01/12/2007
Cattle At Home On The High Plains
WE'RE back from the high plains and we did what we said we would do.
Cattle from Mt Bundarrah Station returned to The Bogongs on January 10, 2007.
The media has described us as defiant cattlemen and Environment Minister, John Thwaites, claims we are breaking the law.
Nevertheless, we had a legal and moral right to take the action and if any laws have been broken it is by Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
If Mr Thwaites wants to take the matter further we encourage him to bring it on. By the time this summer of fire and discontent is over he might have more than Bundarrah cattle on the high plains to contend with.
We took our action for a number of reasons, initially because we had the right to graze our runs this season. But just as importantly the cattle will play a vital role in protecting the high plains from wildfire as the country dries out by late summer. Thirdly, there is no feed in the home paddocks thanks to the drought and finally we are defending Australia's heritage and culture.
Mr Thwaites and his Premier, Mr Bracks, can rest assured that we are prepared to fight this battle right to the end, to the High Court if necessary.
The Government can't steal people's heritage, culture and traditions, their livelihood and the rights enjoyed by previous generations and expect them to lie down and accept it.
This summer has proven that the criminally negligent management of the Alpine National Park by the Bracks government is destroying both our cultural and environmental heritage. Historic Westons Hut on lake Spur burned down a couple of weeks ago and a number of native animals including the Long Footed Potoroo, Mountain Pygmy Possum, Spotted Quoll and the Green Tree Frog may well have taken their last steps toward extinction.
I have challenged Bracks and Thwaites to a public debate on their destructive management practices and my right to graze my licence areas this season. The lack of response has been deafening. They will not even respond to letters from our solicitors.
It appears at this stage that the Government is exercising its right to remain silent.
A few pictures of our drove can be seen at http://rebel-drovers.blogspirit.com/archive/2007/01/index...
More will be added shortly. Click on the archives to see all the pics or you'll only see those most recently added.
We'd like to thank everyone who helped out on the day for their hard work and support.
Drovers:
Michael Sandy
Doug Treasure
Jim Coleman
Wendy Stoney
Ben Gazzardi
Sue Noble
Cathy Junor
Neville Wright
Ros Wright
Jen
Trish
Vehicle back-up
Bob Richardson
Peter Ellard
Evan
Bob and Peter did a fantastic job on the day handling media enquiries, manning the UHF radios, guiding in the ABC chopper and generally keeping the show on the road.
23:20 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (26) | Email this
Comments
WELL DONE PHIL, the drought and fires are giving us all a battering, but our worst enemy LIES beyond!
Posted by: Simon Turner | 01/13/2007
Thanks Simon,
Would have loved to have had you along but we knew you had a huge fight on your hands down there. The smoke from down your way was unbelievable.
I hope all is going well for you and the family and maybe we can catch up when the crisis is over. Your advice will be really appreciated as "the fight" goes on for all of us.
Posted by: Phil Maguire | 01/13/2007
That took guts, Phil. Good on you. I hope the rest of the cattlemen now follow yours, Lou's and Ken's example. Three hearty cheers!
Posted by: Ben | 01/13/2007
Terrific, tremendous. Australia fights back. When the going gets tough the tough get going. We're with you. Let's get to it and bring the bastards down.
Posted by: Ross and Sally | 01/13/2007
A bloody damn good thing to see - good on you all and keep fighting !
Posted by: Buggss | 01/14/2007
Hi Phil. I was glad to hear that you went through with your plans to graze cattle. I was in Hawaii and you even made the news over there. I was very impressed.
It's a shame that Bracks will probably never debate you, but he knows that you'd crush him. You'd have facts and knowledge, and he'd just have political spin and statistics that don't actually mean anything.
Posted by: Ash | 01/16/2007
Thanks Ash and Buggs!
So I made the news in Hawaii? I wonder if there's a free holiday in it? lol I've always wanted to catch a wave on Oahu! Hope you you had a great time!
Seriously, I doubt Bracks or Thwaites want to become engaged in a public debate on these issues. Government is proving far harder than they ever thought it would. The easy ride is over. Now there's more to do than wine and dine with mates in the Members bar and heap insults on The Opposition.
They're finding themselves out of their depth and their low level of competence is becoming apparent to everyone.
Posted by: Phil Maguire | 01/16/2007
You did indeed make the news. Free holiday huh? If I can put up with the boyfriend's family, I'm sure you can. The house was right on the beach, and it was perfect.
Bracks and Thwaites have done so little for the people who know about the issues up in your area that they'd lose no matter what they said.
What do you think of Baillieu from what we've seen of him?
