A torrent of interesting emails from Darwin agronomist and activist Robert Wesley-Smith in recent days confirms our belief that local and wider media outlets should make regular contact with him , even get Rural Rebel Rob to write a lively, well - read column , which he once did .
Apart from him recently taking out first prize in the giant pumpkin contest at the Darwin Show , he is booked this weekend to participate in Darwin events which will highlight aspects of the struggle for freedom in East Timor in which he and twin brothers , Martin and Peter , were involved.
It will include discussing the clandestine Radio Maubere which was set up in Darwin to make contact with freedom fighters in East Timor, Wesley-Smith playing a part .
On display will be 30 of his protest T-shirts produced during the struggle , a photo of some of them shown below , sent in an email . The unique collection deserves to be in a national institution ; one disintegrated while being washed and ironed for the display .
Wes was recently visited by Suzan Clear from Sydney who is researching the late Martin Wesley-Smith and his electronic music . It seems she studied under Martin when he was at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is preparing a paper for a Ph. D .
Another surprising email received by this blog covered the l988 construction of an Eco-tent community on Elcho Island in l988 , component parts barged in from Darwin, with extensive photos and details from Wes's own diary, which included a note about a Darwin Chorale performance of The Crucifixion at Easter .
Yet another email covered his attempt to possibly donate some of his $500 win for the champion melon to the Kamala Harris election kitty . It seems the fact that he is not an American , his kind offer of some Aussie dollars cannot be accepted.
Meanwhile , Wes, 81, is warily zooming about the rural area on his new E-bike because of the recent loss of his car driver's licence , and firing off emails about other concerning local and national issues and the monstrous Gaza bloodbath which must stop.
