ABM Film Team heads to the islands
Shane Fulwood, volunteer filmmaker for ABM, films ABM's Steve Daughtry at the Blue Hole on Santo Island, Vanuatu, during the making of a film about access to water for rural communities. Don Brice ©ABM
The Christian Care Centre (CCC), on the outskirts of Honiara in the Solomon Islands, is a place of refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence. It is here that Sister Mary Lulo (Above), Sister Dora Palmer and a team of eight others, work to change the lives of those who come to their door seeking respite, peace and love.
The Anglican Board of Mission (ABM) film team, who recently picked up an award from the Australasian Religious Press Association, has recently filmed new documentaries in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
ABM and the Church of Melanesia (COM) have a developing Partnership, with ABM assisting with the establishment of water and literacy work, especially in Vanuatu. The ABM Auxiliary has been raising funds for these projects throughout 2008 and will continue in 2009.
The new films will be distributed during Lent 2009 as a way of educating Australian Anglicans about the work of the COM and the vision of the Anglican Church in this beautiful part of the South Pacific.
ABM Communications Officer, Steve Daughtry, was joined by volunteer filmmaker, Shane Fulwood and photographer, Don Brice. The three have worked together previously in Papua New Guinea, the Middle-East, Australia and the Philippines.
Steve says ABM is hugely grateful to Shane and Don for their work on the projects. 'To have the talents of these two professional image makers is a dream come true for us... there's no way we could afford to buy in such talent. It speaks volumes about their commitment to the poor, their faith in God and their personal generosity - and that of their families.
'I know they enjoy the work, even when it is often in uncomfortable or dangerous places, but it's a big ask to give up weeks of time each year. I keep telling them their reward will be in heaven but they just throw things at me! No, really, they're great to work with and I just hope people realise the effort they put in, voluntarily, to make sure we can bring the faces and voices of our Partners into the churches, schools and living rooms of Anglicans around the country.'
ABM has produced over 20 films focusing on the work of our Partners in Mission. Copies are available from ABM on request and many can be seen on the ABM website
Stephen Daughtry Communications Officer Anglican Board of Mission - Australia m. 0412 120 835