Event: Human Chain, 18 November 2012

I attended this event last year and hope to attend this year's. Let's keep up the pressure. Let's stay visible to show our federal government and all other politicians that we abhor this disgusting 'trade' and that we will not  stop until a ban is put into place, once and for all.

If you live in Perth, Fremantle, and surrounds, I hope to see you there!

See below for details.

Event: Ban Live Export Rally, 6th October 2012

This is a national event to protest against this cruel 'trade'. The flyer below is for the Perth/Fremantle event but there will be rallies on this day, in other locations around Australia. Please see here for  further details.

Live Animal Export Protest - Fremantle docks, 4th March 2012

I woke up to some exciting news this morning - members of Forest Rescue were able to board the Ocean Shearer, which is the world's largest live animal export ship. This abomination can carry up to 125,000 sheep or 23,000 cattle and it was docked at the Western Australian port of Fremantle. One member chained herself to the ship and refused to leave.

Protesters flocked to the docks to show their support for this protest. It was all very last minute and sudden, so social media was the main way we came together. Our numbers were small but that was not surprising considering the suddenness and the fact that it is a long weekend here.

Media attended and banners were displayed. We stood and watched the ship on the other side of the water and then suddenly noticed a lone sheep that had gotten away. He was running for his life. We were shocked and appalled when we saw a worker throwing himself at the sheep, in what could only be described as a rugby tackle. It was cruel and disgusting. Add to this, the awful stench coming from the ship and the heat of 35 degrees Celsius. It all must be a terrifying, hellish experience for the animals.

Whilst on the dock, we had the opportunity to chat to passers by who were curious as to what was going on. Some even joined us in the protest, holding banners, posing for photos and offering encouragement. We also had Lynn Maclaren MLC attending, which was great.

It is important that the pressure is kept up, so that is why I dropped everything and rushed to the docks to participate. Please consider join the fight to end this barbaric 'trade' once and for all in Australia. Stay informed by checking out Stop Live Exports for local news and events, and Animals Australia for a national perspective.

Event: Keep Talking 2012 Event - Update

Late last year, I posted about this event and then did an update on the event's all vegan menu. Time for another update, with added details:

Keep Talking is back in 2012 bigger and better 
Come and join us for an afternoon of good food, inspirational speakers, fashion and fantastic prizes.

Date: 22 July 2012

Place: Hyatt, Perth

Tickets: $100 (includes a 3 course vegan Lunch + Tea and coffee. Alcohol can be purchased at the venue)

RSVPs: By 15 June 2012
All tickets to be purchased by the 1 July 2012 (limited seats available, first come first serve basis)

Confirmed Speakers include:

Dana Campbell - CEO, Voiceless. Master of Ceremonies
Lyn White - Campaign Director, Animals Australia
Dawn Lowe - Australian Representative of Animals' Angels
Carole de Fraga - Australian Representative of Compassion in World Farming
Kris Farley - Live Export of Greyhounds (tentative)

We have huge sponsors, great prizes and wonderful food. What are you waiting for put the date in your diary and make sure you grab a ticket!!!!!

All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to Animals Australia, Voiceless and Stop Live Export.

Please send us an email for payment details and further information.
Contact: keeptalkingfundraiser@gmail.com

Sponsors:

Houndstooth Photography
Tree of Life
Waggy Dog Bakehouse
Red Balloon
Vegan Style
Lisa Baker MP, Inglewood
Andersen Cacoa Creations
Sweet William
Synthesis 345
Australian Ethical Insurance
Designmine Pty Ltd

Menu:

Entrée
...
Carpaccio of Silken Tofu

Marinated asian mushrooms,heirloom tomatoes,fennel,rocket,toasted pinenut granola, pink grapefruit dressing.

Main

Tagine of Butternut Squash and Autumn Vegetables

Truss tomato,chick peas,ginger,saffron,coriander,fresh date and almond cous-cous
Black pepper roti,lemon oil and minced mint.

