Ex Greens candidate Lauren Granger-Brown joins ‘Gympie Pyramid’ row

Protesters charged with trespassing at the ‘Gympie Pyramid’ and contravening police orders have returned to court as the matter continues to steam towards a trial. Find out the latest developments:

Wit-Booka (Gary Tomlinson), Diane Djaki Widjung (Diane Redden-King) and Lauren Granger-Brown were among seven people who returned to Gympie Magistrates Court to face charges of trespass and contravening police orders as the fallout from the ‘Gympie Pyrmiad’ protest continued through Gympie’s courts.

The “offensive” non-use of tribal names has been the latest issue raised as the legal tangle over the “Gympie Pyramid” continued.

Former Greens state election candidate Lauren Jane Granger-Brown is among those charged.

Ms Granger-Brown, 53, was one of seven people tofront Gympie Magistrate Court on Monday for the latest hearing on the matter as it inches its way through the court system.

She was joined by Gary Roy Tomlinson, 56, of Southside, Dawn Myrtle Tomlinson, 77, of Heritage Park, Diane Patricia Redden-King, 64, of Curra, Jason Edward Quick, 47, of Sheldon, and Zachariah John Monaghan, 27, of Glenreagh, as the matter stemming from a protest over the Rocky Ridge site and subsequent evictions by police and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, edged towards a possible trial.

Paul David Jukes, 53, of Ball Bay, was mentioned as part of the group’s appearance but was absent due to flooding in northern New South Wales.

Mr Tomlinson, Ms Tomlinson, Mr Quick, Mr Monaghan and Mr Jukes have all been charged with trespassing.

The legal tangle is the result of ongoing protests at the ‘Gympie Pyramid’ at Rocky Ridge, which campaigners say will be destroyed by work on the $1b Gympie Bypass.

Ms Redden-King and Ms Granger-Brown were charged with contravening an order or requirement from police.

Cheryl May Tomlinson, 68, of Crestmead, was mentioned as part of Monday’s hearing; Ms Redden-King, speaking on behalf of the group which was representing itself, said Mrs Tomlinson and several others who had been charged had their “own ideologies” and the group “would not speak for them”.

No pleas have yet been entered.

The group has been campaigning to preserve the site from being impacted by work on the $1b Gympie Bypass, claiming it is sacred.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley refused an application for its protection under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act in October 2021, prompting TMR and police to move in.

Former Gympie state election Greens candidate Lauren Granger-Brown was among the group to appear at Monday’s court hearing. Ms Granger-Brown has been charged with contravening an order or requirement by police.

A new application under the ATSIHP Act has since been lodged with Ms Ley’s office.

The group was joined by more than half a dozen supporters, who had been part of a protest outside the courthouse and filled the gallery when the matter was heard just before midday.

Ms Redden-King, who goes by the name Diane Djaki Widjung, asked Magistrate Chris Callaghan if she and the other members could be called by their tribal names in the future as it was “offensive” not to be and denied their human rights.

Mr Callaghan said he had no problem doing so, but only if police could be persuaded to make the amendments first.

“I’m happy to refer to you by your tribal names, but until then I will refer to you under the name charged,” Mr Callaghan said.

Mr Callaghan tried to continue using these names leading to a moment of levity when trying to ascertain which of the group was represented and asking Mr Quick if he was with “this lot”.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan said he would be happy to call those charged by their preferred tribal names, but would no do so until those names had been changed on their charge sheets.

“Only when they’re being good,” Mr Quick replied.

The matter was adjourned for another four weeks to allow those accused to obtain and review all the necessary evidence being tendered by police and TMR.

Ms Redden-King said one crucial fact needed an answer before anything else.

“The ownership of the (Rocky Ridge) land needs to be cleared up first,” Ms Redden-King said.

“We already have all the evidence we need to show ownership.

“Every time we’ve been in here it’s because the land issue hasn’t been settled.”

Mr Tomlinson, who otherwise goes by the name Wit-Boooka, said he had appeared on trespassing charges related to the Rocky Ridge land previously and “every time it gets thrown out”.

The group will return to Gympie Magistrates Court on April 11, when a trial date is expected to be set.