Emma Pritchard

Standing proudly together, a passionate group of Clarence Valley youths set up an information stall at the Grafton Twilight Farmers Market last week to share their views against mining in the region and educate others of the importance of protecting and preserving the unique and precious diversity of our environment.

Oskar Robertson, Cindy Counsell, Shaan Singh and Laura Hennessy spent time speaking with locals and visitors during the afternoon and said it was important to make people aware of the threats and risks associated with mining and its devastating long-term impacts.  

“We don’t want mining to happen in the Clarence Valley,” Oskar said.

“Mining has the potential to damage and destroy our ecosystem, and we really don’t want that to happen.

“People have been approaching us and asking what’s our cause and why are we here, and we tell them about the impacts of mining on the environment, and we distribute information and tell people what they can do to help prevent it from occurring.

“We also want to educate people about the environmental impacts of mining and why it needs to be prevented from happening in the Clarence Valley.”

“Our local environment has a lot of cultural significance too, and we need to protect that,” Cindy added.

Clarence Catchment Alliance (CCA) representative Shae Fleming, who is a strong advocate against mining in the Clarence Valley, spoke in support of the group and said how pleased she was to see local youths expressing themselves.

“What they’re doing is great, and they’re helping to share a really important message with their community,” she said.

“Mining doesn’t just have a harmful impact on the environment, it also affects the social, spiritual and cultural aspects, and they’re also important.

“Here in the Clarence Valley, we have a delicate river system which needs to be protected from mining and that’s another important message that’s being shared with the community here today.”   

Clarence Valley Councillor Greg Clancy was also supportive of the youths’ presence at the markets.

Oskar, Cindy, Shaan and Laura also handed out information pamphlets to passers-by and had stickers and signs proclaiming ‘no mines’ available for sale.

All proceeds went towards helping the CCA’s campaign to prevent mining in the Clarence Valley.

“It’s up to our generation to make a difference and stand up and fight for the environment,” Laura said.

“We need to do this together.”