We spent a week in Sydney distributing brochures about the National Day of Action, trying to organise some speaking venues, catching up with friends and reconfiguring aspects of the caravan.
On Friday we met with locals in Blacktown to discuss (and share) aspects of setting up a group in the local area t fight coal seam gas.
We were impressed at their enthusiasm and commitment. We look forward to working with them in support of their efforts. If we can arrange it we plan to hold a local community meeting when we swing back through Sydney later in September.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
We are visiting communities throughout rural and regional NSW to promote community participation in the National Day of Action against Coal Seam Gas mining on Sunday 16 October.
LTGA header
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Sutton Forest - Southern Highlands Coal Action Group - Sunday 21 August
We love the sign - and when we come back to the Southern Highlands to do community meetings in a few weeks we are determined to get one to take home.
Peter and Kim Martin, on whose property the get together was held, have planted something over 7,000 trees since they moved there several years ago.
We drove back to Sydney via Moss Vale, Bowral and Mittagong - all very lovely.
Those present were very "up to speed" with the general issues and concerns about CSG mining.
Proposals in the Southern Highlands, and in other areas, for long wall coal mining will have a devastating impact on water aquifers and must be part of the focus of Lock The Gate Alliance.
We are looking forward to getting back to the Southern Highlands in about 3 weeks for a series of community meetings.
We have a welcome couple of days off now and hope to get some minor repairs done on the caravan. We are also working to organise some meetings in Wetsern Sydney for later in the week. Then we head off to Big Sky Country out around Coonamble, Walgett, Moree.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Muswellbrook - Rivers SOS Meeting - 20 August
We had a very rewarding trip to Muswellbrook to speak with the Rivers SOS meeting.
More a strategic meeting and discussion than our usual community meetings, we felt very warmly received.
It became quickly apparent that there is a great deal of overlap in the issues that Rivers SOS and Lock The Gate Alliance are addressing.
Michael covered general issues related to CSG mining and outlined LTGA's draft strategic campaign plan to general approval and support. Julie received a great reception when she spoke with passion and commitment about what we are fighting to protect.
We also met up with some people from the Bylong Valley who were presenting about issues with coal miningin their area. We will be in the Bylong Valley on 9 and 10 September so it was great to know that there will be some familiar faces when we arrive.
We both thought it was well worth the trip to Muswellbrook.
When we got back to Sydney we had a lovely evening with some of Michael's family.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
More a strategic meeting and discussion than our usual community meetings, we felt very warmly received.
It became quickly apparent that there is a great deal of overlap in the issues that Rivers SOS and Lock The Gate Alliance are addressing.
Michael covered general issues related to CSG mining and outlined LTGA's draft strategic campaign plan to general approval and support. Julie received a great reception when she spoke with passion and commitment about what we are fighting to protect.
We also met up with some people from the Bylong Valley who were presenting about issues with coal miningin their area. We will be in the Bylong Valley on 9 and 10 September so it was great to know that there will be some familiar faces when we arrive.
We both thought it was well worth the trip to Muswellbrook.
When we got back to Sydney we had a lovely evening with some of Michael's family.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Sydney (Lord Mayor's Breakfast) Friday 19 August
We had breakfast with Clover Moore on Friday at the Sydney Town Hall.
She hosted a working breakfast for people from all over who are involved in the campaign.
The Town Hall is a stunning building. We snuck a bit of a look around anf Julie took pics.
We headed off straight afterwards to travel to Muswellbrook for a meeting with Rivers SOS tomorrow to do a presentation on our trip and the campaign and also to identify ways that LTGA and Rivers SOS can collaborate.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
She hosted a working breakfast for people from all over who are involved in the campaign.
The Town Hall is a stunning building. We snuck a bit of a look around anf Julie took pics.
We headed off straight afterwards to travel to Muswellbrook for a meeting with Rivers SOS tomorrow to do a presentation on our trip and the campaign and also to identify ways that LTGA and Rivers SOS can collaborate.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Sofitel Protest - Thursday 18 August
Up at the crack of dawn (or at last it seemed like it) to head into the Sydney CBD for the protest outside the Sofitel.
