<(Havoc)>
Newsletter of the Huon Valley Environment Centre
Spring 2006

Contents (click on item to view)
HVEC Update
Spring Equinox
Black Sassy Art Collective Update
Upcoming Events
Recipe & Food News
Nature Watch
Weld Valley News
Grounded Activism
Gunns 20 Update
The Weld Cup
World Heritage Update
Eco-Shop Update
The Magic Ship

Sadly we at the environment centre have farewelled our famed and fantastic Landlords Ian and Tess Fletcher. Ian and Tess recently sold the premises. We will miss Ian's wise and supportive presence around the place. Ian was always keen to catch up on the campaign and enjoyed spending time at the centre when he was there for the endless maintenance issues our beloved building brings. HVEC management committee thank Ian and Tess for their fantastic commitment to the Environment Centre over the past years and we wish them well. We look forward to building new relationships and sharing our space with our new owner.

The retail space at the Environment Centre is at an all time low for it's income and volunteers, our income is lower than this time last year. With such a wide and unique variety of quality products, ranges of books, children's, gardening and political commenting, we are hoping a rechange of our space will help invite more of our local supporters and passers by to come in. The recent addition to our items of a very moving image of the Wedge Tailed Eagle and her chick, in large poster format are fantastic. Please if you have time to volunteer or need a gift, household item or new hooded jumper or pair of shoes, visit the Environment Centre shop.

by Jenny Weber

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September 23 is Spring Equinox, when day light hours become equal to night time. The Sun is now increasing strongly and plant growth is in its prime. It is a special time of lushness and fertility. Most non-human animals are courting and breeding, and many babies are being born. In the Northern Hemisphere the Spring Equinox occurs around the same time as Easter. Spring Equinox has been celebrated for many centuries,, by many cultures. Here are some examples of modern and ancient celebrations:

ANCIENT IRELAND: The spring and fall equinox were celebrated in ancient times. A cluster of megalithic cairns are scattered through the hills at Loughcrew, about 55 miles North West of Dublin in Ireland. Longhcrew Carin T is a passage tomb which is designed so that the light from the rising sun on the spring and summer equinoxes penetrates a long corridor and illuminates a back stone, which is decorated with astronomical symbols.

ANCIENT GERMANS: Ostara, the Germanic fertility Goddess was associated with human and crop fertility. On the spring equinox, she mated with the solar god and conceived a child that would be born 9 months later on Dec. 21 (Winter Solstice in Northern Hemisphere).

ANCIENT MAYANS: The indigenous Mayan people in Central American have celebrated a spring equinox festival for ten centuries. As the sun sets on the day of the equinox on the great ceremonial pyramid, El Castillo, Mexico, its "western face...is bathed in the late afternoon sunlight. The lengthening shadows appear to run from the top of the pyramid's northern staircase to the bottom, giving the illusion of a diamond-backed snake in descent." This has been called "The Return of the Sun Serpent" since ancient times.

ANCIENT SAXONS: Eostre was the Saxon version of the Germanic lunar goddess Ostara. She gave her name to the Christian Easter and to the female hormone estrogen. Her feast day was held on the full moon following the vernal equinox -- almost the identical calculation as for the Christian Easter in the west. One delightful legend associated with Eostre was that she found an injured bird on the ground one winter. To save its life, she transformed it into a hare. But "the transformation was not a complete one. The bird took the appearance of a hare but retained the ability to lay eggs. ..the hare would decorate these eggs and leave them as gifts to Eostre."

JUDAISM: "In its origin, the Passover dinner itself was a spring fertility festival­the unleavened bread coming from the agricultural past of the people and the paschal lamb from its more distant pastoral years." The Bible passages of Leviticus 23:5-8 and Numbers 28:16-18 state that Passover is to be celebrated in the springtime, on the 14th day of the Jewish month of
Nissan. The Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord is held on the 15th. It evolved into a celebration of God's liberation of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt.

