JONDARYAN RALLY
Arriving early at venues offers an opportunity to observe and talk with those who have gathered as well as to gain a sense of the momentum of the event. Enjoying my customary, morning latte at the local roadhouse in Jondaryan, I noticed mines folks in iridescent orange safety uniforms ordering hot food – possibly their 12 hour shifts play havoc with their body clocks. On the wall three photographs of Cobb and Co coaches from the first decade of the last century reinforced the importance of this agricultural and pastoral region. A few police cars, many police and one or two Mines workers gathered together talking in a street near the Roadhouse.
The rally point was established on the eastern perimeter of the township in a grassed area adjacent to the main road. Folks began to arrive two hours before the official rally and it felt like a family reunion, with protestors from New South Wales, Kyogle, well out west, Felton and the Darling Downs, and many couples who had returned specifically for this occasion. Settling into conversation with an older couple, Graham and Phyllis, the genuine nature of these virgin protestors was confirmed. Previously residents of the area, they were retired in Redcliffe but made the pilgrimage out to show their support and concern. The dynamic Scenic Rim organizers, Heidi and Steve Ross and Cassie McMahon, were instrumental in setting up shade areas and organizing the placement of utes that were to act as stages for the speakers. Another mature couple had erected some eye-catching billboards (denouncing CSG) on the back of a truck, parked near the main road; this attracted truck-blasting support. One gentleman was a well-known vet and their son was picking up Alan Jones who was refused permission to land his plane at Oakey. The camaraderie in these small outback communities is remarkable. Another woman explained to me that last year they lost their whole crop so they had no income. A near neighbour kept in close contact with them, just to ensure they were ticking along ok. This is the true bush spirit and, often, it is something those in cities fail to understand.
Keen to hear news of June Norman, the remarkable woman walking the 500km of the proposed pipeline, I was directed to Paul who had walked a few days with June and her buggy. Potts’ little dog accompanying them had to be outfitted with leather shoes to protect his feet from the stones on the side of the road, but the journey was progressing well. What remarkable people this focal issue of CSG attracts – and how passionate they are about carrying through their civic duty of protecting Australia from foreign domination and mining abuse. It was terrific to talk with tenacious Linda Weston who comes before the court again on the 29th February for her violation against the Petroleum Act. We discussed possible outcomes: the maximum penalty is $50 000 or, alternatively, there is usually the ratio of 1 day in jail for every $100 of the fine. Individuals such as Linda are effectively fighting for their country, our country, Australia – in much the same way that our soldiers fought against foreign invasion in World War II. History will accord these folks hero status whereas those politicians who have literally sold Australia out, will be covered in shame.
The contamination from New Hope coal dump that is so close to Jondaryan and Oakey, is indisputable. One woman from Oakey explained she could not understand why her tank was overflowing despite the meager amount of rain. An investigation revealed a thick sludge of coagulated coal dust on the top of the tank that was proving impenetrable for the water. I looked across the gully to a home that had five huge rain-water tanks and realized the predicament that the whole community faced with the deadly dust since there is no general town water. Winds blow strongly over these flat plains so this community is vulnerable.
Cars drove in to the rally point with Australian flags flying proudly. A huge green Eureka flag caught the early breezes while the sun pounded down mercilessly. Busloads of folks arrived from Northern New South Wales. A double-decker Katter’s Australian Party bus signaled the political clout this alternative party may summon at the upcoming election. We watched a busload of police travelling from the east on the main road yet reports of up to a hundred police to cover this rally proved unsubstantiated. This crowd was certain not going to present trouble. The demographic cross-section was definitively on the upper side of, conservatively, fifty-five, with the oldest protestor being 93years of age. Honest, hard-working country people who have worked this, their country through drought and flood and now, in their autumn years, are having to fight the government that is selling out their heritage, nay, literally giving it away to foreign owned companies whose only operative revolves around financial return.
