He is passionate about the island and its rural environment, now under threat from rampant development and hence his involvement in the Rescue Bali campaign.

The Carroll College graduate is in Bali now and involved in the Rescue Bali campaign trying to save the island’s rural way of life using shadow puppet theatre to get the message across.

A crowdfunding campaign has just been launched to help fund Rescue Bali, a movement to empower farmers to retain their lands and Bali’s 1000-year-old farming legacy by utilising the ancient tradition of shadow puppet theatre to provide vital messages to the Balinese population and outreach to communities living in rural, remote farming areas.

“I need your support with the Rescue Bali project,” Mr Burbidge said. 

“I’ve been thinking about this project for nearly four years and have finally found the courage to make it happen.

“Some westerners have said to me, ‘Bali is done for, there’s no use, why even try?’

To best sum it up, I will quote from Krishna, one of the Hindu Bali gods: ‘You do not measure the fruit of your action, you have to measure your obligation for action’.

“When I speak with the Balinese people, especially the farmers, they thank me for what we are doing.

They tell me how important this project is. 

I’m not looking for praise or glory, but I must admit it does feel good to be appreciated.”

The RescueBali crowdfunding campaign was launched on April 25 and includes a video that poetically and visually describes what we are doing. 

Go to: chuffed.org/project/rescuebali.

“They say the first 24 hours of a crowdfunding campaign are crucial to a campaign’s success so... pretty please, with sugar on top... if you can donate, myself, the RescueBali team and all Balinese who care about their island will be very grateful.

“Also if you are into social media, sharing is caring, please spread the word that you support us and share our poetic crowdfunding film!”

Mr Burbidge and the team will be making some new additions to the website to focus more on the solutions so keep updated on rescuebali. org.

The art of shadow puppet theatre in Bali has been used to tell stories for more than 1000 years, to entertain, to inform, to educate Balinese people. 

Puppets now have an urgent story to tell in Bali and share with the rest of the world: 

Balinese people and their island paradise are under threat.

“We are worried after modernisation, global information, a lot of people, investor come to Bali. 

They want to build hotel, restaurant and other building, right now is too much.

“If they keep going... we worry about the future of Balinese island.”

These are the words of I Made Sidia, one of many Balinese who are becoming increasingly worried about Bali’s current and future situation.

I Made Sidia comes from a long line of Dalangs and has been studying the art form since he was a child.

He is one of the Bali’s most acclaimed shadow puppet artists and has showcased his skills throughout the world. 

The Dalang or puppet master is a spiritual leader of their community and are considered vital to ensure the protection and well being of society.

I Made Sidia has cause for concern: up to 1000 hectares of agricultural land are sold every year for development. 

Over 50 per cent of Balinese people have lost access to fresh water and now 75 per cent of rivers run dry in the dry season.

Hotels and villas are sinking their bores ever deeper in a ‘race to the bottom’ as the water table drops rapidly.

Under the mandate of I Made Sidia and his team of 10 puppeteers and orchestra, the ‘Balinese Rice’ production will premiere at the 38th Annual Bali Arts Festival in July.

“For me I am very interested being involved in this project because this project is very good for our future, for Balinese, for Indonesian people,” I Made Sidia said.

To complement the ‘Balinese Rice’ performance RescueBali is also creating a documentary series of short films to showcase Balinese farmers who have adopted natural methods of farming that use 85 per cent less water and increases their income by up to 400 per cent.

“The challenge RescueBali faces is sharing the project with the entire Balinese population, but they have a plan and it involves you!

If you care about Bali and it’s people look how you can help spread the solutions at rescuebali.org” Mr Burbidge said.