Dessert

Chilled White Tea and Peach Chai.

Lychee,mango,sago pearls,almond gelee,coconut sorbet,salted caramel grissini.

Coffee or Tea

Cashew Brittle petit four

*Menu could be subject to change, we will let you know if that happens.

Event: Keep Talking 2012 Event - the all vegan menu!

Recently I posted about this upcoming Perth event which will be held at the Hyatt. Well, organizers have now released information about the menu at this event. Check it out!


Entrée

Carpaccio of Silken Tofu

Marinated asian mushrooms,heirloom tomatoes,fennel,rocket,toasted pinenut granola, pink 
grapefruit dressing.

Main

Tagine of Butternut Squash and Autumn Vegetables

Truss tomato,chick peas,ginger,saffron,coriander,fresh date and almond cous-cous 

Black pepper roti,lemon oil and minced mint.

Dessert

Chilled White Tea and Peach Chai.

Lychee,mango,sago pearls,almond gelee,coconut sorbet,salted caramel grissini.

Coffee or Tea

Cashew Brittle petit four

*Menu could be subject to change, we will let you know if that happens.




YUM!! 

Event: Keep Talking 2012 Event

What is Keep Talking?

Based in Perth, Keep Talking was founded in response to the treatment of our cattle in Indonesian Abattoirs, as exposed on ABC’s 4 Corners, episode Bloody Business. In July 2011, Keep Talking raised funds to assist Animals Australia’s media campaign to help Ban Live Export. This fundraising effort brought together people from all walks of life, animal welfare organisations, businesses and politicians. KT  intend to continue raising funds, holding events and promoting Animal Welfare Events to raise the profile of Animal Welfare in WA.

The Keep Talking 2012 Event will be held on the 22nd of July at the Hyatt, Perth. 
Tickets will include a 3 vegan course lunch, inspirational speakers, Fashion Show, entertainment and fundraising. 

Confirmed Speakers:

Dana Campbell: Voiceless, CEO. Dana cannot be here herself but is sending us a recorded talk for the event
Dawn Lowe: Australian Representative of Animals Angels
Carole de Fraga: Australian Representative of Compassion in World Farming
Kris Farley: Live Export of Greyhounds (tentative)
Sandie Rawnsley: Stop Live Exports, Campaign Manager. 

(2 more very exciting speakers to be confirmed soon)
Keep Talking have huge sponsors, great prizes and wonderful food. So put the date in your diary and make sure you grab a ticket!!!!!
For more info join the Keep Talking Page on Facebook or watch this space, as I will be posting up more info closer to the date.

Event recap: Human Chain across the Stirling Bridge, Fremantle

Last weekend, my partner and I headed on down to Fremantle to take part in this visually effective protest, to make people aware that the fight against live export was not over. The location was perfect, as it was a high traffic area, so we had a lot of people seeing us and our message. Also, it was right near where the disgraceful deed of loading animals onto the ships, happens.

By the time we arrived, there was already a huge crowd of participants - men, women, teens, elderly, children and even babies. Almost all were dressed in black had signs around their necks, with most indicating their professions and the fact that they opposed live animal export. I saw: students, teachers, academics, secretaries, shopkeepers, managers, librarians (I HAD to get my photo taken with them!), chefs, etc.... There were also vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters there. We were all united in our call to finally end this barbaric 'trade'.

There was a police presence, including water police below the bridge, several photographers, and media from radio, internet and TV groups.
So, for half an hour, we stood, arms linked or holding hands, being battered by the wind and making a stand.
Apart from a few negative reactions from passing motorists, we got many waves, cheers, applause, thumbs-up, and horns being honked.

The experience was very positive, well organized and peaceful.

For more photos from this event, check this set on my Flickr account.

A short news report video on the event, available here.

Event: Human Chain across the Stirling Bridge, Fremantle

I shall be participating in this and highly recommend you and your friends and family do too.

