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AWARD-winning author and philosopher Raimond Gaita has enlisted a posse of high-profile writers, artists and intellectuals for a series of events in Castlemaine to raise funds for the fight against a broiler farm proposed for Baringhup.
Actress Rachel Griffiths, adventurer Robyn Davidson, author Don Watson and commentator Phillip Adams are among among those who have agreed to help support the campaign led by Mr Gaita, which is gearing up to take its struggle to the Supreme Court.
The hearing at Victoria’s planning tribunal hearing into the proposed chicken plant ends next week, but the Baringhup-based writer said he expects the legal battle to continue regardless of the result.
“Win or lose – we’ll end up in Supreme Court,” Mr Gaita said.
“If we win, the applicant has told us he’ll take us to Supreme Court and, if we lose, there will still be issues of law which will need to be resolved.”
With legal fees mounting, the author of ‘Romulus my Father’ – a memoir set in the Moolort Plains near his current home – is organising a series of events to raise money for the campaign.
The first event, ‘Love of Place,’ is scheduled for November 14 and will be an evening with writers talking and reading from their works. Along with Mr Gaita the other writers will be: Don Watson, Alex Miller, Hannie Rayson, Robyn Annear, Tony Birch and Barry Hill. The Theatre Royal event will also feature a performance by singer-songwriter Rose Bygrave.
Mr Gaita said he working on a second event for December 5 in which he would be joined in conversation with Robyn Davidson, author of ‘Tracks’.
The two met at this year’s Bendigo Writers Festival in an event at which they discussed turning cherished books into films.
“This time around the topic is going to be adventure, courage and romantic attachment to wild places,” he said.
“Obviously, Robyn has plenty of adventure in her and no doubt a kind of romantic attachment about the desert... I used to be mountaineer and now I’m in love with the desert.
“But I don’t dare tell Robyn I went into the Simpson in a four-wheel drive.”
Mr Gaita said another event planned was planned for early next year but would depend the date of a potential Supreme Court date.
“Rachel Griffiths has agreed to come in February and I’m hoping Robert Connolly will come as well to talk about Australian film and culture, as Robert’s made some very political films like ‘Balibo’ and ‘Three Dollars,’” he said.
“Phillip [Adams] and Alice [Pung] have both offered to come to Castlemaine as well for a fundraiser.”
Mr Gaita is hoping to raise $30,000 with the events to use alongside the proceeds of a writers’ prize he helped establish this year in the anti-chicken farm fight.
‘Love of Place’ will run from 5pm to 7.30pm on November 14 with the $20 tickets on sale via the Theatre Royal. All proceeds will go to the ‘Say no to Moorlot Chook’ campaign.