*Pics: Heidi Douglas and Geoff Law in the Upper Florentine … and … Geoff Law presents a book of beauty …
At the opening ceremony of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting in Bonn, the German Government has recognised Tasmanian campaigners as ‘World Heritage Heroes’ in an official photographic exhibition.
Long-time campaigners Geoff Law and Heidi Douglas were photographed together in the upper Florentine and feature in the exhibition alongside advocates from Africa, South America, Europe and Asia. This signals the critical role community advocacy, action and effort play in seeing World Heritage areas declared and defended.
Both Geoff and Heidi worked for the Wilderness Society through critical years in the forests campaign, were defendants in the infamous Gunns 20 SLAPP suit, and their contributions live on. Geoff continues to work to defend and extend the World Heritage Area and is in Bonn for the Committee meeting. Heidi’s films provide an enduring legacy to the values of Tasmania’s forests and the threats they have faced.
Mr Law expressed gratitude to the German government for its recognition of the importance of Tasmania’s wilderness.
‘Tasmania has a whole community of heritage heroes responding to the government’s disdainful treatment of our irreplaceable natural environment,’ Mr Law said. ‘The destruction of our rivers, forests and cultural heritage has compelled people to make a stand. Our collective achievements in protecting Tasmania’s wilderness have generated international attention and appreciation.’
Ms Douglas said the exhibition acts as a beacon to communities around the world struggling with their own David and Goliath battles.
‘I am one of many people who worked very hard to get these forests protected’, Ms Douglas said. ‘I am proud our efforts are being recognised alongside brave crusaders from across the globe who all made huge personal sacrifices for the sake of protecting environmental and cultural heritage. It proves that the community can make positive change despite the forces stacked against them.’
The Wilderness Society paid tribute to Geoff and Heidi and echoed the reality that a broad cross-section of the community needs to be recognised as having supreme commitment to the protection of natural and cultural heritage.
Geoff is in Bonn advocating for a rejection of the Hodgman Government’s weakened draft management plan and was congratulated today by the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, German Minister Professor Maria Boehmer, in a formal reception and opening of the World Heritage Heroes Exhibition.
