Middle Head protest reunion, Sat Sept 24

Come to Middle Head! My friend Peter Geddes writes, concerning this coming Saturday's 25th anniversary reunion of the 1985 Save Middle Head Beach actions:

There is energy building around this commemoration of the historically important Middle Head protest. People who have not communicated with one another in over two decades are getting in touch saying they are coming. Some can't make it and there is a growing list of sisters and brothers who have died in the past 25 years. We can honour them when we gather on the beach at two PM on Saturday, September 24.

Like all our activities at Middle Head, Koori time will prevail, and you are advised to tell your friends to come early and be prepared to stay late. When evening falls the re-union will move nearby to the Scotts Head Bowling Club. At the club here will be a display of photos and press clippings coordinated by Terry Parkhouse formerly of the Yarrahapinni ecology study centre, and everyone is invited to add contributions. Terry says there's good bistro food and drink at the club, and facilities for showing slides and video. We have dusted off a 37-minute video copy of a Super 8 film made at Middle Head and on the Beachwalk. It includes scenes from the Terania Creek protest and Guboo Ted Thomas' Renewing of the Dreaming work. The video copy is rather old and tired, but the content still stirs and you might be thrilled to see how beautiful you were in dissent.

The word has gone out to the Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti mobs in Nambucca and Kempsey, and it is hoped the Koori-white bond established at the protest will be re-kindled at this re-union. For many, it was the combined efforts of Indigenous Australians and White Australians that made the protest memorable. There we had the opportunity to learn just how well we can work together and how important the land is to all of us. How there are times when we are prepared to put our bodies on the line to demonstrate this love.

(Click thumbnail to embiggen. The pic is from 'Maggie's Farm' mag, contemporary to the action. Thanks to the photographer, whom I've forgotten.)

Tagged: australia, environment, activism