When: Saturday 14 September, 11.15am – 1pm
Where: 12 Apostles Viewing Station, Princetown
What:
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Up to 50 people joining community event of lament, prayer and protest
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Smoking ceremony led Eastern Marr Elder
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Seven Christian Ministers in clerical gear
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Protest signs against new gas fields
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Prayers
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Music
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Stories
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Seven Christian clergy from the Great Ocean Road and around Victoria will lead a prayerful protest against Labor’s ongoing commitment to gas exploration, seismic blasting and drilling this Saturday.
Rev Alex Sangster, one of the organisers of the protest says “The Victorian Labor Government has approved new gas drilling in Victoria's beautiful ocean, right near the iconic and deeply beloved 12 Apostles. We are facing an escalating climate emergency. More new gas will only make climate change worse. Drilling for gas in our oceans is the last thing we need. We call on Labor to stop this madness. We call on Labor to break the contracts”.
No More Gas campaigner for Friends of the Earth Melbourne, Stan Woodhouse, who will be speaking at the protest says "The gas industry causes untold damage to the Earth from the moment of exploration, through production and even after gas rigs have been decommissioned. The planet's oceans and climate need us to shut this polluting industry down yesterday."
Background
Methane gas is a powerful accelerant of climate change, 84 times more warming than carbon dioxide over a 20 year period.
According to climate.gov, 2023 was the warmest year since global records began in 1850 by a wide margin. It was 1.18 °C above the 20th-century average of 13.9°C, and 1.35 °C above the pre-industrial average (1850-1900).
As of June 2024, Beach Energy is already extracting gas beneath the Port Campbell National Park, on Gunditjmara Sea Country.
Despite signing on to the UN Global Methane Pledge to reduce Australia's methane emissions in 2022, the Federal Government – with the Victorian Government’s support – has gone on to give approval to 21 new oil and gas fields in Australian waters, including one just 5km from the 12 Apostles.
As of June 2024, Beach Energy is already extracting gas beneath the Port Campbell National Park, on Gunditjmara Sea Country.
Despite signing on to the UN Global Methane Pledge to reduce Australia's methane emissions in 2022, the Federal Government – with the Victorian Government’s support – has gone on to give approval to 21 new oil and gas fields in Australian waters, including one just 5km from the 12 Apostles.
Key Facts:
Join us for a Prayer of Protest at the 12 Apostles.
When: Saturday 14 September, 11.15am – 1pm
Where: 12 Apostles Viewing Station, Princetown
About us:
Friends of the Earth Melbourne is an environmental and social not for profit organisation with over 50 years' experience advocating for social and environmental justice for Victoria. We are proud to work in collaboration with groups that share our commitment to healthy ecosystems and equitable outcomes for all, particularly the most vulnerable in the community.
The Uniting Church Queenscliff embodies the key values of hospitality, welcome and connection. Through the shared food, arts, spiritual practices, and community engagement, we strengthen connections with one another and across various cultures and backgrounds. We share a particular concern for those on the edges of our society.
Contact details:
Rev Greg Crowe, Minister Queenscliff Uniting Church - 0409 174 894
Stan Woodhouse, No More Gas campaigner for Friends of the Earth Melbourne - 0484 608 625
