The Thornlie Tree Man

Richard Pennicuik, better known during the last few months as the Thornlie Tree man has rallied around himself a small team of trusted people to co-ordinate his efforts to 'save his tree'.
His concerns are that the Gosnells City Council, who he believes to be entirely unconstitutional are about to chop down the lovely, tall, indigenous tree that sits on the Council verge, between his home and Hume Road, Thornlie

In early December the Council 'rocked up' to chop the tree down so Richard climbed high into the tree to prevent them from doing so. He was soon joined by another supporter, Cameron Johnson who helped set up safety equipment and proper harnesses to make Richard's life in the tree more comfortable and safe for him.
Hume Road is a sub-arterial road in Thornlie so quite a lot of regular traffic traverses it.
Soon after Richard camped himself up his tree Cameron Johnson parked himself up another tall, indigenous tree nearby 'Richard's Tree' but unfortunately that tree did get chopped down by Council when Cameron was at work one day.

As I see things there are several intertwined issues here; Richard's right to feel attached to and protective of the tree on the verge and the fact that the Gosnells City Council consider that it is legally owned by them and that Richard has no rights regarding the fate of the tree.
I personally believe that all people, and their elected local government representatives (city and shire councilors) should look after, honor and respect the vital role that these tall, indigenous trees that line our streets in an ever increasingly small number of our Perth suburbs do play in our ecological landscape. They should not be regarded lightly and need to be preserved.
Indeed don't be too surprised if you see, alongside the regular Aussie Flag an Australian Indigenous Flag up there in the very near future.
Richard, and many of his supporters consider that Local town councils are unconstitutional and have been set up illegally, after an Australian Referendum in 1988 where the people voted "NO" to having local councils. There is an argument they present that can be read in some of their campaign fliers and email mail-outs (see below).
Their argument could well be true and I have even heard Australia's own political and constitutional experts and lawyers state that the Australian constitution is indeed a 'legally compromised' document.

Richard tells me he received a number of alarming threats whilst he was parked up 'his tree' during the whole of Perth's longest and hottest summer on record. He and his beloved tree even survived the massive summer super storm that hit Perth recently.
There was no damage to his tree and indeed very little storm damage to the hundreds of old growth, indigenous trees in the city of Gosnells.
This 'super-storm' really tested out Richard's mettle;
Richard says that lightning struck very, very close to him (most likely within twenty meters of him) and both he and his tree remained intact.

This fact, combined with the fact that certain authorities threatened Richard with 'compulsory mental health sectioning' brought him back to earth last Thursday.
Richard even tells me that on one occasion the Police were going to try getting him down but that when he rallied supporters their efforts ceased.
Since then 'his tree' has been guarded as best as Richard can muster from his small band of ever present supporters. Richard plans to not climb back up into the heart of 'his tree' but he has supporters who are prepared to do so.
Today other supporters parked themselves into the heart of the tree to defend both it and their democratic rights.
This morning, at first light the Gosnells City Council turned up to collect 'green waste' from Richard's verge. Interestingly enough they did not collect the 'green waste' already waiting on all the other verges along Hume Road.
They also took some photos of the tree.

Over the term of his stay in the tree Richard has received much media coverage and interest. Besides coverage from the 'regular' commercial media, both local and international, there are private individuals who have taken it upon themselves to set up various support groups and there is some coverage of this issue on youtube and in various Facebook groups.
Richard regards that the regular, commercial media coverage has very often been unbalanced and has been misrepresentative of him, his beliefs and his supporters.
I will attempt to help address this and in the near future will publish some articles and interviews with him and his supporters on Associated Content. Stay tuned.

And a ps to Channel Nine, Perth whose inter-program headlines tonight say that Richard has, "ended his campaign" and that , "other supporters are now up the tree" I'd like to point out that Richard has not ended his campaign; he has merely entered into another phase of his battle.

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Following here are unedited copies of three emails sent to me by Daniel Taylor. Daniel is known as 'Ground Support' and is one of Richard's right-hand men.

FROM Daniel Taylor - Ground Support,
Another supporter's thoughts are for other supporters to email this note to councilors. Their email addresses can be found on their GOSNELLS CITY website http://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/default-gosnells.asp
Here is the correct page address with the email info, http://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/scripts/viewoverview_contact.asp?NID=126
Here is the correct page address for the executive staff
http://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/scripts/viewoverview_contact.asp?NID=394

Be sure and forward this to all your contacts who support the Thornlie Tree Man,
Dear Councillor,

I live in the Constitutionally In-Valid CITY OF GOSNELLS.
If the tree goes then, at the next election, YOU GO.
Sincerely,
A. Name (your name)

NEXT MESSAGE;
FROM
Daniel Taylor, Ground Support.

