INTRO TO “WHY PUSH IT?”
In 1960, there were no female cycling events. So Margaret McLachlan entered the men’s races.
Margaret dared to push boundaries - cycling harder and faster, and often won against the men. She found herself crashing into the ultimate obstacle: a male-dominated sporting world that saw her wins ignored and, in an effort to ‘put her in her place’, Cycling Australia banned her from racing.
Refusing to be silenced, Margaret created her own path, riding from Sydney to Melbourne in 58 1/2 hours - smashing the record.
But, because of her gender, her remarkable achievements went unrecognised - to this day!
SYNOPSIS
Why hasn’t the world heard of Margaret McLachlan?
This documentary weaves Margaret’s forgotten triumphs with the current struggles of female cyclists and athletes, creating a powerful narrative about strength, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of equality in sport.In 1960 in Australia, there were no female cycling events. Margaret McLachlan dared to push boundaries no woman had before - she entered races with men. She cycled harder and faster, and often won. Margaret had crashed into the ultimate obstacle: a male dominated sporting world that banned her from racing.
Refusing to be silenced, Margaret created her own path, riding from Sydney to Melbourne in 1966, completing the gruelling journey in just 58 hours. Because she was female, her achievement not recognised and now has almost been forgotten by history.
In 2025, a new generation of female cyclists will set out on a 1000km road trip to honour Margaret’s legacy and explore what it means to be a competitive woman today. Accompanied by 83-year-old Margaret herself, these modern-day athletes will push the boundaries of physical, mental, and personal endurance, uncovering striking parallels between Margaret’s battle against the patriarchy of the 1960s and the barriers they continue to face.
OVERVIEW
Title : Why Push It?
Format: Feature Documentary
Duration: 90 Minutes
Budget: $750K
Distribution: Wide local theatrical
release, TVOD, SVOD,
locally + overseas
Production: Jeff Purser Productions
Sal Balharie
Nicole Stanners
Jeff Purser
Doug Garske
DIRECTOR BIO
Sal Balharrie is a celebrated director and writer...
...known for her emotionally resonant storytelling
and championing underrepresented voices.
Her film Like My Brother became a festival favourite, earning acclaim for its raw depiction of family dynamics and human connection.
With a background in advertising and a passion for narrative innovation, Sal's work spans impactful documentaries and thought-provoking fiction.
Her projects showcase a deep commitment to authentic storytelling, establishing her as a dynamic force in contemporary filmmaking.
PRODUCER STATEMENT
"When I first discovered Margaret's story, I had so many mix emotions — surprise, sadness, and anger.
Despite all my years of cycling and research, her name had never crossed my path.
Here was an extraordinary athlete who has yet to be properly acknowledged in the history books, banned and ridiculed simply because she was a woman.
Unfortunately, this is a narrative all too familiar for women of her time. While we acknowledge that there is still work to be done, women's sports are currently at a pivotal moment of progress. But what about those trailblazers from the past, who faced even greater challenges and remain unrecognised to this day?
Recognition of Margaret's records by AusCycling would be a powerful and symbolic step towards acknowledging past injustices and committing to a future of gender equality in sport."
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
As the director of Why Push It?, I am driven by the untold stories of women who defy expectations and redefine boundaries. Margaret McLachlan’s extraordinary journey isn’t just about breaking a record—it’s about breaking a cycle of exclusion.
Through the lens of a grueling 1000km road trip, this documentary delves into the heart of competition, ambition, and resilience, unpacking the physical, emotional, and societal costs of striving for greatness.
This story is as much about today’s athletes as it is about Margaret. The peloton’s struggles and triumphs mirror Margaret’s fight against a system that tried to sideline her. Using the road as a metaphor for life’s uphill battles, we explore how women navigate spaces not designed for the —on bikes, in sports, and beyond.
Why Push It? is a celebration of grit, a challenge to the status quo, and a call for long-overdue recognition. It’s about rewriting the rules, one pedal stroke at a time.
IMPACT CAMPAIGN
Advocate for Gender Equality in Sports: Partner with sports organisations, advocacy groups, and educational institutions to promote initiatives aimed at addressing gender inequality
Inspire Female Participation in Cycling: Launch a series of community cycling events, workshops, and mentorship programs targeting young girls and women
Educational Outreach: Develop and distribute educational
materials that schools and universities can use to discuss gender issues. Host film screenings followed by panel discussions with historians, athletes, and gender equality advocates
Public Awareness and Media Campaign: Create an extensive media campaign to share the stories of women featured in the film. Collaborate with influencers, athletes, and public figures.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Primary
- Women aged 25-55 interested in sports, history, feminism, and personal empowerment.
- Sports enthusiasts, particularly those focused on cycling and endurance sports.
- Advocates for gender equality in sports.
- Australian audiences, particularly those interested in local history and female role models.
