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The aim of the Gasfield Free Northern Rivers movement is to protect the biodiversity, water resources, agricultural lands and sustainable industries of the Northern Rivers, and the livelihoods and wellbeing of the people who live here, from the impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) and other forms of unconventional gas mining. Our objective is to have the Northern Rivers region declared a CSG and unconventional gas free zone, and for all current licenses and leases that allow such activities to be revoked. Read more here and more about the Bentley Blockade here.
Ashleigh Frost is a 23-year-old university student from the Coffs Harbour area. Along with the story Ash sent through this message,"Such a great couple of days, honestly Holly you wouldn’t believe the amazing positive vibes and resilience in that community, not to mention the infrastructure…. I think everyone there is really making history and won’t be leaving anytime soon." May her story inspire you as much as it did me.In the context of this revolution, this social movement currently happening in Bentley, storytelling is a political act.
Because when I tell my story of a few days spent in the midst of a loving, giving and resilient community it is essentially the story of a terrible proposal that threatens the people of the Northern Rivers. And they are not taking it lying down.
The histories and narratives of this place have been recorded and retold through alternative media, but scarcely mentioned or measured in the mainstream. I see these stories as transformational and historic, as I believe that one day they will act as a reminder of the power of the people and how a peaceful uprising in Bentley has changed CSG in Australia and around the world.
As Kellie and I drove through the stunning Northern Rivers Valleys it was incomprehensible for us to visualize over 1000 gas wells littering the farmlands. Instead, what we did find was a bunch of tents in the middle of a paddock.
We arrived at the campsite and were welcomed with big smiles and pointed in the direction of the free spaces to set up camp, we pitched our measly, but surprisingly waterproof tent in-between tepees and campervans. We walked up to the information tent then signed up for a vigil at one of the gates that were manned 24/7. We barely had time to look around the communal spaces set up but did find a tea tent, a sacred fire, elders area, and many other welcoming spaces. On our way to one of the gates we stopped by a children’s area where kids and dogs were hanging around painting.
Up at the gate we were warmly welcomed as we sat around the fire, meeting the courageous people who have been supporting the blockade.
We met the knitting nannas against CSG, we met so many school children who were there with their families over the school holidays, we met local farmers who told us of the consequences to their water and food supplies if the gas wells go through.
Most of all Kellie and I were chatting to a farmer who was on vigil with us who had been there for months, putting his cattle work on hold to show his support for the region, terrified and disgusted of what Metagasco was capable of. It’s hard to really put into words what these people were going through and the sheer elatedness of what Kellie and I were experiencing of the impending and resilient spirit we were a part of. While the sunset over the valley we walked back to the camp to surprisingly find a dinner that was lovingly made by volunteers from the food that was donated by people from all over. We met one of these people, a farmer from Brisbane who brought down organic vegetables to show his support. We sat around the fire eating a warm dinner, listening to relay of the days meeting where sources indicate that numbers were needed for Monday dawn to show the strength of our numbers to force a political solution.
We woke up at 5am the next morning to huge numbers of cars coming through the gates and parking long distances from the gates. The cars had been streaming in from about 3:30 nonstop and the crowd just seemed to grow and grow. Despite the rain and weather 3000 people showed up. Kellie and I were amazed.
The crowed was elated and in unity, people were happy and confident crowded together singing and confirming their support.
Luke led the speeches as usual and we all sang together. My favourite was the ten year old girl who stood on a surfboard and recited a poem that was full of pride and determination.
We left the gate a few hours later only to be greeted with hot porridge for breakfast and some of the best music and positive energy I’ve ever experienced. Around the sacred fire the crowd grew as we listened to guitars, bongos and didgeridoos. The rest of our day was a few more shifts on the gates, some well into the night as numbers are needed out there, some washing up duty and big hugs and smiles from all when we left.
We will be back. We showed up. Will you?
The fight isn’t over as news of the riot squad and police that are planning strategies on Bentley are circulating.