Rafting the most polluted river in Australia
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2023
- BAD RIVER: Deep within a midlife adventure crisis, I find myself in Tasmania, about to descend a sickly orange, biologically dead river the locals call pumpkin soup. Seeking out places that aren't always the prettiest, wildest or biggest, the Queen River, after 100 years of runoff from a mine, is considered the most polluted river in Australia.
For two days I had a hard time reconciling between the tremendous damage humanity is capable of, and how that same energy and desire must be used to fix this very big problem. That, and the fact there were times on the river, deep within the wonders of Tasmania’s landscape, I had to remind myself I was floating on water that can’t support life.
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Produced and Directed by
BEAU MILES
Produced and Edited by
MITCH DRUMMOND
Produced
JODI EVANS
Additional camera
MITCH DRUMMOND
BRETT CAMPBELL
CHRIS ORD
BEAU MILES
Final Sound Mix
JAMES DOBSON
Maps
BRETT CAMPBELL
Science by EnviroDNA
www.envirodna.com
Supported by Screen Australia
And RUclips through the
Skip Ahead initiative
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Click here for more Beauisms - linktr.ee/beauisms
Hi everyone. Goodonya for watching!
Hey, if you wanna check out the awesome folks who did the science for this film, check out www.envirodna.com
The not so big secret is that my bloody incredible wife works for EnviroDNA (I got myself a sweet freebee!). Helen and I will do a 'science' explainer film shortly to unpack a little of this projects potential (I'll keep it lively, as will Helen...).
First
Goodonya mate! This video was probably one of my favourites so far.
Good going Beau. The fact that you found no evidence of life, even some tough invertebrate in that river is a worry.
You're one of the most inspirational people I know. Thanks for sharing your life and thoughts with us
Well done Beau
What a disaster
Keep up the fight
It's people like you that can change the world for the better
I think this could be Beau's best video yet - the production is really impressive, and the message even more so.
His message of "I want to have my RUclips cake and eat it." If you think we're fucking up the environemnt (we are) then go live like the Amish, otherwise keep quiet.
@@andrewcurtis4568 What are you talking about
@@andrewcurtis4568I didn’t know that was the rule. Thanks for letting me know.
@@andrewcurtis4568 Huh, he lives about as close to Armish as you can get in a practical sense and puts out nothing but good vibes and thoughtful stories
@@andrewcurtis4568 did you watch the whole video mate ? He acknowledged that precious metals are necessary for humankind to be what it is today, he's just questioning the methods of how we extract them and interact with our environment. It's okay to be thoughtful, unhappy and question your surroundings dude. You don't have to be all or nothing, like "well if it's f***ed then I may as well accept it", one man turning amish will achieve less than putting up a video raising awareness
You're never 'just' a story-teller, Beau. You're a consummate story-teller who lives the story first, then opens the eyes of all who stop to hear you tell it.
Another great video, mate. Thank you.
This is probably one of the best descriptions of him I've ever heard. Better than I've would have been able to phrase it myself.
If you are at a bar, people don’t walk away.
"Everyone should witness when things go wrong"
That hits hard. All of this does. Thank you fellow Beau.
Wow, according to Screen Australia, Beau was awarded the Skip Ahead grant in 2020 to make this film. Shows you how much effort goes into making these amazing and inspiring videos. Goodonya!
As a proud Tasmanian it breaks my heart to see what we've done to the mighty Queen River. Thank you for your excellent video.
what we've done ??? - We don't get a choice your statement reads like we get a say we are only valuable when something can be made by using us
@@khg8519 That river has paid a lot of wages and given the state a lot of money over the years.
what do you mean we've?
Their not finished yet marinus link and windfarms that's the next environmental disaster for tasmania.
@@khg8519 The various Mt Lyell operatives chose to not look after the waste properly and now no-one is taking ownership of the issue.
Horrifying as a Tasmanian. But beautiful as a viewer. How you manage to merge those two things into one video is incredible. Thank you Beau.
