Contents(Click on links to read articles)
Contents
(Click on links to read
articles)
HVEC Update
Autumn
Sydney Exhibit
Whaling in Southern Seas
Trees Not Gunns.org
Nature Watch
Nuclear Networks
Herb, Health & Organic
Expo 2006
FBI Witch Hunt
It's Up 2 Me!
Retail update
Web Stuff
Welcome to the Autumn 2006 edition
of Havoc!
So far we've had a very busy year, and as always we're hoping
the energy built up over summer will keep us going through the
cold of winter.
In January we were involved in a very exciting exhibition in Darling Harbour, Sydney, at the Mori Gallery. The exhibition was themed around Tasmania's forests, with pieces expressing sentiments about the Weld Valley, the Styx, and the Gunns 20.
There has been a lot of excitement out in the Weld Valley too, with the beautiful Weld Ark ship being completed, and plenty of partying happening on it's decks. There's also been a few very unfriendly visitors who have attempted to intimidate the camp. Check out more about the Weld here.
We hope that you enjoy the beautiful
season of Autumn, with it's gorgeous mild sunny days.
With gratitude, Lilia Letsch
Editor of Havoc.
Isn't Autumn an incredible time of year? When all the yummy vegetables in our gardens ripen, native berries are prolific, and the European trees glow shades of gold and red. It is a very beautiful time, but it also reminds us of the upcoming winter as the days get shorter. It starts getting harder to get out of bed, and the Huon mists start hanging around for longer each day. Here is a warming apple bread recipe to help you get reacquainted with your oven before winter.
Apple Orange Nut Bread
Ingredients
4 cups organic all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2/3 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon shredded orange peel
2/3 cup orange juice
2 1/2 cups coarsely grated peeled apples
1 1/2 cups raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
PREPARATION:
Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a
large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until creamy.
Beat in eggs until light and fluffy. Combine orange peel and orange
juice, apple, raisins and nuts; add to sugar and egg mixture.
Add flour mixture and stir until dry ingredients are just moistened.
Bake apple nut bread in 2 greased loaf pans at 180° for 40
to 50 minutes or until bread tests done.
Makes 2 loaves of apple orange nut bread.
The Weld Campaign was graciously invited to be showcased in the Mori Gallery in the beginning of January this year. Steve Mori, the owner of the funky gallery in the centre of Sydney, has been commissioning a number of artists to visit the Weld Camp. We have had a number of artists visit since October and their artworks were centrepieces of the art exhibition.
The exhibition opened on Wednesday
17 January. Five of us were invited to attend and set up a Weld
Valley Display wall. Our Weld Wall was about 20 metres long and
we displayed information and a number of artworks by local artists,
including people who lived out at camp and people who have been
campaigning for the Weld over the past 4 years.
Selena designed a pictorial and text display for our Weld Wall.
Jai set up a room of slides and images about the Canopy Research
Station, as well as being one of the guest speakers to open the
exhibition. The design and images were artistically portrayed
with enormous impact for the viewer. Anthea, who helped set up
the display, had two photos in the exhibition, one of Benny Zable
in the Weld Valley and her showcase Weld Valley panorama image.
A small piece was published in the Sydney Morning Herald, promoting
the Weld Campaign. The article stated, "The exhibition at
Mori Gallery will feature drawings and works commenting on the
destruction of Tasmania's forests and the way governments and
corporations have limited activists
freedom of speech over the issue through defamation lawsuits."
A number of other artists were
showcased with art inspired by the Styx forest and the Gunns 20
case. Zanny Begg, an upcoming sydney artist, had a very moving
piece inspired by the Gunns 20 case, and commented on Gunns Ltd
(pictured left).
The exhibition ran from 11Jan to 28 Jan and was a fundraiser for
the Weld Valley Campaign.
By Jenny Weber
www.morigallery.com.au
Late
last year it was hard to ignore the fact that there was a huge
fleet of Japanese whaling ships in the Southern Seas beneath Tassie.
The Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace managed to make it a huge media
issue, highlighting to Australians what was going on in our backyard.
