Circulation of 3500 throughout Woodend postal district, Newham, Hesket, Ashbourne, North Woodend, Hanging Rock, Carlsruhe, Cobaw.
Woodend’s generosity to Refugees
donated food and other supplies to 200 families of asylum seekers every week. Many Victorians don't realise that On Saturday 20 June, World Refugee asylum seekers living here are often cut Day, the people of Woodend gave off from all financial support and are their generous support to a fund not allowed to work, even as volunteers. raising barbecue held outside Coles, This means they are entirely dependent Local group Macedon Ranges Rural on “the kindness of strangers”. Ordinary Australians for Refugees asked for Australians donate their time and donations of non-perishable food items material goods to help these families to be distributed to asylum seekers survive while they wait to see if they will around Victoria. be assessed as refugees. As well as buying plenty of meat In increasing numbers, Australians and vegetarian sausages in bread to raise are unhappy with our treatment of those money for refugee groups, local residents seeking asylum from war and brutal donated three large carloads full of food circumstances, who risk their lives to flee and toiletries which has been given to in dangerously unseaworthy boats. It the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is not illegal to seek asylum, but we do in Melbourne. Staff there distribute not at present provide a very welcoming
Club of Woodend
refuge for those asking for help. Asylum seekers have the choice of returning to their homelands to face probable torture or death, or remaining in desperate poverty in Australia. The threat of forced deportation means they live in fear and uncertainty. The provision of basic food items to these individuals and families is one way we can give asylum seekers a bit of comfort and support. Any further donations can be made at Collier Office and Business Assist, Shop 5, 19th Hole Centre here in Woodend. To learn more, or get involved, go to www.asrc.org.au. Submitted by J. Zimmerman Photos: L) Rosie Barker, coordinator for Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees, M) Some of the generous doners, R) volunteers manning the BBQ
Movies that matter
Frackman Movies that Matter, the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group's monthly film night, is pleased to present a free screening of Frackman at the Vic Hotel on Tuesday, July 14. ‘Frackman’ is an observational documentary following ordinary Queenslanders caught up in a modern day multinational “gas rush” to secure and exploit coal seam gas. Accidental activist Dayne ‘Frackman’ Pratzky is building a simple home when the Queensland Gas Company arrives, demanding to sink gas wells on his property. The company claims that legally he has no right to refuse them access. The New Woodend Star • July 2015
So begins his transformation from knockabout pig-shooter to passionate activist, and a David and Goliath battle against a $70 billion industry. The filmmakers have followed his fiveyear battle that includes triumphs and tragedies, love and conflict and reveals the shocking treatment of landholders by some of the most powerful companies in the world. The Coal Seam Gas issue is crossing ideological lines,
leaving a peculiar alliance in its wake: farmers and greenies, conservatives and radical activists, rich and poor, old and young. This is a film like no other about a movement like no other. Dayne Pratzky is an accidental activist. Frackman is his story of taking on multinational coal seam gas companies, intent on fracturing landscapes and communities to Continued on page 2
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