He has experience with such confluences.
As someone who's done a loft of rafting and kayaking in west Virginia, I have seen runoff like this from the mines. Poisons the rivers and destroys the life that surrounds it. Great video my friend. Great video.
@@joe52428 preach! It's disgusting what we allow industry to do to our own back yards. And what's even worse is these days, those industries have some individuals convinced that strip and pit mining and the pollution that follows is not only necessary, but good. It's madness I say.
So glad you did this video. As a Tasmanian born and bred, this is sadly all too common. Between the mining leases and the logging in some of the most diverse and special wilderness in the world, it's a real head scratcher. What ARE we doing? Really.
Because of money, of course!
Liberal government in Tasmania running the show for so many years...
We aren't doing anything. That's the problem isn't it? We (the many) let them (the few) do whatever they want.
making a select few familys in the world richer while the rest of us suffer.
Is there really no plan to do something about this? No funding or even an non profit organisation to help??? I just cant understand it. It makes me very sad and angry.
As someone who’s ancestors have worked in copper mines and many other destructive industries, I appreciate your ability to tell this story without vilifying those who were just doing their job to get by. I think your way of telling these stories makes it easier to accept that as humans we screw up and need to change.
It is incredibly rare that the common man is at fault, it’s those that own us that are the problem.
This statement is incredibly destabilising. You are sovereign you are free, all that is. All people are persons.
@@blakeryan7894 Yet too many fail to see this point and buy all the propaganda that surrounds it, sad really. Climate change isn't the problem, large corporations and corrupt three letter organizations are and they used to be held accountable until they became lobbyists (legal bribery) and commonplace in legislation.
@@rooma2444No person is free as long as their livelihood has to be purchased.
@@rooma2444 Of course all people aren't free, we're a product of our environment and material conditions.
Hi from Michigan is the United States. I live a half mile from a chrome EPA superfund site( our well water has been tested and is supposedly safe). I am nearly 64 years and have long regarded our environment as the most important thing in my and our lives. I enjoyed your paddle trip and look forward to more from you. Your words chosen are beautiful and inspiring. I hope some day they can clean up the river in Tasmania. Peace.
Stunning film Beau. Beautifully anger inducing.
Over the 100+ years this mine was in operation and the $4bn (in 1995 value) extracted, there will no doubt be a murky paper trail to some extremely wealthy companies and individuals with eyewatering intergenerational wealth. No matter how much time has passed, these people should be compelled to fund remediations, not leave it to the communities or the state. As a society we should no longer be allowing those that caused, and continue to cause this damage to go unchallenged.
These pollution profiteers have the taste of blood on their hands.
We need to bring back to monkey wrench gang
wow such great rhetoric. meaningless and unproductive but a great word salad. What does "beautifully anger inducing" mean? And what does being outraged on RUclips do?
@@samuelhong4272 what does being outraged about someone being outraged on RUclips do? 😄
@samuelhong4272 just like your edited paragraph of bs?
@@iluvbewbies23 what part of what i said is bullshit and what does it being edited have to do with anything? This one's edited too? What's the significance? If you're going to be critical be specific.
you made multiple thousands of people aware of current natural atrocities by showing it to them through the eyes of your lens and your wonderful storytelling. This is more than any of the creators are doing these days, and I am so grateful I have found a channel that can share his own experiences in a fashion that makes me aware of it and makes me thinker about these issues through my own eyes. Thank you so much Beau for your wonderful channel
When I was a kid in the 80s I would spend my summers in Queenstown with my grandparents. Back then the river was a dark grey/green sludge colour with a glistening oil appearance. With an odour to it that can't quite be explained. I can still hear Nan telling us not to go near the Queen River, it is not somewhere to play.
Beau, I love your storytelling and videography. Thank You for your hard work.
I'd say we might know each other, I'm from Queenstown but went to high school in Hobart in the early to mid 80s and generally went home for school holidays staying at my nans place next to the high school on Conlan st.