Here is a very interesting story from the Sea Shepherd Conservation
Society about Japan's use of scientific research to justify the
slaughter of whales.
How Many More Whales Must Japan Kill to Find Out What They Already Know They Eat?
On January 23, the Australian
newspaper the Daily Telegraph ran an article under the heading
"Japan's Lies to Justify Whaling."
The Japanese government and whaling industry have been claiming
that their whaling in the Antarctic and in the North Pacific is
necessary for the pursuit of scientific research on whale populations
and behavior.
It is an argument that few outside of Japan given any credence
to, especially the scientific community.
Whale expert Nick Gales, from the Australian Antarctic Division
in Hobart, said the information Japan is collecting from whales
they kill is useless.
"We don't need that type of science data to manage whale
stocks," Dr Gales said.
Institute of Cetacean Research in Tokyo councilor Dan Goodman
claims Australia, New Zealand, and other anti-whaling nations
should "strongly support" Japan's commitment to scientific
research.
Japan announced at last year's meeting of the International Whaling
Commission (IWC) that this summer it would double its slaughter
of piked whales (minke) to 935 and target 10 endangered fin whales.
In 2007-08, Japan will raise its self-imposed kill quotas to include
935 piked whales, 50 fin whales, and 50 humpbacks whales. Mr.
Goodman said Japan had to kill the whales because certain kinds
of data including how old whale populations are, how old
whales are when they reach sexual maturity, how long whales live
for, and what they eat cannot be obtained using non-lethal
methods.
"These are the kinds of data required to improve management
measures for the resumption of commercial whaling," Mr. Goodman
said. "Of course the anti-whaling scientists don't believe
this kind of data is required because they do not want to see
a resumption of commercial whaling."
Dr Gales, who is also head of Australia's delegation to the scientific
committee for the IWC, said after years of research the Japanese
should have concluded by now that piked whales eat krill.
"They're asking for support for science that has no support."
He said.
The "scientific research" is yielding hundreds of millions
of dollars in profit to the Japanese whaling industry. Without
this profit, there would be no "research"
"Japan is fooling no one with their lies," said Captain
Paul Watson. "The only research they are doing is marketing
research. They have not published a single peer-reviewed credible
paper on their so-called research. We know what the whales eat
so how many more thousands of whale stomachs and intestines must
they rip open to find out what they already know they eat? They
could obtain all the DNA data they need from non-lethal tissue
samples taken with biopsy darts. One of the most laughable 'research'
goals is to discover if whale populations are in decline. The
answer is obvious they are in decline because of Japanese
'research.' The only thing they are discovering with their mass
slaughter of the whales is profit from the sale of the 'research'
materials to markets and restaurants. This is bogus science and
it should be condemned by legitimate scientists in Japan because
it makes a humiliating mockery of the Japanese scientific community."
Japan should do some DNA research in Japanese fish markets where
endangered whales including orcas and humpbacks are being sold
disguised as piked whales.
Next year, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society intends to return
to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary in Antarctica to do some
research of our own. We need to research more effective law enforcement
measures to shut down this criminal operation that is posing as
a "research" project.
Next year, the stakes are higher because Japan will target 40
more endangered fin whales and 50 endangered Humpback whales in
addition to another 935 piked whales.
"The Japanese are playing nations like Australia and New
Zealand for fools," said Captain Watson. "They are getting
quite a chuckle I imagine, every time some foreign politician
defends Japanese 'research' or expresses political and diplomatic
impotence at stopping it."
www.seashepherd.org
The Rainforest Action Network,
based in San Francisco, is targeting Gunns Ltd. for it's reputation
as the biggest, and one of the dirtiest, hardwood woodchippers
in the world. On March 8 protests were held around the world in
support of Tassie's threatened forests. From the RAN press release:
San Francisco Outraged world citizens today protested at
Australian embassies and consulates in America, Canada, Japan
and the United Kingdom to decry the destruction of old-growth
forests and the undermining of democracy in the country's island
state of Tasmania by Forestry Tasmania and Gunns, Ltd., a rogue
billion-dollar logging giant whose practices rank among the world's
worst according to recent reports. The IUCN compares Gunns' operations
to rampant illegal logging in the Third World.