INDIGENOUS NTH. AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY: There are countless stone structures created by Natives in the past and still standing in North America. One was called Calendar One by its modern-day finder. It is in a natural amphitheatre of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and other markers around the edge of the bowl "At the winter solstice, the sun rose at the southern peak of the east ridge and set at a notch at the southern end of the west ridge." The summer solstice and both equinoxes were similarly marked.
"America's Stonehenge" is a 4,000 year old megalithic site located on Mystery Hill in Salem NH. Carbon dating has estimated the age of some charcoal remnants at 3,000 and 4,000 years ago. Researchers have concluded that the site was erected either by Native Americans or an unknown migrant European population. The site contains five standing stones and one fallen stone in a linear alignment which point to both the sunrise and sunset at the spring and fall equinoxes.

NEOPAGANISM: This is a group of religions which are attempted re-creations of ancient Pagan religions. Of these, Wicca is the most common; it is loosely based on ancient Celtic beliefs, symbols and practices, with the addition of some more recent Masonic and ceremonial magic rituals.
Monotheistic religions, like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, tend to view time as linear. It started with creation; the world as we know it will end at some time in the future. Aboriginal and Neopagan religions see time as circular and repetitive, with lunar (monthly) and solar (yearly) cycles. Their "...rituals guarantee the continuity of nature's cycles, which traditional human societies depend on for their sustenance."
Wiccans recognize eight seasonal days of celebration. Four are minor sabbats and occur at the two solstices and the two equinoxes. The other are major sabbats which happen approximately halfway between an equinox and solstice. Wiccans may celebrate Lady Day on the evening before, or at sunrise on the morning of the solstice/equinox, or at the exact time of vernal equinox.
Near the Mediterranean, this is a time of sprouting of the summer's crop; farther north, it is the time for seeding. Their rituals at the Spring Equinox are related primarily to the fertility of the crops and to the balance of the day and night times. Where Wiccans can safely celebrate the Sabbat out of doors without threat of religious persecution, they often incorporate a bonfire into their rituals, jumping over the dying embers to assure fertility of people and crops. It is experienced as a time of balance.

(Information from www.religioustolerance.org)

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With the help of the Black Sassy Collective, Glo Organic Cafe has been hosting exhibitions of local artists' works. The first Friday of each month heralds in a new artist, with a grand opening and often a gig or a movie night afterwards in the Environment Centre. In July Peta Maree held an exhibition of her works which included an amazing collection of sculptures and paintings. August saw Laura Minnebo, a long time artist in residence at Camp Weld, exhibit her beautiful and moving collection of photos from the forest camp. Her photos expressed the life of those out at the camp and as she described,

"We live on a road. A road that if continued would open up 2000 hectares of pristine wilderness. Everything we do from eating breakfast, washing up, to just existing on the road, is a form of action."

Some of Laura's photos are also being exhibited at the Verge Arts Festival at the University of Sydney during the month of September. As well as Laura's photos Black Sassy organised an amazing collection of local art, mostly photographs of Weld Valley wilderness and direct actions, to be sent to Sydney to be displayed to the thousands of people who experience the Verge Arts Festival.
During September Glo Cafe is hosting a creative information display about the Weld Valley and the Huon Valley Environment Centre, as well as a beautiful collection of Weld Valley flora and fauna prints for sale as cards. In October we can look forward to an exhibition of pictures and paintings by local artist Amy Chapman titled "Innate Primate". The opening is on Friday 6th October and starts at 6pm. Hope to see you there!

by Lilia Letsch
Images: a scultpure by Peta Maree, camp life photo by Laura Minnebo.

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Since Midwinter the HVEC has organised and hosted a lot of exciting events. As mentioned in the Black Sassy update there have been a number of events in the Centre after the monthly exhibition openings at Glo Cafe. Some of these events have included gigs by the likes of The Josh Owen Band, James Brook and Pchi, with beautiful cob-oven baked pizzas to fill hungry bellies. The HVEC has also held a number of events outside of Huonville, such as a slide night in Hobart, a Bush Dance at Sandfly Hall, an open day at Camp Weld and much more. A number of fundraising events have been held over the past few months to benefit the Weld Valley Campaign. Pchi and Jake pulled together the funky Weld Valley Ball at Sandfly Hall and it was a hit. With creative dress ups and good food donated by Lew with her and Stuart's tireless efforts and great live music from a variety of local talent.