Thank you. Thank you and your amazing team, this is one of the best local productions I've viewed in quite some time. The pre-production and planning paid off big time and the entire team should be extremely proud. I encourage everyone to like, leave a comment, subscribe and reshare this video. Tell your friends and family.
Beautiful filmography, connective storytelling, effective visual communication through the graphics, personal touches and humour, and a realistic perspective that doesn't pretend mining is not needed. These are among the best conservation documentaries being made in the 2020s. Good on ya Beau.
Mate, what a great storyteller you are. As a Tasmanian myself, I never realised how polluted that water way was. I'm in total agreement that something needs to be done to save it.
and it should be the descendants of the owners of "Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company" paying for it, because there's no doubt they've enjoyed a life of effluence.
@@aaronando1218the sins of the father?
This video touches a subject close to my heart. I was born, raised, and still live in West Virginia, USA, in the heart of Appalachian coal country. AMD laden water-ways quite literally litter our landscape though I am happy to say that progress has been made in the last 20 years. I can name a number of waterways off the top of my head that went from 100% totally stone dead to vibrant and lively again thanks to concerted, community led efforts (and lots of money) so I know first hand that it is possible. We have an incredibly long way to go - in Appalachia and globally - but I think like minded folks with the right attitude can get this done. Thanks so much for making this.
Good to hear that’s happening in your part of the world, it’s good to hear these stories.
I live in KY and I see the same thing. Albeit, many of our lakes and national parks are getting trashed again. So many species on the decline.
What a great video. We had the same thing in Squamish BC Canada, a half hour north of Vancouver. The Brittania Beach copper mine was once massive throughout the 1900s, and polluted an ocean inlet so bad that it also couldnt sustain life. After many years of trying to fix it, theyve finally found stuff growing in the water again. It can be done, just takes a lot of work
Not only is the editing, content, and storytelling top tier, the introspection I always get from this guy is amazing. I often feel misunderstood, seeking out uncomfortable adventures. This guy wants to learn about himself and the world. I get you, my friend. Keep it up.
The carefully considered narration sets these videos apart from others in my humble view. A beautiful tragic story told wonderfully carefully. A real pleasure to watch, Beau.
This is such a great and important video. Rivers are polluted across the world, these are the lifeblood of the water system and we throw garbage and waste into them.
"this river tastes like blood" Is a good thought to end on, thanks for doing this Beau I think you captured the impact of human activity that hasn't even been active for a long time! Lots of this reminds me of LOTR with Isengard and the river, good fiction lives on to reflect reality!
I've just finished vacationing around Tasmania and those areas mentioned. They are some of the most amazing places I've ever seen. If I could pack up and relocate today - I would move there. To see how bad those waterways were truly hurt my soul, as if someone punched me in the gut (and I don't even live there, I can't imagine how a native Tasmanian would feel)! Something needs to be done and I'm glad this video was made - it's all about spreading awareness.
i desperately love your videos mate. any time i feel a yearning towards adventure that im not able to answer i just watch your them. they are possible the most comforting yet inspiring films out there
Brilliant video Beau. It's very difficult to convey just how beautiful Tasmania is, but you have done so with your footage. Considering how much of Australian history and culture comes from Tasmania, especially with its penal colonies which a lot of our ancestors passed through, it's so important that we preserve it. I'm really glad the Australian Government is helping you make these videos through Screen Australia funding.
Bro how much history and culture really came from Tas... Definitely reaching a bit there.
Very cool video! I like how you included how important mining is rather than just the "human = bad" narrative, while also displaying the honesty of the destruction. A really nuanced approach. 💜
My wife has family roots in Queenstown, when I first came to visit Tasmania back in 2009 she took me here and I was astounded and saddened to see the impact humans have had. More concerning many locals I spoke to seemed to think it was no big deal, some even commented that they loved how the landscape and river looked and said 'those bloody greenies just don't want us digging stuff up". Perhaps attitudes have changed a little now the mine is shut though.
