Apocalypse Now

Apocalyptic scenes today as Sydney was inundated with toxic smoke from bushfires raging on the city’s fringes and beyond.

According to The Guardian, some of those most vulnerable to the health effects of the toxic smoke are the poor, living in the worst affected outer suburbs of Sydney, such as Richmond, St. Mary's and Riverstone. A local GP said some of her patients were not able to afford air filters, air conditioners or particle masks. Reports say that paramedics have been attending up to 100 respiratory-related call-outs per day. Many more are self admitting to hospital emergency.

These photographs were taken around midday.

*click through images for full screen view

Bushfire Views From The Mount

Images from Echo Point and the Blue Mountains surrounds, as fires continue to burn uncontrolled around the country. These fires, not far from Katoomba, are the main reason why nearby Sydney has been choked with toxic smoke for the last few days.

According to firefighters, many of the fires around NSW and southern Queensland are too big to extinguish, with rain the only chance of putting them out. Substantial rain is not expected until at least late January.

Scientists continue to maintain that these unprecedented mega-fires have been exacerbated by climate change.

Temperatures are forecast to reach into the 40s early next week.

*Click through images for full screen view

The View That Should Have Been

Tourists pose next to a billboard displaying an image of the view at Echo Point lookout that has been obscured by thick smoke from unprecedented bushfires raging in the Blue Mountains north west of Sydney.

More pics to come.

*click on image for full screen view

Observations of a City Strangled

Observations of a City Strangled

 

The blanket of smoke settles heavily upon the City

Like a pillow smothering a Loved One,

Not out of Compassion

But out of Spite.

 

The Emerald City is muted with stifled hues

While the sun burns blood-orange through the jaundiced haze.

 

The streets are quietened.

Pallid-faced commuters on their way home

Speak with hushed tones

Over the hum of traffic and wails of distant sirens.

 

Even the Christmas parties are subdued.

The well-heeled, black tied, stiletto stuttering fashionable set

Retire early,

Parting ways with dubious apologies and gritted, sweating smiles.

Passers-by throw each other furtive glances through stinging eyes.

Behind the masks there is a mutual admission.

A secret, suffocating, guilty shame.

  

Ash begins to fall,

Fluttering down like the season’s first snow.

A charcoaled Christmas that has come too soon.

People look wide-eyed

To the sky

Open mouthed and breathless.

Hands tighten.

This is a City Strangled

Not by Smoke,

But by a grim, determined denialism.

*click through images for full screen view

Protest Against Siemens Support of Adani Mega Coal Mine

Yesterday, about 150 people gathered outside Luna Park where a $1,500 per head gala dinner was held by Siemens. Siemens is one of the few companies that can provide critical signalling work for Adani’s railway to their planned coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin. The coal mine will be one of the largest in the world. Protesters urged Siemens not to proceed with a decision to work on the Adani project.

Ironically, dinner guests arrived on charted cruise boats and dressed in tuxedos as the skies closed down with thick acrid bushfire smoke. The current bushfires raging across the country are said to be exacerbated by climate change and the emission of greenhouse gasses, including those emitted by the burning of coal. Former fire chiefs have also backed up claims that climate change is impacting bushfires. The smoke from these fires are said to be hazardous to health and is expected to hang around Sydney at least for weeks.

It was later reported that two demonstrators ‘locked on’ inside the dinner.

*click through images for full screen view

Country on Fire: Bushfires and Sunset over Sydney

The sun sets over Sydney through bushfire smoke.

The acrid haze that has choked the entire Sydney basin and much of NSW for the last few weeks, as a result of catastrophic bushfires, came to a dramatic head tonight at sunset.

Smoke could be seen billowing out to the north and west of the city as a portent for the start of summer and as a sign that we are in the midst of a climate emergency.

Despite crippling drought and the devastation of bushfires across the country, there has been a deafening silence and conspicuous inaction by government leaders on the front of combatting climate change.

It seems we are sleepwalking into a catastrophe…

*click through images for full screen view

Nation Dance on Gadigal - Portraits

In-situ portraits of some of the performers at ‘Nation Dance’ on Gadigal.

‘Nation Dance’ was held in The Domain in Warrang, Sydney yesterday at 1pm AEST, as part of scores of simultaneous expressions of dance and culture across the continent.

Around 200 people from a variety of tribes attended the Gadigal event, including from Gamillaraay, Dhungutti, Wiradjuri and from far away as Mornington Island.

These portraits were taken on site in the aftermath of the dancing.

*click through images for full screen view

Nation Dance on Gadigal

Images from ‘Nation Dance’, which was held in The Domain in Warrang, Sydney yesterday at 1pm AEST as part of scores of simultaneous expressions of dance and culture across the continent.

Around 200 people from a variety of tribes attended the Gadigal event, including from Gamillaraay, Dhungutti, Wiradjuri and from far away as Mornington Island.

