Two Nights in an Activists camp - Eden NSW



We decided to spend two nights this week down at Eden with the group of activists who have been directly standing up to the woodchiping industry and the operation of the South East Fibre Exports woodchip mill and loading facility at Eden.

Along with our family we had a friend and five additional kids ten of us in total. The young people are keen to save our native animals and plants.

During the last week I have been asked the question- why protest-why participate in actions?
So I thought I should try and articulate what my thoughts are on the issue.

Woodchipping is a crime.

It directly contributes to the extinction of plants and animals.
Its a waste of valuable forest resources which should be nurtured to help Australia combat climate change.

It is unnessecary to cut down trees to make paper and cardboard products when we could be creating an alternative and local fibre industry.



We spend millions asking other countries to stop logging their native forests yet we are unwilling to do it ourselves.

 'OUR' tax dollars are propping up an industry that is not profitable.

We need to leave something in reserve for future generations.

There are other points to be made but you get the picture.

Activism comes in many forms for many signing a petition, making a  $ $ donation, attending a rallly are the limit.

I decided to take my action via the political process as I thought I could make a difference.

Some take up the cause at the 'front line' risking their lives, getting arrested, being subjected to violence and harrasment.

All these forms of protest are valid and needed to make sure that the issues around a 'cause' are making it into the mainstream, into peoples everyday as some are easily brushed over and lost in the dross.

Sometimes the only way to get attention is to conduct actions that make the headlines and that is exactly the intention of the crew that assembled in Eden this week.

Monday: a tripod was raised on the road and stopped the unloading of log trucks for 13 hours creating a que of trucks that backed up to the Princes Hwy and beyond.

Wednesday: Tripod raised again and work stopped for more than 3 hours.

Those at the tripod on Wednesday were assaulted by truck drivers. Mill workers also attempted to harass people camped nearby by trying to blockade them from leaving.


Thursday: A peacefull game of cricket at the entrance to the mill-play often stopped to allow log trucks to pass

Friday: 4 arrestted- two of which had been locked on to loaders - meaning the mill was seroiusly disrupted.

Timber industry workers were made aware that their industry is a damaging one and that people aren't scared to make a statement and take the industry on.

So were did we fit in the picture- hopefully we provided moral support at least  letting those willing to go hard know that others do care about the issue.

 We exposed friends and children to people they may not normally meet- an education for them to find people who are passionate about the forest issue and understand deeply the importance of its existance.

An education for us to talk to others and to retell their story to others unable to make it.
To do the best we can to make sure that the issue is not forgotten, spreading the word etc.
 So if you happen to be reading this and find it interesting-SHARE IT on especially to people who dont have a clue that the 'Forest Wars' exist and that people are making courageous up front decsions every day to put their selves on the line.

To the 'forest ferals' that I met-I salute you all and am committed to doing my bit in this battle to stop the stupidity that is woodchipping.