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LEAD Action News Volume 22 Number 4 December 2024 Page 79 of 131
In memory of Roger Green - Vince Mahon
Conservation including the Franklin River Campaign in which Roger played a valuable role was an
important part of Roger’s life. Monika and Roger’s sons, Ned & Will had little knowledge of his work
on the Franklin campaign or his campaigning prowess.
Amongst the privileges of working at the Tasmanian Wilderness Society (as it then was) were the
wonderful people you met, worked with, and, forged friendships. Roger was one of those people. He
was a wonderful person. He was analytical, genial, generous, intelligent, smart and warm.
Those from the Tasmanian Wilderness Society who remember Roger and worked with him speak
highly of him and acknowledge his important contribution. He was a voice of calm and reason during
those heady days at the business end of the campaign.
Roger was appointed the Australian Conservation Foundation South-West Tasmanian Campaign
Officer sometime in the second half of 1982. Federal lobbying was intensifying and preparations were
underway for the Blockade to start in December that year. Roger’s appointment came at a time there
was some tension between ACF and TWS. He was a calming influence.
In October 1982 we were in Canberra to lobby members of the Fraser Government. Roger was part of
the team. Among those Roger lobbied was one John Howard (Treasurer at the time) who told Roger
he had received more letters on South-West Tasmania than on his retrospective tax legislation.
A federal by-election for the seat of Flinders in Victoria was to be held on the 4th December 1982. The
seat was held by the Fraser Government. ACF and TWS committed resources to the campaign. Roger
was among those on the ground during that campaign, finding a suitable shopfront & involved in the
important strategic decision ( and the correct one) not to support candidates but get voters to write
“No Dams” on their ballot papers. Over 40% of voters wrote “No Dams” on their ballot papers.
Roger’s lobbying extended to psephologists. He saw Malcolm Mackerras at the time a well known &
respected political commentator. This was on Monday 13 December, the day before the Blockade
commenced. Malcolm Mackerras told Roger the ALP can win the election without winning seats in
Tasmania. This was the outcome election day.
Come early 1983 the Blockade was in full swing and planning underway for a federal election due
sometime in the coming months. When Roger journeyed to Hobart the ACF Office was in the Hobart
CBD while the TWS building was on its outskirts. Roger tended to “camp out’ at TWS where the action
was, decisions needed to made quickly, his input important and for the camaraderie.
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LEAD Action News Volume 22 Number 4 December 2024 Page 80 of 131
PHOTO: Flinders-by-election Team incl (standing) Bob Brown (arms crossed) & Roger Green (far right) Dec
1982. Photo URL: https://theemperors-clothes.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/flinders-by-electionteam-
dec-1982-unknown.jpg; Link accessible via https://theemperors-clothes.com/2017/12/08/the-law-of-the-
land-and-other-legends-in-their-own-lunchtimes/#more-5091
Roger, I and others visited Strahan which was the headquarters for the Blockade. Along with Bob
Brown we went up river to visit the blockade sites. Also federal politicians especially ALP MPs visited
Strahan to meet with campaigners. In today’s political climate most unlikely. Roger was with ACF
Executive Director Geoff Mosley in Strahan to lobby shadow ministers including Barry Jones to
strengthen its position on South-West Tasmania.
By the time Malcolm Fraser called the election on February 3 1983 Roger had become a de facto TWS
campaigner. In the subsequent TWS national meetings to formulate our campaign strategy Roger was
always invited to attend and an active important participant in all such meetings. Roger was involved
in making the decision to back the ALP in the House of Representatives and the Democrats in the
Senate. He was also part of ongoing meetings to refine our strategy throughout the campaign.
On Saturday March 5 1983 the Bob Hawke led ALP won government. It enacted World Heritage
legislation to protect the Franklin Wilderness which was upheld as constitutional by the High Court.
This paved the way for other national treasures to receive World Heritage status and protection.
Subsequent to the campaign Roger authored and published “Battle for the Franklin” which Bob Brown
stated “was a very valuable book of interviews of figures involved in the campaign”.
Throughout the campaign Roger played an important and valuable role. Also a good friend.
Vale Roger. Rest in Peace
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