The Franklin, that year, didn’t get a dam

ONE of the chief protagonists in the successful campaign to halt the damming of Tasmania’s Franklin River more than forty years ago is coming to Bendigo to tell his story.

In late 1982, Brian Walters AM SC, famously rafted down the waterway over 10 days to join several thousand fellow protestors.

“A keen bushwalker, I’d often travelled to Tasmania for long hikes in remote areas and I’d been involved in the campaign to save the Franklin River for some years,” he said.

“I was a young barrister. I was anxious to get down to the blockade, and was also keen to raft the river, which was regarded as a serious undertaking.

“The blockade planners had three goals in view: to generate enormous publicity with a view to placing pressure on politicians, to make a show of commitment, strength and determination by having many people arrested and jailed, and to slow down and even stop work.

“People came from around the world, and in the end over 1500 people were arrested.

“The Franklin campaign led to an upsurge in environmental awareness. It encouraged other environmental campaigns and was instrumental in the rise of the Greens as a national political party.

Mr Walters said his upcoming talk at Bendigo Library is suitable for anyone who’s particularly interested in the environment or Australian political history.

“The commitment and ultimate success of those who campaigned to save the Franklin should offer inspiration to those who come along,” he said.

Brian Walters: The Franklin River campaign takes place at Bendigo Library on Thursday 15 June from 5.30 to 6.30pm.

Further information and to book a free ticket visit bit.ly/3IT5h8O.