate about reef health and ocean stewardship.

Mitch has participated in hands-on training, fieldwork, and science communication activities that build skills in environmental monitoring, citizen science, community engagement, and cultural knowledge-sharing. Coral Watch, housed within The University of Queensland, plays a vital role in empowering people across Australia and internationally to contribute data and awareness that supports coral reef health.

Representing BNTAC, Mitch brings a strong Butchulla perspective, ensuring that First Nations cultural values, connection to Sea Country, and Traditional Knowledge remain central to conversations about reef protection and sustainability.

Now recognised as a Coral Watch Ambassador, Allen's role is entirely voluntary but carries a significant impact—ambassadors help strengthen public understanding and inspire participation in caring for the Great Barrier Reef.

This event is made possible through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government and Fraser Coast Regional Council, with support from Hervey Bay Regional Gallery.