Uncle Rob Lowe Senior's experiences growing up on the Framlingham Reserve and in Warrnambool was the inspiration behind a new virtual reality documentary.
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The Crossing focusses on several key moments on the Peek Whurrong man's early life including his experience in Warrnambool's segregated cinemas and his families journey to the Framlingham Reserve.
Brauer College teacher Will King first met Mr Lowe when the pair worked on a textbook together eight years ago.
"I don't think many people understand the experience Indigenous people went through in Warrnambool and we have a strong Indigenous history here," Mr King said.
"We created the documentary through a 360-degree camera which has two lenses on either side.
"The documentary is optimally run through a VR headset but we can show it on YouTube too."
The documentary was launched at Warrnambool Deakin on Friday with a screening and headsets available for attendees to experience the short film.
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Mr King began a PhD at Warrnambool's Deakin University in using virtual reality as a means for truth-telling and reconciliation three years ago and has since worked with Mr Lowe to tell his story.
"Covid got in the way," Mr King said.
"In January we had a window of opportunity. We got the actors together and shot it all over the weekend except for a few bits."
Mr Lowe's grandson Krispin Taylor plays the title role with many south-west actors and volunteers contributing to the production.
"We wanted to make sure we had Indigenous people playing the Indigenous characters and we got a majority of local talent," Mr King said.
"Rob was consulted the whole way along. I can't believe we made it happen. It's a relief and I'm so happy for Rob.
"Hopefully it leads to the idea that we have a shared history here in Warrnambool."
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Mr Lowe was humbled at the film launch and was glad too see the audience excited by The Crossing.
"I'm still trying to come to terms with it all," he said.
"When I asked Krispin to play the part he gave me a silly look, then he went back to Melbourne where he lives and thought about it.
"I got a call from his mum that he'd said yes which was great. It was his birthday on Thursday too.
"I think a lot of people will get a surprise when they watch it.
"A lot of people don't really know what we went through on the Missions or are aware of what life was like in the early 50s."
The Crossing was made possible by the support of Julianna Lynch, Data#3, Lenovo and Deakin University.
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