This is very exciting to see Gunns image as a dodgy corporate
citizen being recognised around the world.Check out the website
for more info and photos!
www.treesnotgunns.org
A new season is always a good
time to start something new in your life. As things start changing
this can be a good time to record your observations of the shifting
seasons.
A great project is to make yourself a scrap book, or get a good
diary, which you can start writing observations in. For example,
which native animals you might have seen that night, which plants
you have seen flowering, which migrating birds have just arrived,
etc.
I started doing this early this year, after getting two diaries
for my birthday and being unsure what to do with the second one.
My plan now is to do this every year, and keep the diaries in
a bookshelf. This means that in the future, when the weather is
starting to go crazy from industry-driven climate change, I can
look back over the years and see how things have changed. A nice
thing about keeping a larger scrap book though is that you can
stick things in your book, like leaves, flowers and photos. You
can make your book a really beautiful, inspiring piece of art
to share with your friends and future generations.
Recording natural history is not only crucial in these times of
climate change, but it's also an important part of getting to
know the natural world you live in. I believe this is crucial
for people who have been transplanted to this land from other
countries and have lost understanding of the landscape and connectedness
to country along the way.
From now on 'Nature Watch' will be a regular column in Havoc,
focusing on seasonal observations. To contribute any observations
please email them to me (Lilia) at tasquoll@animail.net,
with the place and date of observation included. Happy watching!
Are you interested in getting
radioactive???
I am calling out to those who may be interested in contributing
to raising awareness of nuclear issues here in Tasmania. Whilst
the apple isle itself is not under threat of uranium mining or
toxic waste dumping, the global push towards nuclear power and
the threat from nuclear warfare is increasing and the anti-nuclear
movement must work harder than ever before to try and educate
the public about the dangers of the nuclear cycle.
Currently the Federal Government is forging ahead with its plan
to make Australia the biggest seller of Uranium in the world.
This was recently demonstrated by the visit to India by Prime
Minister John Howard, where they discussed plans to trade in uranium
despite the fact that India has not signed the nuclear non-proliferation
treaty.
There is rampant uranium exploration taking place in the western
states, a proposal for a threefold expansion of the Roxby Downs
mine, a proposed nuclear waste dump for the northern territory,
the proposed second nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights and a push
to promote nuclear energy as the 'clean green' solution to global
warming. There's also the use of depleted uranium in weapons,
training exercises between Australia and the United states where
ammunition containing depleted uranium might be used, the waste
dump transport route campaign and many other nuclear related issues
that are affecting communities all over Australia.
I am looking for people who may be interested in being involved
in organising some awareness raising events locally on nuclear
issues.
These includes a film night at the Houn Valley Environment Centre,
an nuclear awareness raising night in Hobart, information stalls
and other activities that the group may have energy for. A Save
Lake Cowal information night is also on the agenda (regarding
the campaign to stop using cyanide to mine gold in NSW)
Please contact Peachy reachpeach@gmail.com
0429333960. Aiming for late april as the date for the first event.
The
Cygnet Herb, Health & Organic Expo is on again this year on
Sunday 22nd October. The HHOE is raising the awareness of herbs,
health and organics within the community, and is a great opportunity
for those working in these industries to develop their networks.
The HVEC will be host to the event for the 3rd year in a row.
The HHOE has been a great success for the HVEC, raising our public
profile and generating much needed funds. The 2005 event raised
$2000 in profits, $1000 for the HVEC and $1000 into the kitty
for this year's event.
The HHOE is a colourful event that aims to promote herbs and organics for the health of people, animals and our planet. So now is the time for all of you interested in having a stall, to begin your preparations. Also, a team of motivated people is required to put the 2006 expo together.
If you are interested in helping create an awesome event this year or would like to have a stall, please contact the Event Co-ordinator Brenda Goddard on 62671935.
