The Batavia Story needs to be told - Russell Crowe may be the man that will do it

Attendees at the CEDA Conference held in Geraldton last week were treated to an account of the gruesome true story of shipwreck, sex, slavery and mass murder that is the ‘Batavia’ by the man who wrote the book – columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald - Peter Fitzsimons.

Brought to Geraldton by the Mid West Development Commission as Keynote Speaker for the conference, Mr Fitzsimons highlighted that the Mid West could put itself on the global stage through the telling of Australia’s best story. He also alluded to the fact that he was in the process of negotiating the rights of his book on the ‘Batavia’ to become a film to non-other than Academy Award winning Australian actor Russell Crowe.

On the subject of opening up of the Abrolhos Islands for tourism, Mr Fitzsimons said that it was a great opportunity for the region and that it was important to ensure that its existing charm be maintained.

The eco and sustainable development of the Abrolhos Islands is one of six key tourism opportunities that was identified as having the potential to accelerate the Mid West economy in the Mid West Tourism Development Strategy. The strategy was a direct result of the Mid West Regional Blueprint. The first of the six opportunities identified in the strategy is already well underway with the construction of the Kalbarri Skywalks due for completion by June 2017.

Department of Regional Development Director General Ralph Addis, Mid West Development Commission Chair Murray Criddle, Peter Fitzsimons and Commission Chief Executive Officer Gavin Treasure.