Please, if you can, also bring flowers to toss into the water, as a memorial for all the animals who have already suffered and lost their lives through this cruel trade.

The fight to ban live animal export is not over!

Events update, recap, whatever you may call it!

I recently went to a fundraiser for BAWA and I am happy to report that the event helped to raise $2375! One of the organizers writes: "A fantastic result. This donation will ensure a brighter future for many homeless animals, ensuring a life free from suffering as a result of poor community awareness of animal welfare, nutritional hardship and lack of medical care." Fantastic!

Last Sunday, I attended and volunteered at the Ban Live Export Rally in Perth. The turn out was massive - most likely over 1000 people of all ages. I and my partner were working behind the merchandise stand, where we were kept very busy for hours - we almost sold out of everything - but I was able to dash out now and then, to take some photos which can be viewed here. People were very generous with their donations to the Stop Live Exports group to continue with their campaign and we had people queued up to send emails to their MPs and to sign petitions. There was a Wish Garden for the kids, colouring in sheets and placards suitable for them to hold. The band Dilip and the Davs played for free and added an upbeat party atmosphere to the proceedings. Speeches were made by various Greens representatives, and the national president of the RSPCA, Lynne Bradshaw.

After the event, I went home, exhausted but also pumped from the good vibes of the rally, which was peaceful. I urge everyone who is against animal cruelty, to join in on the campaign to end this cruel trade. Although the two Bills introduced into Parliament were not passed, this is not the end of the fight.
Please sign online petitions and when there is another rally, please consider coming along. This issue is not about vegan/vegetarians vs meat eaters. It is about animal cruelty, and there were many at the rally who were of the latter group. We were (and are) united in our disgust at the suffering and cruelty these animals have to endure during their long and arduous voyages and the cruel, substandard slaughterhouse practices they face once on foreign shores.

Event: National Rally to Ban Live Animal Exports - 14th August, Sunday

This is it, people! This nationwide event will be happening in a week's time. The image to the right is for the Perth rally. 
Guest speakers include Lyn McLaren, from the Australian Greens, WA Labor's Lisa Baker, RSPCA National President Lynne Bradshaw and a live stream from Lyn White from Animals Australia. Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettit will MC on the day. 
There will be a 'Wish garden' activity for children, plus placards suitable for children to hold. Also,
Stop Live Exports will be having a merchandise stall there.
This will be HUGE! Please come down for a 12 noon start at the Esplanade Reserve in Fremantle. Lets show the politicians that Australians find this barbaric 'trade' abhorrent and demand that it be put to an end, once and for all.

For those of you in other states, go to the Ban Live Exports web page for details on the rallies in your area.

The Black Spurs

Now, I am going to admit straight out that I do not like country music....well, I didn't until I heard about an Australian band called The Black Spurs and their song "It Ain't Right". It is the romanticizing of the 'cowboy' lifestyle that sets my teeth on edge, really. But these guys have tackled a big issue in this song, and have done it from the 'flip-side' of the coin. This isn't a bunch of 'good ol' boys' going on about 'being Aussie battlers' and 'living off the land' etc. No, way. Have a listen to this song and check out their webpage.

Here is their blog entry:
"Ban Livestock Export Trade
Posted on Aug 01, 2011 at 08:32 AM

The livestock export trade is a cruel inhumane trade that has no regard for animal welfare. Although these animals are bred to be consumed there is a right and humane way to care and process these animals.

Why do these animals have to endure such torture and mistreatment from their birth to death for no apparent reason other than then that's the way it is?

Obviously a vegetarian based society is the ultimate answer to reduce the potential cruelty to these animals but will that also eliminate all the various forms, states and causes of animal mistreatment.

I think the broader question we should be asking ourselves is why do we misuse, exploit and mistreat the many resources and forms of life on this planet? Surely as consciously aware beings we know the difference between what is right and wrong. Listen to your own conscious and intuition and the answers become obvious.

If you oppose animal cruelty than you must oppose the livestock export trade."