Posted by: Ash | 01/16/2007
I note that Gary Bruce has again missed the point of the stand your taking over on Andrew Bolt's blog. (Goodbye, Page 8)
Greg of NE Vic was very graceful in his response to Gary though.
Posted by: Ash | 01/16/2007
Thanks for the tip Ash. Gary Bruce has no idea whether I have a licence to graze this year or not. I feel sorry for him in his mundane urban existence. What a bland, unhappy life he must lead. And, he's wrong yet again!
I hear Andrew will be back next week. Look forward to seeing you there even though my contributions will be on and off for a while - I'll be out in the bush checking cattle for days at a time.
Posted by: Phil Maguire | 01/16/2007
Phil, it's always interesting reading what you write. As directly opposed to Gary Bruce. Actually, I wish he would read what you write, then he'd understand exactly why you took the cattle to graze.
He'd still oppose it though, just for the hell of it.
Scooter says hello.
Posted by: Ash | 01/16/2007
Thanks again, Ash! Say g'day to scooter for me!
Posted by: Phil Maguire | 01/16/2007
Will do Phil. Might even get him to drop in himself.
Posted by: Ash | 01/16/2007
Phil,
You even made the news in Rowville. Thats gotta be better than yucky old Hawaii.
Hows the fires in your area going. Hope you are all safe.
Posted by: scooter | 01/16/2007
Scooter, I consider it an honour to have made the news in Rowville......now, if I can make the Knox News and the Dandenong Journal I will have earned my infamy.
The fires aren't a threat right now but at about 6 pm a huge pall of smoke appeared over the ridges to the south of us. It looks like Melbourne's catchments might be well and truly alight but not much is being said about that.
A pleasure to meet you, by the way!
Posted by: Phil | 01/16/2007
You are surely in the Knox news, not sure of Dandenong.
We have met on Andrews blog before. Always a pleasure reading your posts as you make alot of sense. I do enjoy the way you expose Gary Bruce and mates as fools but do it so politely. Am am guessing you, like me, have a touch of RSI from replying to Jane.
Glad to hear you are all safe. Lets hope they get those fires out soon.
Posted by: scooter | 01/16/2007
Of course we've met before, scooter!
I've spoken to you on Andrew's forum but for some reason I just didn't associate you with Ash!
Re Jane, on the rare occasions I reply to her I keep it brief.
Posted by: Phil | 01/16/2007
Ha ha Phil, you might keep it brief, but Jane doesn't. The scrolling wheel on my mouse wore out, and I'm pretty sure that she's mostly responsible.
Posted by: Ash | 01/17/2007
I took up the offer from Ash on the last day of AB's blog. Continued to swap riddles and general chit-chat.
Did the State Govt actually do anything about their threat to breach their existing contract with your grazing rights?
Posted by: scooter | 01/17/2007
Scooter, I haven't heard a word from them yet. They won't even answer our solicitor's letters. And yes, the cattle are still there and I have no plans to move them out before the season ends.
Posted by: Phil Maguire | 01/17/2007
Sounds like someone over at DSE finally took out a calculator and added up six and seven. And they're now too embarrassed to admit their error. I don't see how they can possibly think that they have much of a case.
Posted by: Ash | 01/17/2007
Until now, Ash, they've thought they were a law unto themselves. In fact, they mostly are because their actions are rarely challenged.
Hopefully that's about to change.
Posted by: Phil | 01/17/2007
Well Phil, I happen to know that Scooter and I both support you in challenging Bracks. I really hope that everything goes well for you, because unlike Bracks you actually know what you are talking about in relation to the bush.
Who would you prefer to be the Premier of Victoria Phil? I'm just curious, because that'll tell me who the best Premier for the bush is.
Posted by: Ash | 01/17/2007
Ash, I like Ted Baillieu. I think he's a man of well considered judgments who would consult country people on country issues, unlike the Bracks government. I also think he's a principled person and he doesn't mind rolling his sleeves up and doing some hard work.
My prediction is that Ted will roll Bracks next time around because Victorians will have come to know him by then. He will grow in the leadership.
Posted by: Phil Maguire | 01/17/2007
Well done! It is so good to see someone taking action, rather than just complaining. All Australia is in your debt Phil.
Posted by: Andrew in Wahroonga | 01/18/2007
Every time I hear of Ted Baillieu, it's always about him doing something good. Such as attending the Starry Starry Night held by the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation, and going to help his brother-in-law defend his property.
But when I hear of Bracks, it's either spin or another governmental screw up. It's quite a difference. I can't think of a single reason to vote for Bracks, which is pretty sad considering how long he's been Premier.
Posted by: Ash | 01/18/2007
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