Australian of the Year
By Jenny Moxham
An Animal Rights Poem from All-Creatures.org

Australian of the Year
By Jenny Moxham

The dairy folk are up in arms
In fact they're in a tizz,
'Cos Philip's dared to tell the truth
And say it as it is.

He's dared to let the public know
The tranquil dairy scene,
Is tragic for both cow and calf,
An industry obscene.

He's dared to say our water
Is too valuable to waste,
In growing feed for dairy cows
For nothing more than taste.

He's dared to speak about the great
Environmental harm,
That's caused by all the methane gas
On every dairy farm.

This man has spoken from his heart,
He has no hidden aim,
He cares for all on planet Earth.
(Can farmers say the same?)

This man is honest, good and true,
(Today that's something rare)
I salute you Philip Wollen!
Australian of the Year.

This poem was written to send to a farming newspaper in support of philanthropist Philip Wollen who was last year awarded the 2007 Australian of the Year award. Many in the farming sector, including the Victorian Farmers Federation president, are calling for the award to be revoked since Mr Wollen's recent comments on the dairy industry. In a statement supporting Animal Liberation Victoria's "Milk Sucks" campaign, he labeled the dairy industry "cruel, unnecessary and unsustainable." Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran said Mr Wollen should apologize for his "absurd" comments.

Watch Blazing Animal Rights Speech here.