Exhibition shows how people power can move mountains
Protestors on Peaks unfurl their anti-mining message at Mount French in 2011
The story of the David and Goliath battle between community members and a mining company that finally put paid to coal and coal seam gas extraction in the Scenic Rim will be told in a powerful and moving exhibition at The Centre Beaudesert.
Moving Mountains - people power in action - opens to the public on Saturday 17 June marking the first anniversary this month of Arrow Energy's withdrawal of its lease tenements over the Scenic Rim following a concerted 11-year campaign to preserve valuable farmland and the region's natural beauty.
Mayor Greg Christensen said Council's free exhibition, by the Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic and Boonah Organisation for a Sustainable Shire community groups, showed that people power could literally move mountains.
"The Scenic Rim is one of only a handful of regions across Australia where coal and coal seam gas will stay in the ground thanks to the efforts of those who stood up and said 'no' to mining and literally locked the gate," he said.
"Through its rich tapestry of artworks, images, authentic memorabilia and accounts by those who fought for our region's future, Moving Mountains documents a watershed moment in our community's history.
"In 2021, the Scenic Rim was listed in the Lonely Planet guide's Top 10 Regions to Visit in 2022, something which would not have been possible without the efforts of those who campaigned to preserve our region's natural values and agricultural land."
Major displays in the exhibition include world-premiere presentations of the song inspired by the Kerry Blockade by singer-songwriter Dana Lyons, best known for the 1996 hit Cows With Guns, as well as screenings of a new documentary about the threat to the Scenic Rim from coal and gas extraction and footage from the Kerry Blockade.
A landmark event, the Kerry Blockade in January 2012 involved 10 days of protest by local business owners and members of the community that resulted in nine arrests and the 'hats down' action in which Arrow Energy's drill rig drove over farmers' hats that had been placed on the ground.
The exhibition includes an account by businessman Rod Andersen who suggested the 'hats down' show of defiance.
"For me, the hats represented people, so essentially I felt they were driving over people just like they were driving over our dreams and our community," he said.
Linda Weston, who was horrified to discover not only that her property was just 280 metres from the proposed Mintovale open-cut coal mine but also that it was covered by a coal seam gas exploration permit, joined the Kerry Blockade protestors.
Having never received so much as a parking ticket in her life, Linda became only the second person ever, after environmentalist Drew Hutton, to be arrested and charged under the Petroleum and Gas Act, which carries a maximum $50,000 penalty.
Escorted from the protest line to a police vehicle, Linda spent time in a chilly cell in the Ipswich Watchhouse. When she finally faced court, and the case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence, the courtroom erupted into cheers and applause.
"No matter how small a part any of us thinks we are playing, we can all contribute in our own small way," Linda said.
With banners from the 2011 Protestors on Peaks action, Moving Mountains tells of the 1000 people who climbed mountains, dropped banners and spelt out messages in paddocks to spread the word about the threat of coal and coal seam gas in the Scenic Rim.
Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic spokesman Innes Larkin said he would be forever grateful to everyone who acted to ensure the region remained free of goal and gas mining.
"It is a legacy that cannot be taken away and we should all be proud," he said.
The free Moving Mountains - people power in action exhibition runs at The Centre Beaudesert until 2 September 2023 from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 2pm Saturday except public holidays.