I just saw a promotion on Bob Brown’s facebook page for photographer, Chris Bell‘s new book, ‘The Tarkine‘.

The Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, recently signed off on a deal to allow The Tarkine region to be logged. But the fight is NOT over… victories due to community protest have occurred in many cases including The Franklin campaign of the 80’s (about which Chris also has also made a book) and The Abbotsford Convent campaign of the 2000’s. And, if we keep up the pressure, the victory will happen up here in The Kimberley too. There is always time…so pick up a pen, camera, computer and get started.

And refer lower down this post to see how Chris’s 1982 book about The Franklin, ‘A Time to Care’ directly inspired Hunter and Claude.

The Tarkine by Chris Bell

One fb user made this slightly confusing but seemingly derogatory comment about the book launch:

“We may as well see Tarkine in all its wild and unblemished grandeur before the miners rape and pillage it for their beloved shareholders. Take cover. We should be fighting out there, not sitting down and reading a book.”

This was Hunter’s response:

“Reading a book can definitely make a difference. Chris Bell’s 1982 book about The Franklin River, A Time To Care (with foreward by Bob Brown) directly inspired me to drive 8000-odd km from Melbourne to Walmadan to do what I can to help Save The Kimberley.

That has resulted in newspaper and ABC radio coverage in various towns along the way, an article in The Big Issue magazine, a dedicated blog and shortly an exhibition back in Melbourne (with a Kimberley painter I met up here). Hopefully any of the above efforts will influence others, in turn, to take up pen, camera, computer or frontline protesting. Never underestimate the power of the pen, the camera, the people, the community, etc, etc, etc”

A Time to Care travels with me on this trip. It was found at the beginning of a profound period of clarity with respect to what really matters in life, and marked the beginning of a never-before-experienced 5 day natural high that left me virtually sleepless but exhilarated. His words from the foreward echo my and many others’ sentiments and are still equally applicable to both The Kimberley and The Tarkine.

Chris Bell’s book, The Tarkine WILL definitely influence people to take action! Get along to the launch if you be a sydney-sider, buy it if you can afford, or at least borrow it and be inspired.

Thanks for listening and bye for now,

Hunter G

Save The Kimberley

Minister knocks back bid to ban Tarkine mines (abc.net.au)
Hanging by a thread: how the river was won (theage.com.au)
Tarkine tops CNN’s great wilderness list (abc.net.au)

Tony Burke: Protect sacred Aboriginal burial grounds in the Kimberley

Please sign the petition asap before irreversible destruction and desecration of sacred sites, graves and songlines are forever destroyed for the sake of a gas hub that is increasingly unlikely to go ahead. It takes one minute. Thanks.

Here’s the petitiion link. Please act quickly.

Tony Burke: Protect sacred Aboriginal burial grounds in the Kimberley

This is the optional comment I also added and which I will send separately to Minister Burke (Fed Environment Minister). I will also send an altered version to Minister Collier (WA Minister for Indigenous Affairs) shortly…

Dear Minister Burke,

The recent S18 approval is an appalling act of discrimination by one of the world’s biggest corporations, Woodside, and an equally unethical WA Government against a decimated culture …for a project that is not even definitely going to be given approval – in fact, increasingly less likely.

I cannot begin to imagine the pain, sorrow and anger that I would feel if a similar thing were to happen to my ancestors. And to make it far worse, this further erodes the sadly slim and dwindling connection to one of the world’s great and resilient cultures. And let’s also not forget the S18 approval will result in serious disturbance of the constructively established Lurajarri Trail, set up years ago by traditional Elder and protector of country, Paddy Roe, to SHARE a wise and ancient culture’s knowledge with others who wish to learn in a hands on way. It shows a total and utter lack of respect, compassion and empathy.

I greatly fear for the future of Australia and the world when a mentality driven by fear and greed continues to rapidly diminish any chance we have to live sustainably and harmoniously as a species. This truly must be stopped. Not only is it hugely troubling for the local community but the future of the entire Kimberley is also at stake over the next few decades if you let this gas plant go ahead.

Have you spent any considerable time in The Kimberley alone or with close family/friends? I am not a religious person but this region has given me a transcendentally profound experience the 3 times I have previously visited over 3 decades (not something that can be explained adequately in words). One needs time, an open mind and heart to let it seep in, but it doesn’t take long, such is the profundity of its power.

I have driven here to Broome from Melbourne on this occasion and spent several thousands of dollars to do so because I profoundly believe this region MUST be saved, for its own sake, but also for that of humanity. I have no financial gain from doing so – I just know whatever we can do must, absolutely must, be done to save this region for its own sake and for that of future generations.

In a rapidly dwindling world of wild and sacred places we must do all we can to retain them, for the above reasons, but also especially when, as in this case, there are several, several more environmentally, cuturally and economically better alternatives available.

Please step in at this critical point for everyone’s sake, and for your own legacy to a nation, a culture and your own progeny.

Sincerely,

Hunter G, BEc, GradDip Toursim, BArts

Once again, here’s the petitiion link. Please act quickly. Thanks good people.

And remember, ‘Evil happens when good people do nothing.’ – not verbatim, can’t remember who said it, apologies for the guilt trip, …..but it is true.

Thanks and bye for now,

Hunter G