Melbourne Rallies. Again.

I went to the World Environment day rally in Melbourne.


John Butler was there, cashing in standing up for his beliefs.


They had plenty of dogs with statements to make.


It's quite tricky getting 15,000 people in shot.


The cars had opinions.


The bikes had affiliations.


"Environmental distruction means death to all of us."

...except octopi and rats?

15,000+ with nothing better to do on a Sunday.


Ever wonder what Greens hide behind their triangles? It's this!


Standard hippie conformists wearing the traditional uniform. Beanies, usually rainbow, otherwise dull clothing, drums, generally unkempt.. way to rebel.


This was supposed to be a world record tree hug, even though the tree was a giant hunk of fabric. Note the wonderful architecture of Flinders Street (yellow) and the hideous Federation Square (to the right.)


Jack Thompson kicking in to an impromptu jam with the trio. Would have helped if the harmonica was near the mic though.

All in all a good day. Too crowded, it's unfortunate so many care, it really clutters up the rallys in ye olde Melbourne. Too many dreadlocks. And not a single polly in sight - the speakers were mainly celebrities, albeit activist ones. Bit of a bummer - someone off Blue Healers - not sure what that is, a show about dogs I guess, but apparently popular. (And screw whoever that celeb was for throwing in a plug, you scum.)

Lots of preaching to the converted, so you can't expect too much. Focus was almost entirely on forestry issues. Fairfax coverage was weak, and the Hun ran some mostly celebrity-based tripe half about Jack Thompsons awkward S11 comment. Local councillors I met up with there are spending the environment day (which is Monday, the rally was on Sunday) having an appeals process to prevent logging of local residential land which has obviously been purchased with the sole intention of clear felling for profit. It'll make more difference than the rally will, but if it fails - it's time to break out the chains.

(On a side note, to prevent logging, wouldn't it be possible to inject a permanent dye into the central dead-wood of trees, destroying any dollar value of old growth? Just an idea.)