We jumped into the "frackmobile" and drove into town. We had considered catching the train but could not manage all of the merchandise.
I didn't realise how expensive parking in the city is until I checked on the net before leaving. Luckily, after dropping Julie and Shelly at the protest site, I was able to find a parking spot behind Sydney Hospital (4 hours for $24).
When we arrived (very early) it was quiet. Police were arriving. One of them even returned my wave. As he headed across the road (I thought he was coming over to talk to us) he was called back and started running like mad acros the street. The next thing we knew there were anti-CSG banners and chants coming from the front door of the Sofitel. A group of protesters had managed to gain access to the conference to make our views known directly to the delegates from industry.
Once escorted from the Sofitel they gathered across the road and held a pre-protest protest rally.
The protest proper got under way at 12 noon.
We were blown away at the representation from the Far North Coast. It was great to see familiar faces from Nimbin, Kyogle and Ballina.
I was able to speak to those assembled and talked up our speaking tour and the National Day of Action.
We were also able to make personal contact with people organising community meetings over the next 6 weeks.
It was great to see people at the protest who had either organised or attended community meetings that we had addressed. It was almost like "old home week". We saw people from our Bellingen, Taree, Wentworth Falls and Springwood meetings. If we missed anybody please forgive us.
A couple of people (quite independently of the main protest) abseiled down the front of the Sofitel and unfurled a banner saying "Enough is Enough - Stop Coal and Gas Expansion". They were greeted with cheers and a mulitiude of police, including the Police Rescue Squad.
We are grateful for the support shown to us and our speaking tour. We were particularly touched by the $50 donation from the Nimbin Environment Centre (via Lisa). Thank you to everyone who bought merchandise or made donations to support our tour.
Julie set up and ran our "shop" and we had a good day raising money to support our speaking tour.
For all of the media presence, we were disappointed at the trivial nature of the coverage on the evening TV News.
Julie did, however, make it onto the ABC News coverage waving her placards at passing traffic.
After the protest we went back to Blacktown, where we are staying, and distributed brochures to shops in the main street. We had a very good and positive reception.
Here is a 360 degree video I took during the protest:
We head off tomorrow to Muswellbrook for a meeting on Saturday with Rivers SOS. The support keeps growing.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
We jumped into the "frackmobile" and drove into town. We had considered catching the train but could not manage all of the merchandise.
I didn't realise how expensive parking in the city is until I checked on the net before leaving. Luckily, after dropping Julie and Shelly at the protest site, I was able to find a parking spot behind Sydney Hospital (4 hours for $24).
When we arrived (very early) it was quiet. Police were arriving. One of them even returned my wave. As he headed across the road (I thought he was coming over to talk to us) he was called back and started running like mad acros the street. The next thing we knew there were anti-CSG banners and chants coming from the front door of the Sofitel. A group of protesters had managed to gain access to the conference to make our views known directly to the delegates from industry.
Once escorted from the Sofitel they gathered across the road and held a pre-protest protest rally.
The protest proper got under way at 12 noon.
We were blown away at the representation from the Far North Coast. It was great to see familiar faces from Nimbin, Kyogle and Ballina.
I was able to speak to those assembled and talked up our speaking tour and the National Day of Action.
We were also able to make personal contact with people organising community meetings over the next 6 weeks.
It was great to see people at the protest who had either organised or attended community meetings that we had addressed. It was almost like "old home week". We saw people from our Bellingen, Taree, Wentworth Falls and Springwood meetings. If we missed anybody please forgive us.
A couple of people (quite independently of the main protest) abseiled down the front of the Sofitel and unfurled a banner saying "Enough is Enough - Stop Coal and Gas Expansion". They were greeted with cheers and a mulitiude of police, including the Police Rescue Squad.
We are grateful for the support shown to us and our speaking tour. We were particularly touched by the $50 donation from the Nimbin Environment Centre (via Lisa). Thank you to everyone who bought merchandise or made donations to support our tour.
