Have you heard of Scott Reef? This remote and ancient coral atoll, 300km off the West Australian coast, is home to a breathtaking diversity of marine life. It’s one of the few truly wild and resilient reef systems left on Earth.
But Scott Reef also sits above the massive Browse gas basin—and fossil fuel giant Woodside wants to drill there.
I recently attended an online screening of Corals’ Last Stand: the fight to save Scott Reef, and it left a deep impression on me.
In just 30 minutes, filmmaker Jane Hammond takes you into the heart of this extraordinary place through the eyes of people who care deeply—author Tim Winton, musician John Butler, marine scientists, and conservationists—who join forces to bear witness and raise the alarm.
Although I’ve never been to Scott Reef, I have snorkelled along WA’s Ningaloo and Pilbara coasts with my husband and daughters. I’ll never forget the sound of my youngest squealing with joy through her snorkel at the sight of a turtle gliding past. That sense of wonder is a gift. One we cannot afford to lose.
Scott Reef has not been immune to coral bleaching, yet it has shown remarkable resilience—continuing to support an incredible array of life, including endangered dusky sea snakes, green turtles, and serving as a vital feeding ground for migrating pygmy blue whales. But this fragile ecosystem now faces mounting threats.
Rising ocean temperatures and acidification are already taking a toll—and now, Woodside’s proposed industrial development, with its drilling, infrastructure, and pipelines, poses a major new danger. If allowed to proceed, it would not only endanger this ancient reef, but also undermine global efforts to combat the climate crisis.
Corals’ Last Stand asks us to consider: can we really justify sacrificing such a place for more gas in the middle of a climate and ecological emergency?
This film is powerful, beautiful—and necessary. I highly recommend watching it and sharing it with your community. You can find out more, including how to host a screening - https://www.coralslaststand.com.au/
Reviewer: Bianca Sands, living, working and nurturing my family on beautiful Butchulla Country.