'You're Not Going to Win!' :Trains Not Tolls Rally Leafleting - Abbotsford Convent

Making music at the convent

'You're not going to win!', a passer-by challenged as I stood handing out leaflets at the Abbotsford convent market this morning. I was taken aback by his certainty. But when he added that he knew what he was talking about because he'd been through it all before, having fought against the closure of the Fitzroy Pool and the destruction of the convent itself, I was surprised. At my obvious retort: 'But they are both still standing. You helped save them,' he merely shrugged and walked on. I was left confused as to why, with that strike rate, he wouldn't be Mr Confidence himself. I also felt discouraged.
But most of the other people we talked to were very much on side. I took some pictures of them for our photo petition:

New supporters

Familiar faces

And leafleters included some people from other community groups, as well as us Tunnel Picketers, all ably organised by Jill:

It was no hardship standing in the autumn sunshine with music in the background, promoting our rally to a range of thoughtful people who predominantly share our views. But the pessimism of the original passer-by proved hard to shake.
After we had packed up, I farewelled my friends and then dropped in to that Melbourne institution and jewel of the convent - Lentil as Anything.

Yum!

Standing in the queue, about to serve myself a delicious vegetarian lunch, for which I could pay whatever I liked or could afford, the credo of this amazing not-for-profit organisation sprang to mind. 'We believe in the power of humanity to create stupendous change.' Reflecting on that, the jibe of the pessimistic passer-by began to fade. And settling down to eat lunch outside, I was greeted by this beautiful sight:

A testament to people power if ever there was one!