Mike Rose attached to logging machinery in Bulga State Forest 22nd October 2024
Media Release 22/10/24
Retired School Principal, 17th Arrest in Bulga Forest
Mike Roze, primary school principal for 27 years within a teaching career of 36 years, was today the 17th person arrested for attempting to stop the logging of endangered greater glider trees in Bulga State Forest, 65 km west of Port Macquarie.
“All my working life I have tried to be the best role model I could for the young children in my care. Taking this action is, I believe, continuing to do that. I believe the law is clearly wrong and we are trying to prevent greater harm and peaceful civil disobedience is my civic responsibility.
“I have 7 grandchildren, I wouldn’t be able to look them in the eye when they ask me what I did to try and stop the cascade of ecological collapse happening in our forests, if I didn’t at least step outside of my comfort zone to send this urgent message to the Premier:
“We grandparents are feeling desperate about the future. We need to give our kids hope that there will still be koalas and greater gliders in the forests they can show their kids.
“For more than 30 years I’ve taken young students on camping and hiking experiences in the forests of the North Coast. In their pristine old growth state they create a sense of awe and timelessness, it’s like going back to the age of the dinosaurs,” he said.
“During the 2019-20 bushfires I, along with another fire brigade member, set a back burn across the road (up Blue Knob) from this remnant glider habitat which helped to protect it from destruction. Absolutely heartbreaking to witness its destruction now.
“My father worked in the head office of the Forestry Commission in the 50’s and 60’s. My earliest memories were spending my school holidays with him on his work trips in the magnificent forests of NSW when they were properly managed.
“But I’ve watched the ongoing degradation of these same forests by logging and then bushfire and now more logging. It is pure insanity to think that what is happening is in any way sustainable.
“The Premier needs to stand up for the young people of this State. He needs to demonstrate he has a vision for the future which is not promoting the jobs of the 19th century, but smart, useful jobs that are not causing harm to our life support systems.
“He needs to intervene and Save Bulga Forest and the more than 100 Greater Gliders and 14 koalas we know live in the current logging zone.” Mike Roze said.
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