The Red Coast

by Di Morrissey

  Damien also had a lot of messages, but he ignored them.

  ‘I must see what Lydia wants,’ said Jacqui, pulling over. But when she tried to ring her friend there was no answer, so she left a message saying that they were nearly back in Broome, and then continued driving.

  Suddenly, Damien said, ‘Whoa! What’s going on?’

  Jacqui craned forward.

  ‘What on earth . . . ?’

  At the entrance to the town they could see several clusters of people standing beside the road. As they drove through the town, there were other groups standing on the lawns outside the courthouse, outside the radio station and the newspaper, the main pub and Tourist Information Centre. They were all holding placards or signs, or lengths of old sheets spray-painted with slogans. The message was clear, even if it was expressed in various ways – Hands off our coast, and We are not for sale.

  Damien leaned across and turned the radio on, and the two of them listened to a news bulletin.

  ‘Well,’ said Damien, when the bulletin had finished. ‘That’s it then. They’ve made it official. The government has given Chamberlain Industries the green light to go ahead with the development of the gas project at The Point.’

  ‘How can they? I’ve been told that it’s traditional sacred land,’ exclaimed Jacqui. ‘And it’s one of the most beautiful bits of the coast in the country! Not everyone will agree to this, especially right in Broome’s backyard.’

  ‘Looking at these protesters, it looks like the war has begun,’ said Damien. ‘Just the same, they’re going to have to do more than have a few ragtag activists hanging around if they want to stop something this big from happening here,’ he added.

  Jacqui didn’t say anything.

  As they pulled up at her house, Richie in the four-wheel drive behind them, Damien kissed her cheek. ‘I’ll probably be flat out for the rest of the day reviewing our footage, so I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?’ Jacqui nodded, relieved that she’d have some time to herself to think. She smiled at him and waved to Richie as Damien got out of her car and into Richie’s.

  As soon as she walked into her house, her phone rang. It was Lydia returning her call. ‘Put the kettle on, I’m coming over,’ she said.

  ‘Tell me some nice news before I tell you our horror story,’ said Lydia ten minutes later as she poured some milk into her tea. ‘How was the trip? How are you and Damien getting along? Was it fun out there?’

  ‘Oh, it was magic. I felt I was in another world. And Damien and I were, well, a hot team at first, but then . . .’

  ‘Then what?’

  ‘I don’t know, Lydia. Initially we felt so compatible. Damien’s been very sweet and loving, although, I don’t know, just at the end of the trip . . . Well, to be honest, I’ve come away a bit confused.’

  ‘What happened?’ Lydia leaned forward as she sipped her tea.

  ‘It’s sort of to do with Sheila.’

  Jacqui tried to explain Sheila’s emphatic opinion that money was all Aboriginal people needed to solve their myriad problems, and that any other considerations were secondary.

  ‘She’s pretty definite in her views, and while I admire her work and who she is, I felt uncomfortable – like she was seeing the surface of things out there, and not the deep roots of issues, if you know what I mean. She thought she’d got solutions sussed out straight away. Phillip is quiet but considered, and tried to point out that it’s a very complex issue, but she seemed to have no time for what he had to say.’

  ‘He’s a smart man.’

  ‘Anyway, Damien agreed with Sheila and just dismissed my point of view, so I felt a bit belittled. But then, as we were driving back, I started to think that maybe he and Sheila had a point. I mean, one of the settlements we saw was just awful. Maybe money from mining resources should override any other consideration. It could be the solution for such places.’

  ‘What would Damien know about it? And how dare he belittle you!’ Lydia fumed. ‘Let me tell you about what’s been happening here.’ She drew a breath. ‘They are proposing to put the world’s biggest LNG refinery on a sacred and pristine coastline, where there are people who still practise the world’s oldest living culture. It’s also the place that has the world’s largest humpback whale population and one of the world’s richest collections of dinosaur footprints. The spoil from the dredging will ruin Cable Beach. Add to that jetties, pipelines, and a port which will create a fifty-square-kilometre marine dead zone. And that’s just the start. Shall I go on? Now there’s talk of thousands of fly-in fly-out workers descending on Broome. That’s what mining money is going to bring to this town. No wonder all sorts of people are angry.’