Julie set up and ran our "shop" and we had a good day raising money to support our speaking tour.
For all of the media presence, we were disappointed at the trivial nature of the coverage on the evening TV News.
After the protest we went back to Blacktown, where we are staying, and distributed brochures to shops in the main street. We had a very good and positive reception.
Here is a 360 degree video I took during the protest:
We head off tomorrow to Muswellbrook for a meeting on Saturday with Rivers SOS. The support keeps growing.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Lower Blue Mountains - Springwood - 16 August
Over 40 people attended the community meeting at Springwood tonight. They were a very interested and engaged group. We felt very welcome and appreciated.
Craig Chapman talked about the impact of long wall mining at Jerry's Plains. The impact on the water aquifer will affect many local landowners and farmers.
Keith Muir, from the Colong Foundation for Wilderness, spoke about a proposal by Lithgow Council to pump waste water from a coals mine into the local water supply. You have to wonder what they are thinking!
We leave the Blue Mountains confident that the National Day of Action will be well suported.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Craig Chapman talked about the impact of long wall mining at Jerry's Plains. The impact on the water aquifer will affect many local landowners and farmers.
Keith Muir, from the Colong Foundation for Wilderness, spoke about a proposal by Lithgow Council to pump waste water from a coals mine into the local water supply. You have to wonder what they are thinking!
We leave the Blue Mountains confident that the National Day of Action will be well suported.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Upper Blue Mountains - Wentworth Falls - Monday 15 August
The venue was stupendous. The Conservation Hut at the entry to the National Park at Wentworth Falls provided a great venue for our community meeting in the Upper Blue Mountains. The full wall glass wall provides a stunning view over the Jamieson Valley. The setting reinforced our commitment to the Defend Our Water speaking tour to generate support in local communties for the National Day of Action on 16 October.
Brian from the Blue Mountains Conseervation Society highlighted local concerns about plans to allow coal mining in a section of state forest.
There was lots of support for the National Day of Action and for the community at Putty.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Brian from the Blue Mountains Conseervation Society highlighted local concerns about plans to allow coal mining in a section of state forest.
There was lots of support for the National Day of Action and for the community at Putty.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Putty - Sunday 14 August
We arrived at Putty after dark on Saturday night and set up the van at the Putty Hall in the dark. A quick coffee and it was off to bed.
When we got up the next morning we had a look around the Hall. We were very impressed. This is obviously a community that cares!
Kathy from the Putty group against CSG arrived just after 9am to show us the way to the protest.
She filled us in on the background to the protest.
In a nutshell, Dart Energy announced late last week that they plan to drill on private land in the Putty Valley within 500 metres of the World Heritage listed Wollemi National Park (home of the Wollemi Pine).
The Putty Valley is also part of the catchment for the Hawkesbury and feeds the Colo River (a declared Wild River).
We arrived at the protest on the Putty Road about 8km south of the Putty Valley turnoff (half way between Singleton and Windsor) and set up the van facing the road on a private property where the protest was occurring.
About 50 locals turned up for the protest. A great community response at such short notice.
We helped set up signs for passing traffic including one that said "HONK - NO CSG". We were rewarded with cars, trucks and bikes all day honking away as they drove past. Some stopped to find out what the fuss was about.
We were able to tell them that Dart Energy (owners of Macquarie Energy) had announced that they were sending in the drilling rigs to a property directly across the road on Monday morning. This was despite assurances given by the head of Dart at a public meeting in Leichardt not two weeks before that residents would receive written notification and that they were not planning to start drilling until mid-September.
When the companies talk about being "Transparent" my response is "Yes we know. We can see straight through you!"
ABC News sent a helicopter to cover the protest. They spent a good amount of time there and also filmed in the local area.
Here are some pics of the protest:
Jacinta Green, Vice President of Lock The Gate, and also from the Sydney Residents against CSG, joined the protest and is staying to confront the mining company when they arrive in the morning. Unfortunately we have to move on as we have a meeting scheduled at Wentworth Falls on Monday.
