A short film about a young man with Down syndrome making his rugby league debut at the age of 30 was an arts and sporting highlight in Sutherland Shire in 2019.
Cronulla videographer Dane Jaeger's film Game Day tells the story of Brett McNamara, a legendary figure at the Gymea Gorillas club and also a passionate Sharks supporter.
In December, the film was awarded first prize of $1500 in the inaugural Shireability Film Festival, run by Sutherland Shire Council.
The festival was designed to highlight the ability of people with a disability.
Earlier in the year, Game Day received the most online votes in the NOVA Employment Focus on Ability short film festival.
Gymea Gorillas first grade captain Nathan Wynn says in the film, "Brett has been a massive part of the club for 25 years and a massive part of our team, but always from the sidelines, so the under 14s have helped out and Brett is going to play his very first game."
Brett, who performs support roles for the first grade team, says, "I help the boys warm up and get them ready for the game".
His first game was against the Engadine Dragons' special needs team.
The film shows Brett scoring a try and acknowledging the cheers from spectators as he leaves the field.
Brett's sister Kim McNamara tells how Brett has "always been obsessed with footy".
"He hasn't missed a weekend in probably 20 years," she says.
Dean McNamara relates a story about one of the regular occasions Brett was invited back to the Sharks dressing room after a game.
"All the boys were trying to give him gear and David Peachey took off his shorts - and Brett decided he wouldn't take them because they are too dirty," says Dean.
The film concludes with the lines: "Thank you Brett for being a positive part in all of our lives".
The Shireability Film Festival awards were presented at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery on International Day of People with Disability.
"The creative talent on display was truly amazing," mayor Carmelo Pesce said.
"Our film festival at Hazelhurst was a fantastic event and will go down as one of the biggest highlights for me in 2019."
Conditions of entry were that films must feature locations and/or people of the shire area and involve at least one person with a disability in the cast or crew.
The judging panel consisted of Councillor Tom Croucher, Tracey Corbin-Matchett (chief executive of Bus Stop Films), Johanna Garvin (filmmaker), Shanon Bates (community and working group member) and Brooke Jerrett (student social worker). Three members of the judging panel have lived disability experience.
Other winners were:
- Between Two Worlds (Sharon Xabregas) $500 - Personal Story
- Best Friends Forever (The Disability Trust Theatre Group) - $500 Creative Fiction
- Hearing Like Me - (Laila Newton) $500 Judges Choice
- Caringbah Craft Centre (Sylvanvale) $500 - People's Choice
- FoxSkillz4me - (Jason Stanton) $500 - Service Provision
- Miranda Learning Style (Miranda Public School) - $500 Youth Award
Shanon Bates, of Push the Limit, is a member of the council's access committee and worked with other members and various community support organisations on developing ideas to celebrate International Day of People with Disability in 2019.
"This festival was a first in marking International Day of People with Disability, and I hope it continues long into the future, he said.
"The focus on ability and inclusion should help set the benchmark for everyone, not just on a specific day.
"The only way we are going to educate society is by better integrating people with disabilities into society and starting a conversation."
