A powerful documentary, Yurlu Country brings to life the story of Maitland Parker, a respected Banjima Elder from the Pilbara, and the tragic story of toxic waste left behind that is killing the people and that is a threat to future generations.
The film, directed by award-winning filmmaker Yaara Bou Melhem, is both a sweeping and intimate portrait of resilience, environmental justice, and cultural survival. It chronicles Maitland Parker’s courageous fight to make governments take responsibility for cleaning up the toxic waste left untreated that have impacted his homeland in the Pilbara region and his unwavering commitment to preserving his culture for future generations.
A Personal and National Tragedy
At the heart of the film is Parker’s fight to heal his homeland, devastated by decades of asbestos mining. He calls his Yurlu (homeland) “poison country,” a phrase that echoes throughout the film and captures the haunting legacy of the Wittenoom mines. “This is poison country,” Parker says, as he faces his own battle with terminal mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
The documentary reveals the staggering scale of the disaster: “Six decades ago, the Wittenoom mines left behind more than three million tonnes of waste rock laced with deadly asbestos fibres, turning 46,840 hectares of Banjima Country—an area 17 times the size of Sydney—into a toxic exclusion zone.” Today, Aboriginal communities in Western Australia have the world’s highest mortality rate from mesothelioma.
Courage and Community
Yurlu Country follows Maitland Parker as he confronts government inaction and corporate greed. The film’s emotional core is anchored in Parker’s personal story. He refers to his Yurlu (homeland) as “poison country,” a haunting reality reflected in his struggle with terminal mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
The film is a “rousing testament to First Nations resilience,” showing how one man’s determination can inspire a community to reconnect with and heal their ancestral lands.
As Parker puts it, “I want my people to be able to go back to our country, to heal, to remember, and to belong.” His words, woven throughout the film, remind viewers of the deep connection between land, culture, and identity.
Why You Should Watch
Yurlu Country follows Parker as he confronts government inaction and corporate greed, hoping to restore his people’s connection to their ancestral lands and begin the healing process. The film is not only a powerful call to action but also a deeply moving tribute to the strength and spirit of the Banjima people.
Many people may not be aware that the old Wittenoom townsite and the asbestos tailings in Yurlu Country are just a short distance from the Karijini National Park which is a major destination for tourists.
The message we need the Australian governments at both Federal and State levels to address is to take responsibility to clean up this toxic asbestos waste left behind in the East Pilbara, Yurlu Country and make those who owned the mine responsible.
Viewer Advice: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this film contains images, voices and names of deceased persons.
You will find this film in Luna Cinemas.
Afterword: Big mining giants take the mineral wealth from the land to make multibillion-dollar profits, then leave dangerous wastes behind. This is not a unique story of the Pilbara. It has happened in other countries around the world. All Australians and world citizens need to demand that governments act and create stronger legislation to protect future generations from the dangers of the toxic legacy created by mining.
Reviewed by Jacquie Walker