Grand Juries are being used in
the United States to jail activists and gather information on
other activists. The initial targets were radical animal rights
and environmental activists, but because they have no right to
silence under the Grand Jury system, they are being used to try
and gather information about other activists and groups. The U.S
has a long tradition of witch hunts, and these Grand Juries are
continuing the tradition. Here is some info from fbiwitchhunt.com
on Grand Juries:
"Legally, a Grand Jury is a type of common law jury responsible
for investigating alleged crimes, examining evidence, and issuing
indictments. When targeted against social movements however, Grand
juries are a tool of political repression used to frighten activists,
create mistrust, drive people out of the movement, and cause others
to inform on friends out of fear. Grand Juries are often used
as "fishing expeditions" to gather any and all information
on a particular social movement."
The SHAC 7 are animal rights activists indicted under the controversial
Federal Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. The Act punishes anyone
who "physically disrupts" an animal enterprise. The
charges stem from these activists' alleged participation in an
international campaign to close the notorious product testing
lab Huntingdon Life Sciences (http://insidehls.com/). Specifically,
these activists are alleged to have operated a website that reported
on and expressed ideological support for protest activity against
Huntingdon and its business affiliates. For this they are charged
with "terrorism" and face an aggregate of 23 years in
Federal Prison. They have just been found guilty and await sentencing
in jail.
For more info visit: fbiwitchhunt.com
& shac7.com
Up 2 Me is part of The Environment
Challenge - a joint initiative of the Tasmanian Government and
Sustainable Living Tasmania.
On the website you can sign up for the challenge, where you commit
to at least two actions to reduce your environmental impact on
the earth.
You can also check your Ecological Footprint, read case studies,
and find out lots of facts about energy use and its impacts.
For example, did you know that heating water makes up about 25%
of your energy use? You can save up to $150 a year if your hot
water system thermostat is reset to 55°C rather than 65°C.
You can save an extra $50 $100 a year if you properly insulate
your hot water service and pipes.
As always, the H.V.E.C. Eco-Shop is open from Tuesday to Friday. Please come in and have a look, buy a gift for a friend, or something for your home.
New Items...
New Nimbin Candles: tealights, decorated candles & the usual
coloured taper candles (see pic).
Ecologic dishwashing liquid, laundry liquid, all-purpose orange
cleaner, and liquid hand wash.
Magazines & Books including ByronChild, Home Farmer, Earth
Garden, Vegan Voice, Small Strawbale, Companion Planting, Nest
Boxes for Wildlife, The Understorey Network Guide, Pest-Repellent
Plants, Growing From Seed, and a new range of children's books.
New 'no-sweat' hoodies, and singlets with prints by local artists.
The Regulars...
Organic & Hemp soaps
Stickers
Nature & Art Cards
Posters
Kids toys
Hemp papers
Recycled paper products (eg. Notebooks, printer paper, envelopes,
handmade recycled paper sheets)
Calendars & diaries & heaps more....
Scroogle
Scroogle.org
is an alternative search engine for the web. It is part of the
fight against Google's use of privacy breaching technology. As
stated on the Scroogle site: "These engines crawl the public
web without asking permission, and cache and reproduce the content
without asking permission, and then use this information as a
carrier for ads that generate private profit. We are convinced
that if citizens scrape Google and strip the ads, and make the
scraped results available as a nonprofit public service, that
this is legal."
Common Ground
Common
Ground.org.uk is internationally recognised for playing a
unique role in the arts and environmental fields, distinguished
by the linking of nature with culture, focusing upon the positive
investment people can make in their own localities, championing
popular democratic involvement, and by inspiring celebration as
a starting point for action to improve the quality of our everyday
places. We offer ideas, information and inspiration through publications
and projects such as Field Days, Parish Maps, Flora Britannica,
Apple Day, Community Orchards, Tree Dressing Day, Confluence and
the campaign for Local Distinctiveness.
Weilangta Landmark Trial
On-trial.info
is the website for Bob Brown's Federal Court case for the Weilangta
Forests. Senator Brown is fighting to protect Tasmania's endangered
forest animals, and if the case wins it is likely to have positive
ramifications for other threatened forests in Tassie. Support
the case and keep informed!