Saffin shows solidarity with local March 4 Justice rallies

Office of the NSW Labor Member for Lismore, media release, 15 March 2021:

Statement by State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin in support of March 4 Justice rallies across the Northern Rivers and Australia:

Today we March 4 Justice, justice for women which makes for a just society.

Today I thank Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins.

They have both spoken out with a roar that has brought us out of our stupor, forcing us to challenge behaviour that does not treat women as equal.

Equality would deliver justice.

Equality would stamp out predatory behaviour, and that would stamp out rape.

However, at the current rate of change it will take 100 years.

We cannot wait 100 years.

We should not have to endure one more sexual assault, one more sexual harassment, one more sexual act of discrimination.

I am travelling to Parliament and will miss our local March in Lismore and the Sydney March as well, but I commit to take up the March 4 Justice call to action.

I commit to march with you in the halls of Parliament, taking the voices of all into the caucus rooms, onto the floor of the Parliament in debate, and to make the legislative and policy changes that will bring justice for women.

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison seems tone deaf to the current conversation, claiming that he is protecting the ‘rule of law’.

The rule of law was not violated when the sexual harassment allegations against Justice Dyson Heydon were subjected to a High Court-instigated inquiry.

And the rule of law would not be violated if the Prime Minister instigated an inquiry into allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter.

I know what the rule of law is.

I wrote 18 teaching modules on the rule of law.

I taught the rule of law.

The rule of law requires due process, and importantly, also accountability – accountability that is not being afforded here.

I entered public life to make the world a better place for all, beginning in my own backyard; to change behaviour through the political system through policy and law.

I recommit to work with you and for you to realise justice for women, starting with the 10 demands.

For more information go to www.march4justice.com.au

 

A short message to all members of the Morrison Coalition Government: No Means NO!

 

#NoMeansNO!

#SexualAssaultIsACrime

#SexualHarassmentIsUnlawful

#DomesticViolenceIsACrime

#EnoughIsEnough 

#EqualityAndRespect 

#WomenHaveFullCitizenship 

#HumanRightsAreWomen'sRightsToo!

Speaking Up, Australia, 15 March 2021

 

@CognitiveTX

Shark or Dolphin? A gentle reminder to keep an eye out when in the surf

 

Clarence Valley Independent, 10 March 2021:

This shark swam among surfers at Pippi Beach, Yamba, for 20 or so minutes. Seemingly surfers were oblivious to the shark’s presence. Image: Jesseaphoto.com

It was just like any other day at Pippi Beach, Yamba, on Saturday February 27; the sun was shining, the waves were breaking and the wind was favourable … as a shark swam among surfers for at least 20 minutes – and no one noticed or, if they did, they didn’t care.

Surf and ocean orientated photographer Jesse Jennings captured the extended moment on camera.

Jesse says she has lived in Yamba “for the last year or so” and she that particularly likes flying her drone around Pippi Beach and Yamba Point at its northern end.......

Read the full article here.

More of Jesse's ocean and surfing photographs at 

https://www.jesseaphoto.com/

Cartoons of the Week

Mark David

Cathy Wilcox

Alan Moir

 

Cooling off in the Clarence Valley - echidna style

 

Snout or Snorkel? 👃

We echidna not - echidnas are actually good swimmers!

They've been spotted paddling across dams, rivers and even along the beach. This little one was spotted cooling off in Clarence Valley, NSW. 🏊‍♀️💦

🎥: Andrew Mayo (mayo_fisho - IG) pic.twitter.com/wKXWX2Drz9

— CSIRO (@CSIRO) March 11, 2021

Green Turtle hatchlings race to the sea at beach near Evans Head, NSW

 

Green Turtle hatchings making their way to the sea near Evans Head, NSW
IMAGE: Rick Pagotto

NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, media release, 9 March 2021:

Furious flipper action has been seen on a remote beach near Evans Head as tiny sea turtle hatchlings emerged from their buried nest and made a break for the ocean.

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchling, Evans Head 

Andy Marshall from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said more than 100 Green Turtles hatched last week and their first moments were caught on camera by a local photographer coincidently walking the beach.

“These eggs have been incubating underneath the sand since around December and the hatchlings all emerged over a few hours in the early dawn,” said Mr Marshall.

“NPWS and NSW TurtleWatch are keeping a keen eye on around 7 more sea turtle nests along the coast as they should also hatch over the next few months.

“Along the NSW coast we expect the hatchlings will either be green turtles (Chelonia mydas) like the ones we saw at Evans Head or the endangered loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), both are generally around 5cm in length when born.

“If anyone sees a hatchling please don’t pick it up or interfere with its path to the sea, instead report it immediately to NPWS or NSW TurtleWatch so we make sure these little ones make it safely to the water,” Mr Marshall said.

Holly West from NSW TurtleWatch says early reports and information from the public is vital in being about to monitor these hatchlings.

“With such a large coastline to cover it is likely that we could have missed some nests being laid and may miss them hatching so public help at this time is vital,” said Ms West.

“Hatchlings should emerge at night as they are safer from predators and the heat of the sand but there are of course always stragglers, so we are asking people to keep their eyes peeled, especially close to sunset and sunrise.

“As well as reporting all sightings, you can help these baby turtles by removing your rubbish from the beaches, drive slowly along the beaches, and stay off the dunes,” Ms West said.

If you find a sea turtle hatchling along the beach please notify NSW TurtleWatch immediately on 0468 489 259, or contact NPWS on 1300 0PARKS.

NSW TurtleWatch has been developed by Australian Seabird Rescue, in partnership with NSW Government's Saving Our Species program. Visit Saving Our Species for more information on green turtles.

More photos: Dropbox: Green turtle hatchlings