Mining opposition group raises war chest at celebrity long lunch

From Sustainable Tarras:

A unique event held in the Dunstan Mountains today was designed as a positive celebration of produce, personalities and wine from Central Otago, to raise money in opposition to Santana’s fast-track mine. Over 150 people attended the “long lunch” event, which was held at a venue in the mountains close to the proposed mine site, was supported by 12 local wineries and local personalities Sam Neill and Grahame Sydney.

Organised by local businesses and staffed by volunteers, the “Wine NOT Mine” event was held at The Canyon, overlooking Tarras and the Upper Clutha. Perched half way up the Dunstan Mountains above Bendigo, those attending the event had a panoramic view of the district on one of the clearest days this summer.

Guests were treated to a four course lunch featuring a menu made up entirely of food sourced from Otago. Chef Jessica Matheson said “In fact, everything consumed by guests here today was grown and prepared downstream of Santana’s proposed mine, perhaps with the exception of the venison - the deer hang out in the high hills.” She said that as she prepared the fare for the day, she had “reflected on the potential risks of the mine on our waterways.”

Matheson’s business is based in Roxburgh, also directly downstream from Santana’s dam.

• Sam Neill at today’s anti mine function - and artist Graeme Sydney (main image above)

Hayden Johnston, proprietor of The Canyon said “this was a great opportunity to showcase the world-class hospitality experiences we offer in Central Otago. Reaction from visitors to the region is the same: what we have in this part of the country is unique and breathtaking.” Johnston’s venue is the closest tourist and hospitality business to the proposed fast-track mine site. Given its position in the Dunstan Mountains, it boasts incredible views, making it popular for weddings and private parties.

The event included speeches from Central Otago personalities Sam Neill and Grahame Sydney, who have both been staunchly opposed to Santana’s mine proposal. Both focussed on their deep connection to Central Otago and the businesses they have grown here.

Sam Neill said: “Today’s event is indicative of a growing community of ordinary, hard working people who are joining together in whichever way they can to fight against a very large, powerful, very well funded Australian mining company with bad intentions. Santana’s aggressive and unwelcome plans will be ruinous for our region. We don’t want this, and we simply cannot let this happen to our land or our people.”

• Sam Neill: “Today’s event is indicative of a growing community of ordinary, hard working people who are joining together in whichever way they can to fight against a very large, powerful, very well funded Australian mining company with bad intentions.

Renowned artist Grahame Sydney shared reflections about Central Otago’s “unique and expansive landscapes” which have featured so prominently in his artworks for decades. “Our landscapes are breathtaking, mystical, pristine and ever changing - and it’s no wonder that tourism - both international and domestic - is so strong in this region. We have to fight against this madness.”

• Guests paid $450 each to attend - with the event being attacked by Minister Shane Jones as “elitist”.” Funds will be used to cover legal and strategic costs to fight the Bendigo mine.

The event was supported by over a dozen local wineries - all from Bendigo - including some of New Zealand’s most respected organic wine brands. Quartz Reef’s Rudi Bauer, leading the local winegrowers at the event, said “we really wanted to showcase the exceptional wine produced in this area. The selection we were able to share with guests today was exciting - and definitely world class. The Bendigo winegrowers have developed an incredible reputation worldwide.”

The organising team said that the event sold out, with funds raised “exceeding all expectations”. Money was raised via ticket sales, wine sales, an art sale and private donations leading up to the event. All funds will be donated to Sustainable Tarras to cover expert fees and legal support costs as they make submissions to the fast-track process.

Sustainable Tarras chair Suze Keith said that the group was “overwhelmed by the extent of the support from the community, including those who couldn’t make it to the event but made contributions all the same.” She said that the generosity of the businesses who came together to create this event was “extraordinary”. The fundraising achieved was “well beyond expectations” and will provide the group with a “significant boost” just at the right time.

“It’s clear that there is a strong, growing and broad level of opposition to the mine and a sense that we all want to fight for what’s right for Aotearoa’s future. That’s why today was all about celebrating what we have here locally in Central Otago and why we should protect it.”

Keith says that Sustainable Tarras will shortly launch additional fundraising efforts, and will continue to focus on the “immense risks” of Santana’s “deeply controversial project.”