Well done. You are one of the giants that our kids will stand on the shoulders of. Thanks.
You're an incredible storyteller Beau! Thanks for sharing.
This hits home,I lived and works in Queenstown from 16-19 yrs old {2007-2010} and did my apprenticeship directly beside one of the mining deaths mentioned at the beginning for a company who did shutdown work for mt Lyell, I often reflect on them days and consider myself lucky to have left the environment but definitely do miss the location and the every friendly residents that call Queenstown home. My father is a local Rosebery resident working in a far more stable mine.
Your trip down this river raises awareness of what needs to be done to fix our mistakes. Thank you. You’re a great Aussie
As a Tasmanian, thanks so much for this. Incredible.
Beau’s passion really came through on this one. I have enjoyed all of his stories but something about this one was evident he had a deep emotional connection to it.
It's improved a fair amount actually. Back in the mid 70's the Queen river where it runs along the esplanade was grey sludge. Toss a stone in and it would take about a minute to sink below the surface. The hills were also bare and looked like a moonscape.
Since the mine reduced their mining in the 80's the trees started to come back and when I visited in the late 80's the river had started to recover while a lot of the local hills had trees at about a meter in height.
Love how you do the adventures other people avoid. You shine a light on the issues that are easier to ignore. So necessary!
I’m from the nw coast and an avid trout fisherman, I’ve been all over the state fishing rivers and lakes for more than 30 years, I’ve never heard or seen this before I can’t believe it. Seeing this breaks my heart 😢
Thats strange!
I genuinely and wholeheartedly believe you make some of the most entertaining and educational videos out there, not only that but they’re beautifully shot too, i think that teachers should be playing your videos in classes because if they had when i was in those classes i would have learnt SO much AND have been entertained.
“It’s exciting because I’m not really sure what will happen, what I’ll see what I’ll experience but more importantly what I’ll think” I really like this take on optimism for adventure
having seen an earlier stage of this video live at his show, im glad Beau got through the legal troubles he had been having to get this video out for over 6 months.
Greatest videographer and storyteller on RUclips. Beau, thank you this was important to share 🙏
It's really sad how too few Australians know about this river. I've been here myself - it's in dire need for a cleanup, more than the Cook River.
This is an awesome video! The story telling and the scenic shots are brilliant.
I'm glad Screen Australia is supporting short films like this. Hopefully we see more authentic educational adventurous Aussie content from our creators
Thanks Beau for putting your heart down a polluted river and keeping your rage on the river and enjoying what it once was and hopefully becoming a beautiful majesty once again...
A truckload of money pouring into fixing this, and any rivers we’ humans have stuffed up around the world. Powerful words💪
Thank you for bringing attention to this issue. As a Canadian, living in a country that created the tar sands in Alberta, i know this is a global problem and pointing fingers isn't going to help. We need to clean and protect our environment. I also liked that you acknowledged that we need the minerals, but that we need to mine them responsibly. Thank you for the great content.
As an Ontarian, the words "Grassy Narrows" were bouncing around my head all through watching this. All of us living in industrial societies have to deal with these kinds of legacies.
Pointing a finger is a funny thing due to 3 of them pointing back at you. How much does one need to get through life. As an Aussie I find it hard Sydney being one of the most expensive cities to live in but during covid and through boredom those of us that have the space went back to growing herbs and veggies, recycling hobbies and we all got to see the smog clear in the most polluted cities of the world. It's pretty easy to get caught up in all of our "sociatal" duties and keep up with the jones next door.
Tar sand gets rehabilitated and nature created it.
Beau, I live half a world away in West Virginia, USA. Your videos constantly inspire me to see the beauty, unnoticed, and most importantly, the story in the world around me. This one especially hit home for me, as West Virginia's mountains have a long history of coal mining, exploitation, and pollution into some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Thank you for your memorable storytelling.
