We travel and we spend money when we visit places, and that helps the locals. In the west of Victoria guests at the international Yoga retreat in Dunkeld are told that they should not be in the immediate area surrounding the retreat as it is too dangerous for them to be there. Hard to run a business under those circumstances. Even more bizarre, the shooting takes place directly next to a tourist trail which runs through the national park and adjacent to a school camp when school children are present.

“We all need to understand what happens in the aftermath of the shooting. The checking to see no animals were injured on the property we are staying at, dealing with the distress of pets, the utter feeling of disempowerment of all present as the collateral damage from the nights activities is dealt with, continued until 4 am. The next day is ruined in terms of any possibility of working and so the damage continues.” Peter Hylands

Where and when you may use firearms (Firearm safety code2011)

- Before you do any shooting, whether with a firearm or airgun, you need to know when and where it can be safely and lawfully used.

- You should take steps to ensure that your shooting does not endanger property or frighten, annoy or put neighbours at risk. Telling your neighbours about what you are doing is always a good first step.

“The Code is a vital tool that has been developed in the interests of community safety and recreational shooting. I strongly encourage Victorian shooters to recognise the Code’s importance and actively practice the ten basic rules. In this regard, shooters will be able to continue enjoying their sport safely while avoiding endangering the welfare of others”. The Honourable Peter Ryan MLA Deputy Premier of Victoria (former)

“If it is not bad enough that they leave the guts, heads, hands and feet of the Kangaroos at their pop up abattoirs all over the bush for tourists to find, now they are actually shooting these poor little Kangaroos right there in front of the tourists, and if the tourists don’t like it, the message is don’t come back, welcome to Victoria” Peter Hylands

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The question is simply this, why are people travelling such long distances to come to this particular and adjoining paddock to shoot Kangaroos with government staff accompanying them in evident support, the aim of which is to justify this conduct?

Doing so when the owners of the adjoining property to where the shooting is occurring are clearly distressed and have clearly been treated in a prejudicial manner by all the authorities with whom they have engaged, and why then, continue to allow and attempt to justify the shooting, month after month, knowingly humiliating, demeaning and attempting to criminalise these business owners?

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