The Aquarius Festival was a manifestation of many of the ideas and principles that had brought those original hippies to this area in the late 1960s and early 70s. The belief that people needed to come together and respect the earth, live closer to nature and take action to preserve the world they had evolved to live in.
One of those people was Graeme Dunstan who was pivotal in bringing together the 1973 Aquarius Festival that took place in Nimbin and since that time Graeme has continued his campaign for political and cultural change both locally and in the broader community. He’s achieved this by living and travelling in the Peacebus that has taken him far and wide to help him deliver his message.
‘Peacebus is Graeme’s long time and far travelling vehicle and it is now worn out and in need of replacement. It has had many adventures including the plunge into the creek behind Nimbin after last year’s Mardi Grass,’ said HEMP Embassy President, Michael Balderstone.
‘Graeme has done so much for Nimbin and the Northern Rivers over the years. Indeed the HEMP Embassy exists today in the building that it does because of Graeme’s initiative in acquiring it for the 1973 Aquarius and keeping it in community ownership afterwards.’
High tea for peace
The HEMP Embassy will be hosting a high tea fundraiser to keep Graeme’s Peacebus rolling tomorrow,Friday 21 at 4.20pm at the HEMP Embassy. The Hemp Bar High Tea will be a dress up affair. Wear a hat!
‘Come along, support him and keep Peacebus rolling on by making a donation. Not everybody can live in a van and devote their life to political and cultural activism,’ said Michael.
Double your money
One generous donor has offered to match the next $1,800 donated dollar for dollarso this is a great chance to see your money go that extra distance in helpig Graeme get rolling again.
‘It’s a great effort. For example, many don’t realise that Graeme introduced, among other ideas, mass lantern events to the area. That little seed has grown into the amazing annual Lismore Lantern Parade of this Saturday’s solstice,’ explained Michael.
You can donate directly towards Graeme’s Peacebus online.
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