Economy
What Miranda missed most …
Pic: Emma Capp
My thoughts for Miranda on her 1 year Anniversary in the Observer Tree
The name Miranda is of Latin origin, its meaning “Worthy of Admiration”. And so it is befitting that we are here to celebrate and admire the work of our good friend Miranda. We admire her courage, her resilience, her clarity of conviction. She has shouldered the heavy load as the Forest agreement drags on into an uncertain future. Her conviction is to protect the forests and animals that we all hold dear and that have notched a special place in our hearts from the first mossy sprung steps we took into that magic world.
I finally had the opportunity to visit Miranda face to face yesterday (Sat) – pretty slack I know. Up there for a whole year and only one visit, but every trip so far has been a rush to perform some task whether resupply, rubbish run or to get journalists into her perch and the only contact a quick hi over the radio. I was already amazed at the international media campaign that she is conducting from the clouds in the middle of a remote wilderness area, but it wasn’t until I ascended to her platform that I really grasped the power of her actions. Looking out over the majestic Tyenna Valley, almost unchanged since gondowanan times, save for several vast swathes of pale wounds where old growth forests had been scraped from the Earth and replaced slowly with deserts of monoculture The grandeur of this ancient valley remains under the shadow of Mt Field. Whilst slightly smaller in stature, Miranda’s presence fills this space. Since her arrival to those heights none have dared to further scar the landscape under her vigilant watch. She truly is the Sentinel of the Southern Forest. Her stand and the stand of those committed activists in support has maintained the momentum in the drive to protect these wild places, while the debate has raged on in parliament and in the media – Miranda has stood tall with more power and integrity than the lot of them combined.
While trying to relate Miranda’s campaign to my own experiences in the Southern Ocean with Sea Shepherd, I have to say that while we have shared many similar hardships and dangers, hers have been borne alone. Whilst we endure massive storms and rolling seas shielded by steel and horsepower, Miranda clings to a small platform, suspended by thin plastic line protected only by a thin film of clear vinly swaying 60m above the earth. Her meals are simple and I imagine often cold. Alone, night after night she stands watch despite threats of violence, threats that she has seen materialize in prior actions. The other threats are not so obvious to those looking in, but the dangers are very real from fire to wild weather to ill intent, Miranda has placed herself in a position which is both powerful but vulnerable. This is a pure form of courage, to put yourself in harm’s way to defend life. And yet Miranda has not become hardened. She is always incredibly focused and cheerful. She has become one with that place and has taken on an air of peaceful purpose. I never seen someone so alive ! She has made this campaign fun, educational and appealing to all walks of life without having to resort to lowest common denominator tactics.
In fact Miranda gave me the opportunity to participate in one of more unique actions I have ever been involved with … she was asked by some breakfast show presenters what she missed the most whilst living up a tree for a year. Her answer “Pizza!” So yesterday this radio station had me special delivery a vegetarian Pizza all the way from Hobart to the edge of the World heritage Area. I tell you that I felt like Alexander Pierce taking his next victim into the wilderness. I came close to taking a slice on several occasions but then I thought about all the amazing hot meals I’ve had this year whilst Miranda has been chewing on gum leaves, part marsupial that she is and I marched that pizza up the hill but I hope she knows how close she came to getting an empty box. That’s how much I love and respect ya Possum ! So if you feel the same way, remember that Miranda’s fight ain’t over yet and her and the forests need all the help they can get in the coming months, so dig deep and keep spreading the plight of our endangered and unique wild places.