APPROXIMATELY 500 people braved the rain to take part in the 2026 Bob Brown Foundation (BBF) March for Forests at Bellingen Park on Sunday, 22 March.
It was one of 14 marches across the country, in total attracting 15,000 participants who called for an end to native forest logging and mining.
In Bellingen, they listened to speeches and music before marching.
One of the speakers, Bellingen Shire councillor Dominic King, told News Of The Area, “It was so good to be among so many staunch defenders of our native forests.
“Seeing people of all ages across the region come out and show that the destruction of our natural heritage has to stop, was empowering.
“We know that you can’t put a price on our children’s future and that stopping native forest logging is one of the most effective ways to protect our rivers, save our species and tackle a warming planet.”
Former Magistrate David Heilpern also spoke to the crowd.
“Apart from a March for our forests, this is also a gathering for victims of crime,” he said.
“We know who the criminals are, the Forestry Corporation, and we know who the victims are, ancient trees, animals, riparian zones.
“But also us, the residents of NSW, who waste our resources on these criminals and these crimes.”
After the speeches, the crowd marched from the park, up the main street and then back down in heavy rain.
Doro Babeck, NSW campaigner for BBF, said, “Numbers are increasing in capital cities, with 3000 marchers in Melbourne and Hobart and 2,500 in Perth.
“We had a huge downpour of rain as we were doing the street march and everyone just kept marching,” she said.
“Then 50 people went out to Pine Creek State Forest to call for protection of the critical forest bridge to link coastal koala populations with the Dorrigo Plateau and the rest of the Great Koala National Park.”
Catherine Jones, Bellingen Environment Centre (BEC) Secretary, said, “The community of Bellingen and its bioregion came out yet again in full force to show their true commitment to end native forest logging.
“We live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth where the rivers run free and the birds and wildlife are rife, and the ancient Gondwana forest towers from the mountain to the sea.”
Bellingen Environment Centre is a staunch supporter of the Bob Brown Foundation and its rallies.
It was the first environment group in NSW to have an “end native forest logging” stance.
“It’s astounding that we are still fighting to save the forests in this climate emergency,” Catherine said.
By Andrew VIVIAN
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