Photo: Loki, the cob oven pizza king!

Chicks Not Gunns at Sirens Restaurant. The chicks were awesome, to die for, and so creative. With many women including, Pchi, Nellie, ZoeZac, Arrow, Kelly, Louise and Jess, Nerissa and Anne, Flick and Rose, and DJ Tu Tu Fru Fru, showcased singing, guitars, and fantastic and provocative cabaret. Sirens operators Barry and Charlotte are fantastic supporters of the Weld Valley Campaign and their venue is awesome, with such a great feel. The huge diversity of artistic talent was showcased by a exhibition in the back of the space that was a colourful and evocative backdrop with varied mediums and expression . With 18 artists, artwork was for sale and included drawings and paintings, paintings and more paintings, prints, a wax gun and a black swan, more paintings, more guns, collages, photographs mounted on black sassafrass, framed and striking, poems and baskets and a bead necklace. A great opportunity for Women inspired by forests and free speech could exhibit their works.

Coming Up...

Friday 22 September, 7pm
Weld Valley Film Night @ Sirens

Sunday 24 September, from midday.
Weld Camp 1st Anniversary Celebration
Bush Banquet on the Weld Ark. Music from James Brook & Co, The She Rats and The No No's.

Saturday 21 October
Bush Dance @ Sandfly Hall

Sunday 22 October
Cygnet Herb, Health & Organic Expo

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Ingredients :
3 tablespoon tahini
3/4 cup soy/rice milk
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 tablespoon flour
cinnamon and nutmeg
stale french bread or thickly cut stale sandwich bread
a little oil (or vegan margarine)
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes

Directions:
With a whisk or a fork mix the tahini and the soy milk until you have some smooth nutty milk. If both are pretty cold from the fridge, this could take some time. Add the maple syrup and vanilla. Add the flour a tablespoon at a time. You may not need all three, depending on how thick your tahini was. The consistency you're looking for is almost like pancake batter--runny pancake batter. Add cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Use day-old french bread sliced at least 1/2 thick. The thicker the bread, the longer you let it sit in the mix.. This is why stale bread is good, you can soak it without making it soggy. On medium heat in a good non-stick pan pour a 10 cent-sized drop of oil and coat the pan. Put your bread slices in and fry on both sides for 3-5 minutes. If the heat is too high, the coating will burn and the inside will be wet, so adjust the heat as you go. You may need to add a little extra oil now and then. Then eat and enjoy!
Thanks to www.vegweb.com for great vegan recipes.

BREAKING NEWS FOR VEGAN BEER DRINKERS!
From July 2006 you will be happy to know that J Boag & Son's beers are all vegan! As a press release stated: "Vegetarians will be pleased to know that no animal products are used in the brewing of our beers, either as additives or processing aids." This means that the following beers are now guilt-free for animal lovers: Boag's Draught, Boag's Draught Light, James Boag's Premium, James Boag's Premium Light, San Miguel, St George, Strongarm, XXX.

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The misty, icy mornings of July passed into some early mild spring weather in August this year. Cloud, sun and wind were all to be expected within a few hours of waking up each morning. Very little rain though! The 9th of August saw an incredibly bright full moon for the feast of the moon Goddess Diana / Artemis, and around the same time the Currawongs descended from the mountains to dwell in the fields nearby. For a while I was woken each morning to a Currawong prowling outside my bedroom window, hoping for some food scraps.
Early spring also saw a lot of birds start the courtship and nest building process. Currawongs and Ravens could be seen carrying large bundles of twigs to their hideouts, ducks were chasing each other around to the point of exhaustion, and Native Hens were seen shepherding their young across the road. The wind picked up strongly at around the same time and the thriving Silver Wattle blossoms were torn from their branches to blanket the earth with bright yellow.

