mountain mist
calling for spirits
from the past
When we recently visited Gariwerd/Grampians National Park most of our planned walking days looked like this. The atmosphere was so different and the ancient connections of the original Indigenous people became more of a presence on these days. One looks for the old people to wander out of the mist and continue along on their pathways as they did right here for thousands and thousands of years until the British arrived in the 1830’s.
saving trees
against bureaucrats
people stand
Three weeks ago on a wet cold Tuesday afternoon 40-50 local people gathered to hear for the first time that a planned new school re-development would mean 239 trees across the site would be destroyed. A story of secrecy , deception, lies and secret agreements was shared. These people swore to meet again on the site 2 days later to plan a response . This is image 1 and more people and dogs were there. We learnt that the state government department of education intended to begin destruction of the trees the following Monday morning. The people that afternoon declared to stand in the way of this destruction at 6.30 on the Monday morning. Television stations and newspapers were contacted and the rally cry went out.
Image 2 shows part of a 300 plus crowd who blocked entry to the site at 6.30 on the Monday. There were many police there as well. For the first time the bureaucrats negotiated with the local residents about these plans. The people said no trees until we have open transparent community discussions and we hear and see detailed plans of what is proposed. Two weeks later , the trees stand and the people wait for our meeting.
So even on a smaller scale here in Melbourne Australia we see politicians and bureaucrats trying to walk over communities with a lack of respect and no transparency.
People power in Australia have an anthem called “From little things big things Grow” Sometimes our politicians need to remember it. If you have time please listen to this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAONlfoNVuY sung by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody , two living music legends in Australia.
Haiku hound 