Kari Hill and her four siblings lost their father when Kari was just 13 years old, and her eldest sister was 15. Robert, a coal miner, lost his battle with a rare form of leukemia, six months after being diagnosed.
Kari still remembers her father’s funeral. Affectionally known as ‘Dusty’ in the coal mining industry he’d worked in for years, fellow miners came to his funeral, still covered in dust. That coal dust still coats the condolence book.
These memories have formed the basis of Kari’s screenwriting debut, a film called Spirals, a short film about grief, healing and connection to country set against the backdrop of the Illawarra coal mining industry.
“I have been exploring psychology and the trauma that a death of a parent leaves and back in the time our dad died we didn’t talk about it or the impact.
“Spirals is inspired by my journey, but it’s a narrative. I am exploring the family history of coal mining, the connection to the bush and the healing power of nature. I am fascinated by the gritty coal mining industry and the masculine culture of connection,” Kari explained.
Coal runs deep in the Hill family. Arthur Hill, Kari’s grandfather started several mines back in his day including South Bellami Colliery, progressing from surveyor to undermanager and then mine manager.
Robert came through as a time clerk, then worked as an operator and got his deputy and under manager’s tickets.
Kari’s brother Sam wanted to follow in their footsteps. He got his start when he was 20 with SSS Mining under David Lamb who Sam said was a big part of his and his brother’s starts in the industry.
“I just love mining. It can be challenging working underground, but the hard work is made easier with the friendship and banter with the rest of the crew.”
As you can imagine, losing their father at such a young age had a profound impact.
“The biggest impact on such a large family was going from having a stable home life, with everything we needed, to suddenly being raised by a single mother after it was all ripped out from under us,” said Sam.
Kari’s film will explore everything from the feelings of comradery underground, to the immense loss a parent can have on someone at such a young age.
As her debut as a screenwriter, Kari has been blown away by the community and financial support they have received through Creative Australia’s MATCH Lab Program, Wollongong City Council’s Small Cultural Grants Program and Culture Bank Wollongong.
“My goal is to create something that speaks to the heart, to people who are grieving, who feel lost, who are trying to find their way back to something solid,” Kari said.
| For more info on Spirals, to support or reach out (especially with any 1980s coal mining props!) visit: https://spiralsfilm.com/ or find Spirals – Film on Facebook and Instagram. |
