Community
‘ Our land abounds with nature’s gifts, of beauty rich and rare’
[from our national anthem: Advance Australia Fair...]
It is the Oz holiday weekend and we celebrate Australia as a nation, and a huge island continent.
This first pic is of the early morning sea mist that pervaded the Mornington Peninsular yesterday. The sounding of the ship’s horn through the fog was an eerie way to arise to the dawn. I wondered if the toxic dumps that are to be left uncovered in the sea to settle – would diffuse through the mists as well. So much to consider as we contemplate our fragile and sensitive ecosystem.
The mists cleared to a glorious summer day and Oz folk enjoyed the beautiful Bay
We watched the local SES demonstrate its prowess in a mock sea rescue.
A cargo ship passes close to the beach in the channel.
The cooling breeze of the brewing storm was blowing in by then.
I had tears in my eyes as I hid behind my sunglasses and stood vigil at the raising of the Flag ceremony in Rye. I leaned on my board with ‘Save our Bay’ in my hand written gesture. The local Federal MP, Greg Hunt was there and Shane McGovern of 3 MP radio. They, along with the President of the Rye Lions Club, spoke of Community involvement and acknowledged our Bay Campaign.
Came home to see the Blue Wedges group on Channel Ten at Elwood with their lineup of people and signs: No to Toxic Dump and Not in our Bay! What a show !
Then the finale of the Australia day celebrations with fireworks at the beach against an indigo sky raging with its own lightning display.
Annette (Safety Beach group) was at Mornington:
“The boys and I and two of my sons friends walked with the Mornington street parade.
We were honoured to walk behind the beautiful weedy sea dragon.
We were also highly proud to walk with Elise and her lovely mum.
And we were triple blessed to have walked next to Bunjil our protector of this land from
Boonerwrong storyline and dreamtime.
We carried a simple hand painted sign saying:‘Our land abounds with nature’s gifts , of beauty
rich and rare !’ SAVE THE BAY.
The crowds applause told us they saw our message.
We get so much strength from the spirit of the bay.”
And a grand idea in a memo from Philippa Bailey in Edithvale:
“A suggestion for grassroots involvement!
The PoM are advertising for ‘community reps’ for a Channel Deepening Liason Group. I intend to apply representing the residents of the Longbeach area (Mordialloc to Chelsea).
Forms attached. *
Also I propose to write to my council (City of Kingston) with a series of questions about what to look out for in the water, when not to swim, when not to buy fish etc from next week-end after dredging begins. How do they propose to keep their constituents safe? Perhaps we could request local meetings with councils and state members?
How about a beach roster, someone checks each area of beach every day and a site to report back comments and findings and who to inform?
I was down at beach this morning with a 100 or so other dog walkers, … tears in my eyes and pondering on what to do next.”
Philippa Bailey
It is a good idea to involve the people – we’d all be keeping vigil anyway! Some of you may like to apply. The closing date is Friday 8 February 2008.
The monitoring of the dredging project and its effect on the Bay has become the call of the State Opposition Leader: article by Ted Bailleu today on Press Page.
But it all seems to be about ‘cleaning up’ after the event. I do not understand how our Bay, which is Crown Property, is being devastated for the commercial interests of the POMc and its overseas investors. If any other group enterprise in the Bay committed such envrionmental vandalism, it would be promptly stopped. Moreso considering major dredging will be done along the Point Nepean area which is declared Heritage (2006) land. How has this been allowed past State legislation? How is it that the project thwarts even the City of Melbourne Environment and Sustainability Policies? How/why have local Councils agreed to this gross destruction of one of Victoria’s main natural assets?
I grant that the original idea came from a Kennett led Victoria which was full-on into building prosperity and sadly weak on the consequences to the environment, community and social fabric of our society. [see PR win vital to plan's smooth sailing, the Age.] There are many aspects of this ‘economic rationalism’ driven lust for gold (and power), that have bulldozed through nature and people – we have come to regret. This is not just a local quirk of character – it is a global problem now.
But we in Australia have our part to play in this global transformation project. I have watched sadly over the years as many Oz enterprises, national treasures and major assets of land/property have been sold out to the glamour of $$$ and the overseas status and power. I know many older nations in the world do not allow such pillage. Is it because we are still young, naiive and insecure as a nation? That we do not realise the value of what we have … until it’s gone? If indeed this is an example of our immaturity as a nation, then it is supported by the investigative journalism of Richard Baker (The Age): the spark that started this fire was sibling rivalry between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. That the unique beauty and invaluable asset of Port Phillip Bay could be travested in a bid for one-upman-ship is quite humorous! Yes, the last 11 years have seen such divisive fires fanned.
Our task now, our greatest challenge, both as a nation, and as a State and City, is to truly know what our special gift is and nurture that. This Bay is NOT a deep water port and Melbourne is NOT a Mega Industrial City. Then what is she? And is what she has to offer, enough to satify the economists and competitors? Melbourne already enjoys the reputation as one of the world’s ‘most liveable cities’ . Are we brave enough to grasp this global appreciation and nurture it?
Advance Australia Fair.
confidently and consciously please…