Jo Faith, Newtown
Over the years sitting in Byron Council meetings I was astounded by the presentation of photos depicting ecological degradation, neglect, and in-depth questions by a young man named Matthew O’Reilly. Matthew had a nickname ‘Cleva,’ which had been given to him by First Nations peoples during a period of in his life when he was travelling Australia.
This nickname was not lost on me. I watched Matthew present his concerns with photos and extremely well researched knowledge, which addressed ecological rights and wilful and destructive Anthropocentric behaviour. He sought an answer from Council, indeed he touched the soul of many present who were also affected by the facts that had been presented. The questions lingered in the air, never addressed by Power.