Defending Whales: Neil - radio operator

Neil - radio operator
Australia

My name is Neil.

I'm from Victoria, Australia mate.

I'm a class A pain in the #$%^ Radio Operator

How/why did you get involved with Greenpeace?
It’s a long, long time ago now! As a volunteer in the Brisbane office (yes there used to be one) I was still in the army then, used to turn up in uniform and get changed in the office.

When I was really young I wanted to work as a park ranger, but back then you needed a PhD in track maintenance to get a job. I was also into electronics thus I drifted into it. When I became a volunteer I found they needed radio people for the ships. I was trained as a radio technician a good match and I have been at it since.

Why is this expedition important to you?
This is a part of my home, I grew up on the edge of the Southern Ocean and I still live near it most of the time. I can remember watching whales from the beach as a child, loved them then and still do now. The environment has always been a part of my life, we do so many stupid things as a species, when the obvious hits us in the face we still don't get it.

There ain't many places left untouched and things that are not manipulated for our own use. We have decimated the whale populations and we think we have the technology to count and manage something we are never going to understand. We don't even have simple farming under control. Yet we think we can chase the remnants of a biomass across the globe just to keep alive a barbaric practice which should have been phased out well before even the IWC got off its lazy but.

When at sea, what do you miss the most from home?
Denise

Comments

I'm sure Denise will be happy with the answer to your last question Neil! Take care and find them whalers!!

Posted by: EJE | January 6, 2008 10:36 PM

As l write the Vicious Japanese whaling fleet is killing whales. For all we know they could have already killed humpback's, because to my knowledge there has been no one there monotoring them. I am sick and tired of the Australian and New Zealand Government for not standing up to the bully tactics of Japan. I understood that the Australian Government gave their word that if they were elected, they would send out a frigate and order the whaling fleet out of the Whale Sanctuary? Amazing how things can change once a party is elected!
I believe that Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd have not located the whaling fleet yet. l also know that Greenpeace said that when they locate the fleet, they will not divulge the location to Sea Shepherd. I think that is pretty stupid. what is more important the WHALES or petty differences. Come on work together, the whales need all the help that they can get. FOR THE WHALES
Joan

Posted by: Joan | January 7, 2008 2:17 AM

I agree 100% with Joan, put aside any differences and work together with the Sea Shepherd, we both have the same objective.

Richard
New Zealand

Posted by: Richard | January 7, 2008 12:44 PM

Hey Neil,

That's not often that you've got your profile on the TV show hey !

Big french hug and greetings from the maltese shipyard where we're renoving the paddling boat
Anne

Posted by: Anne | January 8, 2008 11:43 PM

Hey Neil

We just saw you on the news, keep up the great work and stay safe.

The Kinsella's from Brisbane

Posted by: Shauna | January 13, 2008 10:16 AM