WCTC 20220428

I wish to correct any misconceptions
about the comments by Tom Gaslevich
in the most recent edition of Western
Downs Town and Country.
Tom’s group, Friends of New Acland
Mine, have no connection with the
farmers and graziers in the immediate
district who object to New Acland Coal
P/L applications to their Stage 3 aspirations.
Approximately 75 local, sustainable
farmers have major concerns for their
groundwater (aquifer) supplies being
depleted should the NAC stage 3 mining
lease be approved.
A real farmer would not approve of
T
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Correcting comments on Acland mining
an open cut coal mine as a neighbour
….. surely!! These legitimate Acland,
Brymaroo, Kulpi, Quinalow, Maclagan,
Goombungee, Jondaryan and Irvingdale
farmers have come together to fight
the approval process with whatever
means are available.
The bona fide farmers’ efforts are
spearheaded by the Oakey Coal Action
Alliance, a group of farmers, doctors,
business owners and supporters who
share the concerns of the local farmers,
believing that food production on prime
agricultural land should not be compromised
by an open cut coal mine.
More widely, there is genuine, conscientious
support from Lock the Gate
(LTG) who have generously provided
their might to the Acland contest. Their
supporters cover the length and breadth
of Australia, having seen environmental
injustice many times over.
The ongoing court activities have
been brought about by NAC, laying
appeals to the 2021 Land Court recommendation
that their applications be
refused.
These court activities are in the hands
of the Environment Defenders Office
(EDO), ensuring the rights of profitable,
local farmers’ livelyhoods are protected.
Most would agree the period of
conjecture is tiring, but all agree justice
is deserved.
It is true that the Resource Minister
Hon Scott Stewart and his parliamentary
team met with a small delegation of
farmers, OCAA, LTG and EDO at parliament
house when he offered to make
a visit to observe, firsthand the lay of
the land. This early June visit naturally
will include a mine visit.
Hopefully, this coverage may assist
Tom, and his many followers, that we
the local, authentic farmers of this agriculturally
viable district will continue
the fight until justice prevails. - Frank
Ashman
Decline in our hard fought freedoms
REKINDLE AUSSIE FIGHTING SPIRIT
Our National anthem contains the
words ‘Australians all let us rejoice, for
we are one and free...‘
Dubbed ‘the lucky country’ for many
years, we did indeed enjoy many years
of freedom.
Growing up in this country meant
there was freedom on many levels, but
it came at a cost.
That’s why we celebrate Anzac Day,
to remember the brave soldiers who
have fought in various wars to retain
our freedoms.
Some of them giving their lives, others
losing limbs and others traumatised
for life by the experiences of war. It is
right that we take a day every year to
commemorate them.
Whether a large gathering or small,
all of our Anzac Day services use the
Ode of Remembrance which finishes
with the words: “We will remember
them.”
However, the heavy price they paid
for our freedom has now become null
and void. There is another war going on
in this world that is being fought in a
different way.
It is also about freedom, but sadly
the famous Aussie fighting spirit, once
something to be proud of, has largely
been laid to rest.
Over recent years there has been a
decline in our freedoms in many different
ways.
Freedom of speech for example, no
longer exists here. If your voice is not
in agreement with various minority
groups, you are shut down or labeled as
biased. Loving and accepting all people
no matter their lifestyle choice, religion
or culture is a good thing.
Council works program
Chinchilla Weir Campground has
now been re-opened to the public. The
site amenities, including toilet blocks,
have been inspected and re-opened.
However, repairs to electrical boxes
are ongoing.
Previously cancelled maintenance
works on the toilet facilities in Anderson
Park, Dalby, have been rescheduled
to 19 to 22, weather permitting.
The facilities will be closed for the
duration of the works.
Road upgrades (kerbing and channeling)
works will take place in Moreton
Street, Dalby between Nicholson and
Condamine Streets from late April to
mid-June 2022, weather permitting.
• Works will occur between 6.30am
and 3pm, Monday - Friday, with access
to Moreton Street restricted to local
traffic.
Seek alternative routes when possible.
However, where loss of freedom
comes in, is when one dares to speak
up when their agendas are forced upon
you in workplaces or schools because
they oppose the values of morality or
religious beliefs that you grew up with.
Freedom to travel is another area.
Once you could freely travel to any
part of Australia with no restrictions, no
hoops to jump through, and no guarded
borders between our states.
This has fluctuated at the whims
and fancies of our Premiers and even
now Australia is a prison from which
you cannot leave before first agreeing
to take part in a medical experiment
which, according to various pharmaceutical
websites is still classed as a
‘clinical trial.’
Then there is the freedom to work.
People have lost their jobs or businesses
in the last two years in unprecedented
numbers.
Many have been blackmailed into
taking part in this experiment just to be
allowed to keep their job.
Everyday citizens have been manhandled
by heavy handed police in
some states for daring to leave the
house without wearing a mask... even
when they have carried a medical exemption
with them.
Where did our ‘freedom’ go? That
which was once a prized possession;
celebrated and remembered on Anzac
Day as we give thanks to the soldiers
who fought for our countries.
It was given away by Mr and Mrs
Citizen in the name of compliance to
mandates and regulations that are actually
illegal according to various federal
laws. Giving in to the status quo which
said ‘do as you’re told, or suffer the
consequences.’
Tricked into thinking that ‘freedom’
could be bought by going along with
what has been presented.
Just to have ‘freedom’ to travel, to
visit family, to receive some medical
treatments, or go out and enjoy dinner
or a coffee with friends.
Acceptance, and agreement with the
flawed system now seems to be easier
to handle than to own up to the fact that
the ‘safe and effective’ ploy was incorrect,
as it is neither.
The number of people getting sick
is on the rise, and largely among those
who took the bait. Continued needless
testing and further injections only drive
freedom further and further away.
Is it too late? Or, like a Phoenix, can
we rise from the ashes of a ruined democracy
and loss of freedom in this
country?
My sincere hope is that we can once
again rekindle the Aussie fighting spirit
that stands for what is good and right
and free, honouring those who laid
down their lives for us, showing mateship
and working together so that once
more in honesty we can sing... ‘Australians
all let us rejoice, for we are one
and free...’ - Lynda Georgeson
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2 - WESTERN DOWNS TOWN and COUNTRY - APRIL 28, 2022
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