Frackman is a film like no other about a movement like no other. Not only is this is a film that will make you laugh and make you cry, with colourful bush characters and quintessential Aussie humour; it also gives audiences the tools to get involved in what is becoming the largest social movement our nation has seen in decades. It aims to spark a broad national conversation about the risks of our headlong rush into massive coal seam gas development. It’s a deeply political film, but not the old style that is so badly failing us. This is the New Politics, bringing together city and country, conservative and progressive in a shared effort to prevent an environmental catastrophe. Can we imagine any other issue that would bring together the likes of Alan Jones and Bob Brown?

‘Frackman’ is an observational documentary following ordinary Queenslanders caught up in a modern day multinational “gas rush” to secure and exploit coal seam gas. Accidental activist Dayne ‘The Frackman’ Pratzky is building a simple home when the Queensland Gas Company arrives, demanding to sink gas wells on his property. The company claims that legally he has no right to refuse them access. So begins his transformation from knockabout pig-shooter to passionate activist, and a David and Goliath battle against a $70 billion industry.

This film follows his five-year battle including triumphs and tragedies, love and conflict and the shocking treatment of landholders by some of the most powerful companies in the world. The Coal Seam Gas issue is crossing ideological lines, leaving a peculiar alliance in its wake: farmers and greenies, conservatives and radical activists, rich and poor, old and young.

The Upper Kangaroo River Progress Association, in partnership with Shark Island Institute, is creating a fantastic event around this hugely important screening. The hall will open at 5.30pm with our pop-up FRACKfurt Diner selling quality German kransky hot dogs with all the onion, sauerkraut trimmings, as well as delicious sweet things. A licensed bar will be selling wine and beer ($6), sparkling, cocktails and soft drinks. So come early for great food, drinks, socialising and meeting local Lock the Gate members in our gorgeous upper river location before the film screening at 7pm. The film will be followed by a short break before the director of the film, Richard Todd, and the Frackman himself, Dayne Pratzsky lead a discussion, answer your questions and provide information about how we can all be prepared for the CSG invasion. The hall and bar will then stay open until midnight.