Camp Sovereignty ANZAC Day update April 24, 2006
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Anzac Day – supporters are asked to attend Camp Sovereignty's Sacred Fire at either (or all) of three times –
6am Service – to remember the forgotten indigenous heroes of past wars. This is a time for healing and ask that all supporters are to attend with peace in mind. We don't expect any trouble from the Anzacs. It has been asked that people don't camp as we don't want to cloud the important issues to be discussed on the day. (more…)
An interesting article in the Age April 24, 2006
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Ben Haywood has put together a piece called "Fiery Debate" which was in yesterday's paper (we think).
It is an attempt to draw together some of the facts of what has been going on at Camp Sovereignty, which is nice to see, although some of the facts aren't quite the truth. (more…)
“There’s something going on, and you don’t know what it is, do you, Mr. Bolt.” April 23, 2006
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"The following is a letter I wrote the Herald Sun Editors recently in response to a ridiculously inflamatory article written by their arch-conservative Andrew Bolt about Camp Sovereignty. "
So says Tim over at Undergrowth. Check out the rest of the post to see his brilliant response to the crap from Andrew Bolt.
For those of you who don't know Tim, he's the one that with Krusty put together the fantastic doco on the Black GST. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out!
More crap from the Scum.. April 23, 2006
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The Herald Sun has another great 'informative' story in the paper today.
Aside from continuing to report the false line that protesters are wanting to " "sue" white trespassers" for entering Camp Sovereignty, they are starting on the line of how much it is costing the taxpayer to control the site. And of course they are implying that it is the fault of the Fire watchers that this is happening.
So lets take a look at this for a second. A couple of weeks ago, we had a fully functioning campsite which was supporting the Scared Fire and all those required to look after it. We were also providing for the first time, a place in Melbourne where people – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – could come and expereince true Aboriginal culture, for free, right in the heart of Melbourne. It was a place attracting thousands of visitors and it was completely self-sufficient.
The Council could have seen this as a brilliant opportunity and maybe invested some of the $300 million dollars it has earmarked for an Aboriginal Cultural Centre for the small stone hut we were asking for as a shelter (which someone is designing for us as we speak) for the Fire Keepers and set the site up permanently. The benefits for Melbourne could have been huge.
Another support letter April 22, 2006
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From The Age
It appears that in recent times there is again a negative over-representation in the popular press about indigenous people and issues.
It is of great concern that indigenous Australians are presented as a problem to Australia and not as contributors.
How can we achieve reconciliation if we continually portray the negative and perpetuate negative stereotyping and urban myths?
What about stories of indigenous war heroes such as Captain Reg Saunders or his brother Harry (killed on the Kokoda Trail)? Great humanitarians such as Sir Douglas Nicholls? Great inventors such as David Unaipon?
Is it any wonder that there is such a racial abyss in Australia when our popular press for the most part vilifies indigenous Australians with apparent manipulative abandon?
Richard J. Frankland, Belmont
Camp Location April 21, 2006
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Originally uploaded by camp sovereignty.
Camp Sovereignty location in Kings Domain Garden off St Kilda road.
The burning issue! April 21, 2006
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Anna hits the nail on the head in The Age today:
THE message may be "unclear" to Ben Doherty (The Age, 19/4) However, the occupation of Kings Domain is perfectly clear to many Australians who support the protesters' right to occupy their land. There is not "public indifference" to the message. Perhaps the estimated $30,000 a week spent on security staff to watch the protesters from the shrubbery would be better redirected to the establishment of an eternal flame or healing fire.
Anna Dillon, Panmure
Some real news for a change April 20, 2006
Posted by campsovereignty in Analysis.2 comments
Every time we get a tad sick of all the negative, sensationalist media coverage of Camp Sovereignty, someone comes along and writes something with an actual analysis as to what's going on at Camp Sovereignty in relation to the history of colonisation in Australia.
This piece by Graham Ring in the National Indigenous Times is one of those pieces. We recommend you read it if you want to know what's really going on!
Bid for Sacred Flame in Dandenong April 20, 2006
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This just in…
A DANDENONG park has been pinpointed as a site for a sacred Aboriginal flame in the wake of a controversial fire established this month by indigenous protesters in central Melbourne.
Camp Sovereignty in Kings Domain has this month generated debate across the state after organisers refused to stop camping around a sacred flame when requested by Melbourne City Council.
A Greater Dandenong councillor is now seeking to have a sacred flame installed in Dandenong Park, with councillors to decide on the matter in coming weeks.
Cleeland Ward councillor Paul Donovan this week revealed he will ask council to consult Aboriginal communities to establish a sacred flame in Dandenong Park, “to be maintained at all times by council and the local indigenous population”.
“Like many of you, I have been touched by the recent events in Melbourne, where Aboriginal activists have sought to provide a sacred space for the original custodians of the land,” Cr Donovan’s notice of motion says.
“Surely if the City of Melbourne does not want to cater to its indigenous population, Greater Dandenong, which boasts of its cultural diversity, would not shun our indigenous population in such a way.”
Cr Donovan said if a flame was not possible, the council could look at installing a monument or icon of indigenous cultural significance.
Camp Sovereignty organiser Robbie Thorpe told Star he welcomed the idea and was now determined to have a sacred flame established in Dandenong Park.
“(The flame) is symbolic of (Aboriginal) law and culture and the healing process,” he said.
Mr Thorpe said the Kings Domain fire would burn “forever” and that a similar project in Dandenong would also burn continuously.
“It can’t be defiled; once it is, it hasn’t got powers in it no more,” he said.
Mr Thorpe said a stone hut based on ancient Aboriginal architecture could be built to house both the flame and a person who would tend to it and act as a cultural liaison officer.
Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown said council had been discussing a tribute or resource centre with local Aboriginal communities for the past two years.
But he said any fire lit like the one in Kings Domain would not be tolerated as it could pose a danger during fire season.
“It would have to be a gas flame, like a gas barbecue except it goes all day, with the flame a symbol of recognition. The one in Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens is so impractical.”
Interfaith Network president Helen Heath said the organisation, which promotes harmonious relationships between the city’s religious and spiritual bodies, supported the idea, but only with community input.
“We are in support of anything that serves as healing and reconciliation,” she said.
“But it is up to the community. They have to get involved and get the support.”
Story here The nice thing about that news site is that they have a web forum attached to all their stories so you can discuss them online. Nice bit of democracy coming form the media! Although you do need to register.
There are also rumours of a similar proposal coming from the City of Yarra, the Fire is spreading like the word!
