Leard Blockade have been busy over the last three days at AgQuip, the biggest Agriculture show in the southern hemisphere, providing information and support for the farming community alongside the North West Alliance. Special guest, and exciting new friend of the alliance, Michael Caton (from ‘The Castle’), was a great support, helping with the interaction between the campaign and local communities. The actor comes from an area affected by coal mining and CSG so he easily related to the farmers and the struggles they are facing. The atmosphere was brightened by live music from Luke Vassilis and Paul Robert Burton. Some very talented face painting artists from Leard Blockade kept kids of all ages entertained.
While lots of fun was had, the three days was mostly spent connecting with local farmers, and listening to stories of farmers from areas already devastated by coal and gas mining, and their struggles dealing with overbearing coal and gas companies unsupported. Their message was clear- we need to stop these mines before more communities are divided and more lives are ruined.