Waiting for the speakers to arrived, it seemed interminable in the heat that radiated off everything. Drew Hutton, an Aboriginal descendant, Bob Katter, Aidan McLindon, Larissa Waters, Libby Hutton and finally, the celebrity Alan Jones, spoke – and you could hear a pin drop. Their deliveries were direct, passionate, replete with facts and figures, and enthusiastically acclaimed. “There is no right and left in politics any more, there is just right and wrong.” The union of the Greens and the Katter Party are testimony to the serious nature of the CSG issue – there is a war to be waged and a war to be won, for the survival of Australia! Alan Jones delivered in his inimically powerful way, supporting his contentions with confronting figures and percentages. Originating from Acland, he retained a strong connection with the area and Alan is the strongest media voice in Australia on anti-CSG. His position and his influence is critical if there is going to be wake-up call for the new government in Queensland with regards to a moratorium on the granting of new licences. It was staggering to hear Aidan McLindon recount that in the Queensland Parliament, a motion to call a moratorium was voted down 83 votes to 6. One could assume from this that the LNP will be full-steam ahead with CSG to get Queensland out of its debt crisis.
As the guest speakers wound up their deliveries, Drew detailed the procedure for the march and the process that would occur when we arrived at the gate to the Mine. It was clearly explained that failing to follow a police directive would earn an arrest. The police were thanked warmly for their support and cooperation and a police officer was invited to address the gathering of a few hundred people. The contingent that assembled was impressive: mounted horses led the ambling charge, followed by the dignatories and leaders of the rally on foot, a horse-pulled coach was in the procession; individuals pushed wheel-barrows, some were dressed as vegetables, most carried signs denouncing CSG, coal-mining and foreign ownership. The triangular Lock the Gate signs were the signature message. Police held up the traffic for over a kilometer as the group moved across the highway. The chanting started “Our Land, Our Water, Our Future” at the front of the group and resonated at the back.. it was as fervent as a battle song as we moved towards the Mine Road. An alternative cry was “Can’t eat coal, can’t drink gas”. Media folks walked along with the group asking individuals about their connection point with the rally.
As we assembled at the gate, a guitarist broke into chorus with an adaptation of “This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land, From the Daintree Forest to the…” and people sang along from the distributed song-sheets. After a short duration, it became clear that New Hope had deliberately stopped running trucks for the duration of the protest rally. Effectively, they had whipped the rug out from under the feet of the protestors. There would be no trucks coming in the gates. The wind had been taken out of the sails of the protest movement. More sadly, the photo opportunities for Channel 9 that had been gathering footage for some hours, were severely diminished – in fact, they had been cheated of the climax to the event (the potential arrests)! Will the media outlets even feature this significant protest since there were no physical confrontations? Are the plights of these earnest country people, with their desire to ensure a safe future for Australian food production, to be ignored? Will the media devote prime time to the shallow promises of the Queensland politicians on the hustings instead?
As I watched Alan Jones struggle with this western heat that is a far cry from his air-conditioned studio, it was my prayer that he be protected to continue the good fight for this vital issue. His is the strongest voice in the country – politicians and individuals hear, respect and heed his concerns. I admire his courage and his determination to fight for Australia. May Alan’s momentum and the influence of all those present at the rally, be sufficient to make voters question candidates from their electorate about their proposed stance on CSG. May voters gather courage and intelligence to seek out the effects of our supposed CSG windfall and discern the difference between financial short-term gain and environmental long-term disaster. This applies to those in government as well as those who work for the industry. Australians don’t want to be buying food back from Chinese consortiums in Australia that have eluded the net of our inept Foreign Ownership Board. These consortiums could export food back to the mother country at ruinously low prices to reduce taxation while we in Australia pay maximum prices – as occurs with the gas!
Reality set it – there would be no trucks today! It was a clever move on the part of New Hope as it removed the possibility of confrontation that would have facilitated a stand-off with protesters. There was only one avenue to follow – retire to the Jondaryn Pub to discuss future tactics for the movement. Reflecting on the impressive oratory of all those who stood before the mike today, I realized many in Australia have a gift of rhetoric – perhaps the present passion comes from the fact that we are fighting for survival of our environment and our future. Travelling down the Tolbar, I felt afraid – afraid that I could not remember how to get out of Drive into a lower gear and frightened that if I tried to put it into the lower gear, it might slip into neutral whereby there could be a potential problem. Metaphorically, Lock the Gate groups are seeking a lower gear for CSG while politicians would prefer to use top gear and apply the brakes only if necessary with our resources. The real impetus for change and the onus of responsibility lies with those voters who are in neutral gear – we urge you to become informed, to think long-term and to question your candidates.