Now is a really good time to get vegetable seeds in, and seedlings later in spring. Up until recently it has been too dry to plant anything, but the recent rain has helped to drench the soil and the time is ripe for sprouting seeds. Recently I have heard a bit about using old tyres to plant in. If the tyre is broken in any way it is not recommended that you use it, but if totally intact tyres are meant to be quite safe to use. While intact the dubious substances in tyres are locked in together and will not release anything into the soil. Planting in tyres helps to warm the roots of plants and helps improve drainage, not to mention making use of an awful waste product. Plants like tomatoes, basil, chilies and capsicums would benefit greatly from tyre planting in Tasmania as the root warmth would greatly speed up their growth. A stack of tyres is also a great way to grow potatoes. You can simply remove the bottom tyre when ready and you have a tyre full of potatoes while the rest of the stack is left growing.
Remember that the Herb, Health and Organic Expo is being held in Cygnet on Sunday 22nd of October where you will be able to pick up all sorts of useful and exotic plants for your spring garden.

by Lilia Letsch

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While the past Tasmanian winter has proved mild for some, others have been braving the south west winter under the Weld Ark at the Weld Valley blockade. The month of September marks the record breaking achievement that is the Weld Ark camp. The longest blockade in the history of the Weld Valley Campaign and as described in the Melbourne Age, (Tuesday 29 Aug 06) "One of Tasmania's more tenacious forest protests." People have been living to protect a large wilderness area from roading and logging, and have been successful since Jan 2005 when the first Weld Camp by Barnback Creek was established.
Whilst people continue to protect the Weld Valley on the frontline, people around the country will have spent September having parties, art exhibitions and film nights for the Weld Arks' first birthday. Events are being held in Sydney and Melbourne on the weekend of the anniversary. Also over September events have been held in Wollongong NSW and Brisbane, and the Weld Valley showcased in a Sydney University Arts Festival, Verge2006. Tasmania has it's share of celebrations for the first birthday, a film night at sirens restaurant in Hobart 22nd September. And a birthday party with a bush banquet and music at Weld Ark Camp on Sunday 24th September.

Meanwhile Forestry Tasmania's (FT) new plans for the Weld Valley have come to light. The long awaited three year plan of FT's intentions 2006 ­ 2009 was recently released. The planned North Weld Rd stage 1 is of serious concern for the potential loss of habitat and the pristine value of the Lower Weld Valley, if it proceeds. FT plans to push the road in during 2006/2007.
Proposed North Weld Rd stage one would open up forest on the western slopes of the World Heritage Snowy range, where large areas of forest flank the Weld River. Deep up the Lower Weld River Catchment the proposed road would traverse around Camels Back, a spectacular button grass vista that is able to be viewed from the landmark Glovers Bluff. However, we guess that FT may have to complete another 3km road in pristine old growth forest to reach a route that would begin to embark on a 2.5km North Weld Rd stage one.
Recently I stood at Glovers Bluff, my heart pulsing and my stomach sank to look over the large area of forest that would be traversed by this pie in the sky idea for a road. What a destructive idea for such a wild and distant vista of deep rainforest and eucalypt forest that flanks the wild Weld River. Grateful I was standing there to think of the campaign I am a part of and the recent developments and efforts by people.
Such as the recent photos that Canon Photographer of the Year 2006 Geoffrey Lea has taken of the threatened forest of the wild Weld Valley. One of his images that were recently showcased in the Spring 2006 ABC Organic Gardening Magazine, along side an article about the Worldwatch Institute recent Vital Signs 2006-2007 report. The report states "deforestation accounts for 25per cent of annual human-caused carbon emissions, and nearly one percent of the global forest area was lost between 2000 and 2005." Geoffrey Lea's images that portray the majestic and wild weld valley, can be viewed at www.threatenedtasmania.org
The proposed forest that would be devastated by this planned new roading are currently protected by the Wedge Tailed Eagle breeding season. The current logging road that would be used to access the forest to begin the North Weld road is located within a short distance to a wedgie nest, and therefore FT are prevented from accessing the area.
Meanwhile the Eddy 2 extension that the current camp halts, is still on the agenda. Other proposed activities in the Lower Weld Valley according to the new three year plan, are continued plans for logging WR15F, an area that lies alongside the border of the World Heritage Area. WR12C is another planned logging area, a large area of old growth forest only recently roaded. Three more large areas of forest in the Weld Valley River Catchment are included in the plan and so are eight large areas in the magnificent Barnback Creek Catchment.
Of course these areas are along with a large number of old growth areas in the remainder majestic southern forests. Including the vast forested valleys and ranges that are the Denison, Huon, Arve, Picton, and Esperance. A relentless push in to pristine wilderness, pushing up to the boundaries of the World Heritage Area that is swallowing the biodiversity that is the southern forests. Now a
further threat with Gunns Ltd announcing that 400 000 tonnes annually will travel from the forests south of Hobart to the proposed pulp mill. Australia's woodchipping giant, Gunns Ltd is dictating the future of Tasmania's wild forests for a polluting, chlorine- bleaching industrial monster that has a number of potentially negative environmental and social impacts. Topped with the 30 year economic disgrace that is the deal between our State Government and the Malaysian company developing Southwood and the ominous threat of a wood fired furnace at the doorstep to the Lower Weld Valley, the southern forests are on a very big chopping block and remain threatened.

