HEAR THE VOICE
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:54 am
An overwhelming 20,000 Australians spoke up for the victims of the live export trade at rallies across Australia on Sunday. Politicians meet to pass legislation this Thursday that could finally put an end to this brutal trade.
Animals Australia and the RSPCA are calling on Julia Gillard to allow a conscience vote on Thursday to free up politicians to honestly represent the public by supporting the bills without threat of being expelled from their party. If ever there was a time when the voices of those who oppose live export is needed, now is that time.
There is one very important call I would ask you to make tomorrow. Please join me, and thousands of others this Wednesday August 17th in a National Call Your MP Day to ask our representatives to vote in favour of the legislation to end live exports.
This could be the most important call you make this week. Thursday, 18th August, the future of live exports will rest in the hands of our elected representatives in Canberra. Federal politicians will be presented a historic opportunity to right a dreadful wrong and end Australia's cruellest trade.
If the Government rejects the proposed legislation and continues to support live export, it will be condemning millions of animals to unspeakable brutality and putting short-term profit before long-term benefits to the economy and Australian jobs.
HEAR THE VOICE
He was just little, newly born, and birthed on board during a storm
where sheep in thousands packed in tight all moaned in fear throughout the night.
He huddled close to his Mums side. ‘Stay close my lamb survive the ride.
I do not know why we are here but stay close child and do not fear.’
As days went by she told the tale of pastures green in New South Wales.
She told of paddocks large and wide where sheep and deer grazed alongside
each other all in harmony. How life was good and they were free
and never was there any doubt that harsh treatment for them was out.
But now there were new rules in play – a big truck took them all away
and they were loaded on this ship, something she didn’t like a bit.
She missed the grass and the blue sky, sheep pellets she was forced to try
and here water appeared in troughs and for her home she felt the loss.
The day arrived; they disembarked, on foreign soil to different barks.
These weren’t the dogs she knew from home. She never had felt so alone
but with the other sheep she ran – ‘stay close my child, close as you can’
and still despite the woolly crush, he stuck close by throughout the rush.
And now their treatment vastly changed – the men around them seemed deranged.
Exhausted sheep were quite defeated, their fallen comrades badly treated.
No shelter from the blazing heat – no water – some on tottering feet
sank to the ground, their heads turned back, their tortured bodies death turned slack.
But these at least were saved the fate that now awaited woolly mates
who now driven with sticks and blows were herded to the abattoirs.
‘Stay close my son stay by my side’ and oh he tried he really tried
but they both became separated – he heard her cries…they soon abated.
He heard the cry, and heard her scream – saw her blood pour in a red stream.
He heard her gasp, her cry of pain and saw a knife blade strike again.
It cut her throat – her agony was in her eyes. Her lamb did see
the life light fading from her eyes – a baby saw his Mother die.
And then in terror and great fear the act again took place right near
the carcase that lay still, inert, with blood stained wool across her throat,
and now the floors were slick with gore – and in the shed sheep watched and saw
companions slain. They moaned in fear and trembled as their time came near.
And one lamb, orphaned and alone – an innocent with nothing to atone
stood in mortal fear and cried, as all around him more sheep died.
How could we even contemplate sending our animals to this fate?
Too late for those who’ve left our shore, too late for him.
But please – No more.
Maureen Clifford © 08/11
Animals Australia and the RSPCA are calling on Julia Gillard to allow a conscience vote on Thursday to free up politicians to honestly represent the public by supporting the bills without threat of being expelled from their party. If ever there was a time when the voices of those who oppose live export is needed, now is that time.
There is one very important call I would ask you to make tomorrow. Please join me, and thousands of others this Wednesday August 17th in a National Call Your MP Day to ask our representatives to vote in favour of the legislation to end live exports.
This could be the most important call you make this week. Thursday, 18th August, the future of live exports will rest in the hands of our elected representatives in Canberra. Federal politicians will be presented a historic opportunity to right a dreadful wrong and end Australia's cruellest trade.
If the Government rejects the proposed legislation and continues to support live export, it will be condemning millions of animals to unspeakable brutality and putting short-term profit before long-term benefits to the economy and Australian jobs.
HEAR THE VOICE
He was just little, newly born, and birthed on board during a storm
where sheep in thousands packed in tight all moaned in fear throughout the night.
He huddled close to his Mums side. ‘Stay close my lamb survive the ride.
I do not know why we are here but stay close child and do not fear.’
As days went by she told the tale of pastures green in New South Wales.
She told of paddocks large and wide where sheep and deer grazed alongside
each other all in harmony. How life was good and they were free
and never was there any doubt that harsh treatment for them was out.
But now there were new rules in play – a big truck took them all away
and they were loaded on this ship, something she didn’t like a bit.
She missed the grass and the blue sky, sheep pellets she was forced to try
and here water appeared in troughs and for her home she felt the loss.
The day arrived; they disembarked, on foreign soil to different barks.
These weren’t the dogs she knew from home. She never had felt so alone
but with the other sheep she ran – ‘stay close my child, close as you can’
and still despite the woolly crush, he stuck close by throughout the rush.
And now their treatment vastly changed – the men around them seemed deranged.
Exhausted sheep were quite defeated, their fallen comrades badly treated.
No shelter from the blazing heat – no water – some on tottering feet
sank to the ground, their heads turned back, their tortured bodies death turned slack.
But these at least were saved the fate that now awaited woolly mates
who now driven with sticks and blows were herded to the abattoirs.
‘Stay close my son stay by my side’ and oh he tried he really tried
but they both became separated – he heard her cries…they soon abated.
He heard the cry, and heard her scream – saw her blood pour in a red stream.
He heard her gasp, her cry of pain and saw a knife blade strike again.
It cut her throat – her agony was in her eyes. Her lamb did see
the life light fading from her eyes – a baby saw his Mother die.
And then in terror and great fear the act again took place right near
the carcase that lay still, inert, with blood stained wool across her throat,
and now the floors were slick with gore – and in the shed sheep watched and saw
companions slain. They moaned in fear and trembled as their time came near.
And one lamb, orphaned and alone – an innocent with nothing to atone
stood in mortal fear and cried, as all around him more sheep died.
How could we even contemplate sending our animals to this fate?
Too late for those who’ve left our shore, too late for him.
But please – No more.
Maureen Clifford © 08/11