Tuesday 24 June 2014
Judith Wright’s Reef account to be relaunched The Great Barrier Reef is still the closest most people will come to Eden. So said Judith Wright, arguably one of Australia’s greatest poets. Over a long and distinguished literary career she published poetry, children’s books, literary essays and works of non-fiction. She also published The Coral Battleground. Published in 1977, it tells the story of a group of dedicated conservationists in Queensland who battled to save the Great Barrier Reef from coral-limestone mining and from oil exploration. And now, nearly 40 years later, a new edition of The Coral Battleground will be re-launched at a special event celebrating stories of rainforest and reef conservation next week in Mission Beach. The launch coincides with a forum that brings together some of the people involved in those rainforest and reef campaigns – scientists, campaigners and artists - who will gather at historic Ninney Rise to share their stories. |
Suzie Smith, Secretary Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook Branch said Judith Wright was instrumental in forming the Society.
“Judith was one of the founders of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland,” Suzie said. “And went on to become a life member of the Australian Conservation Foundation.”
“Just as Rachel Cason’s Silent Spring inspired a generation to protect the natural environment from destructive practice, so another generation in Australia was galvanised by the first major conservation campaign to save the Great Barrier Reef,” Suzie said.
“Judith Wright, one of the key participants in the battle, comprehensively documents this campaign in The Coral Battleground.”
This new edition from independent feminist publisher Spinifex Press contains a compelling foreword by Margaret Thorsborne AO, who is Patron of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland.
Rainforest and Reef Conservation Stories will be held at Ninney Rise from Thursday 3 – Saturday 5 July and includes the option of a field trip to the Reef.
The new edition of The Coral Battleground will be launched on Thursday 3 July. Full details at ninneyrise.com.
Ends
Suzie Smith is available for interview at the event.
Spinifex Press directors Susan Hawthorne and Renate Klein will be available for interview both at the event and prior.
High res cover artwork available.
Media welcome to attend the launch. RSVP appreciated.
Media enquiries:
Samantha Morris 0421 709 519
sam@wombatcreative.com.au
“Judith was one of the founders of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland,” Suzie said. “And went on to become a life member of the Australian Conservation Foundation.”
“Just as Rachel Cason’s Silent Spring inspired a generation to protect the natural environment from destructive practice, so another generation in Australia was galvanised by the first major conservation campaign to save the Great Barrier Reef,” Suzie said.
“Judith Wright, one of the key participants in the battle, comprehensively documents this campaign in The Coral Battleground.”
This new edition from independent feminist publisher Spinifex Press contains a compelling foreword by Margaret Thorsborne AO, who is Patron of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland.
Rainforest and Reef Conservation Stories will be held at Ninney Rise from Thursday 3 – Saturday 5 July and includes the option of a field trip to the Reef.
The new edition of The Coral Battleground will be launched on Thursday 3 July. Full details at ninneyrise.com.
Ends
Suzie Smith is available for interview at the event.
Spinifex Press directors Susan Hawthorne and Renate Klein will be available for interview both at the event and prior.
High res cover artwork available.
Media welcome to attend the launch. RSVP appreciated.
Media enquiries:
Samantha Morris 0421 709 519
sam@wombatcreative.com.au