creative piece' Flashcards
(15 cards)
beginning part 1 - acknowledgement (3)
Good afternoon, councillors and residents of Mitchell Shire.
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways in the area now known as Mitchell Shire. Let me begin by acknowledging the importance of Kilmore’s agriculture that we have provided to the Taungurung people and the rest of Victoria.
beginning part 2 - As we reflect on… (2)
As we reflect on our farming roots, which were established in this life-sustaining region of Kilmore, we recognise that, like the traditional owners, we too have a responsibility to retain the true purpose of our land. Despite colonisation and a progressive movement over time, we too respect and value this land, but with a different perspective.
beginning part 3 - This land has been… (4)
This land has been my family’s home for decades. I was born here, raised here, and have spent my entire life working the same soil my father and grandfather farmed on before me. When I was a child, you could drive so far and see nothing but wide fields, green pastures, and the occasional farmhouse standing strong. But that Kilmore is disappearing.
middle part 1 - Over the last decade I’ve slowly… (5)
Over the last decade I’ve slowly watched our open fields shrink, swallowed by uncontrolled development. The old dirt roads where I would ride my bike as a kid have been paved over, now packed with construction trucks. Paddocks where cows once grazed freely are now covered in uniform housing estates, each house a clone of the next. Alongside are the giant chain stores that hold no personality, where our locals, like old Jimmy, would be angered as his local IGA is no longer the ‘usual’ for shoppers. The peacefulness of our town is being replaced with congestion and noise.
middle part 2 - Our country is calling - … (3)
Our Country is calling - but are we listening? This land is where our ancestors worked tirelessly to build a life here, and their knowledge of the land has been passed down for generations. Our Country is calling, warning us that we are on the edge of losing our quiet town we may never get back.
middle part 3 - A neighbouring farmer… (5)
A neighbouring farmer I’ve known since childhood recently sold off his land, land his family had for generations. He didn’t want to sell, but with increasing pressure from developers, he had no choice. What was once a thriving farm will soon be chopped up and turned into another housing estate. More concrete and more congestion. Less of the Kilmore we know and love.
middle part 4 - Not only are family farms… (3)
Not only are family farms at risk, every acre of farmland we lose threatens our ability to produce fresh produce to sustain our town and the rest of Victoria. Once these developments take over, our land will be chopped up, subdivided, built on, and never returned to its original state. What does this mean for the future of Kilmore and its residents?
middle part 5 - Kilmore has always been… (3)
Kilmore has always been a town with character, a rich history, and an agricultural heritage, but most importantly a strong sense of community. It’s a place where families such as mine have lived for generations. If we allow unchecked development to continue, we are not just changing the landscape - we are erasing the essence of what makes Kilmore special.
middle part 6 - Losing farmland means losing more than… (5)
Losing farmland means losing more than just space. It means losing our identity and our connection to nature. It means replacing the beauty and tranquillity of our town with congestion, noise, and pollution. It will turn Kilmore into just another overdeveloped suburb, indistinguishable from the rest. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
middle part 7 - i understand the argument being made - … (3)
I understand the argument being made - more houses means more people, more revenue for the council, and more business opportunities. But at what cost? More rates and fees might fill council budgets, but they cannot replace what we are losing: our land, our history, our way of life, our Kilmore.
middle part 8 - I’m not against progress;… (3)
I’m not against progress; I know that growth is unavoidable. But I believe in progress that respects our farming roots and respects the families who have called it home for decades. The development of Kilmore must be done responsibly, without harming local farm owners.
middle part 9 - If we continue down this… (5)
If we continue down this undesirable path, Kilmore may lose what makes it unique. We will have no choice other than to trade our heritage for housing estates. You will sacrifice our history for higher property values. And once it’s gone, we can never get it back. What will our Kilmore look like then?
end part 1 - So I ask you - what kind of… (5)
So, I ask you - what kind of Kilmore do we want to leave for our children? Do we want a town that still has wide fields, family farms, and a strong sense of community? Or do we want to become just another crowded, overdeveloped suburb, indistinguishable from the rest? Our country is calling. It is crying out for us to listen, to act, and to protect what we have before it is too late.
end part 2 - To the council.. (3)
To the council, I urge you to think beyond short-term gains and consider the long-term impact of making these decisions. To my fellow farmers and residents, I implore you to stand up for the town we love and to keep fighting for the land that has sustained us for generations. If we do nothing, we will wake up one day and realise that the Kilmore we once knew is gone.
end part 3 - But if we take a stand - … (3)
But if we take a stand - if we push for responsible development, if we fight for policies that protect our farmland - we can ensure that our children don’t just hear stories of what Kilmore used to be but get to experience it for themselves. Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Let’s make the right choice - before our country stops calling.
