Heather Ellis is an Australian writer, journalist and motorcyclist with more than 30 years of riding experience who rode her Yamaha TT600 enduro motorcycle through Africa, Europe, Central Asia and into China and Vietnam from 1993 to 1997.
The experiences and the lessons I learned on this journey have defined me - defined how I view every part of life.
Latest update
March 17, 2012
Thought this may help inspire us all....
By Heather Ellis
After 14 years I still see a few Jabiluka bumper stickers while riding around Melbourne. (I still proudly wear one as a badge on my motorcycle jacket). During the height of the protest back in 1998, busloads of protestors arrived in Kakadu at the Jabiluka protest campsite from Victoria. These Victorians, back then, were mostly university students and retirees. Today, many of these protestors are our doctors, lawyers, politicians and even journalists. As a first year journalism student at James Cook University, I organised the Jabiluka Kombi Convoy from Cairns to Kakadu to join the protest. We raised $450 by holding a dance party. It paid for fuel for four cars and a load of toilet paper and bandaids for the protest site. The peaceful battle for Jabiluka is one of the environmental activist movement's greatest victories: ‘We won that battle'. When faced with similar battles, it is very inspiring to reflect back on the Jabiluka protest as it proves what people, as a united force, can do when the impact on our environment and culture is so harmful. The Jabiluka Protest was about stopping ERA from mining uranium on the Mirrar Aboriginal people's traditional land which was adjacent to the Magella Wetlands - the womb of Kakadu where all life begins. Looking back it was all very much the storyline from 'Avatar'. Even the landforms, vegetation and some of the creatures have that ‘Avatar’ prehistoric feel.
I’m a Queenslander from the very far north and before that a Territorian where I worked as a radiation safety technician for ERA’s Ranger Uranium Mines in Kakadu. They were good to me, and as a result my earnings allowed me to travel a large part of our planet for four years on a Yamaha TT600. But when I returned to Australia back in late 1997, I came home to a Liberal government about to give the go ahead to ERA to mine uranium at Jabiluka. I quickly morphed into a rabid protestor/activist.
I feel once again the activist rising in me. This time to protect our right to ride and to make motorcycling safer especially for novice motorcyclists. To Read More....
February 2, 2012
The 3rd VicRoads Motorcycle Advisory Group (VMAG) meeting was held today (2/02/12). As a member of VMAG, I will report on items discussed once I have approval to publise this by VicRoads. I expect to do this before the end of this month.
January 29, 2012
PNG villagers burried alive in landslide disaster near ExxonMobil LNG project
It seems that the recent landslide in PNG has been classed as a 'natural disaster' therefore releasing ExxonMobil of any responsibility despite the oil company constructing a huge natural liquied gas project nearby. More than 100 people are said to have died. These were families sleeping in their huts including babies and children.
I have since removed the link to Mobil and all mention of their sponsorship from my website as I refuse to be associated with any company that has 'blood on its hands'.
....now I won't be buying Mobil petrol for the same reasons, I still don't buy Shell which continues to cover up ongoing oil spill disasters in the Nigerian delta since operations began 40 years ago.
December 17, 2011
As a member of the VicRoads Motorcycle Advisory Group (MAG), a few of my fellow motorcyclists have asked me about the issues being discussed. The second MAG meeting was held on 24 November.... to read more
Sponsors and Advertising Links:
Tsubaki (sponsor provided 520 Alpha O-Ring motorcycle chains)
Yamaha (sponsor provided some spare parts for my TT600)
Belstaff - motorcycle jackets Free shipping 8 to 11 December 2011
Shoei - motocross helmets with visor
one woman’s motorcycle journey of discovery available in the next year or two.
"When I got home in September 1997 (after the ride through Africa and Central Asia), somehow the timing wasn't right and I never completed my book. Near death and then life took over (university, career, marriage, babies, separation ...and divorce). But now that my three children are a little older, I can once again focus on pursuing my long-held dream - to finish my book."
