Scene from ‘The Castle’: Federal Court.
The news footage of brave Portsea lawyer Michael Moorhead, holding vigil in the Federal Court for us all and for our Bay, is poignant indeed. Challenging him, the legal team of ‘silks’, (QC’s) and lawyers with an entourage of assistants. A ratio of 1:8
A tired and hot John Willis of Blue Wedges quipped on Port Philip radio yesterday aftenoon , that:
“It was like being in a scene from (the Oz classic): The Castle!”
The Blue Wedges Coalition representing business concerns and the people of Victoria (and beyond out into the greater world) were glad to see supporters and ‘lovers of the bay’ who came to sit with them in this historic hearing: the people challenging the Corporate world of the POMc and the State and Federal Governments.
The Age and AAP has the latest. See Press Page.
Stories and pics are trickling in as people who participated release the inner ‘breath’ of spirit slowly. Holding vigil requires focus and energy.
The Federal Court Judge Peter Heerey has reserved his decision which is legal talk for – he needs to think about the case. Now this is good news folks. A person who takes the time to think more deeply about a case, is to be respected. May truth, sense and vision prevail.
So we still hold vigil dear fellow lovers of PP Bay. We all need time to relax and to regenerate. Melbourne has been scorched by blazing heat. Temperatures hit 40+ C. Thousands of people headed for the healing, soothing waters and breezes of this giant water reserve.
The template is there now. People can sit on the beaches and stand at the cliff tops and hold their own vigil. This weekend, those who participated on Tuesday night, (and those who heard about it later and wished they had), can walk along the shores and marvel at the beauty that is there. Please do, and nurture the love and honouring of this Sanctuary. People have rung and emailed me asking about another Vigil and “can we keep doing it?”
You can! Individually or in small groups.
For a larger project of surrounding the Bay in a synchronised Vigil of love and honouring of the Bay? Perhaps we could extend our Vigil up the Yarra and include Westernport Bay and make this an annual event? On the January new moon each year? An evolution of the Greek festival of the ‘blessing of the waters’ ? Perhaps, this being Australia … we need to consider all waterways and lakes, dams, and oceans.
The Vision I enjoy for Melbourne and this Bay wisped around me through the hot sleepless night. I shall write about it tonight and send it in for the Sunday Age. It is a week since the Age printed the full two page story that explained so much about the Dredging Project that too few had realised. Suddenly, Melbourne understood why the call went out to the people for a Vigil Of Lights.
The information that is emerging from the Court Hearing is disturbing. The planned toxic dumps, the confirmed prediction of water levels rising, the changing of the original portfolio between application and actualisation …
The need for transparency, integrity and consideration in these major decisions which effect so much and so many – is vital to a healthy society. How can we be a democratic nation if we:
1. Do not know what is happening nor the why and wherefore.
2. Are not consulted or listened to when we do contribute?
So much to consider .
Hold vigil in your hearts.
Faith.
The seagulls knew.
Take time to read the stories and look at the amazing photos sent in by people who were there on Tuesday night. There is a banquet of love, shared concern and human spirit. Around The Bay.
Be Cool. Hilary
* Pics of Blairgowrie Pier and ‘Rose’ at Seaford on Tuesday Night.