Exposure for the Weld Valley, it's values and the assault on the area, have been showcased in both International and National arenas. ABC's Radio National held a 30 minute story on a Sunday in August, that was the interpretation by a reporter who spent 3 days at Weld Ark Camp during June. The story presented a group of wonderful, passionate, humorous, committed, tolerant and simply beautiful people who were living at Weld Ark Camp. Listen to it online here.
The Melbourne Age showcased the Weld Ark Camp in it's recent August comment on the Gunns 20 case. International Activist paper, Earth First Journal will feature the Weld Campaign with one of Tasmania's talented photographers, Matt Newton and a full colour photograph on the back cover.
Over the recent months the Weld Valley and the active defense of it's forests have been showcased with two great films. Both are short, very moving stories that tell tales of what is a creative and committed campaign. The animation, The Weld as a clearfell? made by Alana Beltran, a very gifted woman and artist who made her film and painted her script whilst living at Weld Ark Camp. It is an original and ground breaking interpretation of the forest industry in Tasmania. Another film using a large amount of footage collected over the past 12 months, is Come to Camp Weld, made by a talented group of campaigners, tells the story of the weld with all it's views, wilderness valleys and wonderful people who are standing up for it's protection. These films will be shown at events around the country and at the upcoming film night in Hobart (Friday 22nd Sept). If you haven't seen the recent films get along to the Hobart event, if you have come along anyway and share the first year celebrations.
The Campaign to protect the Weld Valley has been ever burgeoning over the winter and into spring. It's so great to witness a bountiful and wide reaching effort to expose the continued assault of the wilderness that is the wild WELD. With a last and special note for Jess, Tye and Dan who have made a special and significant effort.

by Jenny Weber

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Defending the forests requires huge amounts of personal energy as conservationists confront industry, government and too often a complacent or even hostile community that wants to maintain the status quo. As part of this defence of the wild, activists can face physical intimidation; long, often boring, downtimes; and like all social movements, actions can take years, if not decades, to materialise. So how can energy be maintained over the long period it takes to achieve change?

Rainforest activist John Seed says that by participating in non-violent direct action (NVDA), we are 'part of the rainforest defending itself'. Acknowledging the destruction of our life web and then acting to preserve it is but a part of our own reconnection with nature. Years of life in our industrial society has led to a disconnection with the natural world. Indigenous peoples across the world work with rituals to maintain that connection, in our modern society we have lost this. These self-sustaining meditations allow us to tap into a vast energy reserve that can maintain, drive and ground our campaigning. Activist, writer and Witch, Starhawk, talks about NVDA as a ritual in itself and that by recognising our connections with the forests and practicing earth based rituals, we can "make actions vibrant and transformational rather than repetitive and dreary. When met with repression, the tools of consciousness change can help us stay grounded, calm and focused."
In the late 1970's a small group of people gathered together in San Francisco to create a movement that would bring together the spiritual and the political. It would integrate magic and activism, creating a different concept of spirituality, not one removed from this world but instead deeply tied to the natural environment that we live in. It was called Reclaiming. Reclaiming has since been a part of forest actions, indigenous rights, social justice work and most recently, helping to train activists and participate in actions for the Global Justice movements worldwide.