The rally point was established on the eastern perimeter of the township in a grassed area adjacent to the main road. Folks began to arrive two hours before the official rally and it felt like a family reunion, with protestors from New South Wales, Kyogle, well out west, Felton and the Darling Downs, and many couples who had returned specifically for this occasion. Settling into conversation with an older couple, Graham and Phyllis, the genuine nature of these virgin protestors was confirmed. Previously residents of the area, they were retired in Redcliffe but made the pilgrimage out to show their support and concern. The dynamic Scenic Rim organizers, Heidi and Steve Ross and Cassie McMahon, were instrumental in setting up shade areas and organizing the placement of utes that were to act as stages for the speakers. Another mature couple had erected some eye-catching billboards (denouncing CSG) on the back of a truck, parked near the main road; this attracted truck-blasting support. One gentleman was a well-known vet and their son was picking up Alan Jones who was refused permission to land his plane at Oakey. The camaraderie in these small outback communities is remarkable. Another woman explained to me that last year they lost their whole crop so they had no income. A near neighbour kept in close contact with them, just to ensure they were ticking along ok. This is the true bush spirit and, often, it is something those in cities fail to understand.
Keen to hear news of June Norman, the remarkable woman walking the 500km of the proposed pipeline, I was directed to Paul who had walked a few days with June and her buggy. Potts’ little dog accompanying them had to be outfitted with leather shoes to protect his feet from the stones on the side of the road, but the journey was progressing well. What remarkable people this focal issue of CSG attracts – and how passionate they are about carrying through their civic duty of protecting Australia from foreign domination and mining abuse. It was terrific to talk with tenacious Linda Weston who comes before the court again on the 29th February for her violation against the Petroleum Act. We discussed possible outcomes: the maximum penalty is $50 000 or, alternatively, there is usually the ratio of 1 day in jail for every $100 of the fine. Individuals such as Linda are effectively fighting for their country, our country, Australia – in much the same way that our soldiers fought against foreign invasion in World War II. History will accord these folks hero status whereas those politicians who have literally sold Australia out, will be covered in shame.
The contamination from New Hope coal dump that is so close to Jondaryan and Oakey, is indisputable. One woman from Oakey explained she could not understand why her tank was overflowing despite the meager amount of rain. An investigation revealed a thick sludge of coagulated coal dust on the top of the tank that was proving impenetrable for the water. I looked across the gully to a home that had five huge rain-water tanks and realized the predicament that the whole community faced with the deadly dust since there is no general town water. Winds blow strongly over these flat plains so this community is vulnerable.
Cars drove in to the rally point with Australian flags flying proudly. A huge green Eureka flag caught the early breezes while the sun pounded down mercilessly. Busloads of folks arrived from Northern New South Wales. A double-decker Katter’s Australian Party bus signaled the political clout this alternative party may summon at the upcoming election. We watched a busload of police travelling from the east on the main road yet reports of up to a hundred police to cover this rally proved unsubstantiated. This crowd was certain not going to present trouble. The demographic cross-section was definitively on the upper side of, conservatively, fifty-five, with the oldest protestor being 93years of age. Honest, hard-working country people who have worked this, their country through drought and flood and now, in their autumn years, are having to fight the government that is selling out their heritage, nay, literally giving it away to foreign owned companies whose only operative revolves around financial return.
