Blue wedges has organised a protest this Saturday at Elwood beach to support local new business, Ocean Kayaking Australia. [see bluewedges]
Australia Day – Save the Bay Protest – Elwood Beach
Saturday 26th January 10 AM
Elwood Beach out the front of Elwood Angling Club
For More Information Contact: Elisa Tranter 0419 102 881
How about the same occurring all around the Bay? If people with their own enterprises could organise a similar activity we would once again be linked and synchronised with the common goal – to let people know about the Bay and its inherent value. From the Mussel farms at Port Arlington to the Dolphin Tours of Sorrento? If each business (diving, fishing, eco-tourism, aquaculture, …) could organise an exhibition/stall/show a banner … we would once again be presenting Melbourne with a united front and the same message:
Save our Bay!
[*flier for distribution: concernedaboutthedredging.pdf ]
The blue wedges coalition has decided to proceed with an Application to “quash” Minister Garrett’s decision and set aside his approval of the project on a number of grounds including:
“Minister Garrett did not consider or failed to adequately consider social impacts of dredging, contrary to s136 of the EPBC Act. Where is the consideration of increased human health risks from swimming or eating fish from the Bay, impacts on recreational fishing and its economic contribution? Economic benefits from recreational fishing alone are estimated at approx. $1 billion per annum (VrFish data)- perhaps ten times the estimated annual benefits from channel deepening!” [ jenny warfe, Blue Wedges Coalition ]
I realise this is short notice – however, even just being at the Flag raising Ceremonies in your own locality, wearing red and holding up a sign saying:
Save our Bay!
says it all.
Cheers and Happy Oz day!
Hilary
Channel 9 news lead story this evening on the 6 o’clock news: Trucking Magnate Lindsay Fox has spoken out against the dregding – slamming it as a ‘short term solution’ that ‘won’t achieve anything’ and will create traffic hassles that will choke Melbourne. Bay Dredge Stupid: Fox
Well of course the plan is stupid! The traffic woes are only one aspect of it that indicates a lack of foresight. Yay to someone in Big Business world speaking out with a tiny bit of common sense.
Suggest we adopt the ribbon fad: wear a red ribbon- on the wrist, in the hair, in the lapel of your suit, on the door handle of the car, the pram handle, the bag handle, the briefcase, … use your imagination. Wear a red ribbon (easy to acquire) until this is brought to its sane and inevitable peaceful conclusion.
The
Bay
Lives!
For a folk song about the Bay and our local campaign to save it:
Marty Williams
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.
Age forum
Age Poll
* Update: 19 January 2008,
Ted Baillieu, Leader of the Opposition has stepped up to plate! he wants to establish a web site to monitor the Bay. [I suggest he may like to co-opt the 4,000 or so Lovers of the Bay we have ready, willing and very able... maybe we could have t-shirts, caps and cameras provided? Then again, wouldn't it be wiser to just stop the whole fiasco right now?] See Press Page.
Crikey has really taken up the mantle and posted everyday this past week.
*** Today is the kiddies Swimming for the Bay. Mornington to Mills Beach starting 10.oo am.
_______________________________________________________
Our City of Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs and towns is at a crossroads. What kind of City do we envisage?
The Age has established a media forum for the Dredging proposal – inviting people to post comments and explore the controversial project.
For me personally it is a lot about lifestyle and the kind of City and environment I choose to live in. My comment posted today raises the question of values, vision and design.
One direction we may take now involves the gouging of the Bay, building of a bigger port, the consequential development of infrastructure to carry huge loads … the redesigning and rebuilding of Melbourne into an Industrial port and industrial City.
OR,
We could utilise and take advantage of the natural environment we have: The Bay and its surrounding mountain ranges; its ambience and cultural offerings, its fashionable shops and theatres, cinemas, universities and education centers. There are many international organisations and interests which would be attracted to holding their conferences here in Melbourne. We could become a Marine Centre, a natural world of beauty and healthy living. A city that enjoys a Quality lifestyle created by an Eco City.
Both directions require planning, design, investment and consistent effort. Both will reap harvest of activity (employment) and prosperity.
One however, embraces and builds upon what already is naturally here – a City surrounding a Bay. That has already been created for us.
The other, finds that Bay a nuisance and seeks to bulldoze most of what is beautiful and natural – in order to create an industrial mega world.
It’s all about values and vision.
The cross roads is before us. Once we wreak havoc in this bay and create 5 kilometre square areas of a toxic dump close to the shores of Bayside towns like Black Rock and Beaumaris – there is a long time required before we can rethink our direction.
