Released from the Wild is an innovative 3D digital storytelling project designed to strengthen community connection and environmental awareness within the remote regional community of Benambra. The project builds on the original Released from the Wild book, created collaboratively with the Benambra community in 2016, which celebrated the deep connections to local waterways and recognised Lake Omeo as a central thread to community life.
The original book captured local stories and landscapes linked to Lake Omeo and the Morass Creek/Wetland, highlighting community knowledge of these water places and the shared responsibility of caring for waterway health across the catchment. The new digital iteration honours this foundation while transforming the project it into an immersive, interactive experience.
Using narrative, music, song, photography, and drone footage, the project has been reimagined as a 3D website that allows users to explore the region’s waterways and stories in a richly layered visual and auditory environment. Developed in partnership with local residents, artists, and the North East CMA, the platform supports community led storytelling and enhances accessibility for diverse audiences.
Early engagement demonstrates that the 3D format is particularly effective in remote contexts where digital inclusion, connection, and community participation are priorities. By blending creative media with emerging technology, Released from the Wild showcases how digital storytelling can amplify local voices, deepen emotional connection to place, and strengthen community identity.