When Cyclone Alfred hit the NSW North Coast in March 2025, the area’s big rivers suffered a ‘blackwater’ event that killed millions of fish, with toxic floodwater flowing into the ocean for weeks. Surfing in that water eventually landed Dave Rastovich in hospital, and it highlighted for him how sick his local rivers had become.
The episode inspired him to sail 1000 kilometres up the Australian coast on Magpie, a hand built, Polynesian-inspired sailing canoe. What begins as a search for answers to a sick river system becomes a voyage to learn from folks already caring for Australia’s waterways: river keepers, farmers, fisherfolk and ragtag citizen scientists.
Joined by artist/sailor Chris Miyashiro, they travel from Northern NSW to the Great Barrier Reef and back – dropping anchor to surf, experience the region’s big rivers and gather stories of regeneration. They return with a sense of hope and direction from the communities amongst one of the most celebrated stretches of surfing coastline in the world.
Upcoming events
| Venue | Location | Time | More Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Documentary Film Festival | Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton | 5.30PM July 18 | RSVP |
If you'd like to host a community screening of Sensing Home, please fill in this form and we'll be in touch.
