Three activists from Grassroots Action Network Tasmania (GRANT) have appeared in court after defending native forests in the western range of Kunanyi / Mt Wellington, acting on a call to action from Palawa elder Uncle Jim Everett.
Media release – Grassroots Action Network Tasmania, 28 August 2025
Grassroots activists face court for defending forests in western range of Kunanyi, in support of Uncle Jim Everett puralia meenamatta
Three GRANT activists have faced court this morning in Nipaluna for defending forests in January, answering a call from Palawa Elder Uncle Jim Everett puralia meenamatta to protect Country. The activists look forward to defending the charges and having their stories heard in court and are next before the court on 10 October.
Rohan Swinsburg, Hughie Nicklason and Maya Sini all face charges of trespass after peacefully defending native forests in the Western Range of Kunanyi. The forest was a critical native ecosystem, home to countless threatened species, giant old trees, and disappearing alpine communities. The area also sits at the top of Nipaluna’s drinking water catchment.
“The continued destruction of native forests has direct impacts not only on those landscapes, but also our communities. This forest was in our drinking water catchment. When it rains out the back of Kunanyi, that water is literally coming out of our taps in the city,” said Hughie. “By logging our drinking water catchments, we are increasing sediment runoff, disrupting flow, and potentially doing irreparable damage. To destroy these forests is to hurt ourselves.”
Hughie, Maya and Rohan were defending one of the last remaining sections of vital native forest in the area, through the use of a tree sit, a hammock and a monopole structure.
“With climate change accelerating and unprecedented ecological collapse on the horizon, the logging of native forests is a dangerous misuse of resources guided by a mindset of domination, exploitation, expansion and separation,” said Maya.
“To realise any healthy future in Lutruwita, to truly move forwards, to belong here, a deep listening and mutuality is required. Deep listening to the First Peoples of this land and to Country, a listening that extends to accountability, solidarity, action and change.”
These actions formed part of GRANT’s response to a call to action from esteemed Palawa Elder Uncle Jim Everett puralia meenamatta earlier this year. Uncle Jim called for action to stop the destruction of Country, and honour Law in Country.
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