Martin’s mining meal

We have had some pretty interesting times sitting on our verandah sharing a meal and having a chat. We had another last Wednesday. It was the night before Martin,  Daniel and Jeremy headed back for Sydney. To celebrate the farewell, Martin decided to cook up a big Peruvian meal and invited over our aboriginal neighbours. Keith’s old school mate, Greg, was staying with us and also joined us.  Greg is a geophysicist from Perth and works in the mining area. He was here for some geology conference. Most of you would know that Martin has very strong anti mining views based on his experience in Peru of local people being exploited by mining companies. Our neighbours come from country east of ALice that has a mining history that involved a whole community having to move because the water was poisoned by gold mining. There is currenty mining exploration happening on their land which they are deeply concerned about. ANd all of us have been concerned about a uranium mine that is proposed for about 20kms south of ALice called “Angela Pamela” and have signed petitions and been to protest meetings. I don’t think Greg quite realised what he was getting into coming to dinner that night. But I have to say, we had some really interesting and passionate discussion where stories were shared and respect was maintained, even if we didn’t fully understand each other. Greg is such a scientist and tried to explain stuff but most of it we couldn’t grasp.  He maintained a balance and was willing to listen. John, our neighbour who is usually quite reserved, really spoke up expressing his viewpoints but also expressing his desire to find ways we can all work together. Martin broguht the expereinces of another country. It was an intersting cross section of people addressing the issues.   I  really enjoy being able to have these sorts of discussions.

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