Historic use of firefighting foam at Royal Australian Air Force bases introduced PFAS into waterways around Darwin and Katherine.

The communication challenge was to explain an invisible contaminant, its possible health effects and detailed fishing and eating advice to Aboriginal communities without creating unnecessary fear or suggesting that people must stop fishing altogether.

Each animation uses a story–explainer hybrid. A central narrator speaks directly to the audience, first explaining what PFAS is and how it entered the waterways, then guiding viewers through a fishing trip where the health advice is put into practice.

Recognisable places—including Gurambai in Darwin and Low Level in Katherine—local fish species and clear visual demonstrations ground the information in each community’s experience.

Rather than presenting instructions as a list, the story shows people choosing where to fish, measuring servings, cleaning their catch and sharing a meal.

The project produced two accessible, locally grounded health advice animations for Darwin and Katherine.

Rather than delivering a general warning, each video gives families practical ways to reduce their PFAS exposure while continuing to fish, prepare and share local food.

The result is complex environmental health information translated into guidance people can recognise, understand and act upon.