Confessions of a skillshare

Heading off from Melbourne with some friends in tow we chased a unknown email we had received titled GECO Goongerah Skillshare Jan 8^th to 11^th . Picking up supplies at Aldi in Bairnsdale and a final fuel top up in Orbost we pulled into the campsite around 5pm. Finally nerves grew we were initially greeted by a character who introduced himself as Flynny. He was just the kind of bloke we had expected to meet on our weekend in Goongerah, full of stories and experiences from the early campaigning days. Welcomed by many locals we naturally gravitated towards the other newcomers to share with our experiences.

After a swim and a delicious communal feed courtesy of the GECO kitchen, we headed off to the Friday night jam session held at Father Ted’s where we had a rollicking time which could be likened to a classic Irish pub. We were informed that Goongerah's young and old get together every friday to share in the events of the week, play pool and contribute to the eclectic sounds of the evening.

Interesting talks were held over the course of the weekend and time to meet new people, go for walks or much needed swims in the refreshing river that ran through the tranquil campsite, where we even spotted a platypus (a extremely rare citing)!

The final day of the skillshare was a taste of a ‘direct action’, waking up at the crack of dawn and heading out to the logging coup, we huddled in the back of the van like vigilantes working on behalf of the forest unsure of what would happen next.

As the sun rose over the hills and we reached the clearing of the trees. I had this sense, which I felt was shared by everyone in the van, that we were doing the right thing for the right reasons, justified and noble in essence. This devastation must be stopped.

“It didn’t impact so greatly on me until I saw it for myself!”

Newcomers are welcomed to join in on ‘direct action’ by contacting GECO to join the group mailing list for updates on up and coming skillshare’s, donating to support direct action or simply heading out to the Goongerah campsite.

GECO’s campaigning has led to a landmark 44,000 hectares saved, however more must be done to save this beautiful region!

Thank you to GECO for giving me this opportunity to experience ‘direct action’, our support is with you…