Although we are unable to be there in person on Monday we will certainly be there in spirit.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
When we got up the next morning we had a look around the Hall. We were very impressed. This is obviously a community that cares!
Kathy from the Putty group against CSG arrived just after 9am to show us the way to the protest.
She filled us in on the background to the protest.
In a nutshell, Dart Energy announced late last week that they plan to drill on private land in the Putty Valley within 500 metres of the World Heritage listed Wollemi National Park (home of the Wollemi Pine).
The Putty Valley is also part of the catchment for the Hawkesbury and feeds the Colo River (a declared Wild River).
We arrived at the protest on the Putty Road about 8km south of the Putty Valley turnoff (half way between Singleton and Windsor) and set up the van facing the road on a private property where the protest was occurring.
About 50 locals turned up for the protest. A great community response at such short notice.
We helped set up signs for passing traffic including one that said "HONK - NO CSG". We were rewarded with cars, trucks and bikes all day honking away as they drove past. Some stopped to find out what the fuss was about.
We were able to tell them that Dart Energy (owners of Macquarie Energy) had announced that they were sending in the drilling rigs to a property directly across the road on Monday morning. This was despite assurances given by the head of Dart at a public meeting in Leichardt not two weeks before that residents would receive written notification and that they were not planning to start drilling until mid-September.
When the companies talk about being "Transparent" my response is "Yes we know. We can see straight through you!"
ABC News sent a helicopter to cover the protest. They spent a good amount of time there and also filmed in the local area.
Here are some pics of the protest:
Jacinta Green, Vice President of Lock The Gate, and also from the Sydney Residents against CSG, joined the protest and is staying to confront the mining company when they arrive in the morning. Unfortunately we have to move on as we have a meeting scheduled at Wentworth Falls on Monday.
Although we are unable to be there in person on Monday we will certainly be there in spirit.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Central Coast (Wyoming) - Sat 13 August
A small but concerned group attended our meeting at Wyoming.
We were able to get a commitment to staging a rally on 16 October for the National Day of Action and a volunteer to paint banners to send to Sydney.
We also recruited more members for the Lock The Gate Alliance.
The booking for the hall was from 1pm until 3pm but the discussion continued well past that outside the hall.
We headed off from Wyoming to Putty after the meeting.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
We were able to get a commitment to staging a rally on 16 October for the National Day of Action and a volunteer to paint banners to send to Sydney.
We also recruited more members for the Lock The Gate Alliance.
The booking for the hall was from 1pm until 3pm but the discussion continued well past that outside the hall.
We headed off from Wyoming to Putty after the meeting.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Newcastle & Lake Macquarie - 9 & 10 August
We did two meetings in Newcastle. Monday night at the Hunter Environment Centre at Hamilton East and Tuesday at the performing Arts Centre at Warners Bay.
Our thanks to the organisers of both meetings.
Unfortunately we did not get any pics of the Newcastle meeting and only had the mobile phone (which does not take very good pics) at the Lake Macquarie meeting.
Local issues raised include exploration activities at Catherine Hill Bay (south of Swansea) and the announcement that Dart Energy plan to commence exploratory drilling at Fullerton Cove near Williamtown (north of Newcastle) in October.
This morning we did a live to air interview on the morning show on ABC local radio in Newcastle with Jill Emberson. It went very well. They were very taken by Shelley in her No Fracking T-shirt.
We stayed with my daughter and her family while in Newcastle. It was great to have some family time and see the grandkids. It was also great to catch up with one of my oldest and dearest friends. At the Lake Macquarie meeting I caught up with a fellow student from Newcastle Teachers College back in the 70s. It was a hoot.
We also had some good news about the van this afternoon. It did not need a new axle! All it needed was a bearing service so our bank account is breathing a big sigh of relief.
We found out this afternoon that Dart Energy (through Macquarie Energy) will be moving trucks and equipment out to Putty to commence exploration drilling on Monday (despite assurances given by the Dart CEO at the public meeting at Leichardt).
