HAVOC - Summer 2006/07Contents...
1.HVEC Update
2. Summer Solstice
3. Summer Pudding Recipe
4. Black Sassy Update
5. Reluctant Heroes
6. Weld News
7. Gunns 20 Update
8. Cygnet Herb Expo
9. Eco Shop Update
Havoc is the quarterly newsletter
of the Huon Valley Environment Centre.
Edited by Lilia Letsch. Cover images by Laura Minnebo.
For queries or submissions please contact us at centre@huon.org.
We knew Spring would bring a lot of fun and craziness, but we had no idea how much would actually be happening! Since our last newsletter there has been an incredible amount happening in the Centre.
The amazing U.S. songwriter and musician
Dana Lyons (below) played for us as part of his international
tour. We have also held another cranking Bush Dance at Sandfly
Hall, with many thanks to Linda, Lew and Will for getting it all
together again.
We have held a number of successful movie nights about the Weld
Valley and the proposed wood-fire power station in the Huon, with
the amazing support of Barry from Sirens Upstairs.
The Cygnet Health, Herb & Organic Expo went off this year with many thanks to Brenda for all her fantastic organising. This year was Brenda's last Expo and we'd like to thank her for her years of great work! Next year the Expo will be organised out of the environment centre, so if you're keen to be part of a collective organising the Expo please contact us.
We have also had some sadness in that the 14 month old Weld Ark blockade camp was destroyed by police and Forestry on the 15th of November. It was devastating for a lot of people to see the camp go, along with the thousands of dollars worth of equipment that Forestry are holding. But we remain fluid and flexible, and while it is the end of the era of the Weld Ark, this is far from the end for the Weld Valley! Check out the Weld Valley update and Adam Burling's article 'Reluctant Heroes' for more info.
The day before the Weld camp was raided we had a computer disaster which resulted in a loss of our email for a little while, and we apologise if anyone had trouble trying to contact us over that time. But from disaster comes good change; our wonderful volunteer Gene has been working on the computers to make them safer and more useful than they were before! He is also helping to create a beautiful new website for the HVEC, which should be up and running in the new year. Online donations are now possible on our website, so let your friends know! We have already received a number of donations through our website from our fantastic supporters. Thank you to all our members and donors ñ you know who you are!
Best wishes for the Summer and beyond...
Lilia Letsch - Editor
Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, the half way point between the Spring and Autumn equinoxes. It is a day to celebrate the sun and the ripening fruits of the land. The sun is at the peak of its power. Here are some different ways the Summer Solstice has been, and still is, celebrated around the world...
Ancient China: Their
summer solstice ceremony celebrated the earth, the feminine, and
the yin forces. It complemented the winter solstice which celebrated
the heavens, masculinity and yang forces.
Ancient Gaul: The Midsummer celebration was called Feast of Epona,
named after a mare goddess who personified fertility, sovereignty
and agriculture. She was portrayed as a woman riding a mare.
Ancient Germanic, Slav and Celtic tribes in Europe: Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires. "It was the night of fire festivals and of love magic, of love oracles and divination. It had to do with lovers and predictions, when pairs of lovers would jump through the luck-bringing flames..." It was believed that the crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump. Through the fire's power, "...maidens would find out about their future husband, and spirits and demons were banished." Another function of bonfires was to generate sympathetic magic: giving a boost to the sun's energy so that it would remain potent throughout the rest of the growing season and guarantee a plentiful harvest.
Native Americans: Native Americans have created countless stone structures linked to equinoxes and solstices. Many are still standing. 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 summer 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 winter solstice and the equinoxes were similarly marked.
Neopaganism:
This is a group of religions which are attempted re-constructions
of ancient Pagan religions. Of these, Wicca is the most common;
it is loosely based partly on ancient Celtic beliefs and practices.
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. The summer solstice sabbat is
often called Midsummer or Litha. Wiccans may celebrate the sabbat
on the evening before, at sunrise on the morning of the solstice,
or at the exact time of the astronomical event.