What do you want ? What do you see as possible for Melbourne? Join the forum in the Age and enhance community debate. It is our City and our choice.
Well folks, the Federal Court has ruled that the dredging goes ahead and that it is okay for the Port of Melbourne to change their plan from 2002 to now.
Bay dredge gets go-ahead, Clay Lucas, the Age, 15 January 08
What we now know is that very few in either Government, law or business are concerned about the irreversible damage this could cause.
The dredger starts a 2 year project on 1st February.
Meanwhile - if you can – be there at Mornington to cheer on the kiddies who will be swimming to ‘Save the Bay’ they love.
[see last posting].
I have too few words to say… for we have taken our stand and shone our lights and Blue Wedges has stood for us in Court. So many people have rallyed over so many years.
The responsibility for the welbeing of this Bay and the health of its river, marine world, beaches, towns, suburbs and City – is in the hands of the Port of Melbourne.
I pray they are good and wise hands.
We enjoyed a Corroboree on the Beach at Portsea in 2004 when the community was campaigning for Point Nepean to become a National Park.
That was achieved and it is now Point Nepean Community Trust.
It is summer in Melbourne and Point Nepean is hosting a Jazz Picnic at the revitalised Quarantine Station on 19 January 08. Feast on local gourmet produce and relish James Morrison, Wilbur Wilde, Emma Park, Sugarbeats and Wesley College Big Band.
Tickets are available at the Sorrento Athanaeum Cinema or cash sales at gate on the day. [$45 adults and $10 children].
Also on the 19th January a local 12 year old Elyse Coates-McCarthy, will lead her peers in a 1km swim from Mornington Pier to Mills Beach to hilight their love of the Bay and protest against the dredging. Get Involved
So people can make a grand day of it on the Peninsular on Saturday 19th January! Cheer on the kiddies at Mornington then head down to Point Nepean for a Jazz Picnic.
We are in the final stages now of a 5 year community rallying to Save our Bay
International support is strong. There are millions of people around the world who enjoy coming to Melbourne: the world’s ‘Most Livable City’.
Friends of the Earth International have just joined our Campaign and invite you to sign their on-line petition to Federal Environment Minister Mr. Garrett to show your opposition to channel deepening in Port Phillip Bay. Already hundreds of people from our global community have signed up so please forward this request to all your friends wherever they are around the world.
Go to: Friends of the Earth International on-line petition at: http://www.foei.org/en/get-involved/take-action/port-phillip-bay/
The pics and stories are almost all in. It is fascinating to see the diversity of personal experience of the Vigil on tuesday night. Around the Bay
Thank you to all who responded to the call that went out and rallied family and friends ‘to the beaches’! In between the groups, were so many more who took the opportunity to go quietly to their own favorite places and honour their appreciation for the Bay.
Enjoy summer by the Bay.
Have a lovely peaceful Monday folks!
Hilary
There are stories emerging from this Vigil, of synchronicity and co-incidence, of inspiration and of personal courage. Some have been about daring to venture forth and participate in ways not done before. Some people have tentatively offered to be focal locations, knowing this would alter their status in their local communities. Others have spoken of the knowing, of a quiet and sure faith which granted the strength to be on the beach that night.
We have needed to be brave to do this Vigil. It is not easy to take a stand for something when the majority of people around us seem happily oblivious to the urgency we feel.
The nature of a Vigil is also controversial for it carries a scent of the spiritual, of ritual and ceremony usually reserved for socially sanctioned events.
Thirdly, although the environmental movement has grown, it still bears that label of ‘greenie madness’ conveniently imposed upon it during more skeptical times.
A German philosopher offers some insight into human behavior which may help us to understand:
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 – 1860)
People have shared their stories with me personally through phone calls and emails. I can understand why these are held precious within the self.
There is such a story told on Go Tv Geelong: Peter Cowden of Port Arlington stepped forward to save his town, and the Bay. Port Phillip Dredging Vigil,
Another story is from Craig Forster of Mt. Eliza.
[Background : The idea of the Vigil of Lights dropped into our lap - it emerged between Geraldine and me, over dinner early in November. We were both very upset that the approval had been granted to go ahead with the dredging of the bay. There had been too many years of community rallying, of walks, and talks, and information; of mandates and petitions. We shared the vision of Vigils along cliffs in England during WW2. A week or so later Soula (who shared our concern), responded passionately to the idea. She developed it further with me and we sent it to the Blue Wedges website. Andrew King boomeranged it, explaining that their role was with litigation, they did not have the time but they liked the idea and would welcome community support. Oh My …!
