When Alexandra Seddon was 10 years old she fostered her first animal, a honeyeater.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The small bird had been kicked by a horse and the young Alexandra took it around on her finger for a couple of days, putting its head into flowers so it could drink the honey until it could fly.
From that time on Ms Seddon has dedicated her life to conservation, fostering every Australian animal you could imagine from baby wallabies to snakes and flying foxes.
Now, local filmmaker Toni Houston has documented the inspiring true life story of Ms Seddon, the philanthropist and conservationist who gave us wildlife sanctuary Potoroo Palace, stunning community wetlands Panboola and the community farm, Cowsnest.
Ms Houston had known Ms Seddon for many years before embarking on this project and had always admired what Ms Seddon had achieved.
“Being incredibly humble and modest it hadn’t occurred to Alexandra to share her story in that way,” Ms Houston said.
If it weren’t for Ms Seddon’s husband Nicho (Peter Nicholson) then the documentary may never have come to fruition.
“I didn’t really want to do it at all, but Nicho pointed out that really I am a vehicle for a lot of conservation stuff and I actually don’t mind being that role at all, I’m willing to prostitute myself for conservation, not literally but in the way that I will put myself out there,” Ms Seddon said.
Ms Houston and Ms Seddon are hoping the film will make people think about how to tackle conservation problems with the mantra conservation, community and education.
“The whole intent in this film – and the gamble financially – is that hopefully the investment in it will then snowball into raising more awareness, creating debate, having people more conscious about policy in regards to conservation and raising the profile of Potoroo Palace and Panboola to have more people visiting and keep locking in those places in perpetuity,” Ms Houston said.
Ms Seddon said education is the key to getting the community involved with conservation.
“Education is really our only hope,” Ms Seddon said. “If we could show people what these native animals are like and how amazing they are maybe people will have that spark which will lead them to do more. Because that is the only hope.”
Everyone is invited to the opening night of Alexandra Seddon - Being Change, which will premiere on Monday, November 7 at the Picture Show Man. All money raised on the night from ticket sales will be donated to Potoroo Palace.
The film will go on to screen at the cinema until November 15. For details see www.potoroopalace.com.
