Wiradjuri Elder, Neville "Chappy" Williams brought an offspring of the Sacred Fire from Canberra Tent Embassy to Lake Cowal on November 16, 2002. Several days later the NSW Rural Fire Brigade attempted to put the fire out for reasons of a total fire ban in New South Wales, however, Mr. Williams defended his right to keep the sacred fire burning to perform religious ceremonies under Section 116 of the Australian Constitution, Freedom of Religion. The fire was returned to Canberra Tent Embassy.
A broken artefact was located on the path of the drilling rigs. Neville Williams has charged Barrick Gold with the destruction and damaging of Aboriginal arefacts without necessary permits from National Parks and Wildlife Association. The court case is onging in the Land and Environment Court.
See http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/gold/lakec.html for media releases on this matter.
