Rockhampton music researcher and now film writer/producer Jim Douglas has been given a $4650 grant to start filming a short documentary film based on local independent music identity Cameron Borg.

Mr Douglas was successful in his application for funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), administered through the Rockhampton City Council, to begin filming the project with the working title, ‘A Piss in the Ocean: Cameron Borg, the Last Punk Rocker?’.

He recently received the grant at an official presentation of funds to successful applicants to RADF at the Walter Reid Centre. There to receive the grant with Mr Douglas was production assistant Jane Austen and director and editor Peter Lawrence.

“Some 15 applicants each received a percentage of the $30,000 available, with our project receiving one of the largest single amounts. Quite a buzz!”.

“We’ve now got enough to start filming the project, as well as secure some support for travelling to Brisbane to begin interviews and to film location shots".Green Brothers’ music store has also contributed financially to the project.

The production crew will head to Brisbane on June 23 to interview Tim Steward from Screamfeeder, Johnny Busby from Halfway and Andrew Leavold from Trash Video, all of whom have known Cameron for many years.

The film hopes to ask questions about Borg’s ongoing creative experiences and his past as a member of several independent punk bands during the 1980s.

The name ‘A Piss in the Ocean...’ comes from the title of a magazine and music distribution label that Cameron has been operating since about 1987. The title refers to the idea that someone operating outside the workings of the multinational-run music industry might be seen to be doing just that, ‘pissing’ in an ocean of mainstream conformity.

“Cameron’s story is an interesting one on many levels. While it can be seen as one person’s continuing efforts to succeed, with little financial reward, outside of the reach of multinational entertainment corporations, it is also part of a larger story about identity that has resonance with how often marginalized, creative activities exist in regional centres,” Mr Douglas explained.

Photo above: Still buzzing with excitement – Jane Austin, James Douglas and Peter Lawrence at the recent presentation of RADF grants where the group received over $4500 to begin filming a documentary.

Photo left: Councillor Rose Swadling presents James Douglas with the RADF grant.