"Midsummer is the time when the sun reaches the peak of its
power, the earth is green and holds the promise of a bountiful
harvest. The Mother Goddess is viewed as heavily pregnant, and
the God is at the apex of his manhood and is honored in his guise
as the supreme sun."
It is a time for divination and healing rituals. Divining rods
and wands are traditionally cut at this time.
10 slices white bread, thick slices, preferably
2- or 10 day old bread, crusts removed
100 g each of black currants, red
currants, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries
3/4 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons kirsch (optional)
4 tablespoons water
extra fruit, and leaves to place around the base of the pudding,
to decorate
CARDAMOM CREAM:
6 cardamom pods, seeds from, very finely crushed
1 1/4 cups heavy cream / soy cream
Cut a large round from one of the slices of bread to fit in the bottom of a six-cup pudding bowl or basin. Cut the remaining slices in half and use to line the sides of the bowl, overlapping the slices slightly and trimming where necessary. Once you have finished lining the bowl, you should have enough bread left over for the top.
Put the redcurrants, blackcurrants and blueberries in a saucepan with the sugar, lemon juice, water and kirsch and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved and the berry juices start to flow. Add the remaining fruits - the blackberries, raspberries and strawberries - and heat gently for 5 minutes or until the berries have just softened. Remove from the heat.
Spoon the fruit and juice into the lined pudding bowl and cover with the reserved bread. Stand the bowl on a plate or small plastic tray to catch any juices. Place a small, flat plate on top of the pudding and add some extra weight, ideally about 1 kilo. Chill the pudding overnight.
When ready to serve the pudding, remove the weights and the plate, and using a palette knife, gently loosen it from the sides of the bowl. Invert the pudding onto a plate, preferably one with a small lip, to retain the juices and keep them on the plate. Shake gently to release the pudding, decorate with extra fruit around the base of the pudding and serve the pudding with cardamom cream.
Cardamom Cream: Mix together the cardamom seeds and the cream and chill for two hours.
The Black Sassy Artist's Collective has been very busy over the last few months. Monthly exhibitions are being held at Glo Cafe in Huonville, the most recent being Children's Month during December. There is a beautiful collection of different children's work on display. It is a must see, so drop in and have a coffee at Glo and enjoy the art. After initiating and working on the monthly exhibitions Aviva is taking a well deserved break. Nerissa is the new coordinator of the monthly Glo exhibitions and she is already doing an incredible job. Thanks to both Aviva and Nerissa! Upcoming exhibitions include Gene Miller's dark cartoon wonderland in January, and February sees a collaborative exhibition between Lilia (textiles) and Luke the blacksmith.
Another exhibition during December is being held at Nourish Cafe on Elizabeth St, Hobart. Nourish is hosting the same photographic exhibit that was displayed at Sydney Uni's Verge Arts Festival. The photographs of wilderness and direct actions were taken by a number of activists while in the Weld Valley.
The big news for Black Sassy is the new website that has been created. It allows members of Black Sassy to display their art and music online. So far Aviva Hannah has a beautiful gallery of some of her paintings, P.Chi has photos, music and writings online, and Hobart band Black Swan are featured. If you are interested in being involved and having some of your creative work online please check out the website and contact info@blacksassy.org. Thanks to Gene for all his great work on the site!
There is also an initial call our for artists happening in the lead up to Weld Echo, a Long Gallery exhibition starting on May 1 2007.
Following the police raid on Camp Weld, a year-long blockade camp protecting the pristine forests of the lower Weld Valley, Forestry Tasmania has launched into spin doctor mode in an attempts to deflect public concerns and legitimise their logging agenda. Here is a brief response to some of the misinformation pedaled by Forestry in press releases and brochures:
Forestry Tasmania (FT) says: "Forestry
Tasmania moved today to re-establish access to areas of State
forest in the Weld Valley that have been blocked by an activists
camp."
The reality is: access to the wild
forests behind Camp Weld has never been established. The area
in question is pristine forest. The northern flank of the Weld
Valley contains large tracts of old growth and rain forest on
very steep slopes. There have never been any roads or access into
this region. Forestry Tasmania is pushing into a roadless, wilderness
area.