As part of merging the sacred with NVDA, a number of meditation exercises have been developed by Reclaiming to help activists maintain their energy and also keep their focus. Below are two exercises. The first is a grounding exercise which can be used to centre and maintain your mental energy. The second can be used for confrontational situations where you have someone acting aggressively, whether it is Police or Loggers; it, as the name suggests, helps to shield you from the often aggressive nature of these situations. I liken moments in NVDA like the creation of a sacred circle: they are intense and for many people, very unusual types of energy. If activists are not properly grounded and prepared for the variety of potential situations that can arise, then people can walk away damaged, both emotionally and spiritually. For me, activism is about the long term. Reclaiming talks about the basis of spiritual practice being the three legs of the cauldron which include personal healing, work for the goddess, and political/social action. If political/social action is to form an essential part of sacred rituals, then there has to be ways to maintain energy and prepare ourselves for the situations that can arise. The exercises below may help.

Grounding - Tree of Life

Breathe deeply and relax. Let your breath drop down from your chest to your stomach. Feel your breath pushing down your body and creating roots linked to the earth, like an ancient tree. Sink deeper into the ground. Feel the nourishment of the earth and the energy that flows beneath us and around us. Draw on this energy, like drawing water up from the ground. Feel the energy slowly rise up through your body, as it does washing away fears and worries. Feel your body and arms turn into branches and leaves. Recognise the power that now surrounds and fills you. Imagine now that once you leave your spot that your roots lift up from the ground and once they land again connect and reenergise.

Find an image in your mind for this state. Create a keyword, like tree. This will help you reinstate these feelings under stress.

Shielding - strengthening your stance

Relax, breathe deeply. Imagine that you have a small, egg shaped circle covering your body, extending out from your body. Visualise this circle as a shining blue flame warming your body inside and out. When under conflict or verbal threat, visualise this circle turning into a mirror and bouncing back the attack from another person. Keep breathing and maintain your centre. People can use words to drain us; remember the forest and why you are acting in its defence. Speak calmly and slowly to your opponent. Once the hostile situation has finished, breathe deeply, ground yourself and feel this light turn back to blue.

For me the wilderness forests are our sacred groves: they are places of magic and inspiration, reminders of a past where humans once lived with the landscape, not against it. I believe that more so than any other landscapes, these areas of what Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess calls 'free nature' have the potential to offer us transformational experiences. It is not the fact that they are void of humans, but the fact that they are void of the influence of industrial society. They are regions of incredible power. Where else has the evolutionary process continued unaffected by the destruction of modern society? There are few places like this left in the world. At present the wilds are facing their greatest assault in history. Many of us have chosen to act in protection of these primordial places. If we fail to recognise our spiritual connection to the forests, then we limit our potential and the potential of our actions. Wild nature offers us all the energy and inspiration we need to continue our work as activists, all we need to do is ask.

by Adam Burling

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The recent judgment in the Gunns 20 case was a step forward for forests and free speech, in so far as the current claims by Gunns Ltd were deemed inappropriate to run to trial. Though Huon Valley Environment Centre are disappointed that the case is not over.

Justice Bongiorno handed down his Reasons for Decision on August 28th in relation to the application brought by each of the Gunns 20 defendants to strike-out the Statement of Claim version 3.
Comments made by the judge included, in relation to the allegation that the pleading was 'embarrassing', Justice Bonjiorno held that while version 3 was an improvement on the previous versions, too many allegations were being brought against too many defendants. The judge held that there would be a significant burden on each defendant dealing with a trial that involved so many allegations against so many defendants.
Justice Bonjiorno stated that the Statement of Claim could not stand in its' present form. Justice Bonjiorno noted that some of the allegations being made by the plaintiffs were serious. The plaintiffs were entitled to put their case forward but not in the form currently before the Court. Gunns Ltd were not permitted to proceed with Statement number 3 and were given time to 19th October to have another go at presenting the case in proper form.

