Q How did the Environment Centre start?
Well! As a sort of culmination of a series of events through the 1980s, such as the forming of 'Grafton People for Peace' in opposition to atomic bomb testing in the Pacific by the French. People for Peace held candlelight vigils to mark the anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, along with occasional footpath processions, rallies and meetings in Market Square. Q What's kept the CEC going all these years?
That money support from People for Peace plus the dedication of innumerable decent ordinary and extraordinary people.
Q What have been some of the most satisfying moments?
Well, of course the defeat of the pulp mill proposal. If it had gone on, we wouldn't (according to estimates of gifted and qualified supporters way back in 1989) we wouldn't now have any forests from approximately Port Macquarie to the Queensland border, and from the coast to the Great Divide. That was their prognosis - to feed the proposed mill for fifteen years. All of that quantity of forest would have been needed. Oh! What a victory! I revel in that when I think of it from time to time, but I am a realist enough to know that what drives the society we live in is 'profit making and be blowed to the consequences'. The ordinary people, who in my view are regarded as expendable to the profit makers (for example, the bulk of those killed in wars are the ordinary, expendable people) must remain forever on the lookout for their next move.
Then of course there have been a whole number of anti-logging actions. And all the public gatherings in Market Square - against atomic testing, for Aboriginal reconciliation, with speakers from the Aboriginal community. There have been many moments.
Q Do you think the CEC is working in a harder political climate these days?
As always, it's fluctuating. What may look harder now will suddenly, some time in the future, change without much warning. We should always be alert to the possibilities from those changes. I really believe that because the powers that be think they can now ride on roughshod and do what they like with no regard to the environment, just go to war to grab oil or whatever, cause hundreds to drown and then lie, lie, lie. Some event will occur which will change peoples' attitude from 'I'm too tired' or 'too weary' or too 'don't give a damn' to 'That's it! That's not on!' we must be ready.
Q Do you think we're reaching Clarence valley people?
No, not really. But then, that will always be difficult, because of who and what we are up against, and our limited resources. The rich and powerful control the media to suit their point of view and gag ours.
Q What will it take to survive another fifteen years?
In particular to win the young people, to know that the environment is critical for their survival. Climate change appears to be catching scientists unawares in many areas and in spite of the moneyed corporations who are the real rulers (governments are really their fronts or stooges). They turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to scientists' predictions. The effects will sooner rather than later awaken people, the younger people. Teachers and educational material have an important role in this.
Q What do you value most about the Centre?
The friendly atmosphere, and meeting like-minded people. I value the resources we now have available, which we've built up.
AND THE VICE PRESIDENT SPEAKS
There seems to be a lot of gloom and doom talk going around after the last election. It may seem to you that nothing you do can make a difference, the world is simply run by idiots with a death wish, that personal greed overrides common sense and that no one wants to remove themselves from their comfort zone. But a quick look back will show you that things have changed for the better, and are continuing to improve at an ever-increasing rate.
I am 48, and when I first voted there was no minister for the environment, in fact, no portfolio for the environment at all! The only 'green' movement were a few 'weird' people who thought that there was too much litter, and wouldn't it be nice if all the streets and parks were clean? From there it quickly went to 'lets put more native plants into our gardens.' Pretty soon nearly everybody could see the benefits of litter-free streets and native birds were returning to suburbs. Now, it's considered bad to litter, even cigarette butts are disposed of properly, and to plant native plants in your garden is very common. These are just two examples, there's plenty more. When I was a boy, Parramatta River was so polluted by industrial waste that it was 'dead'. It was considered so polluted that people who had wooden hulled boats would moor them in the river to free them of borers! When I was 25 the first fish was caught in the Parramatta River for years. Sydney people, who could see the benefit, were justifiably proud of this achievement.
But each change was preceded by a 'bunch of ratbags' who went against the accepted behaviour of the majority. And, we, the proud 'ratbags' are winning! Every year brings changes for the better. Now, not only is there a portfolio for the environment, but, instead of being attached to the ministry of sport and recreation, as it was when introduced, it is now stands alone, and is considered one of the major portfolios.
So all you 'ratbags' out there, keep on pushing- history will tell the true story of your success. -Dave
When our Mr Causley came out in favour of the Japanese company Daishowa establishing a pulp mill around Grafton to convert forests into paper-making pulp in 1989, more and more people came together over quite a few months. This reached a crescendo of huge meetings - 1000 people twice at South Grafton High School, and 7000 at Coffs Harbour. Daishowa pulled out; the government had egg on its face. Some people decided to establish an environmental group and shopfront. There ensued a series of meetings which led to two groups being formed - the Clarence Environment Centre and the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition. Grafton People for Peace, which finally dissolved over the early years of the CEC, gave the CEC some thousands of dollars which they had raised by cake stalls etc. As part of the CEC charter and full title (which is Clarence Environment and Social Justice Centre) we acknowledged and too over the role of Grafton people for Peace.