FT says: "Forestry Tasmania has
listened to a wide range of stakeholders, and we have amended
our plans for the Weld Valley accordingly."
The reality is: Forestry Tasmania
has long ignored legitimate public concerns about the future
of one of Southern Tasmania's last remaining areas of unprotected
old growth and rain forest. They have ignored the legitimate concerns
of conservation groups. They have not listened to or accommodated
the views of the numerous experts who have identified the lower
Weld Valley as of World Heritage Value and argued for its protection.
They continue to clearfell accessible stands of Leatherwood trees,
despite the concerns of local beekeepers. They continue to log
old forests containing special species timbers for woodchips.
Forestry has amended its planning for the Weld Valley, but these
new plans represent an expanded threat to the wilderness values
of the area. Eddy Spur Rd 2, the site of the recently raided
blockade, is planned to access coupes in the east of the valley,
in the vicinity of Fletcher's Eddy, a favored local trout fishing
spot and now the site for proposed tourism developments. Meanwhile
another road, North Weld Rd. Stage One, is planned to push into
the heart of a tract of pristine old
growth and rain forest in the northern section of the valley.
These roads, once constructed, open up one of Southern Tasmania's
last unprotected wild areas for logging. On the Southern side
of the Valley coupe 15F, containing tall old growth Eucalypts
on steep slopes, is set to be clearfelled and burnt to within
100 metres of the World Heritage Boundary.
The development of enhanced tourism infrastructure in the Weld
is long overdue. Forestry Tasmania's moves in this regard reflect
the recommendations of a report entitled ìExpanding the
Airwalk Experienceî produced by Weld Valley campaigners
several years ago. However, they exhibit a blatant disregard for
sustainable tourism by continuing with plans to log high-conservation-value
forests in the direct vicinity of, and in some cases the direct
view of, new tourism infrastructure. The very natural assets which
Forestry Tasmania proposes to promote in the Weld Valley are directly
under threat from forestry operations. In a brochure distributed
by Forestry in a local Huon Valley newspaper, the view from Glover's
Bluff is shown with the caption "82% of the Weld Valley landscape
is protected forever,". However, huge swathes of the forest
shown in the photo are scheduled or open for logging. It is an
insult to tourists and the tourism industry alike to peddle this
kind of misinformation regarding the unique natural values upon
which Tasmanian tourism depends.
FT says: "There will be no clearfell
harvesting beyond the road line of the protest."
The reality is: There will also
be clearfells and high-intensity burns extending to within 100
metres of the World Heritage boundary in the South Weld. Trial
logging techniques will be used in other coupes on the boundary
of the World Heritage Area, such as BB019C. Wilderness forests
bordering the Tasmanian World Heritage Area should not be a testing
ground for new alternatives to clearfelling. These so- called
alternatives are often just clearfelling in another name. Coupe
17B in the South Weld is an example: a large area of tall eucalypt
forest with diverse rain forest understorey has been irreparably
damaged by clump felling methods. Already, Forestry Tasmania has
experienced problems with regeneration in trial coupes in the
Weld Valley such as 17B. If alternative logging techniques and
regeneration cannot be conducted successfully then these sensitive
forest areas should not be logged at all.
FT says: "the emphasis will be on
special species selection harvest, access for Leatherwood and
recreational activities along the Weld River."
The reality is: Coupes scheduled
for logging in the Weld Valley in the current three year plan
will produce far more woodchips than any value-added product.
By far the largest volume of timber removed from these forests
will be low value pulpwood sourced from old Euclaypts.
Being beholden to the woodchip industry, and now their new Malaysian
veneer mill partners, Ta Ann, can we really trust Forestry Tasmania
to focus on special species, honey and tourism?
Forestry is using the issue of access to Leatherwood to justify
their own push into pristine wilderness forests to access timber
for woodchipping.
