NW Victoria

PUBLIC MEETINGS AT MILDURA AND SWAN HILL

THE DARK SIDE OF FLUORIDE: WHAT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD

The Victorian Fluoride Action Group: Mildura Branch, has hailed recent public meetings in Mildura and Swan Hill as highly successful (http://www2.fluoridealert.org/Alert/Australia/Sunraysia-Many-worried-about-fluoride).

Well over 300 people attended the Mildura meeting, held November 7 2008, including a number of local councillors.

Swan Hill had a smaller turnout due to numerous community events on the same day (Saturday the 8th), but no one left disappointed, and as with Mildura, the feeling of the public was crystal clear – we don’t want fluoride in our water supply, and especially not without a vote.

At least 10 councillors or potential councillors, following the meeting in Mildura, have publicly declared their opposition to forced fluoridation, and general community discontent continues to mount.

Speakers at both meetings included Peter Hulin (Victorian Fluoride Action Group: Warrnambool), Dr. Andrew Harms (past President, Australian Dental Association SA Branch), Phillip Robertson (Geelong Naturopath & former Biological Sciences Lecturer) and Anna Michalik (attendee, 28th International Society for Fluoride Research Conference 2008). All presentations can be viewed by clicking this link (VIDEO SOON TO BE POSTED).

Peter Hulin opened the night’s proceedings with a stirring presentation on the quest for democracy in the face of mandatory fluoridation. Providing invaluable insights to the Mildura community, based on the Warrnambool experience, Mr. Hulin pulled no punches as to the fight that lies ahead and stated, “cherish your councillors” in attendance, noting Warrnambool had no such openness from its council members in 2007.

Dr. Harms provided an extensive presentation, covering many issues regarding fluoridation, including long term effects on teeth and bones, together with critiques of Department of Human Services claims pertaining to the safety and efficacy of fluoridation.

A fruitful question and answer session followed, highlighting the keen community interest in the subject.

The night’s third speaker, Phillip Robertson, focused on the short term effects of fluoridation in his presentation titled, Unexpected Fluoride Poisoning in Practice, and Anna Michalik gave a truly down to earth presentation having recently been inspired by a trip with Dr. Harms to Toronto, where the pair attended the 28th International Society for Fluoride Research Conference.

The Mildura Branch is in the stages of planning the next phase of its campaign to raise public awareness about the scientific side of fluoridation, along with the democratic implications of mandatory fluoridation.

Numerous options are being explored. These include the highly successful anti-fluoride petitions which have been circulating since August and continue to gather signatures, the VOICE of Australia Fluoride Referendum, and above all, holding the Mildura Rural City Council members (who recently publicly declared opposition to mandatory fluoridation) to their word.

Furthermore, consultation with local State MP Peter Crisp (http://www.petercrisp.net.au/), and publicly declared anti-fluoride Federal MP John Forrest (http://www.jforrest.com/), will continue, in the hope that concerned members of the community will be properly represented. John Forrest’s statement can be viewed by clicking here (http://www2.fluoridealert.org/Alert/Australia/Mildura-Victoria-Fluoride-vote-only-option).

Further public meetings including Dr. Harms and others are also being considered.

Updates will be posted on this website (http://www.victorianfluorideactiongroup.org/).

Email vicflag.mildura@gmail.com