In a time where humanity is dealing with the largest global pandemic in recent history. A time where we could be in the beginnings of a huge war. A time where climate change and the degradation of nature is visible in all countries.
Many who live on Victorian waterways have their Iives and livelihoods shattered by the 90 days of gunfire. B&Bs must close, birdwatchers don’t come and kayakers can’t kayak. We become places where animals are frightened and visitors are few.
On my land, camouflage-clad shooters shoot our native birds. For the past 25 years, each season has brought stress, abuse, offensive behaviour, illegal activities and the pervading aura of death at our otherwise beautiful lagoon.
We are shot at, metres from where we live and work. We suffer online harassment and disruption to business, we watch in disgust derogatory acts, we pick up the rubbish, the ammo cartridges and the dead and wounded birds. We bury the human faeces left behind.
Asking Game Management Authority for a review of shooting guns near homes and farms gets no response. Disruption to living culture and the destruction and disrespect to cultural heritage sites continues.
Shooting on taxpayer-funded environmental water as well as Ramsar sites seems incongruent to all the hype around saving the Murray-Darling Basin and its natural features.
I shall defend my home and I will stand against the madness of a few gun-toting rednecks that think it is their right to kill birds in front of our eyes.
It is not their right. It is ours, to enjoy our home in peace.
Tuesday Browell
Torrumbarry
6°C