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.
Over 4,000 people surrounded Port Phillip Bay last night in a sacred Vigil of Lights to protect this Bay.
A flotilla of boats led by John Lawler braved the unknown and was the first to venture forth for the Vigil. They trailed along the shoreline to encourage and support the people on the shores and to honour the reefs, the fish worlds and the sea creatures beneath the waves.
Edithvale Frankston Brighton
The Purpose of this Bay Vigil arose from a heartfelt and deeply soulfelt concern for the Sanctuary that is our Port Phillip Bay.
Four weeks ago, I gathered 3 friends to help me achieve a Blessing and protective honouring of this precious marine world. We four were all horrified and deeply disturbed by the approval of the Dredging of the Bay as part of a bigger plan to restructure Melbourne into an Large Industrial Port. The Blue Wedges Coalition supported me in this, acknowledging their different task with litigation and political challenges. Different folk and different strokes yet united in our Love and concern for the huge diversity of the peoples of Melbourne, the surrounding suburbs and towns and for the marine world itself.
Although some people have felt a little strange with my very direct spiritual approach – they have gladly joined in. I honour the willingness of people to contribute in their own ways and to express their own particular spiritual preferences and beliefs in a community challenge.
Last night on the 8/01/08 on the eve of a New Moon in Capricorn, nigh on FOUR thousand people surrounded this Bay and blessed it with their presence, their love, their concern and a very real committment to do everything they could to protect it.
There were over 32 groups who registered with us , with numbers ranging from 300 to 50. In addition, smaller groups, families, friends, and lone supporters of the Vigil, were spread around the entire Bay from Ocean Grove, thru Point Lonsdale and all the way around to Sorrento.
Added into this group project, were those elsewhere who have and still do, love this Bay and who held Vigil where they were and sent their blessings to join ours.
The Bay Vigil has fulfilled its Purpose.
I watched a flock of seagulls line themselves along a sandbank and stand at attention, still and quiet for over half and hour. The flock faced the beach and watched where over 100 people had spread themselves in little groups , couples, and alone, snuggled in the sand. This happened, amidst fishermen on the pier, a crazy carnival and partying tourists at Rye foreshore. For those of you who know these birds, and their usual scavenging behaviour (especially at sunset fishing time) , you will be intrigued.
They knew.
The Bay is loved.
The Bay Vigil has been beautifully achieved.
The Bay thanks you.
What occurs now in the larger public consciousness and with this marine world – is up to you – the people. Humans have a habit of riding roughshod over and through nature on this planet with an insensitivity usually attributed to off-world aliens. I pray and hope that these days are times when the people of Melbourne, of Victoria, of Australia, and indeed, the global community, mature a little. Stewardship is our appropriate role as humans. The glitz of rampant materialism, greed, indulgent commercial production and industrial sabotage of our beautiful planet – may continue. The litigation and political games may win today, tomorrow, next week … but not for long. Eventually, naturally, people WILL realise the necessity of environmental care as an extension of the care for their own bodies and ways of living. The people who demonstrated their love for the Bay and their rejection of the Industrial Port (for Melbourne), the preparation for this ‘Grand Scheme’ involving the Dredging of the Bay, are citizens of this country. I cannot prove this, but personally, this is the tip of iceberg. The people of Australia voted for a new Government with new ideas and values. helloooo?
Tomorrow, the Bay Wedges Coalition is in the Federal Court, challenging the decision to dredge. The story of Blue Wedges is now Legend. I hold vigil for and with you. May truth and justice prevail.
Emerging from the wings is another case over the Trade Practices Act: Sue Beveridge, now a Mornington Peninsular Councillor, is concerned that the ‘deal’ is illegal. Sue was responsible for the gathering of over 50,000 signatures to create a mandate from the people.
So much rallying, support, hard work and effort from the people to have a say in these major decisions which adversely affect so many. I am personally impressed and hold a deep respect for these people’s movements that are brave to battle against incredible odds and wealthy Corporations. Is this the most efficient and productive way to administer our society? It seems to me to be extremely unfair and very stressful.
This Bay hosts a Port and the City of Melbourne with its stylish suburbs along the shores, its seaside towns, its leisure, swimming, fishing, diving, yachting, boating, jetskiing, and own incredible marine world. It provides Sanctuary to humans, animals, birds, plant kingdoms sea creatures alike. It is , in modern scientific jargon, a giant carbon sink. It is already a model for the world struggling to reconcile the human desire for creating and building civilisations, with the sustainability and nurturance of an incredbily beautiful, natural world.
Thank you St. Phillip for our Bay. Thank you to all the men, women, children, babies and pets and the supportive media – for the 2008 Bay Vigil of Lights. The human spirit is alive and well.
Press Coverage
Reports from groups and pics as they are coming in
World’s smallest starfish in our Bay
For the tiniest form of life to the big ships that sail its waters, this Bay is a Sanctuary, a Port, a sea bath and beautiful marine world.
