Whale tails, circuses and culture
Sue Brooks June 6th, 2010
Yesterday was a fantastic day. Once again Vicki Neville and her hard working volunteers ably assisted by Larry Burch from Aqua Vue, hosted an absolutely wonderful tribute to our whales. I’m not sure of the numbers but lots and lots of us paddled out into the beautiful waters of Hervey Bay and formed a wiggly circle in the water. We laid over 500 flowers in the water to signify the number of whales killed last year. The feeling out on the water was one of dedication to the future of our whales and also the simple but heartfelt joy that we all felt because we get to live in and enjoy such a pristine and beautiful patch of planet earth.
Yes the traffic on the Esplanade was banked up and we had to park a bit further away than one would normally do, but for a couple of hours of a very small inconvenience to some Esplanade travellers the outcome, in my mind, was very well worth it. Thank you Vicki for making sure that whaling is kept well and truly in the spotlight. I can’t support an industry that kills animals for nothing more than traditional or cultural or mere profit motives. Surely we are mature enough to realise that some natural ecosystems are sacrosant and our large harmless elephants of the sea should be protected. No one is actually going to starve to death because they can’t hunt whale!
Council has decided to await for another report on circus animals before making a final decision. While we will ask the LGAQ to lobby at the State level for a consistent approach state wide, some Councillors expressed concerns about the definition of the word exotic and also about what would happen to animals currently used in circuses if they had no where left to perform. I put a motion to Council to ask for another report that better defines the types of animals we could ban from performing in the Fraser Coast region and this was seconded by Cr McNeven. The vote was not unanimous with myself, Cr’s McNeven, Hawes, Nioa, O’Connell, Arthur and Hovard voting in favour of the further report and Crs Kruger, Dalgleish, Muckan and Harris voting against.
I also notice that a considerable number of residents are concerned about a 6 storey planned development adjacent the Beach Rd - Esplanade roundabout at Pialba. If you would like to submit and voice your opinion (for or against)about this proposed development let me know and I can put you in touch with the residents who are concerned.
Friday was a busy day. In the afternoon I attended the Mangrove Watch workshop where many of our river keepers listened to a presentation about how the data that they are collecting will be used to better understand our mangroves. I then travelled to Urangan for the announcement of and presentation to the winners of the FCRC Mayoral Environment awards. A wonderful ceremony with many worthy nominees in attendance. I do want to thank all the sponsors and all the nominators as without you these awards that recognise the hard work of volunteers would not happen. Congratulations to all the winners and to Marilyn Connell who was awarded the environmentalist of the year for her work in protecting the Mary River Turtle. Marilyn has raised awareness of this special turtle on the International stage!
After the awards it was off to Z Pac to see the wonderful Dad’s Army production. A very entertaining evening and it is hard to pick out a stand out performer from the large cast. I highly recommend a night at our local theatre. Once again Z Pac shows how the contribution of people who simply roll up their sleeves and get on with doing something enriches our community. Do go along and see this show before it closes in a couple of weeks.
Lastly the announcement that we will receive just over $5million dollars from the Federal Government towards our Community Centre and Library extension project is exceptionally good news. Both these projects have been in the pipeline for over 10 years now and are very badly needed. When I worked in the Hervey Bay Library (5 years ago now) the staff were continually riding a roller coaster. Yes we will expand… no we can’t… yes we can.. no we can’t! At long, long last this much needed project should come to reality and Hervey Bay will gain a Library service that provides the space needed to properly cater for a growing population of both community and University members. Our Library has one of the biggest percentage of members per head of population in the country and has not expanded in the 15 years plus since it was built while the population of Hervey bay has grown by tens of thousands. Our oft spoken about missing built ‘heart’ in Hervey Bay may finally begin beating!
The project involves a new Gallery being built across the road on the corner of Old Maryborough Rd and behind Main St and the USQ will take up the space of the current Gallery providing a seamless service to all Library users. The Community Centre will be constructed on the corner Charles St and the Torquay Rd extension on the same parcel of land.
- Council related issues
- Comments(11)
Hi Sue,
It sounds like you had a good day on Saturday. The bit in your article that confused me was this – “Yes the traffic on the Esplanade was banked up and we had to park a bit further away than one would normally do, but for a couple of hours of a very small inconvenience to some Esplanade travellers the outcome, in my mind, was very well worth it.”
What was the cause of the bank up of the traffic, and why did the “inconvenience” last for a couple of hours? Please don’t tell me it had anything to do with Vicki’s protest? It was out in the water, right? Am I missing something?
Many of the people that paddled and those that simply came to be part of a wonderful day came via car and there were holdups while people found places to park etc. The pedestrian crossing at Torquay was very busy which also slowed down the traffic flow. I think the holdups were minor and no one seemed to concerned as everyone was in a good mood.
Thanks for clearing that up Sue. That’s what I thought you probably meant, because I couldn’t imagine those involved would be too concerned about the holdup, because they probably firmly believe that what they are doing is good and worthwhile thing, and wouldn’t think for a second that disrupting local businesses, travellers and normal traffic “for a couple of hours” was anything more than “a very small inconvenience”. Maybe next time, Vicki and her fellow protesters could consider employing some traffic control, like all the other water events organise when they conduct such events adjacent to the esplanade. Just a thought that I think maybe worthy of consideration.
I’ve just read my previous post and feel that I probably didn’t explain myself properly. What I’m trying to say is that I can see no difference with Vicki and her supporters to organize a protest by inviting a number of friends, and then asking those friends to invite other friends and placing their details on facebook, twitter etc, – to that of a teenager who has a party and invites his friends, and then other friends friends, and then puts the details on facebook. In either case, we have no idea how many people will attend. The police and the public are quick to condemn people how conduct parties in this manner, but the public are expected to just accept it when it is a protest group instead. Who cares who they disrupt?