By mid December, I knew I needed to call on assistance and my daughter helped create a web site as a birthday gift for me. I started emailing, calling people and seeding the plan. The co-incidences, the offers of help, the ease with which so much fell into place, were quite uncanny. It was a fast learning curve but by Christmas, we had the message out into the wider community and it was enthusiastically supported by a large diversity of concerned folk.]
The 1st of January I received an email from Craig Forster, a local artist.
Dear Hilary,
Seems we have had the same thought.
I hope my letters give support.
Yours Craig
Attached was the copy of a letter he had sent out to editors, various newspapers, both local and City. It had not been published.
Dear Editor,
The waters of Port Phillip Bay and the beaches around it are as crisp and clean as they have ever been.
No longer are rivers and creeks filling it with sewerage and factory waste.
More than ever beach crowds are taking their rubbish with them.
Even the boatees are bringing their rubbish to shore rather than dumping it.
At the moment the bay is an exquisite blue, flocked with bird’s wings and canvas sails, its beaches mirage yellow, scattered with umbrellas and edged by busy bike paths and walking tracks.
It’s taken a long time for the people of Melbourne to learn respect for the Bay.
The Victorian Government should be commended for so carefully resuscitating the Bay.
Enjoy it now because we are about to lose it.
Within a few months of dredging, starting within the Rip and at the mouth of the Yarra, Melbourne’s recreational heart will become a toxic, turgid swill, heavily infected with poisonous algae.
Its sands will be awash with silt and slime.
Anything left alive will be heavy with metals.
Its beaches will stink of dead fish, penguins, dolphins and seals.
Commerce and tourism will die with them.
The Victorian Government who have so carefully educated the people of Melbourne to care for our Bay are now about to destroy it.
The Federal Minister for Environment, The Hon. Peter Garrett, treacherously, served the coup de grace last week.
Legally only the Federal Court now stands in the way of this purposeless catastrophe.
So what are you, my reader, doing; hoping the dredger will sink, or the government will change its mind or the Port of Melbourne Authority will come to its senses?
No hope mate- only you, the real people of Melbourne can now protect the Bay.
Give some thought to what your personal and family response might be.
What you might do and what I suggest for a start, is meet your friends for an hour’s vigil on the beach every evening from 7.30pm to 8.30pm from now on.
Take a torch and a mirror, marvel at the return of reflecting, flickering answers as thousands of others join you from their vigil point around the Bay.
Make your light be seen that our Bay may be heard.
And take the kids so that they can at least say to their kids, that Mum and Dad tried.
Yours
Craig Forster
I replied with surprise at the coincidence. Craig understood.
Over a lifetime of initiative I have found ideas are sometimes appropriate to the times and are taken up by many both locally and worldwide immediately, others ahead of their time and for all the life they may have in the abstract cannot be made practical at the time.
They lie in abeyance until their time is ripe.
Your image and idea is obviously of its time and practical.
Where I got it from I have no idea but I can assure you the past month has been closed off to all but family. Life has been so full of family and so close to home that it could not have come from outside.
I assume it must have come through the magical ether.
Whatever, well done, your image and idea of a Bayside Vigil has certainly proved itself strong and resilient to this point.
I hope to see it reflected in the waters of Port Phillip Bay until the thought of dredging it is aborted.
All the best for the New Year and thank you.
Yours Craig
Craig’s deeply felt anguish for the Bay was further exemplified in his visions for a sculpture, entitled Vigil at Sea.
Today he writes:
The photo show a marquette for a sculpture called “The Vigil” 2.5 m 
high in bronze to be placed off Pelican Pt Mt Eliza.
It is to commemorate the passion that women have felt for the Bay since “The Process” foundered off Pelican Pt in 1892 and a vigil was held for the drowned footballers from Mornington.
Your Vigil has today sparked the same passion and sense of boding loss.
You may like to comment on my concept.
Yours Craig
This is perhaps one of the effects of living around this Bay. We on the land are embracing a large expanse of water. Beneath the surface is a Kingdom unto itself to which divers can testify.
It feels a very feminine Bay, in the shape of womb, and containing within it a rich gestating life. She is healing, nurturing, giving and supportive. And when humans sink beneath her waves, one senses she shares our sorrows.
Her child is the City of Melbourne.
I ‘see’ a writer, in another time, inspired: Stories of the Bay. Poetry and ballads have been written to her: photographers, artists and musicians have known and loved her. Collected works in offering to a Muse.
Now, we have surrounded and honored her with our Vigil of Lights.
She is to be protected. She is our Sanctuary.
* Craig Forster
Holding the space at Sorrento today, by Rhys Jones.
Lots more reports coming in. See Around the Bay
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
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