A story that needs to be told. Without which we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of our past. Thanks Beau
Aside from the heavily polluted river, Tasmania is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the video, Beau 👍
When I rolled through Queenstown a couple of years ago I only saw a former mining town that had obvious signs of no longer being in its heyday. That story was truly eye opening, thanks for making it mate.
Recently found this channel and all I can say (aside from amazing content) is, man, I'd love to crack a cold one with Beau.
Thank you Beau ,I have lived in Tassie for 20 yrs and you have filled in a lot of gaps for me re Queenstown.Have done walks in and around KingRiver, I love my adopted home and the likes of you make it even more special
Incredible film Beau, it's insane how far you've come with them. I dare say the colour of that river made for some of the most beautiful cinematography yet. I'm sure something like this will raise a lot of awareness. Well done mate.
It really accompanied his beard
"Life abounds around it but the water itself is unlivable." When the map popped up I made an immediate parallel to human life. When the very essence of life is poisoned, no matter how many healthy tributaries, sustaining life becomes an insurmountable challenge.
Brilliant story telling as usual Beau. 👏
This story needed to be told. I sit here naively thinking of all the places in the world, the land down under would be the least polluted. Thank you for helping me remember that greed is universal. Hopefully your little swim didn't make you sick.
As always, a great video!
Great work Beau, your passion for the environment shines through. Such a shame this has happened and is still happening. In NZ a large mining company recently let toxic waste leach into our waterways. Keep up the inspiring work
Well said
Love your content Beau, always very inspiring and makes me want to do better and be better.
Thanks for the story Beau. Hope you took enough precautions to not get sick. The world needs more of your stories. This river is a lesson. Hope it gets the clean up it deserves like so many others we humans take for granted
We have a river in Cornwall called the Red River. It used to be red because of all the tin mines dumping a lot of iron oxides into it. However now it looks just like any other river. So I hope the river there does the same and recovers.
This video honestly has the best thumbnail I've ever seen on this website. Genuinely a piece of art.
Epic video! Thank you for this love letter to Tassie and for raising awareness about river pollution.
You are far more than just a “story teller” but if that’s what you call it. You are very good at it Beau. Always such excellent production quality.
Beau, you're at your best here. Combining your storytelling, enthusiasm, and environmental message with an actual scientific component took this up 10x. Good on ya!
Beautiful work, Beau, and congrats to Mitch on the edit as well...good to see Screen Aus haul itself into some relevance by supporting you too!
As an environmentalist I appreciate this kind of content. Awareness inspires conservation.
Environmentalist 🤣
Environmentalist. What a sad thing to admit.
@@masrr3678 and you find that funny because? You're not concerned with the environment? You just throw your s*** into lakes and streams?
@@paddlefasterI don't get why anyone wouldn't be an environmentalist. Surely they want the place they live to be as nice as possible for humans, clean sky air water etc which is also what everything else needs
These are the stories that must be told, and we're just so lucky to have such a wonderful storyteller as yourself to tell them. I hope that this story resonates with your local crowds, this is exactly how to reach so many who can feel inspired to act.
This is just so incredible. Thank you Beau
"What does my being here mean for the river?" -Beau Miles
Well in the grand scheme of things, not much. This is a personal journey and the greatest impact is upon the traveller, or paddler in your case, but you filmed it and shared it with many people magnifying the reach and scope of your experiences. Every person you inform, entertain and inspire brings new life to the story.
Story telling is very powerful and without it the immensity of human achievement for better worse such as the Mt. Lyal copper mine wouldn't exist. It took generations of knowledge and experience to build mining into the monstrously powerful tool it is today.
Beau mate, I watched this video at your Sydney screening. Would love to have said this in person, it was pretty hectic, but I feel really sincerely grateful that someone is out here that cares and is willing to put themselves through this to spread awareness. These videos for me are equal parts devastating and hopeful. Thank you
Loved this.
I want to see Miles and Ed Pratt go on an adventure together.
This is amazing. I really enjoyed this video, thanks Beau.
Thanks for this one Beau!