*click through images for full screen view

Climate Rallies

Two climate rallies were held today in Sydney, Warrang, Gadigal.

The first was held at the Liberal Party Headquarters on William Street as part of the ‘School Strike 4 Climate’ movement. Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovernor and Nadeena Dixon delivered an Acknowledgement of Country, while Victor Steffensen a Gimuy-walubarra yidi man spoke about Aboriginal fire practice. Other speakers included Shiann Broderick, a 18 year old bushfire survivor and school strike leader from Nymboida NSW, and Janet Reynolds, a bushfire survivor from Numbugga. Zach Fower, a student musician who featured on The Voice sang a rendition of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’. Around 2,000 people attended the rally.

The second event was organised by Uni Student for Climate Justice, backed by ASEN and endorsed by FIRE. The rally started at Sydney Town Hall. Speakers included Amy Lamont, ‘Yaama Ngunna Baarka’ (Save The Rivers) founder, Bruce Shillingsworth, Lily Rosebell and Gamillaraay man, Nathan Leslie. Protestors then marched back to William Street, where more speeches were made, including by environmental worker, Andy Mason.

*click through images for full screen view

Dance Rites - Day Two

Images from Day 2 of Dance Rites, a hotly contested annual First Nations dance competition held on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House.

Muggera took out the top prize with Miku as runners up. The Meuram Murray Island Dancers won the Wild Card section.

Participating Dance troupes included:

Allkumo Malpa Paman (Ayapathu, Lama Lama, Kaantju, Umpila, Munkaanhu, Olkola)

Docker River Mob (Pitjantjantjara, Ngaaryatjarra)

Gracie’s Grannies (Ngiyampaa, Gumbangirri, Murrawarri, Dunghutti, Gamilaroi)

Gumaraa Aboriginal Dancers (Yuin, Dharawal)

Jannawi Dance Clan (Darug Burruberongal, Gumatj)

Kawadji Wimpa Dance Group (Lockhart River Umpila, Kuku Yau, Wuthathi, Kanthanapoo, Utaalanganu)

Kulgoodah Dancers (Barradah, Birri Gubba)

Kurruru & Iwiri Dance (Pitjantjatjara)

Meuram Murray Island Dancers (Meriam)

Miku (Rirratjingu, Gumatj, Djapu)

Muggera (Mununjali, Yugambeh)

Mutitjulu Maruku Mob (PitjantjantjarA)

Of Desert and Sea (Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Narungga, Yarliyandi, Adnyamathanha, Yankunytjatjara)

Dinawan Connections (Gomeroi, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr, Ngemba)

Swan Hill Aboriginal Dance Group (Wemba Wemba)

Tal-kin-jeri Dance Group (Ngarrind-jeri)

Tiwi SisterGALS (Gay and Lesbian Society) (Yarti - Ratuwarti)

Wagana (Wiradjuri, Darug , Burruberongal, Yuin, Gamilaroi,Dharawal)

Yiiliwiyaygundi Gundi Yuludarla Gumbaynggirr (Gumbaynggirr)

Indigenous Enterprise (Turtle Island)

*click through images for full screen view

Dance Rites - Day One

Images from Day 1 of Dance Rites, a hotly contested annual First Nations dance competition held on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House.

Participating Dance troupes include:

Allkumo Malpa Paman (Ayapathu, Lama Lama, Kaantju, Umpila, Munkaanhu, Olkola)

Docker River Mob (Pitjantjantjara, Ngaaryatjarra)

Gracie’s Grannies (Ngiyampaa, Gumbangirri, Murrawarri, Dunghutti, Gamilaroi)

Gumaraa Aboriginal Dancers (Yuin, Dharawal)

Jannawi Dance Clan (Darug Burruberongal, Gumatj)

Kawadji Wimpa Dance Group (Lockhart River Umpila, Kuku Yau, Wuthathi, Kanthanapoo, Utaalanganu)

Kulgoodah Dancers (Barradah, Birri Gubba)

Kurruru & Iwiri Dance (Pitjantjatjara)

Meuram Murray Island Dancers (Meriam)

Miku (Rirratjingu, Gumatj, Djapu)

Muggera (Mununjali, Yugambeh)

Mutitjulu Maruku Mob (PitjantjantjarA)

Of Desert and Sea (Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Narungga, Yarliyandi, Adnyamathanha, Yankunytjatjara)

Dinawan Connections (Gomeroi, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr, Ngemba)

Swan Hill Aboriginal Dance Group (Wemba Wemba)

Tal-kin-jeri Dance Group (Ngarrind-jeri)

Tiwi SisterGALS (Gay and Lesbian Society) (Yarti - Ratuwarti)

Wagana (Wiradjuri, Darug , Burruberongal, Yuin, Gamilaroi,Dharawal)

Yiiliwiyaygundi Gundi Yuludarla Gumbaynggirr (Gumbaynggirr)

Indigenous Enterprise (Turtle Island)

Day Two photographs coming.