This has led to a change in our itinerary. We will now be taking the van out to Putty for the protest on Sunday. Bring it on!
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Our thanks to the organisers of both meetings.
Unfortunately we did not get any pics of the Newcastle meeting and only had the mobile phone (which does not take very good pics) at the Lake Macquarie meeting.
Local issues raised include exploration activities at Catherine Hill Bay (south of Swansea) and the announcement that Dart Energy plan to commence exploratory drilling at Fullerton Cove near Williamtown (north of Newcastle) in October.
This morning we did a live to air interview on the morning show on ABC local radio in Newcastle with Jill Emberson. It went very well. They were very taken by Shelley in her No Fracking T-shirt.
We stayed with my daughter and her family while in Newcastle. It was great to have some family time and see the grandkids. It was also great to catch up with one of my oldest and dearest friends. At the Lake Macquarie meeting I caught up with a fellow student from Newcastle Teachers College back in the 70s. It was a hoot.
We also had some good news about the van this afternoon. It did not need a new axle! All it needed was a bearing service so our bank account is breathing a big sigh of relief.
We found out this afternoon that Dart Energy (through Macquarie Energy) will be moving trucks and equipment out to Putty to commence exploration drilling on Monday (despite assurances given by the Dart CEO at the public meeting at Leichardt).
This has led to a change in our itinerary. We will now be taking the van out to Putty for the protest on Sunday. Bring it on!
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Taree - Saturday 6 August
The day started off with a whimper - more tyre problems - this time on the ute.
The efforts that the local group Manning Clean Water Action Group (MCWAG) have made to get locals onside and aware paid off for us today. Cleavers Tyres refused to accept payment for fixing the tyre. I was touched. Many thanks Ashley.
If you need tyres in Taree go to Cleavers Tyres. I believe we should support the businesses who support our campaign.
Over 300 people from as far north as Camden Haven and as far south as Bulahdelah attended the Awareness Raising day at the Manning St Wharf in Taree.
We took the van down to the raly. It provided a great backdrop with all the Lock The Gate signs and hand written placards done by NRG members and supporters who saw us off on Friday.
Some of those attending made their own "wearable" placards.
Karl, Greg and the rest of the team did a great job organising and promoting the day. Over 300 people attended and were treated to a range of speakers, entertainment, real coffee and "gourmet" sausage sangas. They organised media (we were on Prime TV News last night) and a wide range of speakers. NBN TV News ran a story on the news tonight.
The most moving speaker was an Aboriginal woman who spoke of taking her husband to see her home country after many years away. She spoke of the devastation wrought on her country by coal seam gas mining and mining in general. She had tears in her eyes and so, I think, did every one else. It really made it personal.
The NSW Farmers Association rep spoke about the Association's efforts to influence the state government and the detailes of recent changes introduced by the NSW state government. They are doing a great job of keeping the pressure on the government.
A local solicitor spoke about the legal aspects and his final remark, that the law needed to be changed, really rang a chord with everyone present.
Other speakers talked about the impacts of coal seam gas mining.
We did a brisk trade in LTG and NRG merchandise and signed up 36 new members to the Lock The Gate Alliance. I know Sean will be happy! Many attending expressed their enthusiasm for the National Day of Action on 16 October. It should be a great turnout in Taree on 16 October.
I was able to announce the news about the Upper House Inquiry into coal seam gas mining and extraction to great applause. You can follow the link to see the Terms of Reference. They are very wide ranging. What we need now is a REAL moratorium on ALL coal seam gas exploration and extraction activities while the Inquiry takes place. More action is needed.
The speakers were all filmed and you will be able to see them on You Tube within a week. I will post a link here once they are uploaded.
We were overwhelmed by the encouragement and generosity of locals who "chipped in" to support our tour. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We head off in the morning to Newcastle for a day with children and grandchildren before getting back into it all again on Monday with a meeting at the Environment Centre at Hamilton in Newcastle.
