September Forum: Lessons learnt from Bentley, Thurs 4 Sept 7pm, Kent House

Metgasco had plans to drill a gas well 2km deep at Bentley, just 14km from Lismore but an impressive community presence put a stop to it.

Local academic and activist Vanessa Bible will reflect on the challenges and successes of the Bentley Blockade.

Find out about Frackcoffee Café Cathedral, and Betsy the Recharge Bus. Learn about the transformation of people as a community come together from Bundjalung elders, to farmers, to celebrities, and of course local Nimbin and Lismore hippies.

The Bentley Camp was not without issues that included dogs, drums, and tensions testing the mental health of occupants but these were outweighed by the wins including a well articulated media campaign, a wealth of ideas such as Knitting Nannas, Frock Friday, Bentley High Tea, Mother’s Day Breakfast, musicians and politicians turning up of their own accord, including John Butler, Xavier Rudd, Scott Ludlam, Larissa Waters, and Drew Hutton.

Unintentionally Metgasco enabled a positive movement for bringing people together, however suspicion remains with debate over what the suspended license actually means.

Following Vanessa’s presentation on Bentley, Tom will be presenting on the rationale for the Divestment Day campaign and how it will work. This day, and the lead up to it, is an opportunity for all individuals concerned about the future of the planet to come together to divest their holdings from banks financing fossil fuel projects.

The SLA monthly forums are the first Thursday of each month. The Lessons learnt from Bentley Forum is Thursday 4 September 7pm at Kent House, opposite Central Park. Following the talk and discussion, there will a light supper. Gold coin donation appreciated.