Forestry is still clearfelling accessible stands of Leatherwood
in the Southern
forests, despite the concern of local beekeepers. Only weeks ago,
a coupe in the
Arve valley which beekeepers estimated would support 20 hives
was being decimated. Established accessible areas have been severely
damaged by clearfell logging. But now forestry proposes to build
expensive roads into wilderness forest areas like the Weld to
access Leatherwood. But what happens if they decide to log these
areas as well? No new road is ever going to provide more Leatherwood
trees while the woodchip industry drives forestry practices.
The recreational value of the Weld Valley has long been highlighted
by the Huon Valley Environment Centre and Weld activists.
Despite the recognised value of the area, Forestry Tasmania has
been ignoring and actively devaluing the recreational potential
of the Weld Valley for many years. In fact, the public were only
able to access the area (without paying a $100 key deposit) after
activists established Camp Weld and demanded greater access. The
current Forestry Tasmania exclusion zone means that any four wheel
drivers, anglers or bush walkers entering the area are liable
to be arrested or moved-on by police.
There has been no attempt to manage or improve the well-used Fletcher's
Eddy Track,or to manage the tourism aspects of the area alongside
the nearby Tahune Airwalk. By launching their tourism strategy
for the Weld within days of the police raid which opens the area
up for logging, they are deploying smoke screen of positive spin.
There cannot be a sustainable future for tourism in the Weld until
the destruction of its unique assets and recreational areas is
stopped.
FT says: "the activists had repeatedly
failed to acknowledge that 82% of the Weld Valley is protected
within the World Heritage Area."
The reality is: While activists
have never denied that large areas of the Upper Weld are protected
within the Tasmanian World Heritage Area, they have always emphasised
that there are thousands of hectares of pristine forest in the
Lower Weld, outside the protected area, which are open to logging
and mining. While only portions of the valley are protected within
the World Heritage area, the entire valley contains unique features
of world heritage significance. The entire Valley deserves protection.
The lower Weld Valley is a large, diverse area comprising several
thousand hectares of pristine forests, button grass and riverine
landscapes, outside of protection. The lower Weld contains outstanding
natural features, including tall forests, breathtaking views,
spectacular unnamed waterfalls, cave and karst systems.
In recognition of these and other values the area has been identified
as of World Heritage value. Experts including the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature, Scientists commissioned
by the Australian Federal Government in the 1990's and Tasmania's
Parks and Wildlife service have all argued that the the current
reserve boundary in the lower Weld Valley is inadequate to protect
the conservation values of the area.
The lower Weld Valley is inherently part of the same ecosystem
which is protected within the World Heritage Area. So why has
the lower Weld been left out?
The reason that the lower Weld was left unprotected is not because
it doesn't include significant values, it is because it contains
rich stands of tall eucalypt forest that the woodchip industry
wants to log.
FT says: "Both the Regional Forest
Agreement and Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement have determined
that this area is sufficient to protect the full range of special
values in the Weld."
The reality is: The RFA and CFA
clearly failed to ensure protection for a number of high-conservation-value
forest areas. The recent community Forest Agreement was condemned
by major conservation groups because of its inadequacy. The very
fact that an outstanding forest area such as the Weld Valley
was left unprotected is a testament to the inadequacy of this
so-called ìagreementî. Both state and Federal governments
have failed to heed the concerns of local communities in consecutive
ìtop-downî land use decisions.
The Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement was touted as a move
that would end the debate over Tasmania's forests by protecting
high-conservation value areas and phasing out clear felling in
old growth. Yet, the reality is that old growth clearfelling continues
and pristine wilderness areas, previously unroaded and unlogged,
are being opened up using the taxpayers money that was supposed
to fund a move away from destructive forestry practices. The Community
Forest Agreement was a sham deal struck between two pro-logging
governments.
FT says: "The boundaries of the
World Heritage Area contain buffers to ensure conservation values
are fully protected."
The reality is: that the Tasmanian
Wilderness World Heritage Area is a formally protected wilderness
area. By law, the boundaries of the World Heritage area cannot
be violated. Once land is protected within the World Heritage
area it is World Heritage. Forestry is seeking to water down the
significance of this area. It is concerning that Forestry Tasmania
even suggests that it is permissible to damage the world heritage
area, because of supposed buffers. They seem to be suggesting
that, because of supposed buffers, they can risk damage to the
World Heritage area. Clearly what is needed is formal buffer zone
reserves outside the existing world heritage area.