  Jacqui sighed. ‘You’re right. Put that way, it all sounds dreadful. We have to try and stop it.’

  Lydia grimaced. ‘Yes. You should hear the talkback radio! I can tell you, the town has already divided into two war camps, those who want to leave things the way they are, and others who are thinking that this development will bring employment, housing and growth to the town. People like Natalie and Colin are all for the hub. He’ll be whipping up cheap houses and anything else he can think of.’

  ‘Oh dear. I suppose Nat will go along with that. This is awkward. You’d think they’d realise that the town will be ruined. It will never be the same if this hub goes ahead.’

  ‘But they’ll have made their money and moved on. So do they care?’ said Linda darkly.

  Jacqui got up. ‘It’s all too shocking. Where do we go from here?’

  ‘It’s going to be a long fight. Already half the townsfolk are throwing up their arms and saying, “We can’t fight the big guys” and the other half are painting protest signs and buying chains.’

  ‘Chains?’

  Lydia gave a rueful smile. ‘To lock ourselves onto the first damn piece of mining equipment that heads up the Point Road. I’m already part of an action group that has formed to try and stop the hub from going ahead called Save the Coast. It’s bankrolled by a benefactor who wants to remain anonymous, but who apparently comes up to Broome to fish every season. It’s surprising the people who are getting on board, including a couple of smart young lawyers from the east coast who are going to work for the group for free. They say there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors going on and that it’s just a massive PR exercise, to make people think that it’s too late to stop the project so they will give up trying. You should know, Jac, that if you talk about it in the shop, you might lose customers.’

  ‘No! Really?’

  ‘It’s started. Arguments in the pub. People are boycotting certain shops. Once some people see dollar signs, ethics and friendships go out the door.’

  ‘I shall say what I like in my own shop,’ said Jacqui indignantly.

  ‘There’s a rumour the Chamberlain Industries executives are coming up to the site, probably with some politicians in tow, on Daryl Johnson’s plane. Bigwigs trying to make it look as though all further discussion about the hub is a waste of time.’

  ‘Will you interview them?’

  ‘I hope to,’ said Lydia with a sigh. ‘But I don’t think I’m likely to be Daryl Johnson’s favourite person once he’s learned my views.’

  ‘I think that the rest of the country needs to know what’s going on up here. Maybe Damien can help. Why don’t we take this story to people who don’t live in Broome? What about contacting celebrities with clout? Also, politicians who value the environment, and maybe some high-profile entertainers. I’m sure some of the writers who were at the festival would lend their support in other ways,’ suggested Jacqui. ‘They wouldn’t necessarily have to come to Broome, just let people know that they are sympathetic.’

  ‘That’s a great idea. Expand the protest. We can only try, so I’m on to it. I’d better go. Thanks for the cuppa.’ With that, Lydia gave Jacqui a quick hug and made her way to her car.

  Jacqui was sit
ting quietly, wondering how this whole issue was going to be resolved, when her phone rang. It was Jean-Luc. She smiled as her son told her all about his time in Sydney and the plans his grandparents had for the next couple of days, before he flew back to France.

  ‘I am so glad you’re enjoying yourself, darling. You will ring before you leave, won’t you?’

  ‘Of course, Maman. I am having a good time in Sydney, but I really miss you and Broome.’

  ‘I miss you, too,’ said Jacqui, trying to sound bright and cheerful, although all she could think about was how long it would be until she saw her son again.

  Over the course of the following day people came into the bookshop expressing dismay at the news of the planned gas hub intrusion. Others seemed to think that it would be a great thing for the town. Brian was keen to see the town’s population swell with a new workforce because he would be able to sell more real estate. Rachel was more thoughtful, and could see that there might be long-term consequences from such a massive development.

  The afternoon was quiet in the bookshop. Jacqui had begun to wonder if word had already spread about her support for the Save the Coast campaign, so it was a relief when she heard the door open. Then she saw it was Cameron.

