Jeffrey Cranston, Paul Jukes, Zachariah Monaghan and Jason Quick charged over Gympie Pyramid protest

Four men protesting the alignment of the Bruce Highway Bypass close to the controversial site known as the ‘Gympie Pyramid’ were supported by a group of about 20 people as they faced the Gympie court.

Supporters of four men charged following a protest at the so-called “Gympie Pyramid” site earlier this year tried to present a box of rocks from the site to the Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

Jeffrey Cranston, 40, Paul Jukes, 51, Zachariah Monaghan, 27, and Jason Quick, 47, were charged after hours of protesting against the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ construction of the $1billion Bruce Highway Bypass, which goes close to the controversial site.

No one entered a plea.

The protesters claim the site has Aboriginal cultural significance.

About 25 supporters of the men crowded into the courtroom when it was their turn to face the magistrate.

One, a woman, held the box containing the rocks but Magistrate Chris Callaghan said he was “not interested in seeing that today”.

Monaghan and Jukes were both absent but submitted notes requesting the group adjournment. Mr Callaghan acceded.

Cranston was charged with contravening a direction or requirement of police, and Jukes, Monaghan and Quick were charged with trespassing on the October 15, 2021.

Cranston refused adjournment, claiming he had more evidence to provide to the police prosecutor, Michael Phillips. Mr Callaghan refused the documentation stating, “all submissions have to wait for the trial”.

Mr Callaghan warned Cranston if he did not accept an adjournment date, he would have to come in every Monday, to which Cranston agreed to.

Aside from Cranston, the group was adjourned until January 24, 2022.