This was downright awesome. The message was clear and so so important for the world. Well done Beau
Awesome and important video!! Well done Beau!! Truly a major inspiration!
Merci Beau for another great documentary/ message !
Another superb, informative, provocative and entertaining video story; thanks. Let’s hope this gets the attention and resolution it needs. Makes our sewerage spills in to our rivers in the UK look like a very simple fix.
Turning that beautiful river into that seems like a huge crime. Incredible...
“I think a good opinion is based on complexity and for me that means experiencing things.” Well said!
These bad river expeditions are brilliant. Thank you so much for showing us what's happening to the rivers in australia and the impact that humans have caused.
The world needs more people like you.
This is horrific Beau, and you know other places are becoming this way while we focus on the ones we can already see. I don't know what we're going to do.
Such a powerful message as always. Keep up the good work Beau!!
Beau. Thankyou. Thank you for providing an example of how to give an open minded assessment of our problems. It was factual, evidence based but still humanistic towards historical mistakes. You were not narrow sighted in your assessment of the problem.
This approach in highlighting our shortcomings is one of the best I have seen. It is so refreshing to see a level minded approach in a world that is becoming more and more polarised. I feel this style of conversation would enable a greater percentage of people get on with problem solving and leave behind arguing over the problem.
Thanks for the effort Sir.
Honestly, makes me want to cry. I had no idea! Thanks for popping my bubble. It was needed. 👍💚
Truly a beautiful film. As an Australian, it breaks my heart that this could happen in my own country.
Thanks for making this. I know it would have been much easier to go to a pristine river and paddle but these stories need to be told. Was awesome to see you in Perth recently, thanks for coming!
Another great video Beau! Never stop adventuring
Such a great video. Thanks so much for sharing! Your thoughts, your perspective & your energy are so inspiring. Keep up the great work!
Such a great video with a important story. Both if the history and impact of humanity and the responsibility we have to ensure our impact doesn't outlast us.
The cinematography was excellent, you can tell four people really put in effort to tell this story yet only one ever is on screen. That makes the video personal and gives the sense of man vs river even though it's not just him out there. To the cameramen, editors, artists and all those behind the scenes thank you.
The Bad river series is hard to watch man, its hard to not feel helpless watching on and while you can do all you can in your own small circle to clean up/ pick up a bag of rubbish on your camping trip, or pick up a few cans or bottles from the roadside to take to the redemption place, it never seems to be enough to combat this level of environmental terrorism.
Never stop being you beau, love your work
This is an amazing way to mix adventure, nature, and awareness. Thank you so much for capturing this and bringing it in front of everyone!
*This is such a cool video.* I've done some cinematography work for the mine and was absolutely gobsmacked by the scale of it. It's the grand canypon of Tasmania! I wasn't fully informed about the pollution. Thanks for sharing the dark side whilst keeping it so educational and engaging
Thank you Beau. Many of us are trying to tell the story of the rivers we live on, the problem is the listeners, the politicians, can’t even conceive of what we care about.
ur greatest work so far. thank you beau!
Thanks for doing this work Beau. It's deplorable to think, disasters like this aren't the most important things on our (governments) minds to fix. It cripples me to watch and learn
Thank you Beau for shining a light on Tassie's worst river. We pride ourselves on the cleanest air and our wilderness but I bet half of us Tassie's don't even know about this problem. Something we all need to get behind & like that child wrote, to build a better future! ☀
(P.s was great to see you down Hobart, you're welcome back anytime)
Beautiful production, thank you.
Mitch Drummond is seriously a gem, very hard to find any social media regarding the guy who's doing so much work behind the scenes. Could you post his handle?
I guess it gives me some solace to know just how much the people who own sorry run this country really care about continuing to sell out to companys who want future generations to be able to appreciate what once was. Thanks to the likes of Gina Arseheart and co. 🥳
I've loved all of your videos, but this may be the most beautiful (though bittersweet) one you've made. Incredible work that went into this, and it shows. Thank you Beau.