ENVIRONMENTAL awareness is of substantial value to the people of the Shoalhaven and on Saturday, March 29 the South Coast will turn out the lights for the Great Barrier Reef.
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For one hour from 8.30pm locals are urged to break out the old-school candles, turn off the lights and make a stand.
Booderee National Park tour operator Julie Freeman will host a public event for Earth Hour in conjunction with local Aboriginal tour company Galamban at Bristol Point camping area.
Mrs Freeman said hosting this event was important to her and her family because they were all environmentally conscious and wanted to get others to come along as they share local Aboriginal stories about the night sky.
“It’s really lovely to sit and look at the night sky when there are no lights on. It’s the best time because that’s when they really sparkle,” Mrs Freeman said.
“It’s about enjoying that night for that hour and we have put an Aboriginal spin on it with looking at the night sky.
“We want to highlight the importance of these initiatives – acting locally while thinking globally.”
Mrs Freeman said they would share local stories, including one about the seven sisters, the time of the two moons and the Milky Way.
“We’ll only tell night stories which belong to the South Coast and our region because they are our stories to tell,” she said.
“They are stories about the southern sky and things from the beginning of the world.
“The time of the two moons is about the women coming to the world and the South Coast and we will also tell a story about the mermaids and the first morning and evening star with the sisters of the sea.
“The Milky Way tells you the right time to get emu eggs, when the emu is seen in the Milky Way, and we will also talk about the connection with Cullunghutti (Coolangatta Mountain) and the creations of the southern night sky.”
The Earth Hour event at Bristol Point camping area will run for approximately two-hours. Bookings are essential and tickets are $20 per person.
Contact Julie Freeman for more information or to secure a spot on 4442 1117 or 0421 811 914.
Since its humble beginnings in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has been embraced by 7001 cities and 152 nations across the globe and for the first time has dedicated its focus to the Great Barrier Reef, which is rapidly decreasing as coral habitats die and fail to adapt to its changing surrounds.
For more information on Earth Hour or to create a gathering of your own visit the website www.earthhour.org.au.