I have forwarded here news and requests for help from Richard (the Tree Man) and his small organizational team.
Please read below. This post will also be sent out as a message to all members.
Richard Pennicuik better known as the "Thornlie Tree Man" would like to thank you for your support.

He would ask for you to continue giving him your support to protect the tree, his rights and your rights from being bullied away by an authoritarian body that has no right to have any authority over any commonwealth land.
Commonwealth lands, like the road and verge, are owned by the collective wealth of all Australians, both you and me!
The tree is still at risk and anyone who can lend their presence and support to stop the constitutionally In-valid Council from chopping it down.
There is a threat that an attempt to chop it down will be made very early (7am or earlier) Monday 29 March 2010.
Please help and tell all others that you know are in support that Richard needs your help!!!
Richard needs a regular presence of support at the tree on 100 Hume Road, Thornlie.
Richard also asks you to let the Constitutionally In-valid CITY OF GOSNELLS COUNCIL know that they should back off because they are wrong and because they don't have any legal right to have any authority over Commonwealth Land, the road and verge.
The constitutionally in-valid CITY OF GOSNELLS COUNCIL has in all this time not produced a single piece of credible evidence to support their claims that the tree Richard was in was dangerous. Nor for any of the other many trees they wrongly removed.

They did not produce any credible evidence because they don't have any!!!
(1) The trees life has not seen any limb failure.
(2) An scientific arborists report, proves it is a safe tree.
(3) The storm of the century proves it is a safe tree.
(4) Another recent arborists report completed after the storm also proves it is a safe tree. (Just sent to constitutionally in-valid councilors and constitutionally in-valid council.)
This is about the rights of a person, a ratepayer, an Australian Citizen and the Constitution of the Commonwealth.
The Constitution of the Commonwealth is the will of the people of Australia, the supreme set of guidelines and laws that govern the way Australia operates.
The Constitution of the Commonwealth can be purchased from the Australia Post and other book stores reasonably cheaply.
Or you can download it from, http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/coaca430/
The truth of the matter is that the constitutionally in-valid CITY OF GOSNELLS COUNCIL and all constitutionally in-valid local governments (councils) in Australia are just that, constitutionally in-valid.
You don't have to pay them any rates, as they are not recognized by the Australian people, by the Australian Constitution of the Commonwealth.
This, Australia's fundamental rule book (law) is the strongest set of rule (laws) in Australia. No other laws can over-ride them in any way.
The only way this Commonwealth Constitution can be changed in any way in by a nation wide referendum or vote.
In 1988, one of these referendums (national vote) was conducted. One of the questions that the Australian people were asked were,
Question Three, "To alter the Constitution to recognise local government." "Do you approve this proposed alteration?"
The people of every state in Australia voted not to recognise local governments or local councils in the Australian Commonwealth Constitution.
The Australian Commonwealth Constitution, or the people of Australia only agreed to recognise federal and state governments.
The police are Constitutionally recognized, but the local council ranger is not. Therefore you are under no legal obligation to recognise a local council ranger in any official manner.
Unless they and the local government or local councils can prove that they are recognized in the Australian Commonwealth Constitution. They can't because their not!

Please support Richard's (treeman's) efforts to protect his rights, your rights and every Australian's rights!!!
We have started fund raising to cover the costs of this action, as it has and will continue to cost money.
We have opened a joint account with the Bank of Bendigo (Gosnells) for the short term until we form a non-profit association with tax deductible status.
We will be telling you more through upcoming you- tube films and written information very soon.

Watch this space!!!
Also listen to Monday mornings 92.9 fm broadcast for Richard. He will be in the studio telling the saga.

Thank you,
Daniel Taylor, Ground Support

NEXT MESSAGE;
FROM
Daniel Taylor, Ground Support.

If you can volunteer some of your time to help out with Thornlie Tree Man stuff Richard would be very grateful.
Richard needs help with fund raising efforts, contacting supporters on the 5000+ strong petition.
Handing out flyers / information.
Making of signs.
Water bottles and food in and out of the famous bucket in and out of the tree.
People who are prepared to interlock arms and surround the tree if need be.
And a range of other tasks.

Keep posted.