Dawn vigils for kunanyi

A report from Ross Coward

A small band of concerned citizens, meeting under the auspices of the community group, Residents Opposed to the Cable Car, ROCC, formulated an action plan in early 2019 to protest against the Cable Car project by holding vigils in the area on the mountain summit where the proponents want to build a pinnacle centre . A number of vigils were held during 2019, some at dawn, some at sunset, one on a Sunday afternoon and one evening on the lawns outside Parliament House. These vigils have been symbolic but powerful statements made by us-two as a protest against the Cable Car project and as a mark of respect for this place that we love. 

We meet on the summit 30 minutes before the scheduled start then clamber down a rocky path to take up our positions. Eight sentinels, mainly women, dressed in red or pink or orange cloaks, stand upright on proposed drill sites (located by GPS). The bell ringers, two mountains & rivers zen practitioners, take up their positions, about 100m apart. A photographer moves around to document each vigil. On one dawn occasion a renowned wilderness photographer used a drone to take aerial shots. Sometimes vigils had to be cancelled when the mountain road was closed due to weather conditions, ice or snow. A few observers watch from a viewing platform above where the vigil takes place.

At the appointed time, the first appearance of the sun disc, three bells are rung. The morning light is spectacular. The proclamation is read aloud, for the mountain to hear us, for us to hear the mountain, to see the mountain, for those whose ears are deaf, we make this statement. Then 108 bells with a call and response dance between the two bell ringers. The bells resonate from bell to bell, from dolerite boulder to dolerite boulder, from me-to-you, and back again. As the final bell fades away we remain in silent repose for two minutes. The sentinels are magnificent, facing towards the east, their powerful silent statement flows down to the city below.

It is exhilarating being here on this high place, alone and with others, feeling the breeze, the cool air, seeing the formations of cloud above, below. Then we pack up, have a short de-brief in the summit shelter, and leave. This was a satisfying thing to have done.

The pic of the dawn vigil on Monday 7 January 2020 was the last vigil we have done and coincided when the proponents were submitting their latest documentation to the Hobart City Council. Covid-19 has been a stopper.

waiting for the bell
the green mountain walks east
a currawong calls

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Ross