Secondary
- Global audiences interested in inspiring sports stories.
- Film festival attendees and documentary enthusiasts.
- Men supportive of female empowerment and sports equality.
DISTRIBUTION: THEATRICAL
Limited Release in Key Australia Cities
- A strategic limited release across major Australian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth) will build momentum for the film.
- Focus on independent cinemas that regularly program Australian content and socially conscious films.
- Organise Q&A screenings with the director, athletes featured in the film, and sports journalists to generate buzz.
Target Niche Cinema Chains
- Partner with niche and independent cinemas known for hosting documentary screenings. This can include chains like Dendy, Palace Cinemas, and specialty venues.
- Screen the documentary at cycling or sports events and festivals in Australia, allowing for an integrated and targeted marketing push.
DISTRIBUTION: FESTIVALS
Australian Festivals
- Submit to top-tier Australian film festivals like the Sydney Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, and Brisbane International Film Festival.
- Use the film’s focus on Australian sports history and female empowerment as a key selling point.
- Participate in film festivals with a strong documentary and sports focus, as these audiences will have a vested interest in the subject matter.
International Festivals
Target international documentary and sports film festivals,
such as:
- Toronto Hot Docs (Canada)
- IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)
- DOC NYC (USA)
- Banff Mountain Film Festival (for adventure and sports focus)
DISTRIBUTION: DIGITAL
VOD Platforms (Transactional & Subscription)
- After the initial festival and limited theatrical run, release the film on popular VOD platforms: iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Vimeo on Demand (for direct purchases or rentals).
- Partner with Australian-based platforms such as Stan or ABC iview to highlight the national angle.
Streaming Services
- Pitch to major global streaming platforms, particularly Netflix, which has a track record of supporting strong female-centric content, as well as Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
- Leverage the film’s feminist and sports angles in discussions with specialty streaming platforms like ESPN Films (for sports content), Red Bull TV, or Women’s Sports Network.
Streaming Services
- Work with Kanopy and Alexander Street, which provide educational licenses to universities, schools, and libraries, to ensure that the documentary reaches academic institutions interested in women’s studies, sports science, and Australian history.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIPS
- Cycling Clubs and Women’s Sports Associations: Partner with local cycling groups, women's sports associations, and feminist organisations to screen teasers and hold events
- Schools and Universities: Partner with educational institutions to incorporate themes of the film into women's history, sports, and environmental studies classes.
- Bike Advocacy: Align with bicycle advocacy organisations likeBicycle Network and Bicycle Industries Australia that promote more people on bikes.
ONLINE & SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVATIONS
- #Whypushit? Challenge: Launch a viral social media challenge where women cyclists recreate segments of the Sydney-to- Melbourne ride, sharing their own stories of competition, triumph, and struggle.
- Storytelling Campaign: Leverage Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to run a campaign where female cyclists and athletes share personal stories of overcoming obstacles.
- Influencer Marketing: Partner with female athletes, sports influencers, environmentalists, and feminist bloggers to promote the film.
- Teaser Content Drops: Release short clips or behind-the-scenes footage on social media, leading up to the documentary’s release. Involve athlete interviews, sneak peeks of the road trip, and historical insights.
MARKETING: PARTNERSHIPS & ACTIVATIONS
Collaboration with Local Business
- Sporting Goods Stores & Apparel Brands: Collaborate with Australian female-led or environmentally-conscious sporting apparel brands.
- Sustainable Travel and Cycling Companies: Team up with travel companies promoting eco-tourism and cycling adventures and offer cycling trips along the Sydney-Melbourne route.
Events & Activation
- Cycling Events: Sponsor or host a long-distance cycling event in tribute to Margaret McLachlan’s Sydney-Melbourne ride. We will tie the event to the film’s promotion, with local news coverage and participation from key figures in the film.
- Activations at Events: Host screenings, Q&A panels, ambassadorships and challenges at key cycling events such as Tour Down Under, Cadel’s Road race etc.
- Workshops & Panels: Hold workshops that explore the themes of the film such as female empowerment in sports, overcoming gender inequality, or the legacy of historical female athletes.
MEDIA & PR OUTREACH
Local Media Features: Secure interviews and features in Australian cycling magazines (e.g. Cycling Australia) and feminist publications (e.g. Feminartsy). Pitch the film’s themes to mainstream and sports media outlets to reach broader audiences.
Podcast Appearances: Feature on sports and women's
empowerment podcasts where the director, athletes, or
production team can discuss the film’s themes and challenges faced by women in male-dominated sports.
Cycling Broadcasting: Tie in with SBS coverage of both local and international female professional races such as Tour De France Femmes avec Zwift, Pro-Velo Super League and Pari Roubaix
Local News: Approach local news stations to cover the
documentary’s journey, connecting it with Australia's cycling history and the story of Margaret McLachlan.
THANK YOU
CONNECT
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