Waiting for the speakers to arrived, it seemed interminable in the heat that radiated off everything. Drew Hutton, an Aboriginal descendant, Bob Katter, Aidan McLindon, Larissa Waters, Libby Hutton and finally, the celebrity Alan Jones, spoke – and you could hear a pin drop. Their deliveries were direct, passionate, replete with facts and figures, and enthusiastically acclaimed. “There is no right and left in politics any more, there is just right and wrong.” The union of the Greens and the Katter Party are testimony to the serious nature of the CSG issue – there is a war to be waged and a war to be won, for the survival of Australia! Alan Jones delivered in his inimically powerful way, supporting his contentions with confronting figures and percentages. Originating from Acland, he retained a strong connection with the area and Alan is the strongest media voice in Australia on anti-CSG. His position and his influence is critical if there is going to be wake-up call for the new government in Queensland with regards to a moratorium on the granting of new licences. It was staggering to hear Aidan McLindon recount that in the Queensland Parliament, a motion to call a moratorium was voted down 83 votes to 6. One could assume from this that the LNP will be full-steam ahead with CSG to get Queensland out of its debt crisis.
As the guest speakers wound up their deliveries, Drew detailed the procedure for the march and the process that would occur when we arrived at the gate to the Mine. It was clearly explained that failing to follow a police directive would earn an arrest. The police were thanked warmly for their support and cooperation and a police officer was invited to address the gathering of a few hundred people. The contingent that assembled was impressive: mounted horses led the ambling charge, followed by the dignatories and leaders of the rally on foot, a horse-pulled coach was in the procession; individuals pushed wheel-barrows, some were dressed as vegetables, most carried signs denouncing CSG, coal-mining and foreign ownership. The triangular Lock the Gate signs were the signature message. Police held up the traffic for over a kilometer as the group moved across the highway. The chanting started “Our Land, Our Water, Our Future” at the front of the group and resonated at the back.. it was as fervent as a battle song as we moved towards the Mine Road. An alternative cry was “Can’t eat coal, can’t drink gas”. Media folks walked along with the group asking individuals about their connection point with the rally.
As we assembled at the gate, a guitarist broke into chorus with an adaptation of “This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land, From the Daintree Forest to the…” and people sang along from the distributed song-sheets. After a short duration, it became clear that New Hope had deliberately stopped running trucks for the duration of the protest rally. Effectively, they had whipped the rug out from under the feet of the protestors. There would be no trucks coming in the gates. The wind had been taken out of the sails of the protest movement. More sadly, the photo opportunities for Channel 9 that had been gathering footage for some hours, were severely diminished – in fact, they had been cheated of the climax to the event (the potential arrests)! Will the media outlets even feature this significant protest since there were no physical confrontations? Are the plights of these earnest country people, with their desire to ensure a safe future for Australian food production, to be ignored? Will the media devote prime time to the shallow promises of the Queensland politicians on the hustings instead?
As I watched Alan Jones struggle with this western heat that is a far cry from his air-conditioned studio, it was my prayer that he be protected to continue the good fight for this vital issue. His is the strongest voice in the country – politicians and individuals hear, respect and heed his concerns. I admire his courage and his determination to fight for Australia. May Alan’s momentum and the influence of all those present at the rally, be sufficient to make voters question candidates from their electorate about their proposed stance on CSG. May voters gather courage and intelligence to seek out the effects of our supposed CSG windfall and discern the difference between financial short-term gain and environmental long-term disaster. This applies to those in government as well as those who work for the industry. Australians don’t want to be buying food back from Chinese consortiums in Australia that have eluded the net of our inept Foreign Ownership Board. These consortiums could export food back to the mother country at ruinously low prices to reduce taxation while we in Australia pay maximum prices – as occurs with the gas!
Reality set it – there would be no trucks today! It was a clever move on the part of New Hope as it removed the possibility of confrontation that would have facilitated a stand-off with protesters. There was only one avenue to follow – retire to the Jondaryn Pub to discuss future tactics for the movement. Reflecting on the impressive oratory of all those who stood before the mike today, I realized many in Australia have a gift of rhetoric – perhaps the present passion comes from the fact that we are fighting for survival of our environment and our future. Travelling down the Tolbar, I felt afraid – afraid that I could not remember how to get out of Drive into a lower gear and frightened that if I tried to put it into the lower gear, it might slip into neutral whereby there could be a potential problem. Metaphorically, Lock the Gate groups are seeking a lower gear for CSG while politicians would prefer to use top gear and apply the brakes only if necessary with our resources. The real impetus for change and the onus of responsibility lies with those voters who are in neutral gear – we urge you to become informed, to think long-term and to question your candidates.
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