  ‘Oh, you’re back in Broome,’ said Jacqui. ‘Or did you ever leave?’

  ‘And hello to you, Jacqui,’ said Cameron sardonically. ‘Actually, I’ve been out of Australia for a few days. I hear the writers’ festival was a big success. I was wondering if I could buy you dinner to celebrate.’

  ‘I don’t think so, thanks.’ They stared at each other for a moment, he faintly quizzical, she feeling angry. ‘I expect you’re back to check on the progress of your great gas hub extravaganza? You know they are going to try and stop it.’

  ‘They? Who’s they? And how would “they” manage that?’ Cameron’s voice was measured. ‘So not everyone’s happy about it?’

  She rolled her eyes. ‘Hardly. But I suppose you are. Isn’t that what you’ve been trying to get established with your mate Daryl Johnson? And now you’ve hit the jackpot.’

  ‘Not a lot to do with me. Do you really care that much about what’s happening in a town you haven’t lived in for very long?’ he asked curiously.

  Jacqui nearly exploded. ‘Care? Have you spent time on country with the elders? Have you seen the living history of this place?’

  Cameron did a mock double take. ‘My goodness, you do feel strongly about this, don’t you?’

  ‘I feel like throwing my shoe at you,’ snapped Jacqui, turning back to the counter.

  Cameron spread his arms. ‘I’m sure they’re building in every kind of environmental safeguard and –’

  ‘It doesn’t matter what they do,’ exclaimed Jacqui furiously. ‘It won’t be enough to preserve the coast in its pristine state. And I bet you had a hand in all of this.’

  ‘Hey, just a minute, you can’t blame me for what’s happening on the coast. I might work for the same company, but I’m on quite a different project.’ His eyes narrowed.

  ‘Don’t try to hide your involvement,’ said Jacqui, her tone accusing. ‘I don’t see why you’re doing this.’

  Cameron took a step back and gave a small shrug. ‘Jacqui, I can’t stop the project. It has nothing to do with me. I’ve worked as a lawyer but right now I’m a consultant and sometime adviser to Daryl Johnson, organising exploration leases in this region. Properties are strictly governed by the lease agreements and how they co-exist with pastoral leases, so I make sure they all meet the correct criteria.’ He paused, then said, ‘You know the Kimberley can’t hide its riches forever. Mineral resources are the new currency, along with gold, pearls, land, cattle, water . . .’

  ‘Go away, Cameron. I can’t bear to think about how you want to exploit it all.’

  As she turned her back on him, Cameron hesitated. ‘Okay, Jacqui. I’ll be in touch.’

  She didn’t answer as he walked slowly from the shop.

  Jacqui stood staring at the rows of books, not seeing them. She was seeing the distant ranges, the fringe of saplings, the secret cave of snake paintings representing the sacred serpent, and, like a breath over her shoulder, she could feel the breeze, smell the burning grass and hear the faint chanting as Chester called to his ancestors. And before she knew it, tears started rolling down her cheeks.

  ‘Jacqui?’ A soft voice beside her made her jump, and she turned around.

  Seeing gentle-faced Lily Barton standing there, Jacqui reached to hug her. If anyone understood, it would be Lily.

  ‘Oh, it’s this whole awful development issue. I feel like the ground is rocking under my feet. I never thought I’d feel so strongly about a place. But I don’t know if I want to stay if the town gets torn apart. Life is tough enough, sometimes. I so miss Jean-Luc. He leaves for France tomorrow, and he’ll be so far away again.’ Slowly she straightened up, wiping away her tears.

  Lily smiled sympathetically. ‘It must be hard. Don’t think of leaving. This part of the country grabs you by the throat and the heart. I came here to see the sort of place that held Captain Tyndall and Olivia through the best of times and the worst of times. And having come, I know I’ll never leave. This is land that changes you, so that whether you stay or not, you’ll always carry a piece of the Kimberley with you.’

