Albury’s Parallel Wilds Leads Landmark Regional Collaboration Bringing Benambra Stories to Life

A major new multi-disciplinary arts project is showcasing the power of regional collaboration, with Albury-based production studio Parallel Wilds at the helm of an ambitious 3D cultural experience for the remote Victorian township of Benambra.

Commissioned by the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA), the project reimagines the 2016 publication Released from the Wild as an immersive 3D experience, blending storytelling, music, performance and cutting-edge digital production.

At its core, the project is a celebration of place and community. Drawing on the voices and lived experiences of Benambra residents, the work brings together local stories with high-definition visual captures of the surrounding landscape, including Lake Omeo and the Morass Plain. The result is a deeply layered narrative that connects environment, history and identity through contemporary creative practice.

Parallel Wilds’ role in shaping the project highlights the growing capacity of regional creative industries. Since forming in 2021, the Albury-based studio has built an impressive portfolio of work across Australia and internationally, and this latest commission demonstrates how regional practitioners can deliver complex, large-scale digital experiences while staying grounded in local context.

A key strength of the project lies in its collaborative approach. NECMA’s partnership with artists and creatives from across North East Victoria has enabled a cross-disciplinary outcome that extends well beyond a traditional arts project. Among those involved is Yackandandah musician Patrick Thurtell, who was commissioned to adapt text from the original book into a contemporary musical work. Alongside fellow artist Mallee Damm, Thurtell’s contribution forms part of a dual single release that frames the broader 3D experience.

These musical works, recorded in Wagga Wagga, serve as an entry point into the project—demonstrating how storytelling can evolve across formats, from literature to music to immersive digital environments.

The project will officially launch on 1 May 2026 at Benambra Airport, with a community-focused event featuring live performances, demonstrations and the first public screening of the 3D experience.

For Murray Arts, this project is a strong example of what can be achieved through meaningful partnerships between regional agencies, artists and creative producers. By investing in local talent and fostering collaboration across sectors, initiatives like this not only deliver high-quality artistic outcomes but also strengthen regional identity, skills development and cultural tourism opportunities.

As regional communities continue to explore new ways of telling their stories, projects like Released from the Wild 3D demonstrate the vital role that local creatives and organisations play in shaping the future of arts and culture in regional Australia.

You can watch the music video from the first song release Released from the Wild here.