Sad Day for The Reef
- Words by Peppermint
In a move that has surprised no one but outraged many, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority confirmed on the weekend that it would be going ahead with the Abbott Governmentβs previously axed plans to dump dredge spoil in the Reef. The World Heritage-protected area is already under serious pressure from climate change, coral bleaching and land-based pollution, and the expansion of the Abbot Point Coal Port only exacerbates this pressure, with millions of cubic metres of spoil to be dredged and dumped in order for the coal port to be constructed. Scientists and conservation groups have long lobbied the Authority to reject the expansion, citing evidence that sediment from dredging can poison and smother the fragile ecosystems of the reef. Greenpeace says the move will be an βinternational embarrassmentβ, akin to βdumping rubbish in the Grand Canyonβ. Several cleaner options including land infill, retainer barriers and the use of longer jetties have been rejected, and the new port will require even more dredging over the next decade to keep up with demand. Both Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer are reportedly negotiating leases for Abbot Point, set to be one of the worldβs largest ports. GetUp and other environmental groups have joined together to challenge the decision in court β click here to find out how you can help. (via ABC).
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Itβs all a lot, isnβt it?
We werenβt designed to carry this much emotional grief and world-wide trauma on an ongoing basis. Just know youβre not alone. Itβs ok to not be ok. π«Άπ»
Image from @PeopleIveLoved: βI am not sure my tiny brain was meant to understand this enormous grief.β
βWe love that we can bring a hint of imagination and whimsy into everyday life by making ordinary objects fun. Weβve learned to appreciate the little wins and to take a moment for each step we achieve.ββ
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Disillusioned by the realities of fast fashion, design grads Emily May and Sidonie Moore ditched clothing for a business that finds fun in the everyday. Enter @TheNonsenseMaker: a collection of unique homewares, fun wall art, greeting cards and more that breathe life into Emilyβs illustrations: βI love the idea of taking real-world objects and changing your perspective in a way that brings magic and whimsy into everyday life!ββ
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In issue 64βs feature βIt all makes senseβ, we chat to the Naarm/Melbourne-based duo about their sustainability philosophy, TV re-runs and their commitment to local makers. At stockists now!β
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Photos: @MeAndMyGirlβ
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#PeppermintMagazine #TheNonsenseMaker #LocalMakers #SustainableCraft
Any New Yearβs resolutions on your list? We love this from @OtterBeeStitching - βbe brave enough to suck at something newβ.
Thereβs no points for perfection, but youβll get a trophy for trying. If nothing else this year, take the leap and try something new.
#OtterBeeStitching #Embroidery #BeBrave #TrySomethingNew #EmbroideryArt
Sunday serving suggestion βοΈ
Gorgeous photos from @JolieFemmeStore - who make sweet garments from vintage bedsheets.
#PeppermintMagazine #SlowSunday #SwitchOff #Unplug #ReadAMagazine
A toast to the old you π₯
We wholeheartedly love this post from the brilliant @EmilyOnLife:
β2026: Reinvent, burn it down, let it go (whatever it is). Year of the Snake it up. Exercise your boundaries, exercise your body, take one teeny step every day towards a life that feels better to be in.
But donβt you dare shit on your old self while you do it.
Hold yourself with reverence and tenderness and respect, because you got you this far. You did your very best with the information and tools you had at the time. You scraped yourself together, you made it work, you survived what felt impossible to survive: again and again and again.
You are perpetually in the process of becoming, whether you can feel it or not, whether or not you add it to your 2026 to-do list.β
Some very wise words from @Damon.Gameau to take us into 2026 ππΌ