We have added an Upcoming Meetings section to the blog at the top right so check it out and see when we are coming to a town near you.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
The efforts that the local group Manning Clean Water Action Group (MCWAG) have made to get locals onside and aware paid off for us today. Cleavers Tyres refused to accept payment for fixing the tyre. I was touched. Many thanks Ashley.
If you need tyres in Taree go to Cleavers Tyres. I believe we should support the businesses who support our campaign.
Over 300 people from as far north as Camden Haven and as far south as Bulahdelah attended the Awareness Raising day at the Manning St Wharf in Taree.
Some of those attending made their own "wearable" placards.
Karl, Greg and the rest of the team did a great job organising and promoting the day. Over 300 people attended and were treated to a range of speakers, entertainment, real coffee and "gourmet" sausage sangas. They organised media (we were on Prime TV News last night) and a wide range of speakers. NBN TV News ran a story on the news tonight.
The most moving speaker was an Aboriginal woman who spoke of taking her husband to see her home country after many years away. She spoke of the devastation wrought on her country by coal seam gas mining and mining in general. She had tears in her eyes and so, I think, did every one else. It really made it personal.
The NSW Farmers Association rep spoke about the Association's efforts to influence the state government and the detailes of recent changes introduced by the NSW state government. They are doing a great job of keeping the pressure on the government.
A local solicitor spoke about the legal aspects and his final remark, that the law needed to be changed, really rang a chord with everyone present.
Other speakers talked about the impacts of coal seam gas mining.
We did a brisk trade in LTG and NRG merchandise and signed up 36 new members to the Lock The Gate Alliance. I know Sean will be happy! Many attending expressed their enthusiasm for the National Day of Action on 16 October. It should be a great turnout in Taree on 16 October.
I was able to announce the news about the Upper House Inquiry into coal seam gas mining and extraction to great applause. You can follow the link to see the Terms of Reference. They are very wide ranging. What we need now is a REAL moratorium on ALL coal seam gas exploration and extraction activities while the Inquiry takes place. More action is needed.
The speakers were all filmed and you will be able to see them on You Tube within a week. I will post a link here once they are uploaded.
We were overwhelmed by the encouragement and generosity of locals who "chipped in" to support our tour. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We head off in the morning to Newcastle for a day with children and grandchildren before getting back into it all again on Monday with a meeting at the Environment Centre at Hamilton in Newcastle.
We have added an Upcoming Meetings section to the blog at the top right so check it out and see when we are coming to a town near you.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Gloucester - Thursday 4 August
What a warm welcome we received in Gloucester form the members of the Barrington- Glocester - Stroud Preservation Alliance and other community members.
Almost 70 people turned out for the community meeting.
They came from as far away as Bulhdelah.
The meeting heard a report on progress in the court challenge to AGL's exploration licence.
This community is knowledgeable and expeienced in dealing with the mining companies. It was a pleasure to see EB Phillips, former Treasurer of Lock The Gate Alliance, in the audience. It was great to catch up with him.
We learnt about the history of coal seam gas mining in the area including stories from landholders, one a fourth generation local farmer, about their experiences with the mining company. Check out the Preservation Alliance website.
We heard from a farmer who had travelled up from Bulahdelah about recent moves into that community by the mining company representatives seeking to gain access to their land and that of other farmers. The Bulahdelah community is getting organised - ready to Lock The Gate.
Many thanks to Graeme Healey and the team. Special tanks to Bruce O'Connor who came through at the last minute to help us get some brochures printed after the expected courier delivery did not happen. We were also grateful to John who paid for the printing, and the many community members who gave us money to help with the trip.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Almost 70 people turned out for the community meeting.
They came from as far away as Bulhdelah.
The meeting heard a report on progress in the court challenge to AGL's exploration licence.
This community is knowledgeable and expeienced in dealing with the mining companies. It was a pleasure to see EB Phillips, former Treasurer of Lock The Gate Alliance, in the audience. It was great to catch up with him.
We learnt about the history of coal seam gas mining in the area including stories from landholders, one a fourth generation local farmer, about their experiences with the mining company. Check out the Preservation Alliance website.