Groups are gathering all around the Bay tonight, to shine their lights to show the world they care deeply about the Bay. [See Bay Vigil Locations Page]
We Australians have developed all around and on this Bay, built a City and a Port, houses, suburbs, industries and tourism. We have maintained a healthy mecca for leisure and recreation.
We have come to love and respect the diversity of sea life. We have protected and befriended penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, sea horses and fish of enormous variety. We have achieved a remarkable balance of City and Sanctuary, of Commerce and Nature.
This City is NOW a model for the world.
Tonight we shine our Lights to respect and honour that.
Tonight we ’stand on the beaches’ and ’shine on the waters’ to show the world that this is what we are and that we do NOT want this delicate balance to be wrought and wrecked for economic or political gain in the short term – at the expense of our little bit of Paradise.
Groups are creative in their plans for tonight; some will be enjoying a summer picnic by the sea; some will be contemplating and praying; some will be dancing and drumming; some will create formations with their lights in the sand to depict messages and symbols to the Skies. All will be joined in this one Vigil – to shine the Light of Sense.
To all of you preparing now to particpate and to share in this Vigil;
the Bay
says
thank you!
Shine forth little human illuminators, shine forth!
Bless the Bay.
“Only when the last tree has been cut down; Only when the last river has been poisoned; Only when the last fish has been caught; Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.” Proverb, American Indian
*Update Thursday 6.00 pm: On 3AW this morning – Nick MacCallum supports dredging. Aaaaaah! He IS intending to investigate further so let him know of your views. Phone for talk back is : 03 9690 0693 from 9.00 am to 12.00 noon.
Spoke on Radio Port Phillip with Alison and Jim in their environment show. Save the Bay swimathon at Mornington on January 19th for children. Flier will be posted here tomorrow.
Will be joining 3RRR Community Couch on Monday Morning 9.30 am. In Leaders – Mornington and Frankston; Bellarine Echo; Geelong Advertiser. The wave of Lights is gathering momentum. Come one, come all! ***
We little folk feel so small as we look out there to the Government and Big Corporate power decision makers that can destroy our cherished marine world. Yet the ferry (the big white boat) is a Lover of the Bay. Anyone who has travelled on it knows how the Captain tells the travellers when the dolphins are playing in the ferry’s wake. The trip across the bay from Sorrento to Queenscliff is a treat!
This Bay is a haven – both for the sea life that thrive in it and for us humans. We saw thousands of people swimming, yachting and relishing the cool sea during this Christmas-New year holiday season. The fireworks and lights of towns, cities and villages along the shores on New Year’s Eve provided a stunning display. The beaches and sea breezes gave sanctuary to hot and tired bodies.
This is precisely why we shall shine our lights in gratitude on the shores and water on 8th January.
Our little lights, our small and larger groups, our passion and concern – these will show our honouring. The human spirit shines brightly. We know that appreciating and respecting the life within our Bay is our human responsibility.
We have new locations being posted daily -see Get Involved Page.
The media is beginning to suppport us. Bay Vigil and Blue Wedges are on 3AW just after the 11.00 news Thursday morning.
We have one week to go to call forth carriers of Light. Get everyone you know to be part of this peaceful Vigil of Light. Line the shores with lights. Be there and make a difference.
Faith.
And a very Happy New Year to ye all!
*pic of Sorrento – Queenscliff ferry by Rhys Jones.
Sorrento in winter. Clear and clean.
Small groups of people around the Bay are beginning to organise themselves. Check the updates on the Get Involved Page for beach focal points.
Please let us know if you have decided on where you will be on the night of the 8/01/08 from dusk to 10 pm. and are happy to have others join you.
Any suggestions for further publicity and networking – pass them on!
This is growing .. many people are glad to be part of this Vigil of Light for our Bay.
Lovely weather and succesful sailing days over Christmas have just reinforced how much we, the people of Victoria, want this Bay to be healthy and clean. We do not want Port Phillip Bay to become a major industrial port.
The Bay Vigil is calling all lovers of the Bay to a Vigil on Tuesday, January 8th from dusk to 10 pm. By joining together and shining our little lights around the Bay, we shall demonstrate our concern and care about this Bay.
You may enjoy a family affair – a picnic on the beach! You may be a group of supporters of the appeal to the Federal Court. You might be business owners expressing your appreciation for the Bay and your dismay at the dredging which shall benefit a few at the expense of many.
You may be a group of swimmers, divers, boaters, yachtees or fisherfolk who acknowledge your interaction with this Bay as an integral part of your lives.
The page on How to get Involved contains a file for a flier you can distribute to others.
We invite and call everyone who is willing and able, to join us in forming a chain of lights around the Bay. By early January, we plan to post here a network of sites and people who know they shall be there surrounding the Bay on the night of January 8th.
email hilary: bayvigil@gmail.com
[(c) photos by Rhys Jones]
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