the ‘listening stones’

‘listening stones’

this work is a metaphor for a community who hear, who hear the land and sea of this area.

Each ‘stone’ is made of gypsum rock and cast from the ear and nape of a community member who stepped up, took hours and hours of time out of their lives, to advocate a ‘no’ stance to a development that would have disastrously impacted on the coastal and marine environment of Westernport.

They are ears of those that heard/hear our local environment and fought and long and detailed effort to save it, which they did, from the AGL liquid gas proposition for Western Port, and continue to advocate for this wonderful area.  Local Mornington Peninsula individuals who rallied in extraordinary ways and continue to rally to protect the place where we, the unique marine life, flora and fauna, live. The community effort was astonishing, and each person, from disparate backgrounds and circumstances came together as they heard the environment needed help. While this is not unique to the Mornington Peninsula, our community is the only one that is ours … our ears to our place.

Update: There are constant new development proposals - that this community continues to engage with

A Coal to Hydrogen proposal - The community opposed the pilot, but a Japanese owned consortium is still trying to gain support from the Victorian government to use Victoria's dirty brown coal to produce hydrogen for export; The Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC). The community want renewable green hydrogen, not dirty brown hydrogen produced in the Latrobe Valley that would cause 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨. The emission would have to be dealt with and they want Westernport Bay as the liquification plant and shipping route for Japan to receive their ‘clean’ hydrogen. This is not the future the community wants for Westernport Bay and the Mornington Peninsula fearing untold environmental damage.
Note: Hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy much more cheaply and cleanly. 

Port for large equipment transport - Cited as a port for Wind Farm equipment transport, the federal government rejected a Victorian proposal to expand the Port of Hastings, paving the way for a wind farm, as it would harm wetlands and marine wildlife. The Community applauds this result while understanding the need for renewable energy.

install photos below ….. (click to enlarge)

During the making of this work, when asked why they did it, why they each took such huge chunks of time from their lives to fight against the proposal, they responded:

DEL SKINNER
I went to the first information session – and it just didn’t sound right, and I didn’t know what to do. As soon as someone put their hand up I got on board. Westernport is in my being – I didn’t’ like the thought of it being wrecked.

HINETERA MARINO
I have lived her 10 years, on the peninsula for 19. I just love Westernport. I am so grateful for this place. I wanted to do something iconic – create a barrier of love – the paddle out in the shape of a heart just fell together.  I love it so much.  

SACHA GUGGENHEIMER
I couldn’t live with it, I couldn’t accept it – the degradation of this incredible eco-system and playground.

TRACEE HUTCHISON
Without our environment we have nothing. When the planet can’t breathe, we have nothing.

JOHN BLOGG
We need to protect nature – reverse our climate changes.

LOUISE PAGE
All I thought was: ‘this is so wrong – on every level.’

CANDY SPENDER VAN ROOD
I didn’t have a choice, it walked into my being. I needed to completely stop it.

HANNAH LEWIS
I have lived here for 40 years, and holidayed here since I was a 6-year-old. It’s my heart place. I notice its moods and changes, and threats and risks.

DALE STOHR
If you see something you say something. It was a flawed and dangerous concept.

JANE CARNEGIE
When I first heard about the plan, I was outraged, I could not stand by. I had to join the community fight against this monstrous plan and help collectively defeat it.

CHRIS ATMORE
I’m more of a brain person but nature grounds me – we are all interconnected with nature and that’s very precious. We have to fight for that, for our survival. We have to honour that.

BRONWYN GWYTHER
It was just my responsibility.

ROD KNOWLES
It was a serious situation; I could see the real dangers. What can happen will happen. Just using this site was a danger to the community and the environment.

DON JUNIPER
There is nothing right about this, it’s all wrong

SUE KING
Because the ocean can’t speak for itself

SANDY MILNE
The environment is everything.

DEBORAH HART
Because it was dead wrong. An assault on the local community and the global climate. 

PENELOPE GEBHARDT
‘If not you, then who?’ 
* Hillel, first century Jewish scholar 

JULIA STOCKIGT
In the past I’ve taken this Country for granted, so my actions now express gratitude, and a need to understand and share awareness of the threats. 
I know we can do better.

MARNEE FRASER
Because it it irreplaceable. It is special and I want it to stay for my Grandchildren.

PLEASE NOTE WE REPRESENT MANY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO DID THE SAME.

With all my heart in doing this work I show respect to, and acknowledge the, Bunurong, Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this work was created. I recognise and appreciate their continuous care for country.

video by Matt from Untamed Productions Australia for DRI F T Arts Festival, of the installation process of STRATA, the sculpture component of the Festival.