In 1979 Terania Creek became the focus of a landmark environmental protest. People formed a human shield to protect an environmental wonder. The protest represented the first time the presence of protesters challenged the government’s authority over forests and stopped a logging operation.
The Terania Creek Protest made headlines all around Australia. David Kemp, a keen amateur photographer, was recently arrived in this area and captivated by the beauty of the Terania forest, but appalled at the possibility of it being lost. He was determined to join the protest with his young family. His photographs, and the others in this exhibition, are among the few surviving images from this historical event and act as a time capsule for remembering it.
This exhibition will include photographs by David Kemp, archival material (such as signs and banners) and music generated to protect the rainforest at Terania Creek.
David Kemp has kindly donated 29 images of the Terania Creek Protest to Lismore Regional Gallery’s Permanent Collection. David’s images provide an arresting overview of this landmark environmental event. Many local environmental warriors were involved with it and it has informed our local culture. The legacy of this action is the Nightcap National Park, which is valued for its natural heritage and is now World Heritage-listed. We extend our sincere thanks to David for donating these images that capture the time so beautifully and which are an important local, historical resource.
