Steve Irwin's Last Day in Broome

Today marked the final day of the M/Y Steve Irwin's Broome leg of this campaign.  For the final day the Sea Shepherds invited several of the onshore activists and volunteers on board.  The activists were very excited to be on the Steve Irwin and the whales were more than happy to come out and say thank you in there way.  Many of the activists have been involved in protecting the Kimberly for almost a decade.  Sea Shepherd was honored to take them out and show them the pristine coast that they have been protecting and fighting for so diligently.  The commitment and spirit of the Broome community is truly amazing and to be able to put a smile on there faces if even for a moment during this fight was payment enough for the crew of the Steve Irwin.

In turn the traditional land owners and activists invited the Captain and crew of the Steve Irwin to James Price Point and the Walmadan  for the Pelican Corroboree.  With the Sea Shepherds flag ship anchored off Jame Price Point and the Captain Malcom Holland and his crew in attendance.  Phillip Roe sang the traditional songs of the Pelican Corroboree.  The traditional ceremony had not been performed for many years and was performed in honor of Sea Shepherd's participation in this fight.  The ceremony concluded with Phillip presenting Captain Holland with the hand made head dresses and boomerangs used in the Corroboree.

After an amazing vegan BBQ, John Butler sat under a wishing tree and filled the night with music, laughter, and a beautiful message.  The crew were humbled as they met and talked with traditional owners and activists who expressed there appreciation for Sea Shepherd and Bob Brown for joining their fight.  For many this fight has been about more than saving one of the largest humpback whale nurseries on the planet, more than protecting endangered sea turtle nesting beaches and more than saving thought to be extinct bilbees.  For some this is about saving a way of life, saving a culture, a people.  It's been about protecting their family; past, present and future.  The people of the Kimberley and the community of Broome have there scares from this war.  Families have be split and friends have been lost.  But thanks to 25 volunteers and a 1975 naval fisheries patrol vessel named the Steve Irwin the people of Broome and the families of the Walmadan have finally been giving back hope.  Many expressed to the crew that just seeing the Steve Irwin off the coast gave them hope.  Hope that they will save the Kimberley, its eco-systems, the whales and the people that call it home.