On Sunday, 8th February 2026, in the Bellingen Memorial Hall, PhD candidate Julian King and West Papuan student activist Beri Pahabol from the Bellingen Environment Centre presented a detailed history and update on the six-plus decade long annexation of West Papua.
Julian presented a summary of his research on West Papua’s failed decolonisation, breaches of law, the case of genocide and our governments complicity. Footage from inside the Territory included aerial bombing, helicopter gun-ships, abandoned communities and human rights atrocities including the murder of Australian film-maker Mark Worth in 2004.
Beri detailed how the ongoing loss of customary land due to mass deforestation, oil-palm, mining and illegal land-grabbing by the Indonesian military and businesses is resulting in the loss of Papuan life and culture. Having personal experience, he explained if you try and argue with the military they will just shoot you.
A live phone-in to Ghanaian musician and human rights advocate King Jomo Hutaa updated the gathering on the campaign in Ghana, supported by the Bellingen Environment Centre and Bundagen Community, to bring West Papua’s case before the international court.
An auction of Papuan artefacts and sale of refreshments including Papuan food raised over $2000 towards the campaign. Local musicians Inga Van Dyke and Jenny Adams sung their heart-felt songs about the environment and West Papua. A minutes’ silence was held to respect the life of Mark Worth, murdered by the Indonesian military, before his acclaimed documentary ‘Land of the Morning Star’ completed the afternoon. Several people stated, ‘I had no idea!’, summing up the fact that while West Papua is on our doorstep, the issue has been ‘muted’ for decades.
The event was sponsored by the Bellingen Environment Centre and generously supported by Swiss Patisserie, Alternatives Bookshop, Kombu Wholefoods and Habitat Café. Thanks particularly to all those volunteers behind the scenes. Award-winning film-maker Jane Welch kindly documented the presentations. They will soon be available on the BEC’s website: www.bellingenec.com.au