Published on Monday, 25 May 2026 at 10:32:42 AM
‘Our Exmouth: Community Showcase’, an inaugural community event hosted for the first time by the Shire of Exmouth, debuted at Osprey Gardens, Ningaloo Centre on Saturday 9 May 2026, bringing together long-term residents, clubs, groups, local businesses and visitors to a vibrant celebration of the opportunities on offer in the area. Despite the setback due to Tropical Cyclone Narelle, the event's intent to foster community connection was only strengthened, and the community came back together stronger than ever. The day event, culminating in the exclusive Exmouth screening of Whale Shark Jack, featuring a cast and crew Q&A, and behind-the-scenes exhibition, was a celebration of local resilience. The latest Stan Original family film was created locally, supported by the Shire of Exmouth and Gascoyne Development Commission.
Supported by Woodside and Greater Enfield/Vincent joint venture participant, Mitsui E&P Australia, and Scarborough joint venture participants JERA and LNG Japan the event comprised a market-style showcase featuring community clubs and groups, local creatives, businesses and volunteer opportunities, giving 600 attendees a chance to become involved and connected with the Exmouth community spirit, support resources and opportunities that weave Exmouth uniquely together.
A major highlight was the showcase of St John Exmouth’s new ambulances, which were funded by generous community donations, and included a A$50,000 donation by Woodside and Scarborough joint venture participants JERA and LNG Japan. These vehicles ensure the volunteer-run service is better equipped to handle the more than 300 annual emergency calls, enhancing care for residents and visitors alike. Throughout the event, there was a palpable atmosphere of community support and connectedness, with attendees checking in on friends and family who may be struggling or isolated during the ongoing recovery from Cyclone Narelle.
Utilising Osprey Gardens, the Mandu Function Room cinema-style screen and the Ningaloo Discovery Centre and Aquarium’s Tantabiddi Travelling Gallery demonstrated the versatility of the Ningaloo Centre as a strong community asset, offering a diverse range of spaces to host multiple elements of the event.
Whale Shark Jack is Australia’s newest family adventure - a 'fun-filled film with an ocean full of heart.' Filmed entirely in Western Australia, the production showcases the stunning World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef and the Exmouth township, featuring many locals both on and off-screen. The exclusive screening was paired with a unique exhibition at the Tantabiddi Gallery. In attendance were lead actors Alyla Browne, Luca Miller, and Giselle Philogene, alongside the core creative team: directors Miranda Edmonds and Khrob Edmonds, screenwriter Kathryn Lefroy, co-producer Estelle Buzzard, and associate producer Hazel Walgar.
The event drew attendance from Shire President Matthew Niikkula, Deputy Shire President Jackie Brooks, Councillors Amanda Kailis, Kirsty Devereux and Jaqueline Hine. Shire of Exmouth CEO Benjamin Lewis and Gascoyne Development Commission CEO Timothy Bray were also in attendance. Timothy Bray welcomed the Whale Shark Jack cast and creative team and introduced Shire President Matt Niikkula to host a Q&A with the film’s stars and Hazel Walgar prior to the film screening.
Shire President Matt Niikkula opened the Q&A, welcoming the film's cast and creative team to the stage, saying;
Seeing our community's response to the debut ‘Our Exmouth Community Showcase’ event after facing such adversity in the past few months, with the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Narelle still tangible, is truly spectacular. This event and evening have outshone our highest expectations and truly brought together what we set out to create: community connection, celebration and opportunities to become involved with the essence of life in Exmouth. The turnout with a lack of empty seats is a true testament to the benefit of providing community events like this for our community of residents, visitors, and seasonal workers alike, unifying everyone who makes up our unique community. We are grateful for the community's uptake and participation, which made this the community celebration event it was designed to be and are proud to support an exclusive Exmouth screening of Whale Shark Jack with VIP attendees, free for our community, filmed right here in our backyard.
The ‘Our Exmouth: Community Showcase’ is a new event for the Exmouth Community in 2026. Driven by the Shire of Exmouth, the event was created to facilitate community connection between long-term residents, seasonal workers, visitors and community clubs, groups and local businesses. The event strengthens the social fabric of a town shaped by tourism, lifestyle and remote location, making volunteer community-run organisations a key component of community wellbeing and fostering a vibrant culture. The event will in future provide an annual base for community to access support and connection resources in the remote town and ensure that relationships are fostered to create a more friendly, safe and inclusive community spirit in alignment with the Strategic Community Plan 2023-2033: Your Voice. Our Future.
The Shire of Exmouth was thrilled to not only be able to host the ‘Our Exmouth: Community Showcase’ markets but also support a bespoke community screening of Whale Shark Jack, with attendance from cast and creative crew, making the event a truly standout unique experience. The chance to provide a cinema screening like no other for the community, free of charge, added to the atmosphere and spectacular community spirit of the event.
Whale Shark Jack director/producer, Miranda Edmonds said:
“Returning to Exmouth feels like a homecoming for our entire team. Whale Shark Jack is so deeply rooted in the spirit of this town, and we simply couldn't have told this story without the incredible support and passion of the local community. Seeing the Ningaloo Reef on the big screen here, surrounded by the people who helped make it happen, is a truly full-circle moment for us.”
We look forward to keeping the spark of Exmouth’s community spirit alight with the return of this event in future for all of those who call Exmouth home and encourage residents and visitors to keep up to date with other Shire run events throughout the year.
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Sandra Flint, Coordinator Communications, Shire of Exmouth
| E: sflint@exmouth.wa.gov.au
Media:
'Our Exmouth: Community Showcase' included ocean-themed stilt walkers, face painting and a roaming whale shark to set the theme for the Whale Shark Jack Community Screening. - Credit Blue Media Exmouth
Community networking and opportunities were displayed in a market-style showcase at the Ningaloo Centre's Osprey Gardens. - Credit Blue Media Exmouth
An exclusive behind-the-scenes Whale Shark Jack Exhibition was free to enter for the duration of the event, hosted in the Tantabiddi Travelling Gallery. - Credit Blue Media Exmouth
St John Exmouth and Coral Bay displayed two new ambulances funded by generous donations. The completely volunteer-run emergency service showcased how the new ambulances will benefit emergency response in the remote region. – Credit Blue Media Exmouth
Organisations and local businesses participated in the showcase, providing information and resources to the community. Pictured: Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Exmouth team sharing educational materials about whale sharks and the Ningaloo Marine Park. - Credit Blue Media Exmouth
Whale Shark Jack Cast and Core Creative Crew pictured left to right: Kathryn Lefroy screenwriter, Khrob Edmonds director, Luca Miller actor, Ayla Browne lead actress, Hazel Walgar associate producer, Giselle Philogene actress, Miranda Edmonds director. – Credit Blue Media Exmouth
Shire President Matt Niikkula hosted a Q&A with Whale Shark Jack lead cast and Associate Producer Hazel Walgar prior to the free community screening of the film. Left to R Hazel Walgar, Giselle Philogene, Ayla Browne, Luca Miller, Shire President Matt Niikkula. – Credit Blue Media Exmouth
Whale Shark Jack screenwriter Kathryn Lefroy signing copies of Whale Shark Jack, the novel. - Credit Blue Media Exmouth
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