COVER ARTIST: Tanique Brim

TITLE: ‘Gudju Gudju

Rainbow Serpent’ –

Creator Spirit of the Barron River

MEDIUM: Acrylic

CONTACT: 0447 055 528

 

 

 

 

The most significant environmental movement is happening right now in Australia. You will not find much on the mainstream media, so Googlethe ‘Bentley blockade’and ‘Lock the Gate Alliance’ to see why and how Australians from all walks of life are standing strong against political intimidation, to resist the destruction of our precious natural resources.

Aborigines, farmers, and conservationists are talking to each other, and recognise that it is time to lock the gate on unconventional gas extraction. Over 95% of the people of the Northern Rivers of New South Wales let their politicians know they were not prepared to surrender the future health of their land, rivers and aquifers to corporations seeking to mobilise and capture the methane locked underground.

Let us follow their magnificent example and unite, to keep North Queensland free of toxic gas fields.

Methane is about thirty times more damaging a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.  Once mobilised, methane can contaminate the aquifers and escape into the atmosphere. Toxic hydrological fracking fluids are often pressured with sand and water into the wells, then detonated to shatter the earth and mobilise trapped gas. This highly controversial process known as ‘fracking’ is the main reason for moratoriums on unconventional gas extraction in many global jurisdictions, including Victoria and France.

We have managed to protect significant wilderness areas across this vast continent over the past ‘sixty years’.  Our new environmental challenge is to stop the major political parties from poisoning vast areas of the land and water that we need to feed our families.

We need your help!  Please email your name, phone number and skills tobood@tpg.com.auJ

Mantle Mining Pty Ltd has applied for a permit to explore for unconventional gas under Nguddaboolgan (Mt. Mulligan) 60klms west north west of Mareeba, high in the iconic Mitchell River catchment.   Nguddaboolgan is very sacred to the Bamma, the first nation people. One of the oldest known occupation sites in Australia, Nguddaboolgan contains numerous cultural treasures listed on the National Heritage database, as well as endemic fauna and flora. While an exploration permit might sound a rather benign development, one really needs to visit, see or hear from the people affected in Southern Queensland, to fully appreciate the long-term impacts this industry will have to the health of our communities and descendants. Who will clean up the mess when these corporations have gone and their wells are leaking?

Thanks to the hundreds of people who are already providing support to the Djungan and their neighbours, who have been brave enough to speak their truth to defend Nguddaboolgan and the Mitchell River.Alfred ‘Pop’ Neal(pictured), Djungan elder and a spokesperson for Nguddaboolgan has honoured traditional lore by warning neighbouring tribes of the potential harm to spirit, country and kinship. The old people (elders) also warned the miners before the explosion that killed all 75 underground in 1921. Thankfully Pop is not alone this time; many people are joining his call for due diligence to be done.

Katter’s Australia Party State member for Dalrymple, Shane Knuth recently wrote, ‘The coal seam gas industry is not only a major threat to Queensland’s agricultural industry, it is a major threat to one of the most limited and necessary natural resource assets of our country – water.  Through my work on the parliamentary Agricultural, Resource and Environment Committee I have witnessed firsthand the impact this industry is having on subterranean water aquifers in southern Queensland.  The fact is, landowners in Southern Queensland have been ignored, harassed, bullied and stripped of representation. From their experience it is clear that the Government is willing to say and do anything to keep communities quiet until after the wells have been dug and water supplies have been contaminated.’

Last week the Greens’ Queensland Senator, Larissa Walters raised serious allegations of corruption between the Queensland Premier, Campbell Newman and the Coal Seam Gas industry. He may have helped to dismiss without explanation the Crime and Misconduct Commission investigation into whistle blower Simone Marsh’s credible and damning evidence. All this in Queensland, the state without an upper house and where many in the Judiciary have lost confidence in the Government for removing people rights, unconstitutionally. As we speak the Queensland Government is circulating legislation for comment, to make it illegal for Queenslanders to protest against government approved mining projects.

Listen to Larissa Walter’s parliamentary evidence at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfr7JXrDvFc

The only legal options we appear to have, to stop the cancer following the spread of coal seam gas across Southern Queensland from decimating us, is to get the majority of people to understand what is at stake and to voice their opposition to this industry whose contribution could be more safely replaced by concentrated solar thermal power and renewable biofuels.

We fully understand the incredible responsibility we have chosen to share; to stand between Nguddaboolgan and the Government led petrochemical cartels requires personal sacrifice that we are most willing to make.

Corporations have control of our parliaments. Who will hear the call of our country?

If not now, then when?  If not us, then who?

Please advocate for Gas free Aquifers and help preserve life and the environment in North Queensland.

For further information visit the Lock the Gate Alliance website at www.lockthegate.org.au                         or contact Bood by email: bood@tpg.com.au or phone 0429-121-212.

 

REGULAR FEATURE

Explanations of Fig. 1
a) A bowl of fresh fruit reflecting in a mirror can boost prosperity.
b) Create an intimate and welcoming ambience by placing lit candles on the table or sideboard.
c) Oblong, round or square tables with soft corners are best. Long narrow tables are not recommended. Avoid seating guests at the corners as these act as poison arrows.
d) Seat diners with their backs to a solid structure like upholstered seats, a wall or a heavy buffet.
e) Six or eight are ideal numbers of chairs around a table.
f) The table should be in a well-defined space so Chi can flow all around it.

General Feng Shui tips for the Dining Room

Whether your dining area is a formal room or simply a table in your family room or kitchen, the following apply equally:
a) If you stick your dining table against a wall, Chi cannot flow there. You will project the same problem in the area of your life. For example, if your table is stuck in your wealth area, money will not flow easily to you.
b) The dining room should not be too close to the entrance or guests will eat and run. If it is, screen it from the initial view of those entering, with a partition or beaded curtains. Even a round-faceted crystal can serve as a symbolic screen.
c) You can use small typical Chinese Feng Shui statues. Fu, Lu and Sau are the three gods of health, happiness and prosperity. Just make sure that when diners are seated, the statues are slightly higher.
d) One mirror is fine as it doubles the food, symbolically doubling the abundance. Two mirrors facing each other are inappropriate in a dining room as this creates a busy and sharp atmosphere.
e)  If your table is underneath an apparent beam cutting the table, people might argue or feel separate.
f) It is auspicious to match your china, and never use cracked or chipped plates or glasses.

Feng Shui Yours, Roseline Deleu. International Feng Shui Master, author and trainer
www.fengshuisteps.com BLOG www.fengshuisteps.wordpress.com
For Happy Feng Shui consultations in Cairns and FNQ, please call Carol Crumlin 0417 716 819