Bay beaches (?) taken from Whitecliffs car park at 1.30 pm today. yes, it IS winter and the high tides are common after storms at this time of year. A local comments that if this becomes the norm – then we’ll know.
Here’s wishing you all warmth, food and shelter and a safe new fiscal year ahead …
Greetings! It is the Winter Solstice, exact at 10. 00am tomorrow morning, Saturday 21st June 2008. Our gorgeous little planet of teeming life turns on the elliptic point and starts heading back towards the Equinox (Spring) point and closer to the Sun. The bulbs are sprouting through the mulch.
Warm thoughts, sacred prayers and healthy blessings.
The dredging continues at the heads in stormy weather. I wonder what the whales will think of the Bay renovation on their journey towards warmer seas? I trust their community spirit to warn others along the way.
The adversarial system continues – our Parliamentary system is based on it and it continues through every level of society.
[Deep Sigh!].
Would that humanity could GET IT: co-operative, conscious, healthy pooling of resources and thoughts of Goodwill to benefit us all – including nature and this wondrous environment we love.
From my reckoning – it will take all of the 2, 500 years of the Aquarian Age. Am glad to be giving the incoming cycle of development and evolution a good hefty start.
I adore winter on the Peninsula: the air is fresh and clean and crisp and the sun still warm on the face and back. There is green in them there hills and gardens again AND rainbows sprouting amongst stormy clouds.
The Light is bright and clean and the atmosphere ranges from misty to sharp.
It’s a world we share and care about.
Blessings folks.
I shall be monitoring what happens to the Bay level during these stormy days.
Day 1 Friday 16th May and Rye pier is disappearing. You will notice the tides recede further out and at full tide, are heavier and reach further into the shores. We shall be able to watch the effects of the dredging at the heads over this weekend. There is a strong full Moon on Tuesday around midday. Kingtide warning and stormy winds and rain are forecast.
The landscapes of our Bay and its surrounding shores are changing.
I stopped for a quick snack at Cameron’s Bight today. Glorious still Autumn day, the sun shining on the water and rays streaming through clouds. The stillness and silence were restive.
I munched happily on my pie and sipped my oragnic latte. Until I realised something rather disturbing. There were no seagulls. Strange. No wind. Another couple enjoying a picnic nearby. No scavengers!?
Eventually, two adult Pacific gulls appeared. Then a pair of younger Pacific gulls hoping to share any remnants. Two seagulls ventured forth – young and quite skinny. The only times I witness an absence of seabirds is in violent storms and even then, there are usually some brave souls around.
The murky sands and the obvious lack of any fishy picnic for the the birds speaks volumes.
It was eerie.
Blue Wedges have updated with an interesting newsletter. We know now about the ship running aground at McCrae.
We await the first reports of the condition of the Bay with interest.
Keep your eyes open and notice changes in our Bay – indeed, our planet!
Our Bay:
Cloudy waters at the seal colony at Chinaman’s Hat. Photo: Justin Mcmanus
printed in the Age today. Press
The PoMc has said it is okay to swim in the Bay tomorrow:
The annual Port Melbourne to Williamstown swim will go ahead.
& & &
And elsewhere on the Oz land … at Yamba north of Sydney on NSW coast.
The scientific explanation is worth noting:
“Scientists explain that the foam is created by impurities in the ocean, such as salts, chemicals, dead plants, decomposed fish and excretions from seaweed. All are churned up together by powerful currents which cause the water to form bubbles.”
It was a hot day by the Bay at Rosebud Foreshore. Over 1500 people gathered to to share their anguish and anger at the imposition of a major “highway through the our Bay”. Speakers included Jenny Warfe of Blue wedges, Michael Moorhead Solicitor, Martin Dixon State Liberal MP, Sue Pennicuik State Greens MP, Local Council representatives, Dr Jo Samuel King and some of the kiddies who are pretty annoyed! Mark spoke about the adventures of the intrepid Operation Quarantine team and what really happens out there at the front line.
Yes, folks, there she is, the Queen of the Netherlands in the background.
So many headed for the water anyway, paddling and swimming, keeping cool.
I stood out on the sandbank and mentally connected from Westernport around Flinders and Point Nepean, all the way around the Bay to Port Arlington and Queenscliff, through Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove and down to Apollo Bay. Three times I circled the Bay, saying the names of the towns quietly with the gentle ripples of the sea, connecting us all as I watched the dredge and felt the company and collective passion of so many. The sun sparkled on the water. The people celebrated their beach.
The pier was decorated in banners. Yachts and kayaks sported their own messages.
The kiddies made weedy sea dragons which they paraded around the foreshore later with the BIG Weedy seadragon.
People made their own messages, sang their own songs, shared their feelings and thoughts and hundreds signed letters and took pics, banners and car stickers.
An afternoon of sharing: we enjoyed music, the company of people who cared … and the Bay.
A fantastic day, thank you Sophie, Rose and team; Blue Wedges, and Operation Quarantine.
The Bay knows.
* Sea of red, the Age.
Fabulous pic by Yanni Dellaportas: Yanni has been part of the Campaign for yonks - he was out there at the heads to greet the Queen. He is with us and for the Bay – his love comes through in his artwork. His book of gorgeous pics is out now, details on his site.
It was a glorious balmy dawn and boats, jetskis, yachts and skips took off with media and protesters aboard to Meet the Queen at the heads of the Bay. Excellent co-ordination and planning by Operation Quarantine meant we linked up with Dive charter boats from Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff. We were well escorted by Water police and security which is a credit to our democracy. (!?)
The Queen is an impressive ship of complex engineering. Her crew were as interested in us as we were of them.
John Lawler who organised the Vigil flotilla, the Diver Charters from Queenscliff, the little yachtee and jetski folk, the ‘penguin’ and the brave souls who fronted the waves and met the Queen – salute!
You can join in tonight: Channel 10 news has a phone poll until 12.00 midnight. 1902 555 501 votes no to the dredging.
Channel 7 news has an internet poll:
The Queen made for Melbourne at a fast rate of knots – where she was met by more boats, protesters on kayaks and people along the dock.
While we were absorbed in this adventure and demonstration, Blue Wedges were back in Court.
By coincidence (or Grand design , the ABC TV broadcast the final of the series: Strange Days on Planet Earth – tonight. The conclusion was that we (humans) are slowly becoming aware of the effects our lifestyles, industry and farming are having on nature. Australia was featured in tonight’s program. The need to monitor and clean up in order to save nature was hilighted.
Here’s hoping we can save our Bay and save Melbournians from themselves and the expensive and painful consequences of the dredging project.
Thanks to the wide cross section of media and local press who joined us today.
Gorgeous pics at AAP
Well done folks! A grand show indeed. A spirited effort.
Thanks to Carey and John Lawler.
*pics by Hilary, John Lawler and Rhys Jones.
‘ 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…
A lovely morning of much needed soft rain and the warm sea water of our Bay played host to lots of children, supportive grown ups and a parade of watchers.
This event was held at Mornington. A kilometre swim from Mornington Park beach to Mills beach was the challenge met by 65 intrepid Bay lovers in protest against the possible pollution and destruction of Port Phillip Bay.
Enjoy the pics – they say it all.
Holding the space at Sorrento today, by Rhys Jones.
Lots more reports coming in. See Around the Bay
