Room3

03/06/2025

Over the past few weeks, the team has been filming across two of the most remote and culturally rich nations in the North Pacific—the Republic of the Marshall Islands 🇲🇭 (RMI) and the Federated States of Micronesia 🇫🇲 (FSM).

In the Marshall Islands, we encountered striking contrasts—breathtaking natural beauty alongside coastlines and infrastructure increasingly impacted by rising sea levels and repeated king tides. The effects of climate change are visible and constant. Yet, communities continue to adapt and respond with resilience and generosity.

From there, we travelled to Kosrae and Pohnpei—volcanic islands covered in dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, mangroves, and blue holes. A very different landscape and rhythm, yet equally rich in character and complexity.

The stories we captured across both countries reflect the spirit of people navigating change, holding onto tradition, and building their futures in unique and powerful ways.

We’re incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work in this extraordinary part of the North Pacific—and especially thankful to the local teams on the ground for their insight and support, as well as our Australian partners for the tireless work behind the scenes that helped bring it all together.

More soon.

07/03/2025

Last week, Room3 was on the ground in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬, working alongside the dedicated medical team at Goroka Base Hospital. This remarkable team provides life-changing assistive technology—including hearing aids, glasses, white canes, and mobility devices—to communities, while also performing cataract surgeries that restore sight to hundreds of people every week.

Our work in Papua New Guinea continues to focus on amplifying these vital efforts. This trip involved:

- Documenting the hospital’s outreach, capturing firsthand the impact of these interventions in remote communities.
- Producing a national campaign to destigmatize the wearing of glasses and highlight the importance of eye health—developed in collaboration with the community to ensure authenticity and relevance.
- Providing production training to Zeena, a talented local female assistant, as part of our ongoing commitment to capacity building.
- Reconnecting with Ben, a passionate advocate we met six months ago, to deliver a donated laptop equipped with screen-reading capabilities—helping him continue his work in education and advocacy despite losing his sight.

Despite unpredictable weather and challenging road conditions, the team successfully captured powerful stories. However, the trip was cut short due to unexpected unrest in the region, requiring an early evacuation.

We are incredibly grateful to our partners and the communities who shared their stories with us. In the coming months, we look forward to bringing these narratives to life and continuing to support inclusive and impactful storytelling.

03/12/2024

On this International of People with Disabilities, we are celebrating wins in disability equity and rights.

Assistive technology (AT) enables people with disabilities to lead independent, fulfilling lives. Yet across the Pacific, limited availability and high costs keep AT out of reach for the vast majority who need it. Without it, people with disabilities can be all but eliminated from opportunities for education, employment, and human connection—locking them into cycles of poverty and isolation.

Access to AT is more than a convenience; it’s a human right. That’s why we’re celebrating the Australian Government’s new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS), launched last week. With landmark commitments to advancing disability equity and rights with people with disabilities, the government has also committed $12 million to assistive technology over the next four years for our region. This strategy is a bold step forward, including working to make AT accessible and affordable.

This year, Room3 Film was proud to collaborate with in Papua New Guinea, where we produced films for the “Unlocking the Everyday” campaign. Our work involved capacity-building initiatives with local filmmakers and sharing the stories of people with disabilities, highlighting the transformative impact of accessible assistive technology.

This International Day of People with Disabilities let’s commit to building on this progress and breaking down the barriers that hold people with disabilities back.

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👉 bit.ly/3CSQcnv

18/11/2024

Did you know that in Australian cities, only 10% of field camera operators are women? And in the Pacific, there is a vast under-representation of female camera operators despite the clear passion and skill for visual storytelling. The ABC She Shoots Pacific is supporting the next generation of visual storytellers!
Here is Fane's story - who is the first to go through the pilot program! 👏

The ABC's ‘She Shoots Pacific' is giving emerging Pacific video journalists the opportunity to work with experienced ABC TV crews.

