She’s made a career out of showcasing WA’s stunning 1300 kilometres of coastline via her underwater cinematography.
And every single day, filmmaker, producer and official Tourism WA ambassador Nush Freedman counts her blessings.
“I definitely feel very lucky,” she said.
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“The ocean is a huge part of my life, and in Western Australia, we are so lucky, because we have such diverse marine environments from the South West to the North West.
“We have got coral reefs, offshore reefs, amazing sponge gardens, sea grass meadows, beautiful seaweeds and kelps — and everything in between.
“And it’s all relatively untouched.”
Freedman, who now has an international profile thanks to her role in the globally popular Disney Plus series Shipwreck Hunters Australia, will be in Perth next week to take part in a WA World Ocean Day event at Gage Roads.
Nush Freedman is known to audiences globally via her work with Disney Plus’ Shipwreck Hunters Australia. Credit: Supplied
She will speak alongside a panel of experts about issues affecting our ocean.
“I think for Western Australia, we are seeing the effects of climate change on our marine environment,” she said.
“We also face threats from Industrial pressures…
“We have the chance to make a difference and change, and I think bringing those issues to the forefront of people’s minds is really important.”
The Exmouth-based film maker has been photographing WA’s unique coastline for over a decade.
Nush (Anouska) Freedman in her happy place. Credit: Supplied
She will join scientists, ocean leaders, and conservationists at the event, which is being run as part of World Ocean Day, a day that “unites and rallies the world to protect and restore our oceans.”
Since launching in 2002, World Ocean Day has grown to a globally recognised day, with thousands of events playing out internationally via 2,000-plus organisations in 180 countries.
Joining Freedman at the Gage Roads event, which is presented locally by Jock Clough Marine Foundation, will be Dr Glenn Moore from WA Museum talking about WA marine biodiversity.
Dr Oliver Jewell (DBCA) will also speak about tagging and tracking sharks, with Dr Adrian Gleiss from Murdoch University speaking about climate impacts on iconic marine species.
WA World Ocean Day at Gage Roads in 2024. Credit: Supplied
Tony Worby (AWBF) will be discussing WA coral regeneration, and Dr Michaela Dommisse (The Nature Conservancy) will lead a discussion on algal blooms and shellfish reef restoration.
“I think a really big part of helping the ocean is being educated about it; knowing what is going on in your area,” Freedman said.
“Then you can write to your local politicians or the Minister For The Environment if you feel like you want to speak up about some of these issues.
“I feel like that definitely helps.”
Freedman is travelling down from her home in Exmouth, which recently made headlines after it was hammered by Tropical Cyclone Narelle in March this year.
Nush (Anouska) Freedman will travel from her home in Exmouth to speak at a World Oceans Day event at Gage Roads on June 8. Credit: Supplied
The Category Four system passed just west of the township, causing widespread damage, including to the Exmouth’s Learmonth airport.
Three months on, Freedman says the town is “pretty much back to normal.”
“The only thing that is still in the works, is that some of the accommodations got hit quite hard, so there is still a lot of work going on there to get everything back — all sites and all rooms — open,” she said.
“Otherwise, everything is normal.
“The businesses are open, and tours (are operating) and I think the main thing now is that they are trying to encourage people to come back to the region.”
Nush (Anouska) Freedman will be speaking at Western Australia’s official World Ocean Day. Credit: Unknown/Supplied
Freedman recently filmed a television program that saw her showcasing the region, encouraging visitors to return to the spot she’s been lucky enough to call home for several years now.
“(It was about) highlighting that the Ningaloo region is back, and beautiful, and that there’s been a lot of work to get everything back to normal.”
The World Ocean Day event will be held at Gage Roads on Monday June 8, from 5pm.
It is a free event and there will be a number of stalls on the night, along with the arts organisation Blank Walls who will facilitate a community mural.
