Aria-award winner Rebecca Gibney is one of Australia's most loved actresses, and after going for a paddle with her, I can see why.

Rebecca joined me for a short leg of my trip up the Tamar Valley, her first time in a kayak.  Rebecca took to paddling like a duck to water, and within minutes was heading fearlessly for Whirlpool Reach.  The way Rebecca was kayaking, I had to check that she hadn't sent in a body-double. 

Rebecca and her partner Richard Bell live here, and their two year old son was born in the valley.  Rebecca doesn't consider herself a greenie,  but as a Mum and resident she feels obliged to speak out.  Her concerns include human health, water use, impact on the "clean, green" brand enjoyed by the Tamar Valley, and the potential impact on businesses who depend on that brand.

Farms, orchards, B&B's and vineyards provided the perfect backdrop for our conversation as we turned to alternatives to the mill, including stimulating, rather than destroying, the existing diversified economic base.

Those interested in her full thoughts can read Richard and Rebecca submission to the RPDC.  Its considered and constructive, and I commend it to all readers.

Rebecca says she's a convert to kayaking, so expect to see a two and a half person kayak on the Tamar river some time soon -  as long as that mill isn't built.  

It was a pleasure and a privilege to spend some tiime with such a delightful, intelligent and successful person, and the Channel 10 coverage of the paddle was excellent.

Rebecca and Richard will be at the Pulp Mill rally this Saturday, and so will I, so see you then.

Sim

http://www.paddlewithsim.com/node/68