*click through images for full screen view

Miku Dancers - Dance Rites

Image of the Miku dance group from Rirratjingu, Gumatj and Djapu country in the Top End, Northern Territory.

Dance Rites, Sydney Opera House forecourt - Day 1.

More pics to come.

*Click on image for full screen view

Coronial Inquest Delivers No Respite for Dungay Family

Today, the coronial inquest into David Dungay’s death delivered its findings.

Dhungutti man, Dungay, was killed at Long Bay Gaol in 2015, when set upon and forcibly restrained by a group of prison officers after he refused to hand over a packet of biscuits. “I can’t breathe” were some of his last few words.

Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee did not find any of the five prison officers involved in the action, nor any other correctional services employee involved, responsible or liable, although he did note that the force used by the officers was a contributing factor to Dungay’s death.

For the Dungay family, the findings offered no respite. His nephew, Paul Silva confronted NSW Corrections Services Commissioner, Peter Severin, as he left the court, to demand an apology for the death of his uncle. The Commissioner declined to respond.

Speaking to the media, Dungay’s mother, Leetona, said she was “disgusted” by the result. “I’m his mother and I want justice,” she said, “I am going to fight until I live in a country where black lives matter”.

The family intends to continue their long pursuit for justice.

*click through images for full screen view

No Apology Forthcoming

Paul Silva confronts NSW Corrections Services Commissioner, Peter Severin, to demand an apology for the death of his uncle, Dhungutti man, David Dungay, who was killed at Long Bay Gaol in 2015, when set upon by a group of prison officers after refusing to hand over a packet of biscuits. The Commissioner declined to provide an apology.

A coronial inquest wound up today in Lidcombe, finding no criminal conduct against the officers.

More pics to come.

*click on image for full screen view

Dawaandi

An evening of story, poetry, music, philosophy and culture, themed around ‘Dawaandi’ (‘Reflection’), with Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Dhungutti man, Bernard Kelly-Edwards.

*click through images for full screen view

Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil

Yesterday, around 200-300 people from the trans community gathered for a vigil to remember the 331 trans people who were murdered around the world in the last year.

A list of the 331 names of each victim was read out to silence, as candles were laid and as sobs broke out amongst the crowd. Included in that list was Mhelody Polan Bruno, a 25-year old trans woman from the Phillipines, who was due to return home in the week that she was killed in Wagga Wagga in September earlier this year.

The Trans Day of Remembrance is held every November the 20th to honour the victims of violence against trans people. Since 2008, more than 3,000 trans people have been murdered. According to Sally Goldner from Transgender Victoria, trans people experience violence at 12 times the rate of the general population.

Yesterday’s vigil was MC’d by Hayden Moon and Charlie Murphy from Trans Action Warrang. Speakers included April, Zaya Barroso and Bhenji Ra. The event was held in Newtown, Sydney, Warrang, Gadigal.

*click through images for full screen view

Rawia

Rawia came with her family as a refugee to Australia from war-torn Sudan in 2003.

Earlier this year, Sudan broke out in mass civil protests across the country with some of the largest protests ever seen in the nation’s history. After decades of iron hand rule by Omar al Bashir, Sudan stood at the crossroads between continuing dictatorship and a more democratic system. During the unrest, scores of civilians were killed by government troops and militia loyal to Bashir. With rising tensions, a power sharing agreement was finally reached in August, allowing a 3 year transition to democracy. Doubts remain, however, as to if the agreement will hold and if Sudan will ever see free and fair elections.

Despite the tragedy of her father’s recent death, Rawia and her family have thrived in Australia. She and her 3 siblings have all gone to university. Her brother is an aspiring top tier soccer player. Meanwhile, Rawia is currently nurturing a successful career in the public service and maintains an interest in fashion, design and photography.

*click through images for full screen view

National Call To Action: Solidarity Protest for Kumanjayi Walker

On Wednesday, around 2,000 people gathered at Sydney’s Town Hall, Warrang, Gadigal, to demand justice for Kumanjayi Walker, a 19-year old Warlpiri man who was shot dead by police in the remote Aboriginal community of Yuendumu in the Northern Territory last Saturday night. After a healing ceremony and speeches, the protesters marched from Town Hall to the Sydney Police Centre in Surry Hills where they were met by a large contingent of riot police.

Over 400 Aboriginal people have died in police custody since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

The policeman who allegedly shot Mr Walker has been charged with murder, one of the few police officers to be charged for the death of an Aboriginal person in the history of European occupation of the Australian continent, and since Captain Cook’s landing party shot a Gweagle man on the shores of what is now known as Botany Bay in 1770.

In anticipation of push back by the police, the NT Police Commissioner cryptically warned that officers should “remember their oath”.

Wednesday’s rally concluded peacefully with calls for justice and a statement by one of Mr Walker’s family members that “business was not finished”. The event was part of a nation-wide protest calling for an independent investigation into Mr. Walker’s death.

*click through images for full screen view