  *

  Damien and Jacqui lay together in bed that night, the mosquito net shrouding them in a small, filmy space, the world outside temporarily forgotten. Jacqui was still confused about their last proper conversation. But Damien had been so eager to see her, and so loving when he came over, that she was convinced her worries were all in her head. Now, however, in the quiet of the night, she couldn’t stop her thoughts returning to the problems of the intrusion of mining companies in this special part of the country.

  Damien ran his fingers through her tangled hair. ‘You’re very quiet.’

  ‘I suppose I am. I was thinking about this terrible gas hub. Hub! City is more like it.’

  ‘Oh. I thought you might be thinking about me and how you’re going to miss me.’

  She rolled over onto him, flinging her arms across his chest. ‘Oh, I am, I am. But you’ll be coming back up here, at least to film this huge fight over the gas hub, won’t you?’

  ‘I’m not sure. You know that the rest of the country doesn’t know and probably doesn’t care about this David and Goliath struggle. They’d probably think it was a storm in a teacup. Who’d be interested in buying the film then?’

  Jacqui sat up, suddenly cross. ‘Is that all you think it is, a waste of time? Have you got across the size and scope of this development? Its ramifications?’

  Damien gently held his hand over her mouth. ‘Calm down. That’s the way of the world, Jac. It’s called progress.’

  Jacqui fell back on her pillow. ‘I don’t think I can live here with all that going on. I’ll move to Perth!’

  ‘Mmmm,’ murmured Damien. ‘Now that could be a plan. The key to my house is under the pot by the door. I’ll be waiting.’

  She’d meant it to be a throwaway line, but suddenly Jacqui wondered if she really could stay on in Broome if it changed as much as they feared. And quite where was this all going with Damien? On the other hand, could she leave Broome in its hour of need?

  ‘You know, it might be worth your while hanging around to see if a small town can defeat an international corporation,’ said Jacqui softly.

  He leaned down to her. ‘In your dreams, baby.’ And before she could answer, he was kissing her.

  8

  On the clifftop beneath the trees, the remains of the last log smouldered on the campfire, a low red glow in the dark night. Bodies huddling in swags were scattered around the dying embers.

  Below in the ocean, the stillness of the sleeping sea was occasionally broken by mighty, shining bodies as they surged and crashed back under the surface, the
sound bouncing off the long line of red cliffs.

  On the full tide, the whales came close to the cliffs, and their haunting calls echoed through the little camp of sleeping volunteers. Some felt they could hear, in the mournful whale song, a cry for the protection of this precious coast.

  *

  A few days later, Peggy got out of her father’s battered LandCruiser and was greeted by a smattering of cheerful hellos and Jacqui’s affectionate hug.

  ‘Light’s going. I told Dad we should have left earlier to get up and settled.’

  ‘Don’t fret, we’ll have enough time,’ said Phillip.

  ‘Are you sure about this, Peggy?’ asked Jacqui. ‘It’s going to be a long night. And who knows how long you’ll be stuck up there.’

  Peggy gave a short laugh. ‘Hah! The longer the better. I just hope someone is filming it. I want to be in the news!’

  Phillip Knowles threw back his head and chuckled. ‘I never thought I’d have a daughter who wanted to be on TV!’

  ‘All in a good cause, Dad. Hey, look at all the people here. I thought this event was s’posed to be clandestine.’

  ‘A bit hard to be secretive when we’re on the edge of town. Just good luck there’s no one from the mining company around,’ said Jacqui. She glanced at the tall Chamberlain Industries crane that stood beside a small cabin the company had built on the outskirts of town. The crane was waiting to be moved onto The Point site, as soon as they had the go-ahead.

  ‘I don’t like the fact that they’ve set up this headquarters, like they’re going to win this battle and stay here,’ said Peggy. ‘I hope what I’m doing will make a bit of a statement. Dad’s fine with it,’ she reassured Jacqui.

  Phillip explained, ‘We’re challenging them in the court about taking equipment out to The Point without permission. It’s bad enough that they’ve sneaked some land-clearing equipment in by sea to start clearing the site. Did you hear about that?’

  Concerned, Jacqui shook her head.