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Monday, July 04, 2011

Shoo Cockatoo at the Australian One Day Eventing Championships

The "Australian One Day Eventing Championships" were held at the Araluen property at Sutton Forest on Saturday.


In an classically cynical action, these national horse trials were sponsored by Hume Coal (and Posco, a huge Korean steel manufacturer). Ironic, that, as the threat of a coal mine hangs over the local community. Their lush green paddocks might well turn to dry dust if the water courses and groundwater in the district are interfered with by underground mining directly underneath this property and neighbouring properties. Wells Creek, a key local waterway, runs right though this property.


As the event was held on the property of one of the most staunch supporters of the Southern Highlands Coal Action Group, the SHCAG sought the approval of the property owner to hold one of their "Shoo Cockatoo" promotional displays on site too.


They set up adjacent to the Hume Coal promotional tent.
Oh dear - the poor Cockatoos took flight.
You can read the local paper's story here.


Then the SHCAG supporters mingled amongst the crowd of horse owners and signed up another 150 supporters, taking their mailing list to over 3500 members now.
Everybody was showing their allegiances
This is the real message from the property owner.
Shoo Cockatoo sign proudly displayed on the fence of Araluen.


You would think that Hume Coal outsmarted themselves by this cyncial attempt to buy favour in the community. But that's typical of the way Mining Companies behave, right around Australia. They pretend to care for the locals, but they just want your coal, and they do not want local community groups standing in their way.


One would have to ask if Julie Gander the company's Community Liaison Officer is doing a good job, picking this event to sponsor? I don't think so, as, on the day, she headed off to hide her embarrasment - leaving the company's promotional tent abandoned.
Hume Coal's abandoned promotional tent
Oh dear!

4 comments:

Snail said...

There's a couple Minerals Council adverts running on TV up here at the moment. (They're probably countrywide.) They're quite well made, but I can't help viewing them with more than a little cynicism.

Denis Wilson said...

Those slick mining ads are national.
.
Yes, the Minerals Council people have a bit more money to spend than the volunteer groups, so we try to beat them with local contacts, and being really helpful, not "buying favours".
Denis

Flabmeister said...

Denis

When I have finished it, hopefully tomorow, the blog of my trip to the Far North Coast of NSW contains a few good news stories of the way in which communities up there are trying to fight the mining companies.

The thrust up there is to lock the gate to keep the miners out!

Martin

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Martin
I look forward to your report.
It is heartening that even visitors are made aware of the opposition to Coal Seam Gas.
Thanks
Denis