New forest saving documentary in Sydney prefacing big rally at Eden July 2nd

"'Ya 'effing maggots!' Yes, loggers' tempers can become a little frayed when environmentalists chain themselves beneath earth-moving machinery. Yet while there are moments of fierce conflict in this absorbing and smartly constructed doco about the struggle to save the last old-growth rainforest in East Gippsland, its surprise is how calmly the loggers and the protestors managed to coexist for so much of the time. Director Peter Vaughan spent three years living near Orbost and interviewed all sides, discovering the previous over-logging and its effect on the loggers and the local economy. He also spent time with the protesters. The history of local logging and the complexities of the conflict are laid out with fascinating clarity."

This 54 minute film

http://www.waitawhilefilms.com.au/

by independent film maker Peter Vaughan will screen tomorrow Wednesday 21st June 2006 at 5pm at the State Theatre 49 Market St, Sydney via say Town Hall Railway Station.

Peter writes:

.........Just letting you know that a documentary film called The Last Valley will be screening at this years Sydney Film Festival. The film details the decline of the East Gippsland logging industry due to government managed unsustainable logging; and the consequence of that on the environment and the local timber dependant communities. The film was produced over five years, a period that witnessed both the collapse of the logging industry and an intensification in environmental conflict centred upon the last ditch attempts by conservationist to defend remaining pockets of old-growth forest including the iconic Goolengook valley. 

The film is screening at 5PM on Wednesday 21 June 2006 at the State Theatre Sydney.

 See link below for Sydney Film Festival details on the film.

http://www.sydneyfilmfestival.org/plugins/filmmanager.cgi/main/view?id=198

.............

The official synopsis from the film festival reads:

This years Sydney Film Festival will feature a controversial documentary
that examines the fate of Australia's old-growth forests. Filmed over three
years, "The Last Valley:" takes us to the frontlines of the battle to
protect some of Victoria's last remaining rainforest and old-growth forest,
including the iconic Goolengook valley. With intimate access to both sides
of the dispute, director Peter Vaughan's examines the consequences of
unsustainable logging on rural communities and questions the competency of
those charged with the management of publicly owned natural resources.

Peter Vaughan will present the film and take questions at the screening. For
more information including ticketing see the Sydney Film Festival website.

http://www.sydneyfilmfestival.org/plugins/filmmanager.cgi/main/view?id=198

A related inititiative is reportage in the press of south east Australia here of a big rally and associated events the night before and after around Sunday July 2nd as follows:

From Eden Magnet, Page 1
Police lay ground rules for protest
Thursday, 1 June 2006

A rally is being planned for the Eden woodchip mill on Sunday, July 2.

The rally is being organised by local conservation groups.

Eden Police Sergeant Scott Blanch this week confirmed that rally organisers had begun a series of meetings with local authorities about a demonstration.

"We have received all the appropriate paperwork needed to conduct a public demonstration," he said.

"Eden Police are currently working with all concerned parties."

Sgt Blanch said he was satisfied with how the negotiations were progressing.

"Our role on the day will involve crowd control and organisation of traffic movements," he said.

"We anticipate these will be important elements due to the number of people expected to attend."

If you can only do one thing for the forests this year, this is it! Join the Eden chipmill mass rally on 2 July. Check out the latest details at: http://www.woodchippingsux.net.au

and this report also

Bega District News
Mass rally planned for woodchip mill
Friday, 2 June 2006

A MASS rally is being planned for the Eden woodchip mill on Sunday, July 2.

The rally is being sponsored by almost 30 local, regional, national Australian and Japanese conservation groups with the aim of urging Governments to close the chipmill and move the woodchipping industry to existing plantations.

Australia now has enough plantation hardwood available to replace native forest woodchip exports, but the transition is not happening, according to spokesperson for the rally organisers, Ms Harriett Swift.

"We simply do not need to destroy our native forests to meet Australia's current woodchip exports and Governments must show some leadership by making sure the plantations are used to replace native forest woodchipping," she said.

Ms Swift said that the rally will be conducted as a peaceful and lawful event, with the permission and co-operation of police.

"We are hoping to make it a pleasant family day out for the many people from around all parts of south eastern Australia who want to see an end to the destruction of their forests."

She said that people were expect from as far as Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra and beyond, but the organisers are also anticipating a strong turn out of local people from the far south coast.

"Local people have been living with this dreadful industry for 35 years now and they know better than anyone how destructive and cruel it is," Ms Swift said.

Eden Police Sergeant Scott Blanch this week confirmed that rally organisers had begun a series of meetings with local authorities about a demonstration.

"We have received all the appropriate paperwork needed to conduct a public demonstration," he said.

"Eden Police are currently working with all concerned parties."

Sgt Blanch said he was satisfied with how the negotiations were progressing.

"Our role on the day will involve crowd control and organisation of traffic movements," he said.

"We anticipate these will be important elements due to the number of people expected to attend."

South East Fibre Exports' Vince Phillips said on Wednesday that he hoped the rally remained peaceful and property was not damaged.

"Rallies like this come and go, and we are confident that the local police will be able to ensure the demonstration follows the requirements of the law.

"Our only concern will be if any damage is done to our property or that of our workers, and if that occurs we will follow the appropriate course of action."

[end]

Article forwarded by:
CHIPSTOP campaign against woodchipping the south east and east gippsland forests PO Box 797 Bega NSW 2550 Australia 02 64923134 0414908997   http://www.chipstop.forests.org.au