Camp Liberty frocks it up for a high tea
DESPITE threats their blockade would be moved, Bentley’s “Camp Liberty” presented its posh side on Saturday with a “royal” visit and high tea.
Lismore
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DESPITE threats their blockade would be moved, Bentley's "Camp Liberty" presented its posh side on Saturday with a "royal" visit by frocked and suited locals taking high tea beside a pair of vintage Bentleys.
It was a chance for the grass roots protest movement to jokingly contradict the "extremist" slant painted by some politicians in Macquarie St.
Last week's news that Richmond Valley Council had failed to extend approval for the camp beyond Anzac Day has, if anything, fired up the camp.
The camp's proponents have engaged a planning consultant to prepare a new development application.
Richmond Valley general manager John Walker also said council had no plans to dismantle the camp.
This is despite the fact that it is now technically unlawful.
On Saturday, many gentry on show were in their 60s and 70s, and longtime Bentley locals. Retired dairy farmer Robert Lowrey owns one of the very last Mark 6 Bentleys, made in 1951, while Nimbin vintage car lover Carl Heydon was showing off his 1947 model.
And the mock tour attracted a throng of onlookers: "I'm exhausted... I know how the royals feel now," joked one aristocrat.
For Maryborough visitor Miriam Bauman, the spectacle was a bonus.
After 10 days holidaying in the region, Ms Bauman, a teacher, was camping at Bentley for two nights to show her support.
"It's too beautiful here to become an industrial wasteland," she declared.
Bentley local Rosemary Joseph, who works the camp's meet and greet desk every Friday, said they "couldn't keep up" with the numbers coming through on Friday.
Visitors were coming as far afield as Victoria, Wollongong, Sydney, and Queensland.
"People are coming out of their way," she said.
The camp is also frequented by people daily from Ocean Shores and Murwillumbah for the dawn gathering.
She said she was sick of the negative "extremist" stereotype of protesters and said the majority of protesters were of middle or retirement age, and anything but extremists.
"I don't want to get arrested, but if I have to I will."
Her 87-year-old uncle from Melbourne, an ex-Royal Marine, had donated $100 to Lock the Gate.
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