14/11/2024

We had the immense privilege of meeting with Ben and his wife Lucy last month in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. His story and experience of social stigma and isolation due to his disability is one common for people with disabilities living in PNG.
Ben is a joyous and selfless school teacher who finds much purpose in his honorable role of a teacher. However after loosing his sight due to an illness he also lost his job, deemed unfit to work. Ben now volunteers as a teacher, working unpaid an inclusive school.

We hope that sharing his story highlights how these misconceptions can impact individuals personally and professionally. Societal attitudes and stigma surrounding disability can create significant barriers, leading to further isolation, discrimination, and exclusion.

It’s crucial that we all play our role in dismantling the stigma surrounding disability to foster a more equitable society. Let’s work together to for everyone.

14/11/2024

14/11/2024

For the past few years, Room3 Film has had the privilege of creating a film for The Halo Ball which raises vital funds for BaptistCare HopeStreet’s essential support services for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
This years ball raised close to $500,000! Together we are taking a stand against domestic and family violence. A stand that not only seeks to end the cycle of abuse but also supports the ongoing journey of healing and recovery for all affected.
These are a few stills from last years film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDGJip8aOro
You can learn more about the incredible work HopeStreet does here
https://baptistcare.org.au/hopestreet

03/11/2024

Our latest impact campaign for CBM Australia launches today and will be shared throughout the month leading up to

Room3 spoke to people with disabilities in Papua New Guinea to understand more about the critical role assistive technology plays in their lives and the barriers they face due to the lack of access and funding.

These stories are part of a global campaign on assistive technology called which is amplifying the voices, needs and priorities of people with disabilities around the world and raising awareness of assistive technology for all and people’s right to access it, no matter their income or where they live.

https://www.cbm.org.au/international-day-of-people-with-disabilities-2024

01/10/2024

Today, on International Day of Older Persons, we recognise that a greater need exists for among older people, particularly older people with .

Older people with disabilities, face increased risk of social exclusion, poverty, and violence.

As such, targeted investment to unlock access to assistive technology and support services for this cohort can deliver significant improvements in safety, wellbeing and participation.

Join us in calling on the Government to take action to for all 👉 bit.ly/3TPa4xL

📷 Photography by Erin Johnson for Room3.com.au 2024

01/10/2024

Today, on International Day of Older Persons, we recognise that a greater need exists for among older people, particularly older people with .



Older people with disabilities, face increased risk of social exclusion, poverty, and violence.

As such, targeted investment to unlock access to assistive technology and support services for this cohort can deliver significant improvements in safety, wellbeing and participation.

Join us in calling on the Government to take action to for all 👉 bit.ly/3TPa4xL

📷 Photography by Erin Johnson for Room3.com.au 2024

20/06/2024

Hi Everyone,

It's with a little bit of sadness and a whole lot of love, that we bid farewell to our Creative Producer, Lara Shearer, as she jets off on an exciting adventure to explore the world and live abroad.

Over the past three years, Lara has been the backbone of many of our major impact campaigns, traversing Australia and Indonesia, capturing moments and amplifying the voices of those often unheard. From producing our 'Mate Helping Mate' and Humanitarian Advisory Group podcasts, to sensitively interviewing people battling cancer and also survivors of domestic violence with empathy and integrity. Lara's work has also elevated the rights of people with disabilities in remote communities with her efforts, making a profound and tangible difference in the lives of many! Her multiple talents from pre to post production makes her a very clever chicken indeed. And did we mention animation producer extraordinaire?

Lara, we are truly grateful to have had the privilege of working alongside you. Your compassionate and diligent approach to your role as Room3’s Creative Producer has not only made you an invaluable team member but also a cherished cog of our tight-knit crew. Lara, we will miss your thoughtful ways, enormous heart, generous spirit, and daily comedic narrative of the quirks of life.

No more tears, just fond memories and well wishes for the exciting chapters that lie ahead! May it be filled with wild adventures, unforgettable moments, and endless inspiration.

Bon voyage, Lara! We'll miss you dearly.

Erin and AJ