FT says: "we have been working closely
with all stakeholders in relation to the management of the Weld
Valley. "
The reality is: Forestry Tasmania
has failed to enter into real dialog with the individuals, groups
and forest users who value this region. The Huon Valley Environment
Centre has been highlighting the legitimate reasons for protection
of the Weld Valley since its inception. Forestry Tasmania has
never made any indication that it is willing to compromise or
work productively with conservation groups to ensure better management
of the area. The fact that a large contingent of police and security
guards is required to gain access to the forest indicates that
proper negotiation and consultation was not conducted. Rather
than entering into real dialogue and negotiation. Forestry Tasmania
prefers to give cynical lip-service to community concerns while
pushing ahead with their own woodchip driven agenda.
Written by Will Mooney.
For more information about the Weld Valley please visit the Weld Valley Online Media Hub.
Some fantastic news for a few of the defendants
in the Gunns 20 case! For now Gunns are not pursuing the cases
against Tasmanian Greens politicians Bob Brown and Peg Putt, the
group Doctors for Native Forests and individuals Peter Pullinger
and Helen Gee. In the case of Doctors for Native Forests it seems
Gunns could not tell the difference between a Victorian group
of that name and the Tasmanian group ìDoctors for Forestsî!
On Friday 17 November, Clayton Utz (Gunns' new solicitors) served
two documents, which included three proposed statements of claim.
The documents also request that there be three separate trials
and that Gunns be given more time to deal with their claims in
relation to alleged lobbying of Gunns' Banks, Gunns' Japanese
customers and the Banksia Awards Foundation.
The case is far from over, but we can celebrate the fact that
Gunns have had to drop their claims against some of the defendants.
We can only keep our fingers crossed that this will happen for
all the defendants! So far the claims against the Huon Valley
Environment Centre, and local activists Adam Burling and Lou Geraghty,
have not changed.
Check out www.gunns20.org for details and the most recent legal
documents.
A fantastic day was had by all at the 2006 Cygnet Herb, Health & Organic Expo. Herb and plant enthusiasts came out of the woodworks to stock up on their spring additions for the garden. Stallholders had a productive day and went home happy. Belly dancers entertained the flock with their shimmering and shakering. Healers shared their healing lotions, potions, pills and hands. Ken Athertion from Pindari Herb Farm made third page of the Mercury with a great article about the Expo. To top it all off $2000 was raised and donated to the Huon Valley Environment Centre who will next year not only host the HHOE, but will organise and run the Expo. A wonderful event that I have had the pleasure to run for the last three years, and I wish the HVEC much fun and blessings for future events.
Love, Brenda Goddard.
One of our most exciting recent additions to the shop is the 3CR 2007 Calender 'Seeds of Dissent'. It is a vibrant and entertaining celebration of the achievements of progressive Australian activists, produced by Melbourne's largest community radio station, 3CR 855AM. The Weld Valley campaign is featured, including a whole page photo by Matt Newton (Tasmanian Photographer of the Year) of activist Wazza up in a tripod at a Southern Forests action. It is an extremely informative calender, giving you a day by day history of radical campaigns in Australia. At only $25 it makes a fantastic gift which supports both 3CR and the HVEC.
Other stock includes...
ñ Large and small wilderness calenders
ñ Wilderness and Moon diaries
ñ Recycled printer paper
ñ Weld Valley badges and patches
ñ Large range of stickers
ñ 'No Sweat' shoes
ñ Organic sanitary products
ñ Organic cleaning products & Bokashi products
ñ Large range of incense
ñ Nimbin candle range
ñ Music CD's and DVD's
ñ Books and magazines
ñ Posters
ñ Hemp & vegan soaps
ñ Sunseals
ñ Hemp papers
ñ Large range of wilderness and art cards
We will soon have a large range of hand printed singlets and t-shirts with local designs for summer!