While attending the Supreme Court for the judgment, I was uplifted and well informed by our fantastic legal team. Though it was a very intense experience and really was a burden to have to be in a Supreme Court.
While forest destruction continues and habitat is lost, Huon Valley Environment Centre will continue to expose the unsustainable practices by industry in Tasmania's forests. Our campaign to protect the Weld Valley, an ancient wilderness continues, despite court proceedings. We are facing new road developments in to pristine wilderness forest and our work to give a voice to threatened forest will continue. People around Australia can be actively pursuing information about the case and endeavour to support the fight for free speech and forests.

by Jenny Weber

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On the eve of the World Cup Final, some keen forest and soccer enthusiasts held a Weld Cup on the Parliament Lawns on Saturday morning. It was full of laughter and some very good players, who are otherwise talented forest activists, the soccer skill was brought out with enthusiasm. Spokesperson for the day Ben Morrow said, "The Weld Cup Final was a symbolic match to highlight the fact that approximately 44 football fields of native forest are being cleared every day in Tasmania. By the time Australia gets another chance at the World Cup, Tasmania's threatened world heritage forests might be gone."

The Weld Cup was contested by the Old Boys Club, team members included John Gay, Paul Lennon, Evan Rolley, Eric Abetz, and Robyn Gay, and the Weld United Eagles, with team members from Weld, Styx, South Sister, and Upper Florentine and Free Speech.

Unfortunately Free Speech, after some honest and hardworking efforts was unfairly sent off and penalised. On the bench for the Old Boys Club are a sacked forestry family, who had no hope of getting on the field.
A number of fantastic props that took a bit of effort and a lot of creative thought and the soccer mad mob made a great event. The Forests of course played a killer game, scored heaps more goals and were generally less rough and bully like. Though the Old Boys rigged the scores and got away with heaps of penalties. ABC cameraman was seen at many occasions running with the ball and the game following with goof intentions. The piece on ABC came on straight after sport and was a great story.

Ben Morrow summed up the game with "With their chances boosted after a massive injection of Taxpayers dollars from the Community Forest Agreement, the Old Boys Club was always set to claim victory. Especially with John Howard as the Referee, the Eagles who put up a strong fight on behalf of future generations, had no hope of winning."

by Jenny Weber

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After a long campaign and many letters, reports and recommendations, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recognised threats to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) from logging in the Weld Valley and other forests along the edge of the World Heritage Area. At the General Assembly of the IUCN held in Vilnius this July, the concerns of conservation groups, including the Huon Valley Environment Centre were noted. While the initial draft statement prepared for the State of Conservation Report was a bighting rebuke of Tasmania's forest practices, the final statement was watered down. While this is disappointing, we have managed to raise the issue and the IUCN has requested additional information and maps from the Tasmanian and Federal Governments. The campaign to recognise these threats is thus ongoing, and the process of assessing them is continuing. The HVEC will continue to research and raise these issues in this important international arena. It will be interesting to see how our state and federal representatives attempt to justify the current situation, when their detailed responses are completed. If anyone is interested in helping out on this campaign, contact Will Mooney at the HVEC.

Image: clearfelled and firebombed Weld Valley forest near the border of the SW World Heritage Area.

by Will Mooney

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The usuals & some new additions...

Large range of incense
Nimbin candles
Bokashi garden & cleaning products
Fair trade shoes & soccer balls
Hemp & vegan organic soaps
Large range of stickers
Magazines: Earth Garden, Vegan Voice, Byron Child, Nimbin Magazine
Southern Tassie TasMaps
Childrens & environmental books
Rob Blakers 2007 calenders and diaries
Large range of music CD's, cards, posters (beautiful new Wedge-tailed Eagle poster).
Hemp papers
Biologic cleaning products...Plus MUCH MORE!

So next time you are passing through Huonville come in and check out what's new in the shop, buy a friend a present, or treat yourself!

One of our best-selling products is our range of hand-printed tops, mainly hooded jumpers. We now have zip-up hoodies ($50), as well as the usual non-zip ($45), printed with local artist's designs. Come in and check out what's on the rack! With summer coming up we will soon have more singlets and t-shirts. If you would like to pre-order a particular design and colour please contact us and let us know what size, style of top, colours, and which printed design.

Image: Weld Camp resident modeling his environment centre hoodie while eating dinner.

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The Magic Ship

Havoc is the quartlerly newsletter of the Huon Valley Environment Centre. Please send contributions to centre@huon.org. Editor: Lilia Letsch.

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