Media Alert: Tasmanian tree sit breaks Australian record tomorrow
Miranda Gibson in The Observer Tree: Photo by Paul Hoelen
Tomorrow, conservationist Miranda Gibson will break the Australian record for the longest time spent continuously in a tree sit. Miranda, spokesperson for grassroots group Still Wild Still Threatened, has been perched at the top of a eucalypt tree in Tasmania since December 14th 2011, in an area of forest under threat from logging.
Miranda is set to break the record tomorrow when she reaches 209 days atop the platform known as The Observer Tree. The previous record holder was Manfred Stephens, who spent 208 days in a tree sit near Cairns in 1995.
This milestone comes at a time when environment and industry groups are in their last weeks of negotiation, with a final chance to seal a deal for forest protection under the Intergovernmental Agreement by July 23rd 2012.
Posted on July 9, 2012, in Media Releases. Bookmark the permalink. 9 Comments.
T h e O b s e r v e r T r e e 
It’s all Julia’s fault clearly.
Congratulations for your tenacity, and your support crew (below the scenes).
Brings back memories of Horton Hatches the Egg.
The loggers and the pollies really don’t grasp the depth of love people have for these majestic trees and their forests.
I wonder how Manfred Stephens of activists Rainforest Raindance is these days? He’d be about 62.
Back in 1994-95, Manfred and crew tried to save a giant Bull Kauri rainforest tree (Agathis microstachya) in the Atheron Rainforest from greedy garish tourism – George Chapman’s private gondala development – Skyrail Rainforest Cableway ripping through Barron Gorge National Park. Corrupt Queensland Labor under Wayne Goss disregarded the protection of Barron Gorge National Park, which nine years earlier as part of The Wet Tropics of Queensland had been inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Manfred would have been there longer except Queensland police illegally impersonated journalists and climbed and grabbed him around the throat, tied him up and lowered him down. The bastards damaged critical ropes, and a security guard for Skyrail punched a protester (Linda) in the stomach and tried to king hit her. The bastards including Skyrail’s project manager, Mike Mahoney, should have been charged with aggravated assault and recklessly endangering lives. But the police got away with it.
Watch out for Tasmanian police – their reputation is no better.
Skyrail’s chairman and owner operator, George Chapman, conned the CSIRO to give endorsement for chainsawing the rainforest giants. They used the stump of the killed Bull Kauri as a tower base. Chapman has since conned all sorts of eco-organisations to given his multimillion dollar tourist ride eco-accreditation.
Chapman has gone out and got so many eco-labels it’s like Lady Macbeth desperately trying to wipe the blood from her murderous hands. (“Out, damned spot! out, I say! One; two: why, then, ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky!”)
Here’s some of SkyRail’s eco-spiel crud…
http://www.skyrail.com.au/rainforests/environmental-policy
SkyRail’s T-QUAL Accreditation: “he Australian Government’s partnership with quality tourism accreditation, rating and certification programs. It has been introduced to elevate and standardise quality across the industry to ensure the sustainability of Australia’s tourism.”
Platinum EarthCheck: “After a 10-year benchmarking and certification programme, Skyrail is the first in the Pacific Region to obtain EarthCheck’s Certified Platinum rating and the only cableway in the world to achieve this status.”
“Skyrail is committed to continual improvement of sustainable environmental performance.”
Advanced Ecotourism & Climate Action Innovator: “Skyrail has achieved Advanced Ecotourism and Climate Action Innovator certifications. These independent assessments recognise Skyrail as an innovative leader, committed to environmental best practice and conservation and providing guests with the opportunity to learn about the environment.”
Environment Management System ISO 14001:2004: “Skyrail was the first tourist attraction in Australia to be awarded the internationally recognised environmental management certification ISO 14001. This international accreditation reinforces Skyrail’s commitment to world’s best environmental management practices.”
Quality Management System ISO 9001:2008: “Quality Management System ISO 9001:2008 demonstrates Skyrail’s commitment to continual review and improvement of its business operating systems. Skyrail is committed to providing a quality experience, for every guest, on every visit.”
Planet Safe Partnership: “Skyrail was the first tourist attraction to be endorsed by Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s new Planet Safe Partnership. Launched in 2007, the Planet Safe Partnership is a major tourism industry initiative, which recognises Tropical North Queensland products and businesses demonstrating excellence in environmental sustainability.”
Yeah, but where’s Manfred Stephens’ old growth Bull Kauri ?
Hey Miranda! Bob just rang me asking me to send you a copy of my band’s song “polesitter” (written by Baterz, recorded by Totally Gourdgeous. Send me your email address and I’ll send you an mp3.
Love and hugs, and yay you because you’re awesome!
Hey Miranda – me again – actually, send your email address to our bass player Mal mal@malwebb.com and he will send it. I don’t have it on this computer…
you are a great person. thank you. Can you come to the Central Highlands yet?
Thankyou Miranda
amazing and inspiring yaw a true person of action positive vibes and respect for a real solution saving these trees and their environment….Bless Up…Lawle$$
Congratulations Miranda! What you’re doing is awesome.
Prime 7 tomorrow nite 6.30pm Thursday the 12th July is showing recent Miranda interview.
Well done, that must be an amazing experience but also very lonely. We need the trees