We heard from a farmer who had travelled up from Bulahdelah about recent moves into that community by the mining company representatives seeking to gain access to their land and that of other farmers. The Bulahdelah community is getting organised - ready to Lock The Gate.
Many thanks to Graeme Healey and the team. Special tanks to Bruce O'Connor who came through at the last minute to help us get some brochures printed after the expected courier delivery did not happen. We were also grateful to John who paid for the printing, and the many community members who gave us money to help with the trip.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Friday, August 5, 2011
36 hours from hell
It started at about 2pm on Tuesday about 10 km south of Macksville with a blown tyre on the van.
We waited an hour for the NRMA. They changed the tyre and we were on our way.
At about 4pm, about 15 km north of Taree we heard strange noises and a burning smell. Waited an hour for the NRMA. The van got a ride into Taree on the back of a truck.
End result – the bearings in the corresponding wheel on the other side of the van were stuffed.
We had to get the bearings replaced today and finally got away from Kempsey at about 2:30pm.
They also found that the axle needs to be replaced but it would have taken a week (or more) to get one to Taree so we are continuing on (very carefully and gently) to the nearest Coromal dealer at Tuggerah near Wyong.
It should be fine if we take it easy so we have booked into a van park at Taree and we drove out to Gloucester and back for the meeting tonight. Our next meeting is at Taree on Saturday. We will head to Newcastle on Sunday for meetings in Hamilton and Lake Macquarie and then on to Tuggerah to get the axle replaced.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Monday, August 1, 2011
Coffs Media Coverage
The Coffs Coast Advocate had a story in today's edition covering our community meetings at Bellingen and Coffs Harbour at the weekend.
I also did interviews "live to air" with Tatia Quigley on ABC Mid North Coast radio and Pam MacIntosh on ABC North Coast radio.
Off to a flying start.
They wanted to focus on the legal aspects and on Olivia Newton John's entrance into the campaign. What great news Olivia's statements were.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
I also did interviews "live to air" with Tatia Quigley on ABC Mid North Coast radio and Pam MacIntosh on ABC North Coast radio.
Off to a flying start.
They wanted to focus on the legal aspects and on Olivia Newton John's entrance into the campaign. What great news Olivia's statements were.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
Coffs Harbour - Sunday 31 July
Coffs Harbour Botanic Gardens - a beautiful setting for a meeting.
About 40 people braved the balmy sunny weather to find out about coal seam gas mining and the need to Defend Our Water from the threats it poses.
I spoke about the background and general issues, touching on the issues for Coffs Harbour and the potential impacts on the water supply for the area. Julie talked about the National Day of Action and the need to take personal responsibility for acting to protect our communities and environment. Mark Graham, a local Councillor, spoke about direct threats to the Coffs region from CSG mining and other forms of mining.
There were lots of questions and lots of support. Main concerns included the priority given to mining over other land uses and the role of government. People were extremely concerned about the threat to drinking water posed by CSG and other forms of mining.
We now have a couple of days off to have a look around and see the local area and why it is worth protecting from this threat.
Next meeting is at Gloucester on Thursday 4/8 at 7pm at the Soldiers Club.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
About 40 people braved the balmy sunny weather to find out about coal seam gas mining and the need to Defend Our Water from the threats it poses.
I spoke about the background and general issues, touching on the issues for Coffs Harbour and the potential impacts on the water supply for the area. Julie talked about the National Day of Action and the need to take personal responsibility for acting to protect our communities and environment. Mark Graham, a local Councillor, spoke about direct threats to the Coffs region from CSG mining and other forms of mining.
There were lots of questions and lots of support. Main concerns included the priority given to mining over other land uses and the role of government. People were extremely concerned about the threat to drinking water posed by CSG and other forms of mining.
We now have a couple of days off to have a look around and see the local area and why it is worth protecting from this threat.
Next meeting is at Gloucester on Thursday 4/8 at 7pm at the Soldiers Club.
Cheers
Michael & Julie
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