Add to this issue, that the protesters in Vicki’s group were attending with boats – some needing trailers and access to a boat ramp. The ramp, and the carpark, and parking bays, and traffic control SHOULD have been arranged prior to this event. There should have been security, and police involved. But there weren’t. There are many many events conducted on our esplanade, and as long as it’s on a weekend, it is no problem to get parts blocked off, or carparks closed, or particular carpark reserved. Just look at the sailing clubs there. They do it all the time.
The fact is that this protest was poorly organized, badly planned, and in reality, Vicki and her fellow protesters probably didn’t think many people would turn up. In the end, it was a complete stuff-up and honestly, I think people should be made to pay. Clearly the council were aware of this – so why didn’t they force the protest group to obtain the relevant permits etc? I have no problem with protests provided they do it peacefully and without unnecessary disruption to the public. If they want to protest, do it in the proper manner with proper permits and proper protection and warning for the public.
Emily is there anything that you can say about anything that is positive? I ask this seriously because nearly every time I hear from you or read other posts from you they are predominantly critical. The event on Saturday was a wonderful gathering of concerned citizens. I attended from about noon and departed Torquay at about 3pm. During this time I saw no evidence of anyone being inconvenienced to a point of frustration. To the contrary everyone on both sides of the street looked relaxed and happy.
Funnily enough I believe our public lands including the foreshore, are public and should be able to be freely used. While it is impossible to gauge how many will attend such an event I believe that the vast majority of people who live in hervey Bay are mature enough and caring enough to put up with a little inconvenience from time to time. I certainly believe that there is a time and place for constructive criticism but in this instance I don’t think your criticism is at all warranted. If you did attend the event surely you came away with a great sense of strength and faith in the human willingness to stand up and be counted!
Emily, you seem to have issues which are beyond belief. This was not exactly a protest, but more a celebration of our whale watching, which had a message to those trying to kill these beautiful creatures for supposed “research” Whale watching is a major attraction for Hervey Bay’s economy. like it or not. What if there was a bit of disruption on the esplanade and boat ramps, these facilities are for everyone to use. It appears that most of the people involved had a good time and used the PUBLIC facilities as is their right as citizens of this great city. Most people are tolerant and I am sure any activity on the Esplanade on a winter Saturday afternoon would have benefited some of the businesses down there and be welcomed. It appears that it was a peaceful activity and caused no one any real grief, so good on them ,I say. You need to get a life and stop complaining about everything, nothing is perfect in this world ,but we have to be a bit tolerant and allow some freedom. There was no real holdups, traffic was not significantly disrupted any more than a busy day in the tourist season. Just a question, do you live in Maryborough, by any chance?
I have to support Sue and the Observer that the day was a great success and that Emily you are not a happy person, just one looking for things to complain about.
If there was a minor disruption to traffic or use of car parks and boat ramps then that is not a problem for any normal person given knowing the reason for the gathering for the day. They are there for public use and the sailing clubs don’t need traffic controllers for there events. This wasn’t a teenage party gathering that was out of control and copious amounts of alcohol involved. This was a chance for people to be involved and show they care about these great mammals and show their support to sending a message to the government. We need to protect the whales and it was great to see the Hervey Bay community get behind this effort.
Well done to Vicki and all those who chose to help and be positive.
Hi Sue. I wonder if you read today’s Observer newspaper. Specifically, did you read the article and the picture about the successful day Vicki organised a few weekends back near Aquaview? I’m sure you remember the day, because you were quite adamant that it wasn’t a “protest” – hence there was no need to alert the police, arrange traffic control, or alert the general public – all because it wasn’t a “protest” – but instead, a “celebration”. The newspaper today says different. In fact, they referred to it quite specifically as a “protest”. I’ve put up with quite a bit of abuse on this site (and personally) because of my description of the events of that day as a “protest”, so I’m wondering what action you are going to take against Mr Chapman and his newspaper? Surely it’s not one rule for the general public who “dare” to criticise” and another for the media, is it? I’d really appreciate your thoughts.
Emily I believe there is a difference between people formally deciding to protest by making banners and simply turning up at a public location with the only intent being to get a point across. Mostly and thankfully in Australia this is done calmly and quietly and peacefully and can be very successful.
The National Whale day at Torquay on the other hand was, in my opinion, a social community event with multiple activities and things to do and see. So for me personally it was far, far more than a ‘protest’. Thanks, Sue
Fair enough Sue. I wasn’t there on the day, so I have no choice but to respect your latest version and description of events of that day, despite what you said in your original post about people and businesses being disrupted for “a couple of hours” . You obviously believe it to be a day of celebration and NOT a protest or a “day of action”. But my question was why you not only allowed people to criticise me for referring it as a “protest”, but you also complained about me yourself – yet when Mr Chapman referred to it as a protest in the newspaper, and I brought it to your attention, you did nothing. As I asked above, why does there appear to be one rule for an individual comment like mine, and a totally different one when it is raised by the editor of the daily? That’s all I’m asking.
Emily I’m confused… and also totally tired of this particular discussion. Seems like we are going around in circles but for what? I did not like you targetting Vicki Neville personally for organising the Whale Day and this is what I recall you did. I did not agree with you. What Mr Chapman says and does is up to him and I simply don’t have the time or desire to comment on everything he says and writes and does. I believe people should be free to protest, to celebrate, and to simply gather to express their views publicly. If such an event, regardless of what it is called, is run sensibly and peacefully on public land then I support it. End of discussion please.