Iris Ray Nunn, Byron Shire Chemical Free Landcare
On behalf of the Byron Shire Chemical Free Landcare (BSCRL), we would like to make it clear that we have zero tolerance for any violent behaviour during actions to protect the dunes at the Tyagarah Nature Reserve and are sincerely sorry that members of the National Parks and Wildlife Service were treated cruelly on Monday by some people of the community that had no connection at all to BSCRL.
Unfortunately the core group were at the Tyagarah section reserve during the non-violent direct action
and were unable to intervene at Brunswick where the verbal abuse of park rangers occurred.
These rangers are our friends. Our children go to the same school. They are community members simply wearing uniforms who care for Country too, and we look forward to working with them at the TNR in the future.
On a personal level, I would like to make a personal announcement to the people of Byron Shire who may have been offended by my cloaking my nude body with the Aboriginal flag at the Tyagarah Beach Nature Reserve on Monday morning, pre-negotiations with the National Parks and Wildlife Service manager Sue Walker and Arakwal manager Delta Kay to stop aerial spraying of the dunes.
I’m deeply saddened that I should be criticised or discriminated against for my actions, but in turn
am sorry if any local elders who heard of the incident are offended.
I am a woman who has a deep love, respect and understanding of the Aboriginal culture.
I am a great advocate of Aboriginal rights and have been so since my teens.
I came to the Tyagarah Nature Reserve ‘right way’ having permission to be there by Uncle Harry Boyd, my partner’s uncle.
I have been welcomed and embraced by elders of the Githabul, Wakka Wakka, Arabunna,
Pitjantjatjara, Gomaroi and Ngarakwal, and have been involved in reconciliation, healing and caring for Country projects for a number of years.
Finally, I am married-up to a Githabul-Ngarakwal man.
I therefore feel in my integrity to be proud of the Aboriginal flag and my beautiful bare spirit combined.
With much respect.