SEANlets!
So we just had a bit of a rip-roaring weekend over 20-22nd March.
A whole bunch of cats from UNSW, UTS, Wollongong, Canberra, Sydney uni and Newcastle uni came together in Newcastle with hundreds of gorgeous miscellaneous flotational devices and kayaks and zoomed about preventing ships entering and leaving Newcastle Coal Port for the WHOLE DAY. There were sailing boats, paddle boats, floating glaciers and opera houses, burgers, sea shanties and doughnuts.
Funnest direct action ever.
Slightly tired and slightly sunburnt, a couple of carloads headed up to Bulahdelah on Saturday night to hang out at the mountain and support the campaign to save it from the RTAs metal road-building jaws, while another bunch gathered on Sunday in Newcastle to have a day of discussions, checking in with each other, picnicking (see below) and making delicious PLANS.

So you don’t go feeling all left out, here is a synopsis of what we chatted about. If you want the full minutes for the savouring, contact gemromuld@gmail.com and I’ll send them to ya.

SEAN chats:

1. Collective reportbacks
2. Report-back on anti-nuclear and indigenous campaigning including planning for the the ALP National Conference coming up 30th July.
3. Report-back on climate collective stuff including the strategy weekend, planning a coal campaign that involves researching a site to target and a community to talk to and work with, possibly having a listening tour there, and having a climate camp in Septemer. Also need to put the call out for a convenor of the collective (job description is already done)
4. Report-back from community climate action groups including the 12 MP office actions happening this Friday in opposition to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
5. Media collective report-back
6. Website stuff! Lian and Kristy  have identified a whole lot of stuff that can be improved upon. Time to help them make it happen.
7. Chats about the SEAN/ASEN space in Erskineville and the possibility of having a space closer to central instead.
8. Chats about money stuff including the rent and phone for SEAN space. The general desire to not deplete SEANs money but raise what we need. Things to pay for including a new welder. Money coming in proposals.
9. What next including…
SEAN GIG and Mudgee coal tour, invited by Bev Smiles
Next Sean gig to be in August in Wollongong/Sandon Point and include a tour of a coal mine and perhaps also a community forum.
Session Two: coal campaign plans- synopsis
Objective of shutting down piece of coal infrastructure in NSW by end of 2010
Possibility of Blockade
Possibility of Combining with Climate Camp including training (eg NVDA) in the lead up
Working with coal effected communities and Traditional Owners
Listening tours including Wollongong gig forum/movie night
Visit to Mudgee on Bev’s invitation IN MAY to talk about coal and oppose mine expansion!