On Thu, 19 Mar 1998, Kirrama Wildlife Tours wrote:
> I think the 'green movement / awareness started around 1985 with the
> Franklin Dam issue.
I feel some compulsion to defend native-born Australians even from
Klaus's gentle criticism.
The Franklin protests were at their peak in late 1982 and early 1983. I
and probably many other birding-aus readers were among the hundreds of
thousands of Australians (native-born or otherwise) who took part. The
issue was very important in the March 1983 federal election. This was
pretty much an international first with an environment issue playing a
major role in toppling a national government.
This didn't and couldn't have happened overnight, its origins were
early less prominent, successful and unsuccessful, battles such as
Myall Lakes in the 1970s, Lake Pedder in 1960s and Myles Dunphy and
co around Sydney in the 1930s.
I'm happy to concede that overseas-born birdwatchers are more
numerous and more skillful but I believe the love Australians have for
their natural environment is as strong as occurs anywhere.
Andrew Taylor
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